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From YouTube: Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (6-22-23)
Description
Office of Broadband Development Update 00:03:20
The Future of Broadband Deployment - National and State Trends in Broadband Development 00:35:59
A
Small
business
and
information
technology-
this
is
our
second
meeting
of
the
interim
I
want
to.
Thank
everybody.
Excuse
me
first
meeting
for
the
interim
I
want
to
thank
everybody
for
being
president
today.
If
you
do
have
a
cell
phone,
if
you
would
just
please
turn
that
to
silencer
vibrate.
As
we
begin
our
meeting
and
our
agenda
today
before
we
get
started,
I
do
want
to
announce.
We
have
two
new
analysts
that
are
assigned
to
this
committee.
A
B
C
D
G
Thank
you,
Mr
chairman
I'd,
like
to
introduce
one
of
my
County
judges,
Bradford
County,
Judge,
Jeff
Noble,
here
with
me
today,
and
then
for
a
few
years,
we've
talked
about
trails
in
the
mountains
and
our
executive
director
of
the
first
Frontier
Appalachian
trail
system
is
here.
Was
today
Scott
Smith
I
appreciate
them
riding
down
with.
A
C
A
A
If
that's
okay,
I
would
first
like
to
call
up
for
the
office
of
broadband
development
for
an
update
if
we
would
have
those
two
that
are
presenting
that
being
a
the
executive
director
of
office
of
broadband
development
and
John
Hicks,
a
state
budget
director
I
know
you
are
no
strangers
to
the
process
here.
If
you
would
just
identify
yourselves
post
for
the
record,
make
sure
your
microphones
are
on
Green
in
terms
of
your
introductions
and
the
floor
is
yours.
H
H
Thank
you,
Mr
chairman,
happy
to
come
back
before
this
committee,
the
committee
that,
where
some
of
the
Broadband
legislation
began
to
give
you
all
an
update
and
and
you've
got
a
really
good
agenda,
you've
got
people
folks
following
us
that
are
really
knowledgeable
and
we'll
give
you
some
updates.
So
we'll
do
a
little
bit
of
back
and
forth
and
I
want
to
give
you
a
little
bit
of
recent
background.
You
all
appropriated,
300
million
roughly
from
the
American
Rescue
plan,
act
toward
expanding
Broadband
across
Kentucky
to
unserved
and
underserved
areas
of
Kentucky.
H
So
last
summer
we
around
awarded
our
first
round
of
awards.
Grant
awards
that
subsidized
the
construction
of
broadband
deployment.
There
were
47
Awards
about
90
million
dollars,
touching
about
36
counties,
with
a
total
investment
of
over
200
million
dollars,
and
and
these
are
construction
projects
and
the
latest
information
we
have
is
a
little
over
a
dozen
of
those
that
are
fully
underbid
and
under
construction
and
I'll
turn
it
over
to
Megan.
To
talk
about
our
next
round
of
awards.
I
In
November,
we
opened
up
the
second
round
of
broadband
deployment
grants
for
applications.
Those
were
open
until
the
beginning
of
February.
After
the
due
date,
we
had
the
challenge
process,
which
resulted
we
had
103
applications
that
requested
483
million
dollars
in
funds.
We
had
about
206
million
dollars
available.
That
was
the
remaining
state
and
local
fiscal
recovery
funds
that
were
left
from
the
first
round
and
the
entire
allotment
of
the
capital
projects,
funds,
which
is
also
arpa
money.
So
we
had
a
request
for
483
million
dollars
in
Grant
funds.
I
It
was
a
little
over
900
million.
In
total
project
costs.
There
were
proposals
in
77
counties
to
provide
service
to
127
000
locations.
The
priority
for
that
round
was
also
those
no
service
areas
with
under
10
1
speeds
available.
So
the
really
underserved
areas
unserved
areas
we
had
in
the
challenge
process,
a
significant
number
of
challenges
received
of
72
of
the
applications
were
challenged,
and
that
was
a
total
of
124
total
challenges.
I
So
now
the
challenges
have
been
determined
and
the
applications
are
going
through
revisions
to
be
evaluated.
We're
expecting
to
issue
awards
at
the
end
of
July,
some
of
the
things
that
have
happened
related
to
the
arpa
funds.
The
treasury
issued
supplemental
guidance
in
May
to
address
some
of
the
concerns
that
were
raised
by
the
internet
providers
about
procurement
and
asset
ownership
and
and
the
income
generated
by
these
projects
once
they're
they're
operational.
I
H
Let
me
add
a
little
bit:
you
all
passed
legislation
that
put
a
first
priority
on
locations
with
no
internet
service.
First,
not
unserved
I
mean
not
slow,
internet,
no
internet
and
so
in.
In
these
applications,
we've
asked
those
applicants
to
identify
the
number
of
locations
that
have
no
internet
and
then
also
the
number
that
have
unserved,
which
is
a
speed
of
25,
Meg,
download
or
three
Meg
upload
or
less
so
I
wanted.
You
all
know
that,
and
then
you
set
something
that's
really
unique
across
the
country.
H
You
said
other
priorities:
it
was
based
upon
lowest
density,
meaning
fewest
households.
You
know
in
a
route
mile,
for
example,
the
end
of
the
county
road
is
a
good
example
and
so
we're
one
of
the
only
states
that
have
put
into
statute
kind
of
the
let's
get
to
the
end
of
the
road
as
a
priority,
and
so
in
evaluating
the
applications
that
those
are
going
to
be
considerations
that
are
part
of
the
the
request
for
the
process
and
part
of
the
decision
making
process.
H
So
it's
a
really
interesting
part
of
it
and
then,
when
she
speaks
of
challenges
right,
that's
where
an
applicant
has
said
I'm
going
to
serve
these
locations
and
another
service
provider
says
I
already
served
that
location.
That's
the
process
that
Megan
was
describing
that
there's
challenges
there
were
so
many
of
them.
So
that's
one
of
the
things
we're
learning
as
we
particularly
go
through
this
second
round
is
there
are
different
sets
of
data.
You
know
that
one
applicant
and
another
provider
provides
so
so
you
want
to
give
some.
H
You
know,
effort
to
the
providers
who
have
to
check
on
those
challenges.
That's
that
takes
some
time
to
say
they
had
to
publicly
go,
take
a
look
at
the
applications
and
say
and
see
where
someone
else
was
in
essence,
requesting
funding
to
move
to
build
in
their
service
area.
So
so
that's
a
very
complicated
process.
Every
State's
doing
this,
but
it's
just
it's
something.
I
wanted
to
kind
of
highlight
for
you
in
terms
of
the
level
of
effort.
One
other
thing
you
all
did
in
the
last
budget
process.
H
Out
of
the
federal
American
Rescue
plan,
Land
Act
has
added
20
million
dollars
for
a
program
that
I
call
the
poll
replacement
program.
It
is
a
subsidy,
it's
called
the
rural
infrastructure,
Improvement
fund
20
million
dollars.
It's
it's
also
intended
to
subsidize
the
cost
of
poll
Replacements
when
you
hang
fiber
optic,
cable
on
a
telephone
pole.
You
know
there
when
you
do
the
Make
Ready
design.
H
Some
of
these
poles
have
to
be
replaced
or
repaired,
and
so
those
are
costs
to
that
internet
provider,
and
so
you
all
passed
20
million
dollars
for
projects
that
are
seeking
to
hit
unserved
locations.
So
so
you
are
consistent
in
terms
of
the
priorities
for
this
this
other
program,
and
that's
we've
only
got
a
handful
of
applications
for
that.
So
far,
it's
a
first
come
first
serve
until
that
20
million
is
exhausted.
So
that's
something
else
that
Megan's
office
is
also
administering.
H
So
the
real
news
you
know:
that's
coming
up
that
you've
heard
about
the
in
the
bipartisan
infrastructure
law
that
the
federal
government
passed
is
the
new
Broadband
Equity
access
and
development
deployment
program.
Basically,
it's
going
to
be
42
billion
dollars
available
to
all
50
states,
DC
and
the
territories
to
help
deploy
Broadband.
You
know
in
Kentucky
and
in
all
these
other
states
the
goal
being
universal
access
to
Reliable,
affordable,
high-speed
internet.
H
Your
ZIP
code
shouldn't
matter
about
whether
or
not
you
have
access
to
this
important
utility,
and
so
so.
The
big
headline
is
by
the
end
of
next
week.
According
to
the
National
telecommunications
and
Information
Administration
who's
going
to
administer
These
funds
they're
going
to
announce
how
much
each
state
receives
out
of
that
42
billion
dollars.
So
we're
you
know
crossing
our
fingers
and
expecting
really
good
things.
H
One
of
the
processes
by
which
they
determine
how
much
each
state
will
get
is
the
Federal
Communications
Commission
has
put
out
multiple
iterations
of
a
map
to
identify
one
where
are
all
households
and
businesses,
two
which
ones
have
service
and
at
what
speed
so
they're
going
to
use
your
proportion
of
unserved
and
underserved
locations
to
determine
our
share
Kentucky
share
of
that
42
billion
dollars.
