Newsletters

Topics in this Newsletter:

• The BEAD Challenge Process Begins July 8
• Federal Funding Account Grant Awards Expected Soon
• Verify Your FCC Broadband Data Every 6 Months
• ACP Has Ended for Now

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The BEAD Challenge Process will begin on July 8, 2024

Final updates to the BEAD “served status” data will be completed this week, and you will be able to submit challenges to the data beginning July 8.  The challenge window will be open for 30 days. Most of the links in this section will be on the State's BEAD Challenge Page.

What you'll need to do before July 8:

• Check your location using the California BEAD Model Challenge Map to see if it is identified as Served, Underserved, or Unserved.
• If your location is identified as Served or Underserved and you don’t get service that matches how your location is identified, you should prepare to submit a speed challenge.  The challenge will require 3 tests on different days – you'll need to take screen shots of each of the tests.  I suggest reading through the User Guide prior to July 8 to help you get ready to submit the challenge.
• If your location is already identified as Unserved (red dot), you don't need to submit a challenge.

You can Submit a Challenge when the challenge window opens on July 8.

• You'll need 3 speed tests, each from a different day.
• The process to submit a challenge presents a speed test link that you can use, and you can also use any of the NTIA-Approved speed tests on the IMBC website.
• The process includes several steps, starting with identifying your location.  The map has an unusual feature that requires you to click on your location on the map before you can proceed to the next step to select the comment (challenge) type.  If you have difficulties, please don't hesitate to reach out to me (sarmstrong@inyocounty.us) to schedule a time to walk through the process.

The links for reference:

• https://register.challenge.cpuc.ca.gov/
• https://register.challenge.cpuc.ca.gov/register/bead/map
• https://storage.googleapis.com/bbm-public-bucket-dev/BEAD%2BConsumer%2BChallenge%2BWebsite%2BGuide.doc.pdf
• https://register.challenge.cpuc.ca.gov/map-correction
• https://register.challenge.cpuc.ca.gov/test
• https://connectedeasternsierra.net/get-connected/speed-tests/

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Federal Funding Account Grant Awards Expected Soon

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has started approving Last-Mile Federal Funding Account (FFA) grant applications that were submitted last fall.  Three applications for Plumas County have been ministerially approved, and six applications are currently on the CPUC's July 11 Voting Meeting agenda for approval.  I'm expecting that we'll hear about our applications in the next two or three weeks.

FFA grant applications submitted by service providers to fund last-mile infrastructure construction in our region include projects in three areas in Inyo County and in three areas in Mono County.  Project applications in Inyo County include:  Aspendell, Starlite and the Bishop Creek area; Lone Pine and Alabama Hills; and Pearsonville (part of a project application for northern Kern County).  Project applications in Mono County include:  the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Mountain and the Mammoth Lakes Basin; locations from Convict Lake to McGee Creek; and June Lake.

You can view the public details of the FFA grant applications at the CPUC Broadband Grant Portal.

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Verify Your FCC Broadband Data Every 6 Months

The FCC accepts broadband location and service data from Internet Service Providers semiannually as part of the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) effort.  The public will be able to look up their location or locations on the FCC Broadband Map and submit challenges to the latest version of the fabric data generally in early spring and early fall of each year.  The challenges submitted on the FCC Broadband Map are separate from the BEAD Challenge Process.  California uses the FCC data and other sources to determine location eligibility for current and future grant programs.

It is very important for everyone to verify that their locations are identified correctly on the map, and that the services that are listed as available at those locations are accurate.  If the location or service availability is incorrect, please submit a Location Challenge or Availability Challenge as appropriate on the FCC Broadband Map page.

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ACP Has Ended for Now

Due to a lack of additional funding from Congress, the Affordable Connectivity Program has ended for now. Effective June 1, 2024, households will no longer receive an ACP discount.

ACP enrolled households are strongly encouraged to carefully review written notices from their internet company and from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the ACP administrator, about the end of ACP.

You can find affordable internet service plans in your area at California’s Internet for All Now website.

