CommLaw Monitor

News and analysis from Kelley Drye’s communications practice group

FCC Provides Guidance on $100 Million Connected Care Pilot Program; Application Deadline Remains TBD

The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission” or “FCC”) has long been interested in the use of broadband-enabled telehealth services to make healthcare more accessible, particularly for veterans and low-income…

Podcast: Closing the Digital Divide and Enabling Connected Life

Americans who lack high-speed broadband internet access are caught on the wrong side of the “ Digital Divide,” with students facing a “homework gap” and adults, and even entire communities, facing an “opportunity gap”…

E-Rate Fraud in Crosshairs Following Charter School Indictment

E-Rate fraud is back in the spotlight following the indictment of a Dallas charter school CEO and the owner of a contracting company for an alleged kickback scheme resulting in over $300,000 in illegal subsidies.…

Split FCC Proposes Rural “Rate Floor” Reform

On May 18, 2017, at its May Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order on a two-one vote, seeking comment on whether it should reform the so-called…

FCC Eases Restrictions on Broadband Deployment Support for Rate-of-Return Carriers; Faces Challenges to Connect America Fund Phase II Auction

As part of its continued focus on accelerating broadband deployment, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eased restrictions on its universal service support for deployments by rate-of-return carriers in rural…