Latest from Next TV in Broadband-buildout

White House Promotes Broadband Buildout Job Equity

john.eggerton@futurenet.com (John Eggerton) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:56:10 +0000

The Biden Administration wants broadband providers, local governments and others to make sure that the digital divide-closing boost to infrastructure-related jobs is equitably distributed.

The Administration Friday (June 17) launched a summer-long Talent Pipeline Challenge the goal of which is to put employ more women and minorities in the infrastructure buildout jobs being generated by billions in infrastructure buildout funds, including some $60-plus billion for broadband deployment.

Also: White House Offers Guide to Accessing Broadband Billions

The White House labeled it a "nationwide call to action" for both business and local government to provide for a more equitable work force in concert with federal investments in workforce development.

Broadband network providers are encouraged to hire employers from training programs targeted at helping "women, people of color and underserved workers," including apprentice programs and community colleges with diverse populations.

They are also encouraged to provide "tuition assistance, child care, transportation costs, and emergency aid" to help workers get the training they need. ■

Hill Democrats Propose $20 Billion Broadband Spend

john.eggerton@futurenet.com (John Eggerton) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:21:00 +0000

Looking to trump the president's trillion-dollar infrastructure spending plans, Hill Democrats Tuesday (Jan. 24) unveiled their own plan, which calls for spending big bucks to expand "high-speed and affordable broadband" in both unserved and "underserved" areas, including funding for both middle mile (backbone) and last-mile wired and wireless deployment

That allocation was not surprising given the importance of broadband deployment to the previous Democratic administration.

The Democratic plan calls for a $20 billion investment, which the Dems say would result in 260,000 new jobs.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee, was a key co-sponsor of the spending plan, which included the following: "To close the rural-urban divide, and to push toward ubiquitous access to high-speed broadband, we will invest $20 billion to fund the build out of high-speed broadband in unserved and underserved areas. This funding will be available to projects currently eligible under programs at both the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We also propose expanding the programs to enable grant recipients to use grant funds to deploy various types of infrastructure capable of offering, middle-mile, last-mile wired and wireless broadband access, and adding evaluation criteria in the awards process to ensure that the funding goes to the most effective and efficient uses. Finally, we propose ensuring additional funding is available to help upgrade our nation’s aging 9-1-1 system and other critical infrastructure technology."

The Commerce and Agriculture departments also received billions in broadband funds as part of the BTOP stimulus plan under President Obama.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association applauded the plan and its backers, which also include Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). The CCIA also pointed out that both FCC chairman Ajit Pai and President Trump support infrastructure buildouts.

Internet buildout is an issue that has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch. Pai has expressed support for the idea in recent months, and President Trump made infrastructure improvements a major campaign issue.

“Our economy depends on connectivity, and we need higher speeds and stronger broadband networks to remain competitive," said CCIA president Ed Black. "Broadband buildout done properly would create a wave of jobs and leave better access to high speed broadband for more citizens in its wake. Broadband buildout is an issue that does have and should have broad, bipartisan support. We appreciate the steps Democrats and Republicans are now taking to make their shared goals a reality for the thousands of citizens who need high speed internet access and the jobs that would bring.”

Budget Bill Contains Tax Breaks for Media Cos.

john.eggerton@futurenet.com (John Eggerton) — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:00:00 +0000

The new budget/tax package hammered out by Congress overnight (Dec. 15-16) extends tax breaks that cable operators say have helped them invest in broadband buildouts, as well as a break for TV and film producers and a tax credit for R&D.

CenturyLink, for one, had pressed House speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and others in leadership not to let the accelerated and bonus depreciation provisions in the tax law expire Dec. 31. They were adopted to goose the economy during the Great Recession, but were extended for two more years in 2013, when they were initially to have sunset.

According to a website dedicated to the tax issue, the 50% depreciation bonus helps businesses cut their tax bills on new equipment purchases by allowing them to write off more of the cost.

CenturyLink said the provisions have helped the company invest billions of dollars to launch a gigabit network and that it continues to invest hundreds of millions in residential speed upgrades, fiber-to-tower, investments that would have slowed if the tax break were not extended.

According to the budget bill, that that bonus depreciation will be extended through 2019, though it ramps down to a 40% bonus in 2018 and 30% in 2019.

The Film and Tax section of the bill extends special expensing provisions (limited to the first $15 million for qualified film, TV and theater productions.

Also in the bill is a permanent extension for a research and development tax credit, which helps keep that R&D onshore, and which Intel was quick to praise.

“Intel commends Congressional leaders for joining together in support of the recent vote to permanently restore and expand the corporate R&D tax credit for businesses across our country," said Ron Dickel, VP of finance and director of global tax and trade. "As one of the largest private investors in R&D in the U.S., Intel understands the value of investing in American innovation and the direct benefits on U.S. job growth...With a permanent R&D tax credit, Congress takes a significant step in securing long-term American economic growth and technological leadership.”