The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken the final steps towards opening its highly-anticipated Connect America Fund II (CAF II), disbursing a staggering $2 billion in federal money over a decade to support new broadband infrastructure in rural areas across the nation. This funding will be allocated through a reverse auction process, where companies will submit bids to fulfill tasks and locations that fall outside of urban areas, desperately needing better connectivity.
Accelerating CAF II is one of the FCC’s legitimate claims to progress over the last year, which it rightfully gave pole position in Chairman Ajit Pai’s selective summary of the agency’s 2017 accomplishments. The fund was proposed back in 2013 but faced numerous roadblocks that prevented its implementation until now.
Pai made it an official priority upon taking over as FCC Chairman and has successfully pushed for the final steps towards making CAF II a reality. However, this hasn’t come without some tension within the agency. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn criticized Pai’s handling of issues concerning Tribal lands, where connectivity is particularly poor.
Pai responded by stating that an order to increase federal funding for development in Tribal areas had been proposed last February, but Clyburn threatened to withdraw her vote if the order wasn’t brought to a finish line she deemed satisfactory. Pai accuses Clyburn of attempting to shift blame and questions whether or not she truly believes in taking action to expand broadband access on Tribal lands.
If Commissioner Clyburn indeed supports increasing federal funding for broadband infrastructure on Tribal lands, it seems simple enough - just cast her vote in favor of the order. The disagreement between Pai and Clyburn highlights the ongoing challenges that persist within the FCC as they work towards bridging the digital divide.
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