Topics in this Newsletter:

• The BEAD Challenge Process
• Reporting Internet Service Issues
• Internet Service Speed Tests
• Speed Test Results Data

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What the BEAD Challenge Process Means for You

Part of the NTIA BEAD Program involves Internet service customer verification of service speeds and availability – the BEAD Model Challenge Process.

Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal has been approved by the NTIA, and the CPUC voted on May 10 to approve a Proposed Decision “…enabling the Challenge Process to begin. The Challenge Process is the method by which permissible challengers as defined by NTIA will be able to challenge the served, underserved, or unserved status of Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs), which will be preliminarily determined based on the FCC's National Broadband Map according to BEAD requirements, as well as data not present in the National Broadband Map to the extent allowed by NTIA.”

The Challenge Process, not yet formally defined by the State, is expected to include a means for you to submit 3 speed tests (different days, any time of day, within a specified 30-day window).  When we get information on how the challenge process will work, we’ll get the word out to encourage everyone to participate.

I often hear of frustrated Internet customers in various parts of our region who pay for what should be decent broadband Internet service but is generally abysmal service in reality.  The BEAD Model Challenge Process will be your opportunity to verify the service speeds that you receive to ensure that your location is eligible for BEAD-funded projects.  For example, if you currently pay for Internet service at speeds above 25Mbps download / 3Mbps upload but don’t actually get at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload (both must be true), then your location should be eligible to be included in a grant application for project to construct last-mile Internet connection infrastructure to deliver 100Mbps / 20Mbps service.  The BEAD Challenge Process​ allows individuals to submit corrections to the existing, provider-supplied broadband service speed data to the counties and tribes for submission to the State.  Any corrections to the existing data will be included in the State’s Final Proposal.

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Reporting Internet Service Issues

Are you experiencing issues with your Internet service?  Are you having troubles finding a way to report the issue?  Have you reported an issue and received no response or no resolution?

The IMBC website has a section where you can click on the button for your ISP to report an issue.  If you’re not getting a response to your reported issue, you can escalate that issue as well by clicking on the button for your ISP in the Escalating Service Issues section.  The escalation process requires that you’ve submitted an issue to the ISP already, and the IMBC gets a copy of the escalation report to follow up with the provider as well.

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Speed Tests — Test Early, Test Often!

There are many different Internet speed test options available, but we’ve provided links to a few speed tests for you to use.  The simplest and easiest to use are the Open Speed Test (you can run this test without leaving the web page) and the Netflix Speed Test (large, easy to read numbers).

We recommend that you test your Internet regularly to make sure that your connection is functioning normally.  Doing so will help you identify when your connection is encountering issues.

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Speed Test Results Data

When you run an Internet service speed test, you can report those results and see how your service compares to others in your area.  The speed test results page has a variety of interactive charts and a scatter-plot graph.

To view more data in the Scatter-Plot Graph:

• Hover your cursor over the service provider’s name and those results will be highlighted.
• Click on a service provider’s name to remove the results from the graph (it grays the out the name – click it again to show the results).
• Hover your cursor over a data plot on the graph to show the service provider’s name and the download & upload speeds.
• Click on a data plot on the graph to show the details of the speed test, including download and upload speeds, the subscribed service speeds, and the test used associated with that specific speed test.  Click the Back arrow to go back to the page with the interactive graph and charts.

To view more data in the Pie Charts:

• Hover your cursor over parts of the pie chart to show the number and percentage of speed tests for that selection for that pie chart category.
• Click on a selection of the pie chart to visually highlight that selection.
• Hover over the selection in the legend to more easily find and highlight that selection in the pie chart.
• Click on selection in the legend to remove it from the pie chart.  This can be helpful to remove a larger selection to better compare the smaller selections with each other.