So
as
a
part
of
that
process,
local
state
governments,
local
governments
in
in
Internet
providers,
were
challenged.
H
The
map
right,
we
looked
at
the
map
and
said:
have
they
counted
it
correctly?
Do
they
have
all
the
locations
that
should
be
there?
Have
they
determined,
which
ones
are
unserved
or
underserved,
properly
Megan
and
the
staff
in
the
consulting
firm
that
she's
working
with
issued
15
000
challenges?
Roughly
to
that
first
map
and
over
14
800
were
accepted.
What
that
means
is
we've
helped
correct
the
map
for
Kentucky
so
that
we
can
get,
as
you
know,
the
best
amount
of
allocation
from
the
federal
government
as
possible.
H
I
As
part
of
the
bead
program,
we
have
to
produce
a
five-year
action
plan
by
August
12th,
that
is
underway.
It
will
establish
the
goals
and
priorities
and
serves
as
a
needs
assessment
for
the
Commonwealth,
which
will
also
inform
our
initial
proposal,
which
is
where
we
describe
to
the
ntia,
how
we
will
be
doing
the
competitive
process
for
the
grant
funds.
I
I
Part
of
our
statutory
requirement
is
to
produce
an
interactive
Statewide
map
of
broadband
availability,
and
so
we
have
been
working
on
that.
We
have
Incorporated
data
collected
directly
from
the
internet
providers,
as
well
as
the
FCC
data
to
produce
a
location,
specific
granular
availability
map,
it'll
be
user
friendly
and
show
all
in
one
place
what
the
existing
funding
for
Broadband
projects
looks
like
just
our
our
funding,
as
well
as
the
other
Federal
funding
sources
and
even
local
sources
out
there
to
visualize
the
Broadband
availability
and
identify
the
unserved
and
underserved
locations.
I
I
So
after
we
submit
the
action
plan,
we
will
have
to
create
the
initial
proposal
by
the
end
of
this
calendar
year,
and
this
will
be
where
we
describe
how
we'll
spend
the
funds
and
we
will
align
that
with
the
provisions
of
KRS
chapter
224a,
just
to
harmonize
the
federal
requirements
with
the
state
requirements
for
for
our
program
and
once
our
initial
proposal
is
approved,
we
will
have
the
release
of
20
of
those
bead
funds.
So
it's
potential.
I
You
know
sometime
early
next
year,
we
could
have
another
round
of
grant
funding
available
so
and
then,
after
that,
we
have
another
year
to
produce
the
final
proposal,
which
will
kind
of
take
our
lessons
learned
from
the
first.
You
know
the
initial
proposal
and
Shore
up
all
of
the
things
that
need
to
be
included,
and
that
will,
when
we
will
release
they'll,
get
the
the
additional
80
of
the
funds.
H
And
let
me
just
add
that
you
know
there
have
been
outside
entities,
one
of
whom
is
going
to
be
speaking
with
you
today.
Who've
done
estimates
on
using
the
fcc's
maps
data
on
how
much
each
state
may
receive,
and
so
we've
seen
estimates
from
700
million
to
a
billion,
and
so
those
are
really
significant
dollars.
You
know,
but
we've
got
a
really
significant
goal
here,
which
is
the
universal
service,
and
so
we're
going
to
find
out
and
by
June
30th.
H
You
know
if
how
it's
close
to
that,
but
what,
as
Megan
said,
we've
got
several
steps.
Each
state
has
to
has
to
comply
with
before
those
funds
are
released,
and
so
we
won't
take
a
year
to
finish
that
final
proposal.
We
will
we
will
move
as
expeditiously
as
we're
able
to
in
terms
of
stepping
through
these
compliance
issues
with
the
with
the
national
with
the
federal
government
and
so
and
one
one
little.
H
You
know
small
remark
about
the
map
that
we're
going
to
put
out
online
user
friendly
is
a
very
a
subjective
term,
so
so
it
will
be
for
those
who
know
how
to
use
GIS
information,
it
will
be
friendly
for
those
who,
don't.
You
know,
it'll
take
a
little
while,
but
it
is
probably
the
best
presentation
we've
ever
had
of
showing.
Where
is
it?
H
It's
a
best
compilation
that
I've
seen
on
you
know
where
the
U.S
department
of
Agriculture
has
put
in
a
whole
lot
of
money,
for
example,
and
you
all
can
take
a
look
at
what
what
parts
of
the
state
that
those
projects
are
for
so
with
that
Mr
chairman
I,
think
we'll
stop
and
happy
to
take
any
questions.
Thank.
A
J
You
Mr
chairman,
thank
you
both
for
the
presentation.
I
think
that
everybody
up
here
would
agree
that
we're
pretty
excited
frankly
on
where
we're
going
to
be
in
a
few
short
years.
Thanks
to
this
significant
Federal
investment
and
our
rural
Broadband
infrastructure
and
where
we're
going
is,
quite
frankly,
pretty
exciting.
I
do
have
some
questions
around
some
of
the
initial
rounds
of
the
grants
who
said
that
there
was
about
90
million
or
so
awarded
in
the
first
round
that
went
to
36
different
counties.
Do
you
have
a
map?
H
We'll
say
on
the
first
round:
it
is
user
friendly.
You
know
even
I
can
go
in
there
and
look
at
group
application
one
application,
two
where
it
is,
how
much
money
it
is,
how
many
locations
it's
supposed
to
build
to
at
least
provide
service
to
so
that
one
is
really
really
readily
available
and,
as
Megan
said,
we
will
be
following
up
with
the
second
round
information,
but
because
of
all
the
challenges
that
she
described
the
law.
H
Our
statute
gives
those
applicants
an
opportunity
to
revise
their
application
so
that
if,
if
we
knocked
out
a
number
of
locations,
they
come
back
with
a
smaller
number
of
locations
and
a
revised
application,
so
we're
in
the
process
of
nearly
completing
that
part
the
receipt
of
of
those
and
she
as
she
said
there
were
so
many
applications
that
were
challenged.
There
are
many
applications
that
will
be
revised.
H
Secondly,
representative
I'm,
going
to
say,
representative
Petrie
in
the
last
Appropriations
Revenue
committee
meeting,
asked
us
to
provide
the
same
kind
of
information
that
you
just
asked
for
so
we'll
make
sure
and
send
that
information
Mr
chairman
to
this
committee
as
well.
Just
so
we
both
you,
have
the
same
information
Nation.
J
J
H
H
K
Thanks,
sir,
if
you
indulge
me,
I
have
several
questions.
Are
you
surprised
that
a
couple
poll
attachments
we
gave
you
20
million
dollars
to
do
that
and
unreal?
This
is
an
unfair
question.
Why
I
ask
you
that
because
I
know
first,
you
got
to
get
the
bids
out
then
how
much
that
20
million
have
we
spent
so.
I
We
have
we
have
under
200
000
right
now
we're
waiting
on
some
information
back
from
the
providers
in
order
to
get
those
out
the
door.
So
you
know
but
I
think
one
of
the
challenges
that
they're
facing
is
the
amount
of
time
it's
taken
to
get
the
poll
attachment
permits
from
and
and
so
that
you
know
so
since
we're
talking
about
the
period
from
July
1st
of
last
year
until
current
I
think
there
there's
a
number
that
are
pending
and
I'm,
expecting
the
floodgates
on
those
to
open
up
sometime
in
the
near
future.
I
K
H
I,
that's
a
good
question.
Mr
co-chairman,
you
know
you
all
the
Public
Service
Commission
had
put
out
a
you
know
a
new
regulation
over
a
year
ago
about
poll
attachment
agreements,
so
that
was
a
piece
of
work
that
was
helpful,
I
believe
to
most
of
the
the
both
sides
of
those
arrangements.
But
beyond
that
I
I,
don't
have
any
really
strong
advice
about.
You
know.
K
We
may
want
to
talk
about
that,
how
we
can
speed
that
little
process
up
challenge
process,
something
I
heard
from
providers
was
people
that
were
saying
they
had
a
served
area.
Megan
you
and
I
talked
about
this
also
claim
that
as
an
area,
they
want
a
money
to
serve.
Is
that
still
ongoing
problems
that
cleared
up
a
little.
I
I
K
H
And
and
they're
also
Mr
co-chair.
You
know
there's
also
provision
in
our
state
law
that
says,
if
that
existing
provider
can
within
12
months,
you
know,
construct
you
know
and
can
show
that
they've
got
financing
and
I'm
putting
a
project
to
constructed
those
areas
that
that's
a
lot
that's
allowed
under
our
statute.
Okay,.
K
You
also
touched
on
the
42
being
coming
down
from
the
federal
government.
I
just
read
an
article
and
I
hope
you
guys
can
enlighten
me
or
maybe
the
next
group,
can
they
they're
saying
with
the
new
maps
which
is
challenging
along
along
with
itself,
that
states
are
going
to
there's
going
to
be
new
winners
and
new
losers
in
this.
