Supply Chain Annual Reporting Portal

Last week, the FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics issued a Public Notice announcing the establishment of the online reporting portal for service providers to report the extent to which their networks contain or use covered communications equipment or services (Vol. XVIII, Issue 38).  Providers must report and certify annually whether they have purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained any covered communications equipment or service on or after August 14, 2018, or within 60 days after the date such equipment or service was placed on the Covered List.  This report must be submitted no later than May 5, 2022. 

Tribal Library E-Rate Eligibility

The FCC adopted a Report and Order at its Open Meeting on January 27 that clarifies its E-Rate rules surrounding Tribal libraries’ eligibility (Vol. XIX, Issue 2).  The Order updates the definition of “library” in the E-Rate program rules to make clear that it includes Tribal libraries.  Adoption of the Order paves the way for Tribal libraries to apply for the E-Rate program application filing window that opened on January 12, 2022 and closes on March 22, 2022. 

Rosenworcel to Lead Cybersecurity Forum

Last week, the FCC announced that Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will serve as Chair of the relaunched Cybersecurity Forum for Independent and Executive Branch Regulators.  The Forum, which was initially launched in 2014, is a federal interagency group that shares information and expertise to enhance the cybersecurity of America’s critical infrastructure.  Member agencies of the group include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and Food and Drug Administration, among others. 

NTIA Broadband Grant Webinars

Last week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) announced that it will host a pre-Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) technical assistance webinar series to help prospective applicants better understand the agency’s new broadband grant programs authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  The webinar series will be held between March and May 2022 and will cover the following programs: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.

RDOF Sixth Round Funding

The FCC issued a Public Notice on January 28 authorizing more than $1.2 billion in the sixth round of funding through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) (Vol. XVIII, Issue 52).  The funding was awarded to 23 providers that will serve over 1 million locations in 32 states.  The Commission also created the Rural Broadband Accountability Plan, which aims to monitor and ensure compliance for universal service high-cost programs.  The Plan makes several changes to the existing audit and verification procedures, such as doubling the number of audits and verifications and publishing results on USAC’s website.