Topics in this Newsletter:

• New FCC Broadband Served Definition
• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Updates
• FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period through May, 2024
• Affordable Connectivity Program Wind-Down

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New FCC Broadband Served Definition

On March 14, 2024, the FCC changed its definition of “broadband” to mean Internet service with download speeds of at least 100Mbps and upload speeds of at least 20Mbps (100Mbps/20Mbps).  This definition will be the threshold for a location to be considered served for future grant programs.  The federal BEAD program currently considers Internet service speeds less than 100Mbps/20 Mbps and at least 25Mbps/3Mbps to be underserved.  Grant programs that have already been initiated will continue to consider Internet service speeds less than 25 Mbps/3 Mbps upload as unserved unless the programs are formally modified.

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FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period through May, 2024

The FCC recently accepted broadband location and service data from Internet Service Providers as part of the semi-annual Broadband Data Collection (BDC) effort.  The public will be able to look up their location or locations on the FCC Broadband Map and submit challenges to the latest version of the fabric data through May 2024.

It is very important for everyone to verify that their locations are identified correctly on the map, and that the services that are listed as available at those locations are accurate.

If the location or service availability is incorrect, please submit a Location Challenge or Availability Challenge as appropriate on the FCC Broadband Map page.

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Affordable Connectivity Program Wind-Down

April is the last fully funded month for the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP).  As of April 11, there is no news on whether the federal government will continue to fund the ACP.  There have so far been no changes to broadband construction grant programs that require that ACP service plans be included in the services delivered.

Topics in this Newsletter:

• USDA Grant Awards for Mono and Inyo Counties
• CPUC Federal Funding Account Grant Applications Status
• FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period through May, 2024

 

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USDA Broadband Technical Assistance Grant Awards

On February 21, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the award of USDA Rural Development Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) grants for Mono and Inyo Counties.  These grants are intended to result in shovel-ready, last-mile, detailed network engineering designs for Hammil in Mono County and for the Furnace Creek area in Inyo County.  The awards were announced as part of an investment of more than $770 million for rural infrastructure projects during USDA’s “Investing in America Tour.” The broad goal of the USDA funding is to bring high-speed internet, clean drinking water, and modern infrastructure to more than one million people in rural communities.

Once the network engineering designs for these projects are complete, we will be better equipped to estimate the funding needed for last-mile infrastructure construction for these areas.  We will then work with providers to seek the most appropriate grant funding for the construction of last-mile infrastructure and to provide broadband Internet service in these communities.

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CPUC Last-Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Applications Status

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Last-Mile Federal Funding Account (FFA) grant applications submitted last fall were expected to be evaluated and awarded this spring.  Since there were several FFA applications that overlapped CPUC Infrastructure Account applications, the CPUC has postponed the deadline for for action on pending Infrastructure Account applications—and ostensibly on the announcement of FFA grant application awards—until June 30, 2024.

FFA grant applications submitted by service providers to fund last-mile infrastructure construction in our region include projects in three areas in Inyo County and in three areas in Mono County.  Project applications in Inyo County include:  Aspendell, Starlite and the Bishop Creek area; Lone Pine and Alabama Hills; and Pearsonville (part of a project application for northern Kern County).  Project applications in Mono County include:  the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Mountain and the Mammoth Lakes Basin; locations from Convict Lake to McGee Creek; and June Lake.

You can view the public details of the FFA grant applications at the CPUC Broadband Grant Portal.

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FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period through May, 2024

The FCC recently accepted broadband location and service data from Internet Service Providers as part of the semi-annual Broadband Data Collection (BDC) effort.  The public will be able to look up their location or locations on the FCC Broadband Map and submit challenges to the latest version of the fabric data through May 2024.  It is very important for everyone to verify that their locations are identified correctly on the map, and that the services that are listed as available at those locations are accurate.  If the location or service availability is incorrect, please submit a Location Challenge or Availability Challenge as appropriate on the FCC Broadband Map page.

Topics in this Newsletter:

• CPUC Video Franchising - Share Your Opinion
• Federal BEAD Program Next Steps
• FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period coming in March, 2024
• Get Involved in Regional Broadband!

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CPUC Video Franchising - Share Your Opinion

The California Public Utilities Commission is creating new Video Franchising rules to protect customers who use television and internet services. The Commission is undertaking this work because many Californians rely on businesses such as Optimum, DirecTV, Charter, Comcast, and Cox for their television and internet services.  The Commission issues franchises to more than 20 businesses that offer these services in California.