What
does
Kentucky
stand
as
far
as
what
we
thought
was
going
to
get
and
what
we
are
going
to
give
that
42
billion
or
do
you
know.
H
That's
that's
a
that's
one
example
of
changes
that
have
occurred
in
a
new
map,
so
in
the
case
of
the
15
000
to
our
benefit,
you
know,
because
we
identified
more
properly
more
unserved
and
underserved
areas
so
and
it's
kind
of
like
you
know,
looking
at
you
know
your
third
draft
of
a
brief
that
the
attorney
would
write
you
just
made
changes
to
it.
The
bottom
line
is
the
data
that
they
have
now.
L
Thank
you,
co-chair
Max,
wise
and
and
co-chair
Pratt.
You
might
have
already
brought
to
the
surface
one
of
my
questions
and
and
Megan
I
just
have
to
thank
you.
Your
diligence
is
tremendous
and
I
think
it's
going
to
result
in
more
money
for
Kentucky.
So
thanks
for
doing
that,
heavy
lifting
relative
to
I
had
a
question
and
it
could
be
about
that
connection
permit.
So
it
might
directly
be
we
believe
in
Bracken
County
as
the
example
that
there
it's
served.
L
L
I
I
Then
he's
also
got
access
to
pretty
high
speed
fix
wireless
there.
So,
as
you
know,
as
the
FCC
sees
it,
he
has
served,
but
that's
not
gonna
impact
the
art
off
commitment.
It's
just
going
to
take
some
time
for
the
provider
that
has
that
commitment
to
build
to
that
area,
because
they're
not
currently
that
close
and.
I
So
I
I
think
you
know.
If,
if
the
nearby
provider
I
mean
that's
something
I
can
look
into
if
they
have
any
plans
across
the
line,
but
considering
one
of
their
competitors
has
the
ardoff
funding
to
build
across
the
line
they
may
just.
You
know,
decide
to
not
go
after
all
of
the
rights
away
and
railroad
crossing
and
all
the
other
permits
that
are
necessary
to
cross.
So.
M
Thank
you,
Mr
chairman,
thank
you
and
I
appreciate
you
for
being
so
accessible
for
many
of
my
constituents,
but
just
a
quick
question
with
the
arpa
funds,
the
way
the
process
and
the
grant
process
and
is
being
done.
Do
you
know
if
the
the
money
that
is
expected
to
come
to
Kentucky
the
bead
money,
I
hope
I'm,
saying
that
right?
Well,
the
grant
process
application
process
be
the
same.
The
goal
of
the
unserved
and
underserved
areas.
H
N
Thank
you
chairman.
Thank
you
all
for
presenting
we're
all
very
excited
and
impatient.
I
want
to
understand
and
at
the
risk
of
sort
of
reiterating
what
some
of
my
colleagues
have
mentioned.
I
want
to
understand
the
pots
of
money,
Federal
money,
how
much
we
got,
how
much
we've
spent
and
what
is
going
to
become
available,
as
you
mentioned
in
the
next
round
of
funding.
So
there's
a
lot
of
acronyms
that
have
been
thrown
around
around
here
and
I'm.
N
I
might
be
a
little
slow
on
the
uptake
there,
but
I
just
want
you
all
to
go
over
just
very
briefly
arpa
how
much
money
bead.
What
is
that
is
that
a
state
funding
specifically?
Is
it
like
where's
all
the
money
coming
from
federally
and
then
my
other
question
is
it's
where
it's
going
so
it's
going
to
Providers,
Last
Mile,
correct,
like
all
of
this,
is
The
Last
Mile
providers
like
we're
just
people
getting
internet
in
their
homes,
you're
going
to
be
providing
funding
over
the
course
of
the
next
several
years.
N
H
Well,
let
me
start
with
the
funding.
All
of
this
is
federal
funding.
The
first
300
million
was
from
the
American
Rescue
plan
act.
It
had
two
pieces,
the
state
local
fiscal
Recovery
Fund,
which
was
117
million,
and
the
capital
projects
fund,
which
was
182
million.
The
governor
recommended
the
general
assembly
agreed.
We
wanted
to
put
those
that
second
batch
into
Broadband.
There
were
other
possible
uses
so
that
first
300
million
is
out
of
the
arpa
funds
we've
awarded
90
million.
H
Roughly
of
that,
we
are
in
the
process
of
of
evaluating
to
award
the
other
200
plus
million
in
this
round
too.
So
that's
that's!
That's
where
the
that
300
is
the
rest
of
the
funds.
The
up
to
a
billion
dollar
example
is
federal
bead
program,
the
Broadband
Equity
access
and
deployment
program.
That
is
the
allocations
to
be
announced.
At
the
end
of
next
week,
we've
got
an
action
plan
that
we
have
to
submit.
H
We
have
an
initial
proposal
that
we
have
to
submit,
which
will
unlock
20
of
that
funding
and
then
a
final
proposal
which
will
then
make
available
the
remainder
of
Kentucky's
allocation.
The
recipients
are
going
to
be
applicants
of
any
type
internet
service
providers,
be
they
privately
Opera
owned,
municipalities,
telephone
co-ops,
electric
co-ops,
any
internet
provider
is,
is
open
to
apply
for
so
it's
it's
agnostic
as
to
the
type
of
business.
You
know
that
is
doing
that.
H
The
priorities
as
Megan
has
said
consistent
with
our
state
law,
is
unserved
and
underserved
unserved,
first
and
and
and
if
you
have
you
know,
if
we
are
so
fortunate
that
this
money
will
yield
Universal
service,
meaning
that
we
will
be
able
to
build
to
all
locations,
then
you
can
move
down
the
line
and
use
what's
left
over
for
underserved,
which
means
you've
got
speeds.
You
know
of
less
than
25
Meg
download
and
then
there's
even
you
know
if
you've
got
all
that
money.
I'll
use
an
example.
H
Rhode
Island
right,
Rhode
Island
is
not
real
big
and
they
have
a
high
percentage
of
already
served.
So
there
are
other
uses
for
that
fund
such
as
you
know,
providing
what
is
called
digital
Equity,
providing
devices
to
low
income
and
other
populations
to
provide
training
on
how
to
use
Internet
devices.
H
The
digital
Equity
grant
that
Megan
mentioned
that
the
educational
labor
cabinet
is
working
on
they're,
currently
inventorying,
all
the
things
that
we're
doing
by
any
type
of
organization
in
Kentucky,
on
helping
people
who
need
help
to
acquire
devices
and
to
learn
how
to
use
them.
You
know
so
you
know
if
you
build
it,
you've
got
to
have
the
ability
to
use
it
and
so
there's
another
portion
of
the
bead
program.
H
This
is
much
smaller
that
is
trying
to
address
those
kinds
of
gaps
out
there
among
various
populations,
including
the
disabled,
seniors,
low-income,
all
types
of
populations
that
are
identified
in
the
federal
law.
So
that's
something
else.
We're
moving
on
in
parallel
track
is
trying
to
figure
out
now.
Where
do
we
need
to
put
resources
and
capabilities
to
help
kentuckians?
Who
need
help?
Because
if
you,
if
we've
got
the
infrastructure,
you've
got
to
have
the
devices
and
the
skills
to
use
them,
and
so
they're
working
on
that
last
two
pieces
and.
H
Are
both
are
beat
both?
Yes,
that's
right
and
the
plan
that
that
Megan
is
talking
about
the
five
year
action
plan
has
to
has
to
combine
the
planning
processes
of
both
the
infrastructure
piece,
which
is
the
big
biggest
piece
and
the
digital
Equity
piece,
and
so
we're
working
with
the
educational
labor
cabinet.
Those
14
listening
sessions
that
were
held
all
around
the
state
Incorporated,
also
the
digital
Equity
provisions
of
that
you
know
to
get
input
so
that
they
can
put
up
their
plan
together.
That
gets
combined
with
the
infrastructure
plan.
I
So
there
is,
there
are
some
very
rigid
and
strong
requirements
and
the
bead
requirements
to
we
have
to
put
in
you
know,
clawback,
provisions
and
compliance
and
inspection
and
things
to
make
sure
that
the
money
that
we
spend
is
actually
doing
what
we
intended
for
it
to
do
so.
You
know
those
are
things
that
we'll
work
it
into
the
the
grant
agreements,
but
you
know
they
have
I
think
once
they're
awarded
they
have
some
time
to
build.
I
They're
I,
think
they're,
anticipating
the
construction
for
the
bead
projects
is
going
to
go.
You
know,
maybe
even
into
like
up
to
2030,
depending
on
how
late
they're
awarded,
but
then
there's
you
know,
there's
some
compliance
timelines
that
they
are
required
to
provide
the
services
that
they
agreed
to
provide.
I
H
And
there's
still
some
further
guidance
that
we're
expecting
from
the
federal
government
on
the
bead
program.
