Today, the Federal Communications Commission announced the “Facilitate America's Superiority in 5G Technology (5G FAST) Plan” to ensure the United States wins the race to 5G wireless connectivity. The plan includes the nation’s largest spectrum auction in December 2019 and the promised future creation of a $20.4 billion rural broadband investment fund, “The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund,” to help close the digital divide.

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Report and Order that would eliminate the high-cost program’s rate floor rule. This rule prevented payments to carriers whose rates were below a certain threshold -- and likely would have resulted in many carriers simply raising the rates they charge rural customers to avoid losing support payments. Public Knowledge commends the FCC for removing this rule.

Today, Senator Murray (D-WA) introduced the “Digital Equity Act of 2019” to help close the digital divide by improving digital inclusion among groups that have historically lacked broadband access. The bill would enable these communities to access the technologies and digital literacy programs essential to using broadband internet today.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to restore the Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 Open Internet Order and the agency’s net neutrality rules by passing the “Save the Internet Act” (H.R. 1644). Chairman Pai’s FCC repealed these rules in 2017, ignoring the millions of Americans who support net neutrality. Public Knowledge commends the House of Representatives for listening to the American people, who overwhelmingly support net neutrality regardless of party, and urges the U.S. Senate to quickly pass the companion bill (S. 682).

Today, Filmmakers Collaborative SF launched a new film highlighting a successful antitrust legal action brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against Google, Apple, eBay, and other major technology companies in 2009. Public Knowledge President & CEO, Gene Kimmelman, provided commentary and insight for the project.