To hear from customers and stakeholders on any proposed new rules, the Commission released its YouTube video titled, “Your Opinion Will Help Shape the Future of Video Franchising (2024)” to the public on January 30, 2024.  You can watch the YouTube video by clicking on the video link below:

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Federal BEAD Program Next Steps

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is intended to result in “Reliable Broadband Internet Service” for all households.  The goal is broadband Internet service at speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 10Mbps upload.

The NTIA is currently evaluating proposals from all of the States and Territories.  When California’s Initial Proposal is approved, probably this spring, the 1-year clock starts for California to submit its Final Proposal.

During that year, the State will solicit and select grant applications to cover all unserved locations in the State, and those selected grant applications will be included in the State’s Final proposal.  BEAD-funded construction work can begin after the NTIA approves the State’s Final Proposal and the individual applications.

Your participation may be necessary during that year as well.  Should your home’s Internet service speeds be challenged, you may be asked to run speed tests and provide the results to the County for submission to verify that your location is eligible for a BEAD-funded project.  While the specific details of the process are not yet available, the NTIA Speed Test Requirements for the Challenge Process will include the subscriber (you) submitting results from 3 speed tests within 60 days of the start of the challenge.

Stay tuned!

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FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period coming in March, 2024

This is a reminder that the FCC is now accepting broadband location and service data from Internet Service Providers as part of their semi-annual Broadband Data Collection (BDC) effort. After the BDC submission window closes in early March, the public will be able to look up their location or locations on the FCC Broadband Map and submit challenges to the fabric data. It will be very important for everyone to verify that their locations are identified correctly on the map, and that the services listed as available at those locations are accurate. If the location or service availability is incorrect, please submit a Location Challenge or Availability Challenge as appropriate on the FCC Broadband Map page.

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Get Involved in Regional Broadband - Provide your input

The IMBC website has a Get Involved page dedicated to gathering public input.  The Get Involved page has a survey for you to let us know if you’re truly receiving the Internet service speeds that you’re paying for and another survey to get your thoughts on which areas you feel need to be prioritized for broadband deployment.  That page also includes links to other pages on the IMBC website, including the Speed Tests page and the Reporting Issues page.

• Speed Tests – test regularly.
• Confirm your Internet Service Speeds.
• Tell us which areas you feel need broadband service expansion.
• Submit Challenges on the FCC Broadband Map if your Internet service isn’t accurately represented.  This is the current source of data that California uses for grant applications.

 

Topics in this Newsletter:

• Digital Equity Plan Draft – Public Comment through January 25, 2024
• FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period coming in March, 2024

 

Digital Equity Plan Draft – Public Comment through January 25, 2024  The State of California is taking a vitally important step toward closing the digital divide by releasing its draft California Digital Equity Plan aimed at ensuring every Californian has equitable access to reap the social and economic benefits of the digital world. The public is invited to add input to the plan by commenting before January 25, 2024. The draft Digital Equity Plan, part of the Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, was developed with input from across the State, including from Inyo and Mono counties. Representatives from agencies, organizations and companies in our region participated remotely a Digital Equity Plan workshop in May 2023, and the State also incorporated survey responses submitted by residents. From the California Department of Technology:  “Your perspective is extremely valuable in helping to refine the Plan and ensure it meets the needs of all Californians. To assist the development of this Plan further, submit a public comment: visit the State Digital Equity Plan page to access the draft, then select the public comment form and follow the instructions to share your feedback." Please take a few minutes to look through the plan and provide comments, express support, or provide additional information for consideration.

FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period coming in March, 2024 The FCC is now accepting broadband location and service data from Internet Service Providers as part of their semi-annual Broadband Data Collection (BDC) effort. After the BDC submission window closes in early March, the public will be able to look up their location or locations on the FCC Broadband Map and submit challenges to the fabric data. It will be very important for everyone to verify that their locations are identified correctly on the map, and that the services listed as available at those locations are accurate. If the location or service availability are incorrect, please submit a Location Challenge or Availability Challenge as appropriate on the FCC Broadband Map page.