We
we've
got
some,
but
we
don't
have.
You
know
all
of
it,
because
Megan
and
her
cohorts
work
with
the
national
telecommunications
and
Information
Administration
on
that
on
routine
basis.
So
we
expect
that,
but
there's
there's
a
you
know:
I'll
say
a
strong
accountability
set
of
Provisions
in
there
and
in
the
grant
agreements.
You
know
those
are
those
are
laid
out.
H
So
the
second
party,
the
winner
of
the
grant
agreement,
has
to
pledge
and
certify
that
I'm
going
to
create
capabilities
of
providing
a
hundred,
Meg
download,
100
Meg
upload.
You
know
for
the
arpa
funds
and
where
they
are,
and
so
we're
going
to
be
like
following
behind
them
and
checking
is,
is:
is
that
infrastructure
in
place?
Does
it
meet
the
technical
requirements
of
speed?
Now?
What
what
what's
got
them
to
happen
is
that
subscribers
need
to
subscribe
right,
so
that
part
of
it
is
is
open
to
the
marketplace.
H
Right
is
you
can
build
it,
but
will
somebody
you
know
subscribe
it
and
we
see
in
these
applications
where
these
these
companies,
they
estimate
the
take-up
rate
right
as
they're
trying
to
build
a
financial
model
on.
Will
this
work
right,
the
subsidy
that
the
government's
providing
for
this
construction
will
it
be
sufficient
once
they
get
it
built
and
once
the
The
Entity,
the
household
or
the
business
signs
up
for
it?
A
You're
welcome
great
questions
and
thank
you
all
so
much
for
the
informative
answers.
I,
don't
see
any
other
members
with
any
further
questions,
so
we're
going
to
proceed
with
our
agenda,
but
thank
you
all
so
much
for
being
here
for
testifying
and
also
Megan.
Thank
you
for
handling
the
constituent
questions,
just
like
Senator
funky
from
our
every
one
of
us
up
here
received
similar
ones.
So
thank
you
for
the
work
that
you're
doing
and
answering
those
on
our
behalf.
Next
on
our
agenda
is
the
future
of
broadband
deployment.
A
A
D
D
Thank
you
very
much,
thank
you
again
for
the
opportunity
to
be
here
today
and
present
on
the
future
of
broadband
deployment
here
in
the
Commonwealth,
as
we
identify
National
and
state
Trends,
impacting
Broadband
development,
again
I'm
with
the
Kentucky
rural
Broadband
Association,
previously
known
as
the
Kentucky
Telecom
Association
and
I'm
very
pleased
to
be
here
to
talk
about
this.
A
lot
of
what
I
will
touch
on
had
to
do
with
funding
the
the
state
trends
of
financial
trends
that
you're,
seeing
at
the
federal
level,
so
representative
call
Carney.
D
Some
of
those
acronyms
that
you
were
referring
to
earlier.
I
will
actually
mention
in
my
presentation
and
if
you
have
any
other
questions,
I
can
I
can
hopefully
try
to
break
some
of
that
down
for
you,
because
it
is
alphabet
soup
when
it
comes
to
a
lot
of
this.
Just
by
way
of
introduction,
I
wanted
to
introduce
you
to
my
Association
for
those
of
you
that
may
not
be
familiar
with
our
group.
Our
Broadband
Association
members
consist
of
18
community-based
Royal
Broadband
providers.
D
We
serve
all
are
part
of
45
counties
in
the
Commonwealth
and
have
deployed
over
30
000
miles
of
fiber
across
some
of
the
most
remote
rural
areas.
In
Kentucky,
approximately
217
000
rural
homes
are
served
by
our
Association
members,
and
that
includes
nearly
150
000
homes
and
businesses
that
have
fiber
to
the
premises
available
with
gigabit
access.
So
again,
that's
gigabit
symmetrical
service
and
again
we
we
talk
about
being
community-based
providers,
we're
in
your
backyards.
We
we
sponsor
Little
League
teams.
D
We
do
all
these
things
and
so
we're
very
invested
in
in
our
local
communities
over
the
course
of
our
operations.
Here
in
the
Commonwealth
and
again,
some
of
our
some
of
our
companies
have
been
in
existence
for
70
or
80
years
in
the
telephony
business
before
we
even
got
into
Broadband,
but
we've
invested
over
1.7
billion
dollars
in
property
plant
and
Equipment
throughout
our
operations
in
the
Commonwealth.
Just
over
the
past
year,
we've
We've
invested
more
than
111
million
dollars
in
our
fiber
networks
across
the
Commonwealth.
D
We
plan
to
invest
291
million
additional
dollars
over
the
next
couple
of
years
and
again
we
we
serve
small
businesses
in
our
communities
in
our
schools
and
so
we're
very
proud
of
the
fact
that
we
we
serve
a
number
of
small
businesses
over
12
000
small
businesses.
217
schools
are
served
in
our
service
territories
and
again
we're
responsible
for
1100
direct
jobs
in
the
Commonwealth.
D
One
thing
that
I
did
want
to
touch
on
and
I
think
the
pandemic
brought
to
light.
More
than
anything
was
the
ability
for
remote
work.
You
know
Metropolitan
and
micropolitan
areas.
You
know
obviously
talk
about
being
gigabit
capable
and
gig
cities.
You've
probably
heard
that
phrase
a
lot
or
our
smart
rural
Broadband
providers
are
looking
to
do
something
similar
in
our
marketing
efforts,
because,
like
everyone
else,
we
we
want
to
be
attractive
to
site
selectors,
to
employers
to
those
remote
workers
that
were
trying
to
get
to
move
to
the
Commonwealth.
D
Because,
again,
rural
communities
are
some
of
the
best
places
to
live
work
and
raise
a
family,
and
so
our
National
Association
has
developed
a
program
and
many
of
our
members,
our
partner,
our
partners
with
that
in
what's
called
smart,
smart
rural
communities,
and
so
some
of
these
members
right
here
are
listed.
We
have
others
that
are
going
through
the
program
right
now,
but
some
of
these
telephone
cooperatives,
small
commercial
companies,
may
be
in
your
service
territories
in
your
backyard,
but
the
ntca
smart
rural
communities.
D
In
order
to
qualify
for
this
program,
you
must
be
an
ntca
island
member
in
good
standing
with
the
association,
but
you
must
offer
100
Meg
Broadband
to
50
or
more
of
your
residents
within
your
service
area,
have
Broadband
subscription
rates
of
at
least
50
percent
and
affirm
your
commitment
to
the
smart,
rural
community
principles
and
collaboration
again.
This
is
just
another
great
marketing
tool
that
our
smart
rural
communities
are
working
with
their
industrial
authorities,
their
Economic
Development
folks
in
their
communities.
D
In
order
to
advertise
these
rural
communities
and
saying
again
that
we
have
fiber
broadband
service
in
our
communities,
if
you're
a
remote
worker,
we
want
you
here.
This
is
a
great
place
to
live
a
great
place
to
work
and
a
great
place
to
raise
a
family,
and
we
have
the
Broadband
connections
that
you
need
in
order
to
do
what
you
need
to
do.
D
We
were
conducting
multiple
Zoom
meetings
at
one
time
my
children
were
at
our
desk,
while
my
wife
was
on
a
zoom
call
in
one
room,
I
may
have
been
with
the
kids
in
another,
so
you
could
see
the
demands
and
the
stress
for
video
services
and
Broadband
we're
never
we're
never
more
apparent
than
during
than
during
the
than
during
the
pandemic.
But
I
would
like
to
take
this
opportunity,
and
secretary
Hicks
had
mentioned
it
earlier.
D
But
I
do
want
to
thank
the
general
assembly
for
allocating
the
300
million
dollars
of
arpa
funds
into
the
state.
Broadband
deployment
fund.
I
I
really
do
want
to
thank
chairman
Petrie
chairman
Vice,
chair
Reed,
was
in
here
earlier
I
know,
chairman
Pratt.
We
had
worked
on
establishing
a
Broadband
deployment
fund
as
a
group
of
stakeholders
back
in
2020.
This
was
before
we
even
saw
again
what
was
coming
with
the
pandemic,
so
that
fund
was
established.
D
We
were
able
to
actually
fund
it
a
couple
of
years
later,
with
with
the
arpa
funds,
as
as
folks
realized
that
Broadband
funds
were
necessary.
So,
as
you
were
talking
about
earlier
representative
Cole
Carney,
you
can
see
these
different
pots
of
monies
and
and
States
these
trends
that
you're
seeing
for
funds.
States
argue
other
states
are
doing
similar
things
to
what
Kentucky's
doing
in
terms
of
using
those
arpa
dollars.
Some
use
cares
act
dollars
some
used
arpa
dollars
in
order
to
expand
their
Broadband
infrastructure.
D
Another
program
that
was
mentioned,
that
is
a
federal
program,
is
the
USA
USDA
reconnect
fund.
