While solving the Rip & Replace funding gap is important to smaller rural carriers, so too is figuring out the best way to deploy 5G in rural America as billions in federal and state funding grants are coming to businesses, says CCA President/CEO Steve Berry. Speaking to Inside Towers from Tampa, where CCA is holding its Mobile Carriers Show this week, Berry says ensuring that lawmakers understand that while fiber is great, money is needed for mobile wireless broadband, too.
“Our challenge is, we have to make sure that policymakers understand that just because you’ve got broadband to the farmhouse doesn’t mean you have ubiquitous 5G coverage in the barn or the feedlot or the back 40,” Berry said. “You can’t drive a tractor on a WiFi connection coming from the farmhouse. You need 5G, a more robust connection” because modern farm equipment like tractors often have several cameras and advanced features that require high-speed connectivity.
Berry emphasized this point as he welcomed attendees to the show yesterday. “2021 was a blockbuster year for broadband,” said Berry, referencing the Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan Act. Combined, they promise to bring $65 billion to broadband deployment. Berry emphasized that CCA’s advocacy work is directed to issues like reliable FCC coverage maps and technology neutral policies for fixed wireless and mobile wireless broadband deployment.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is tasked with distributing the bulk of the broadband grants. NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson addressed attendees via video. He said NTIA is “about a month away” from one of the largest efforts “in American history” to solve the broadband gap.
“We know families without connectivity are falling behind. We know [closing the digital divide] will require a whole of government approach,” said Davidson. Citing the $45 billion provided for broadband deployment in the Infrastructure Law, Davidson emphasized: “We’ve been talking about this for 20 years. Now, we’ll finally have the resources to do something about it.”
Some $42 billion will go to the Broadband Equity Access Program, in which NTIA will distribute dollars to states “who will create grant programs for consumers and businesses,” said Davidson. About $3 billion is designated for digital equity, and $2 billion each for Tribal broadband and middle-mile connections, according to Davidson.
“Given each state’s challenges, we don’t think one size fits all. NTIA will ensure states have flexibility” in how they distribute the grants funds. “Fiber may fit in many cases, but wireless technology will ensure no one is left behind,” he said.
“Past generations of Americans brought water and electricity to every home and built interstate highways,” said Davidson. Those programs required money and the federal government also “encouraged everyone to pitch in. That’s what’s called for here,” he said, noting that “every American deserves to live where you want.”
CCA’s Mobile Carriers Show runs through today in Tampa. Register here.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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