Get Involved in Regional Broadband - Provide your input The IMBC website has a Get Involved page dedicated to gathering public input.  The Get Involved page has a survey for you to let us know if you’re truly receiving the Internet service speeds that you’re paying for and another survey to get your thoughts on which areas you feel need to be prioritized for broadband deployment.  That page also includes links to other pages on the IMBC website, including the Speed Tests page and the Reporting Issues page. Speed Tests - test regularly Confirm your Internet Service Speeds FCC Broadband Fabric Data Challenge period coming in March, 2024 Tell us which areas you feel need broadband service expansion Submit Challenges on the FCC Broadband Map if your Internet service isn’t accurately represented.  This is important as this is the current source of data that California uses for grant applications.

Topics in this Newsletter: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Grant Status BEAD Challenge Process and Speed Tests California Federal Funding Account (FFA) Grants Status Get Involved in Regional Broadband!

Status of the State’s BEAD Grant Application  The BEAD program is intended to result in “Reliable Broadband Internet Service” for all households, not just for the neediest households or for those only in specific areas as we’ve seen with so many previous broadband grant programs.  The stated program goal is to provide broadband Internet service for every unserved* and underserved** location at speeds of at least 100Mbps / 20Mbps (download/upload), and to provide service for all Community Anchor Institutions at symmetrical speeds of 1Gbps. The State will submit its Initial (non-draft) Proposal to the NTIA by December 27.  Submitted documents and other information can be found at the State’s Bead Program website. The State will solicit subgrantee applications for construction projects in 2024. One of the more relevant parts of the BEAD grant for our region is the establishment of an Extremely High Cost to Connect threshold.  Locations that are estimated to exceed that cost when planning for fiber-optic infrastructure will be eligible for connectivity using licensed fixed wireless or other reliable methods using BEAD funds.

*Unserved Internet service speeds:  less than 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. **Underserved Internet service speeds:  less than 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload.

BEAD Challenge Process and Speed Tests  Part of the overall BEAD application process will require involvement by residents and businesses.  As subgrantees submit BEAD applications to the State to connect unserved and underserved locations, Internet Service Providers who believe that they already provide services to those locations at “served” speeds can submit a challenge.  The challenge process will require speed test data to support claims of served, and in some cases, unserved or underserved locations. The NTIA posted a 2-page overview of the BEAD Speed Test Requirements to help explain the Challenge Process, but the following are key Speed Test requirements: The median result of three speed tests, taken on separate days, is used to identify service levels. Speed tests must not be older than 60 days from the start of the challenge period. Speed tests may be conducted by subscribers, but speed test challenges must be gathered and submitted by an eligible challenger (units of local government, nonprofit organizations, or an internet service provider). You can find links to the NTIA-approved speed tests on the IMBC website.

Status of FFA Applications and next steps  Town of Mammoth Lakes – grant submitted to connect locations identified as unserved, in the challenge process, response to the challenge has been submitted, awaiting CPUC evaluation of the grant application. Mono County – grants submitted to connect locations identified as unserved, in the challenge process, response to the challenge has been submitted, awaiting CPUC evaluation of the grant application. Inyo County (Inyo-1, Inyo-2, Kern-Pearsonville) – submitted to connect locations identified as unserved, in the challenge process, response to the challenge has been submitted, awaiting CPUC evaluation of the grant application.

Get Involved in Regional Broadband - Provide your input The IMBC website has a Get Involved page dedicated to gathering public input.  The Get Involved page has a survey for you to let us know if you’re truly receiving the Internet service speeds that you’re paying for and another survey to get your thoughts on which areas you feel need to be prioritized for broadband deployment.  That page also includes links to other pages on the IMBC website, including the Speed Tests page and the Reporting Issues page. Speed Tests – test regularly Confirm your Internet Service Speeds Tell us which areas you feel need broadband service expansion Submit Challenges on the FCC Broadband Map if your Internet service isn’t accurately represented.  This is important as this is the current source of data that California uses for grant applications.