That's
actually
through
the
USDA,
the
department
of
agriculture's
office
of
rural
development,
and
these
reconnect
funds
the
they
actually
are
very
similar
in
nature.
They
go
to
areas.
The
first
two
iterations
of
the
USD
USDA
reconnect
fund
were
areas
that
lack
10
1.
The
first
two
rounds.
90
of
those
homes
have
to
be
served
if
you're
applying
for
100
Grant
had
to
lack
10-1
access
in
the
first
two
rounds
subsequent
rounds.
D
That
threshold
change
was
areas
that
lacked
100
over
20
access
in
the
in
the
last
two
rounds,
but
that's
through
U.S
USDA,
reconnect
funds,
and
so
our
members
again
represent
very
rural
areas
in
our
service
territories.
But
we've
been
very
successful
in
going
after
some
of
these
some
of
these
federal
dollars
and
just
just
to
mention
briefly,
our
members
have
secured
since
the
Inception
of
the
program
in
2018
and
it
was
funded
in
2019.
D
Over
117
million
dollars
in
in
Grants
and
Loans
have
been
allocated
to
our
members
in
in
Kentucky,
and
there
may
have
been
more
money
specifically
for
reconnect
because
there's
other
Rural
Electric
cooperatives
have
participated
in
this
program
and
I
can
actually
get
that
information
to
the
committee
on
each
one
of
the
announcements.
But
just
speaking
on
behalf
of
our
members
over
the
four
rounds,
the
four
iterations
that
have
taken
place.
D
The
specific
information
on
the
breakdown
of
those
reconnect,
those
reconnect,
build
outs
and
then
I
want
to
I
do
want
to
touch
on.
Our
members
did
participate
in
the
better
internet
program
here
at
the
state
level
of
that
90
million.
That
was
let
out
our
members.
We
had
members
that
received
I.
Think
five
grand
Awards
to
the
tune
of
about
building
out
to
1900
locations
about
16
million
dollars,
both
in
Grant
and
matching
funds
for
our
members.
D
This
this
program
was
administered
and
over
overseen
by
the
Federal
Communications
Commission
in
a
phase
one.
It
was
in
a
reverse
auction.
This
resulted
in
148.9
million
dollars
that
will
go
out
to
11
providers
in
the
Commonwealth
of
Kentucky
and
again
this
is
not
capex
support
and
that's
that's
a
very
big
distinction.
A
lot
of
this
money
that's
being
put
out
there
right
now
will
subsidize
construction.
The
art
off
the
rule.
D
Digital
opportunity
fund
is
basically
for
operational
expenses
over
a
10-year
period,
so
you
basically
commit
to
serve
a
certain
number
of
locations
in
these
areas
and
you
will
get
back
a
certain
level
of
Support
over
a
10-year
period:
That's
How,
The,
the
reverse
auction
worked,
and
so
in
Kentucky.
Over
this
10-year
period,
11
providers
have
committed
to
serve
almost
99
000
unserved
locations
and
on
unserved
by
this
definition
as
areas
that
lack
25,
3.
and
so
a
hundred
and
you're
going
to
get
about
another
149
million
dollars
flowing
in
to
the
Commonwealth
for
Broadband
deployment.
D
In
addition
to
what
we've
talked
about
with
the
arpa
funds
and
in
in
addition
to
the
reconnect
funds
that
have
already
come
into
Kentucky,
so
I
did
want
to
say
that
there's
about
another
149
million
dollars
over
a
10-year
period
that
will
come
in
to
the
Commonwealth.
For
those
companies
that
secured
ardoff
funding,
we
did
have
a
couple
of
companies
again.
D
These
reverse
auctions
you
bid
down.
So
there
were
some.
There
were
some
areas
there.
We
did
have
a
couple
of
members
representative,
Truitt
you're
very
familiar.
Obviously,
prtc
does
a
great
job
in
your
in
in
your
District.
They
they've
been
very
competitive
in
the
reconnect
program
very
similar
to
ardoff.
They
secured
over
support
for
over
2
400
locations
in
Lee,
Rock,
Castle
and
portions
of
clay
and
Laurel
counties
through
ardoff.
D
So
they'll
build
this
out
over
the
course
of
10
years
and
to
the
point
earlier
about
the
obligations
that
you
have.
There
are
even
with
the
ardoff
program.
There
are
certain
metrics
that
are
put
in
place.
You
have
to
build
out
to
a
certain
percentage
of
locations
in
order
to
receive
this
Operational
Support,
so
you
have
to
within
so
many
years.
You
have
to
build
out
to
forty
percent
sixty
percent
and
then
100
by
the
by
the
end
of
the
Operational
Support
for
the
10
years.
D
So
there
are
metrics
put
in
place
in
in
terms
of
being
able
to
draw
down
these
funds
and
I
wanted
to
mention
a
Foothills
communication.
They
actually
secured
Operational
Support
over
three
million
dollars
for
over
2100
locations
in
Carter,
Boyd
and
Floyd
County
for
through
the
ardoff
funding.
So
I
know
that
that
was
a
lot
of
alphabet
soup
and
there's
a
lot
going
on
there.
D
But
you
know
again,
it
just
goes
to
show
you
know
whether
you're
a
large
carrier
or
small
carriers
that
serve
in
these
rural
areas.
We
are
looking
for
ways
to
close
the
digital
divide,
we're
being
very
aggressive
in
how
we're
pursuing
some
of
these
federal
funds.
This
is
a
picture
right
here
of
North
Central,
Telecom
Cooperative.
This
was
actually
at
their
celebration
for
their
100
fiber
cut
over.
D
So
all
of
the
customers
in
NCT,
TC's
territory
now
have
fiber
fiber
Broadband
available
to
them,
and
so
they
and
they
are
working
in
Partnership
and
again
talking
about
ways
of
securing,
maybe
non-traditional
Avenues.
They
are
in
partnership
with
Warren
roll
electric,
a
TVA
Rural
Electric
Cooperative,
and
they
have
brought
Broadband
to
6
000
additional
customers
within
Warren
Rural,
Electric,
Service
territory
and
they're
continuing
to
expand
all
this
and
continue
to
expand
on
this
program
each
and
every
day.
D
So
I
just
want
to
say
there
are
other
ways
that
we
are
looking
in
terms
of
Partnerships.
This
again
we're
we're
working
with
local
governments,
whether
it's
fiscal
courts,
even
some
municipalities,
we're
working
to
to
try
to
see
what
we
can
do
in
order
to
meet
the
needs
of
those
constituents
and
I'll
go
through
this
Megan
and
them
touched
on
this
a
lot.
But
you
know
the
next
big
thing
is
bead.
Obviously,
you've
got
400,
you
got
42
point
0.5
billion
dollars
coming
to
the
states
and
I
know.
D
John
will
probably
touch
on
this
with
his
study,
but
the
latest
numbers
that
we've
received
and
I
was
in
Washington
DC
talking
with
folks
Just
A
Week
Ago,
around
1.1
billion
dollars
is
the
estimates
that
we've
heard
and
John
they've
done
a
study
that
can
dig
down
into
that
more
than
I
can
but
there's
going
to
be
challenges
and
opportunities
with
this.
Obviously,
we've
talked
about
the
challenge
process
that
we
have
here
in
the
state.
We
have
to
submit
that
as
part
of
our
federal
program.
D
Megan
mentioned
the
maps
we're
going
to
have
a
state
Broadband
map
that
action
plan,
and
there
are
a
lot
of
requirements
and
I
know
that
was
mentioned
earlier,
like
what
do
we
have
to
do?
There
are
going
to
be
requirements,
there's
I
think
15
mandates
within
the
bead
program
for
isps
to
basically
follow,
follow
and
that's
going
to
include.
You
know
things
like
buy
American
provisions
of
Labor
guidelines,
cyber
security
guidelines,
how
we
have
to
interact
with
our
suppliers,
things
that
maybe
some
groups
may
not
have
had
to
deal
with
before.
D
So,
if
you're,
an
ISP
you're
going
to
have
to
really
watch
and
engage
on
this
program.
If
you
want
to
be
a
part
of
this,
you
know
you
have
to.
We
were
talking
about
affordability
earlier,
if
you
wanted
to.
If
you
want
to
engage
in
the
bead
program,
you
have
to
participate
in
the
affordable
connectivity
plan
or
program
at
with
the
FCC,
which
provides
a
subsidy
for
low-income
families.
All
of
our
providers
in
Kentucky
or
my
members
are
doing
that
or
most
are
doing
that
anyway.
But
you
know
that
those
are
the
affordability
options.
D
Are
a
part
of
this
conversation
too,
so
they're
just
a
lot
of
requirements
if
you're
going
to
be
eligible
to
even
bid
as
a
sub-recipient
to
the
state
that
you're
going
to
have
to
engage
with
in
order
to
follow
through
on
the
program
and
then
finally
there's
just
a
few
other
things.
I
want
to
touch
on
we're
not
immune
to
any
of
this,
like
any
other
industry,
Workforce
Development.
How
are
we
going
to
find
enough
contractors
to
perform
this
work?
D
How
are
we
going
to
be
able
to
do
this
when
we
know
we
have
these
timelines
that
are
available?
Megan
talked
about
the
timelines,
so
there
are
project
guidelines
and
timelines
associated
with
this.
So
we're
not
immune
to
this.
Like
any
other
group
supply
chain
issues,
I
will
say:
covet
exacerbated
the
supply
chain
for
us
we've
taken
measures
as
a
National
Association
ntca,
which
is
our
National
Association
partner,
they've,
helped
us
secure
through
a
National
Partnership
with
Corning,
which
is
a
fiber
manufacturer
here.
D
The
ability
to
do
bulk
purchase
and
collaborate
with
other
groups
in
our
industry
to
do
bulk
purchasing
for
fiber,
so
that
may
move
us
on
the
list
move
us
up
on
the
list
for
an
order.
So
we
we
are
trying
to
be
creative
nationally
and
at
the
state
level,
even
as
small
providers
and
ways
to
to
meet
these
issues.
But
you
know
Electronics
certain
equipment.
You
know
if
you
inject
42
billion
dollars
suddenly
into
the
system,
does
that
supply
chain
tighten
up
again.
D
D
I
can
give
you
examples
of
those
reconnect
projects
that
I
mentioned
earlier,
just
a
couple
of
them
that
were
slowed
down
18
to
24
months
in
construction,
just
for
environmental
review
processes
and
I'm,
not
saying
that
those
aren't
important,
but
there
should
be
ways
that
we
can
streamline
some
of
those
processes
at
the
federal
level
and
then
finally
I'm
just
going
to
touch
on
these.
Are
these
are
very
high.
D
Broad
issues
that
we're
talking
about
at
the
state
level
or
I'm,
sorry
at
the
federal
level
that
could
impact
even
beyond
what
we're
talking
about
with
bead
but
the
future
of
broadband
service.
Once
this
money
is
out
there
and
once
we
build
out,
how
do
we
sustain
these
networks?
What
do
we
do?
That's
the
future
of
universal
service
right
now,
each
and
every
one
of
you.
If
you
have
a
landline
or
a
cell
phone,
you
put
you'll,
see
a
note
on
your
bill.
D
I,
don't
even
know
how
many
people
look
at
their
bills
anymore,
but
you'll
see
one
that
says
Universal
service
fund
and
that
actually
goes
there.
There
are
four
programs
at
Universal
service,
actually
funds,
but
one
of
those
is
the
highest
cost
program
that
helps
deploy
at
reasonable
rates,
and
so
your
constituents
in
these
rural
areas
can
expect
telephony
service
and
broadband
service
at
a
reasonable
rate
compared
to
their
Urban
counterparts.
D
That's
funded
through
the
universal
service
program,
and
so
as
more
people
have
and
that's
paid
for
by
a
fee,
that's
assessed
on
bills,
from
telecommunication
providers
from
their
customers
and
so
for
Internet,
Interstate
and
International
in
user
revenues.
But
as
as
you
know,
landlines
are
going
away
as
more
and
more
people
will
drop
their
access
lines
that
contribution
Factor.
The
stress
on
the
budget
of
the
universal
service
fund
keeps
going
up,
and
so
what?
What
can
we
do?
D
As
at
the
federal
level
to
bring
in
more
people
that
may
not
be
contributing
to
the
universal
service
fund
that
there's
a
whole
debate
being
had
in
Congress
right
now
about
that
very
issue,
because
there
are
people
who
lay
their
platforms
on
top
of
our
networks
that
remit
absolutely
nothing
to
the
universal
service
fund.
So
those
questions
are
taking
place
right
now,
taxation
of
broadband
grants
all
these
Grand.
All
this
grant
money.
That's
out
there
right
now.
D
There's
policy
discussions
being
had
right
now,
right
now,
as
of
2017
as
an
offset
to
the
tax
cut
and
jobs
acts,
these
Broadband
grants
are
actually
being
taxed
and
so
you're
getting
these
Broadband
grants
and
then
you're
turning
around
and
paying
I
think
a
21
rate
back
to
the
treasury.
So
we're
supporting
efforts
at
the
federal
level
again
to
pull
this
back.
D
It
doesn't
make
a
lot
of
sense
when
we're
trying
to
deploy
and
get
to
that
last
mile
on
some
of
these
very
rural
areas
that
were
suddenly,
we
award
somebody
to
do
this
and
then
we're
turning
around
and
taking
21
of
that
back.
So
we're
supporting
efforts
at
that
level
and
then,
as
we've
just
stated,
there's
a
lot
of
priorities
that
will
be
debated
in
the
farm
bill.
D
A
lot
of
broadband
language
goes
through
the
USDA
and
the
farm
bill,
so
things
that
we've
talked
about
like
interagency
cooperation,
so
that
we
can
prevent
overbuilding
in
these
areas.
Streamlining
these
regulatory
programs
streamlining
these
programs,
whether
they're
speed
thresholds
that
as
secretary
Hicks,
were
alluding
to
that
have
already
been
enacted
by
Congress
that
you
know
basically
make
mirroring
them
across
the
Spectrum.
A
C
Okay,
so
representative
22nd
District,
which
is
Alan,
Simpson
and
portion
of
Warren
County,
yes
and
I,
do
have
North
Central
there
that
have
done
a
wonderful
job
and
went
over
into
Warren
County
and
helped
them,
and
then
we
had
ardoff
in
Simpson
County,
that
was
that
was
rewarded.
A
portion
of
that
area.
It
was
my
understanding
that
that
contract
prohibited
any
other
state
funding
from
being
awarded
in
those
areas
that
the
other
providers
could
go
in
there,
but
they
couldn't
ask
for
any
other
state
funding.
They
were
kind
of
blocked
out
from
those
areas.
I
Yeah
stirring
the
initial
proposal,
we
have
to
do
our
State
Challenge
process,
and
that
includes
what
the
ntia
is
calling
the
deduplication
of
previously
funded
areas
so
any
place
that
has
an
ardoff
commitment
or
a
reconnect
loan
or
a
grant
or
any
other
Federal
funding.
We
have
to
remove
from
consideration
and
eligibility.
C
So,
just
to
follow
up
with
that
just
a
second
was
you
know
that
10-year
build-out
period
just
really
gives
a
lot
of
residents.
Some
heartburn
I,
guess
saying
now:
we're
blocked
out
from
any
other
any
other
Grant
and
I
understand
that
that,
once
you
have
an
area
that
has
grant
money
that
you
don't
want
to
really
keep
duplicating
that,
but
we
necessarily
want
to
go
back
and
make
sure
if
you've
got
a
child,
that's
in
first
or
second
grade
and
you're
10
years.
C
Getting
this
and
I
know
there's
percentages
that
they
have
to
build
out
to
pretty
quick
and
in
Simpson
County.
Luckily
they
took
this
on
real
early
and
I.
Think
they're
going
to
be
fully
built
out,
probably
within
the
next
year
or
so
so
once
they
get
in
an
area,
they're
probably
going
to
stay
there
until
they
finish,
but
it
was
just
a
little
bit
concerning
about
once
you
get
there.
You've
blocked
any
any
other
monies
from
coming
in
out
of
that.
C
D
I
will
say,
representative,
McPherson
and
I
didn't
want
to
speak
because
I
know
they're
they're
issuing
a
continual
NTA
guidelines
on
this,
but
I
will
say
that
is
pretty
consistent
with
other
programs
they're.
They
are
trying
to
stop.
You
know
again
they're
wanting
to
maximize
dollars
into
you
know
to
new
areas
as
much
as
possible
and
extend
Broadband
deployment
as
much.
That
is
pretty
consistent,
though,
with
other
Federal
programs
and.
A
N
Thank
you
and
thank
you
for
your
thorough
explanation.
I
wanted
to
refer
back
to
something
you
mentioned
when
you
were
talking
about
smart
rural
communities
about
50
subscription
rate.
What
happens
if
that
isn't
met
in
a
particular
area,
and
are
you
concerned
about
any
specific?
Does
that
not
matter.
D
No
I
mean
I
will
say.
This
is
something
that
our
our
members
are
doing
within
our
National
Association.
So
it's
a
specific
marketing
program,
most
of
the
folks
that
are
either
looking
at
this
or
examining
you
know
what
those
take
rates
are
most
of
the
people
that
that
are
in
our
areas,
they're,
pretty
confident
if
they're
going
through
the
process
of
that
program
that
they're
going
to
be
able
to
meet
that
threshold.
So
you
know
it's
like
everything
else.
We
aggressively
market
and
I
will
say
and
I'm
proud
to
do
this.
D
We
have
some
of
the
fastest
speeds
in
in
the
you
know,
throughout
any
community
in
some
of
these
very
rural
communities
that
our
that
our
members
represent
so
I
mean
when
I
say
we
have
gigabit
symmetrical
speeds.
We
really
do
so.
A
lot
of
people
want
to
be
able
to
take
advantage
of
that,
and
so
that-
and
that's
one
of
the
reasons
why
you
know
we're
being
these
programs-
are-
have
been
successful.
D
They
visited
Keeneland
and
horses
in
love
area,
but
they
wanted
to
live
in
in
eastern
Eastern
Kentucky
county,
just
you
know
again
cost
of
living
and
they
found
out.
They
had
Broadband
access
in
these
rural
areas
from
one
of
our
members
and
they're.
Looking
to
locate
here
from
New
Jersey,
so
I
hear
anecdotal
stories
like
that.
All
the
time.
D
No,
our
no
our
members,
if
they're
again-
and
these
are
a
lot
of
our
folks
that
take
advantage
of
this-
some
are
small
commercial
companies
that
are
members
of
the
National
Association,
but
again
for
our
member
co-ops,
if
they're
a
member
there,
and
they
want
the
service
they're
going
to
find
a
way
to
build
out
to
them.
Most
of
the
time
now,
I
will
say
it's
like
everything
else.
If
they
haven't
had
Fiber
service
there,
it
takes
time
to
cut
over
into
to
a
fiber
Network.
N
D
Could
be
I,
I'll,
honestly
say
right
now,
the
one
of
the
biggest
issues
that
we
have
is
just
getting
the
experience
and
number
of
contractors
for
construction
type,
Services
again
these
build-outs,
because
again
we're
building
out
in
these
areas
and
we're
trying
to
be
an
aggressive
timeline
like
we
want
to
meet
the
timelines
to
get
the
service
out
there
as
quickly
as
we
can
to
our
members.
In
order
to
you,
you
know,
in
order
to
do
that,
you
know
I'd,
say
pre-pandemic,
you
would
have
you
know
multiple
contractors
bid
on
on
a
job.
D
But
now
we
may
only
get
one
contractor
and
then
that
bids
on
that
job
and
then
it's
not
only
that,
but
if
there's
subsequent
phases
of
that
same
project
keeping
the
contractor
there
when
you
have
them,
because
they're
obviously
they're
being
stretched
out
and
being
stretched
thin
as
well.
Because
again
so
much
of
this
money
is
being
injected
into
the
system.
And
this
is
before
beat
even
takes
place.
E
E
I
guess
and
that's
if
you
have
the
ability
to
speak
on
this
because
I
understand
this
is
a
little
bit
further
down
the
road,
but
I
worry
about
when
for
folks
who
are
in
low-income
areas,
you're
also
typically
dealing
with
individuals
who
are
unbanked.
They
might
not
have
credit
credit
card
access,
things
of
that
nature,
so
I
think
about
you,
know:
I've
got
a
credit
card
connected
to
my
internet
and
it
just
gets
billed
over.
D
They
they
were
down
there
talking
amongst
the
judge,
Executives
that
are
a
part
of
that
group
and
those
those
individuals
in
Eastern
Kentucky
about
their
ability
to
advertise
to
their
constituents
in
their
areas,
so
they're,
making
that
a
part
of
a
plan
that
they
have
I
think
they
are
actually
were
pursuing
an
FCC
Outreach
Grant.
So
there
are,
there
are
things
that
communities
are
doing
to
stay
engaged,
I
mean
obviously
soar
for
an
example.
D
That's
a
54
County
region,
so
they're
going
to
be
trying
to
do
secure
an
Outreach
Grant
in
order
to
help
them
advertise
for
ACP,
which
would
help
provide
this
subsidy
for
those
and
make
people
aware
of
that.
So
it's
again,
it's
part
of
the
it's
probably
a
two-part
answer.
One
we're
doing
this
internally,
also
as
part
of
the
the
state's
digital
Equity
plan.
I.
Think
there's
going
to
be
conversations
about
how
to
advertise
and
make
sure
people
know
that
these
services
are
available.
A
F
F
There
are
38
ACA
connects
members
and
many
that
we
share
with
with
Tyler
and
in
his
State
organization,
serving
714
000
households
and
providing
service
to
parts
of
103
counties.
These
members
include
telephone
companies
that
that
are
with
with
Tyler
family-owned
companies,
Electric
Cooperative
municipalities
and
private
Equity
members.
I
want
to
touch
on
some
national
Trends
in
Broadband,
develop
it
over
the
next
couple
of
minutes.
The
first
is
competition.
Last
year,
ACA
connects
released
the
study
analyzing
the
state
of
competition
in
the
fixed
Broadband
Marketplace.
F
We
found
that
competition
is
thriving
and
will
become
only
more
intense
in
the
near
future.
Specifically,
the
vast
majority
of
U.S
households
either
already
have
or
will
soon
have
access
to
at
least
two
providers
of
fast
and
reliable,
fixed
broadband
service,
5G,
fixed,
Wireless
and
other
Technologies
are
providing
additional
competitive
options
in
any
consideration
of
whether
additional
or
more
intrusive
Broadband
regulation
is
necessary
to
protect
consumers.
It's
critical
that
federal
policy
makers
take
into
account
the
fact
that
competition
exists
in
most
markets
and
is
continuing
to
spread
rapidly.
F
The
next
thing
I
like
to
talk
about
is
a
study
we
just
put
out
yesterday.
It's
the
third
version
of
this
study,
hot
off
the
press
about
lunchtime
I
sent
it
to
Megan
as
soon
as
I
got
it
from
our
our
research
partners
and-
and
let
me
back
up
a
little
bit
to
tell
you
about
the
study
a
little
bit
in
in
September
of
last
year,
ACA
connects
and
its
research
partner,
Cartesian
published
the
first
version
of
our
bead
program
framework
lawyers
must
have
wrote
that
title.
F
In
December,
we
released
an
update
of
our
analysis
based
on
the
first
release
of
those
National
Broadband
maps
that
the
FCC
put
out
there,
which
greatly
increased
the
accuracy
of
our
estimates
and
Analysis,
even
though
the
maps
are
still
work
in
progress.
So
far,
we've
been
gratified
by
the
reception
of
our
work
and
we
have
enjoyed
the
many
follow-up
discussions
with
State
Broadband
offices
across
the
United
States.
Yesterday
we
released
version
three
of
the
bead
program
framework.
It
relies
on
the
much
more
accurate
National
Broadband
map
released
just
last
month.
F
Our
analysis
from
this
from
this
study
that
we
put
out
yesterday,
we
estimate
that
Kentucky
will
receive
1.1
billion
dollars
from
ntia
and
with
a
600
million
dollar
match
from
the
service
providers.
The
Commonwealth
may
have
as
much
as
1.7
billion.
To
close
this
digital
divide,
our
estimates
provide
for
servicing
more
than
157
000
unserved
and
more
than
46
000
underserved
locations.
Aca
connects
estimates
that
there
is
funding
to
reach
all
of
Kentucky's
203
000
eligible
locations
with
high-speed
broadband,
and
it
leaves
significant
leftover
funds
for
the
affordability
programs
that
Megan
talked
about
earlier.
F
We've
included
a
sensitivity
analysis
in
our
new
version,
3
study
from
yesterday
and
I
want
to
touch
on
that
for
just
a
second.
We
have
model
2
sensitivity,
adjusted
cases
to
explore
the
impact
of
States,
awarding
sub-grants
like
arpa,
like
ardoff
and
and
some
others
grants
that
Kentucky
is
doing
in
other
states
are
across
the
United
States
and
the
impact
Beyond
January
of
2024..
F
This
analysis
assumes
that
there's
an
incremental
build
in
the
period
between
the
allocation
of
bead
funds,
which
we're
not
exactly
sure
when
that's
going
to
be,
but
sometime
after
the
first
of
2024,
and
it
might
be
spread
out
into
25
and
possibly
even
2026,
and
so
we
want
to
understand
what
that
incremental
build.
That's
happening
at
the
same
time
at
the
ground
level,
as
this
money
is
Flowing
out,
and
so
we
want
to
understand
what
the
sub
grants
awards
for
deployment
projects
are
are
made
and
that
will
reduce
the
number
of
bead
eligible
locations
bid.
F
Program
subgrant
awards
are
likely
to
start,
like
I,
said
later
in
24
or
early
24,
and
maybe
staged
out
over
several
years.
With
a
later
start,
ongoing
builds
by
our
members
will
further
reduce
the
number
of
eligible
locations,
which
is
an
absolutely
great
thing
because
that's
that's.
Our
ultimate
goal
is
to
serve
everybody
now,
as
I
move
on
from
that
as
a
release
or
relates
to
bead.
Funding.
F
Here
are
some
thoughts
that
ACA
connects
has
been
communicating
at
the
federal
capital
and
at
ntia,
as
we
explained
in
comments
filed
at
the
ntia
ACA
urges
all
states
Kentucky
included
to
use
the
FCC
Broadband
Maps
as
the
authoritative
source
for
identifying
locations
that
are
unserved
or
underserved.
The
efcc's
maps
are
the
sole
mechanism
for
collecting
data
nationally,
based
on
well-vetted
rules
and
verification
process.
F
In
establishing
the
bead
program,
Congress
reinforced
the
Primacy
of
the
FCC
maps
by
defining
eligible
projects
relative
to
whether
the
unserved
and
or
underserved
locations,
largely
comprising
eligible
products,
projects
are
determined
to
be
unserved
or
underserved
in
a
map.
We
recognize
the
FCC
mats
have
laws,
but
they
are
diminishing,
and
we
agree
that
with
ntia
that
the
FCC
maps
are
becoming
more
accurate
and
continue
to
get
better
and
based
on
our
service
available
service
availability
challenges
received.
So
far.
F
F
C
F
To
touch
on
one
we've
touched
on
it
a
couple
of
times
that
I
kind
of
want
to
close
with
it
and
it-
and
this
is
the
great
uncertainty
around
the
future
of
the
affordable
connectivity
program.
That's
the
that's
the
voucher
program
for
for
lower
income,
we're
proud
that
more
than
300
ACA
connects
members
are
participating
in
this
program.
F
They
have
found
it
to
be
a
great
way
of
connecting
with
low-income
households
in
their
communities
that
serve
and
and
otherwise
maybe
wouldn't
have
Broadband,
but
ACP
is
expected
to
run
out
of
money
sometime
in
early
2024
and
and
as
of
yet
there
is
no
plan
to
replenish
These
funds
on
the
federal
level.
Our
members
have
found
success
with
the
program
and
would
welcome
the
program
being
extended,
but
they
are,
members
may
not
be
have
the
strong
may
not
be
the
strongest
Advocates
state.
F
Governments
can
be
a
powerful
voice
here,
especially
given
the
importance
of
ACP
within
the
bead
program.
If
you
accept
bead
funds,
as
this
program
is
laid
out
today,
you
have
to
offer
ACP
a
low
income
voucher
system.
The
funds
are
going
to
deplete
here
in
the
next.
Probably
eight
to
nine
months,
and
so
it's
it's
there's
quite
a
lot
of
uncertainty
of.
What's
going
to
happen
with
that,
if
ACP
goes
away,
bead
funds
are
unlikely
to
go
as
far
as
as
far
as
they
should
in
connecting
households
that
really
need
internet
access.
F
So
with
that,
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
with
you
today.
I
will
ensure
that
members
have
access
to
our
study.
It
was
so
hot
off
the
press.
I
just
couldn't
bring
it
with
me
today,
but
I
guarantee
I
will
get
it
to
you
by
first
thing
in
the
morning,
I
am
happy
to
answer
your
questions
and
appreciate
the
opportunity
to
visit
with
you
today.
Wonderful.
O
Thank
you,
Mr
chair,
make
sure
he
can
bother
them.
You
must
have
read
my
mind.
Your
last
comment
was
exactly
about
my
question.
I
was
going
to
ask
a
lot
of
times
it,
regardless
of
what
type
of
type
of
programming
it
is.
If
we
bring
down
federal
dollars,
they
come
with
extra
protocols
and
standards
and
Hoops
we
have
to
jump
through
so
I
think
you've
touched
on
one
right
there
I
know.
O
F
And
Megan's
going
to
have
the
worst
part
of
that
job
running
the
state
office.
Here
it's
a
real
problem.
We've
been
talking
about
it.
I
know
that
the
the
ntca,
the
group
that
that
Tyler
works
with
they're
friends
of
ours.
We
we
have
similar
membership.
We've
been
in
DC
for
the
last
nine
months.
Saying,
hey
more
folks
are,
are
eligible
and
are
taking
advantage
of
ACP
than
it
was
originally
anticipated.
F
When
the
dollars
were
put
out
during
the
middle
of
the
pandemic
and
gosh,
we
need
to
figure
out
how
the
heck
we're
going
to
put
more
money
into
that,
and
the
federal
government
needs
to
do
that,
because
the
states,
quite
frankly,
you
don't
have
the
money
to
do
it.
I
wanted
to
touch
on
something
else
too.
The
the
lady
asked
earlier
in
in
talking
with
our
members
across
the
country
and
I'm
sure
it's
happening
here
in
Kentucky
as
well.
F
How
do
you
get
the
word
out
on
ACP?
How
do
you
inform
folks
we've
we've
found
in
listening
to
our
members
that
going
to
the
schools
going
to
the
library,
Health
departments
heck
just
getting
on
the
local
radio,
any
way
that
you
can
reach
your
members
with
the
you
know,
in
addition
to
you
know
a
bill
stuffer
or
any
kind
of
communication
that
you
have
within
your
billing
that
goes
to
those
customers
or
ways
that
you
can
do
that.
F
We
have
a
lot
of
members,
have
one
member
in
Louisiana
that
went
door-to-door
and
they
just
decided
to
do
it
that
way,
because
they
had
kids
in
the
summertime
that
were
looking
for
part-time
jobs
and
they
could
help
these.
These
folks
fill
out
the
forms
and
gain
access
to
this
30
voucher
each
month.
Everybody
does
a
little
different,
there's
a
lot
of
different
ways
to
do
it.
F
P
Thank
you,
as
chairman.
Obviously
I
think
everybody
shares
the
goal
of
having
more
access
to
high-speed
internet
and
broadband
and
on
the
committee
one
question
I
had
and
I
know.
This
may
not
be
the
right
solution
for
every
area,
but
you
know
some
of
the
sad
I
know
a
few
people
that
use
satellite
internet
providers
like
Skylink
that
are
very
satisfied
with
their
connections
and
it
provides
an
adequate
speed
and
clearly
with
constantly
evolving
technology.
P
We
may
lay
some
Fiber
and
in
five
years
it's
obsolete
and
it
has
to
go
out
and
we
have
to
rewire
it
again,
which
is
a
constant.
You
know,
cost
to
the
taxpayers,
who
are
subsidizing
a
lot
of
these
projects
and-
and
you
know
I'm
for
that.
But
but
you
know,
would
sometimes
it's
easier
just
to
swap
out
a
dish
or
something
than
it
is
to
to
replace.
You
know,
100
miles
of
cable.
Is
that
something
that
we're
looking
at
as
well
for
for
areas
where
it's
appropriate.
D
Senator
wheeler
I'll
just
I'll,
just
add,
really
quick.
We
refer
to
Fiverr
as
future-proof
networks.
Just
because
again,
if
you
switch
out
the
electronics
on
the
end
of
that
at
the
end
of
that
life
cycle
generally,
you
can
switch
the
circuits
out
and
those
circuits
will
have.
You
know
you
could
go
from
a
five
gig
to
a
10
gig
circuit,
so
you
can
keep
up
with
demand
for
end
to
end
on
that
fiber
easier
than
you
can
most
other
Technologies.
D
P
Brief
follow-up
management
I
mean,
but
it
may
be
in
certain
areas
say
if
we
only
had
to
reach
two
homes
that
may
be
out
there,
that
might
cost
say
tens
of
thousands
of
dollars
to
get
out
there,
but
it
might
not
be
maybe
a
more
economical
thing
if
we
provided
a
similar
subsidy
to
get
something
like
an
individual
link
up
for
these
houses,
rather
than
spending
all
that
money
to
get
out
there.
I.
F
Mean
that's
built
into
bead
it's
fiber
first,
but
in
those
instances
where
it's
seven
more
miles
down
that
road
to
that.
Next
to
that
next
home
there
are
alternative
technologies
that
can
be
deployed.
But
you
know,
as
as
we
understand
the
study
as
we've
studied
it
over
the
course
of
the
last
year
specific
to
Kentucky.
We
think
there's
going
to
be
enough
money,
that's
going
to
flow
to
this
state
because
you're
going
to
be
able
to
touch
fiber
optics
to
every
household
that
is
unserved
and
underserved.
P
That
203
000
today
well
there
might
be
enough
money
coming,
but
that
might
not
be
the
most
efficient
allocation
of
that
money.
I
mean
clearly
I
think
that
representative
McPherson
talked
about
other
areas
that
perhaps
need
an
upgrade
to
get
their
maximum
potential
that
might
serve
more
customers
will
be
be
better
off.
F
Yeah
I
think
those
are
going
to
be
individual
decisions,
I
I,
honestly,
I,
don't
know
the
B
program
as
well
as
Megan
does
to
be
quite
honest
with
you.
Are
there
limitations
within
bead
what
you
can
do
with
the
money
once
it's
awarded
I,
don't
know
that
I
don't
know
the
answer
to
the
questions
there.
I
So
you
know
like
somewhere
in
the
middle
and-
and
we
have
some
some
ways
to
to
measure
that
we
have
some.
You
know
past
experience
on
what
the
you
know.
Average
cost
per
location
is
on
our
grants,
we've
issued
and
then
some
cost
modeling
data,
that's
forthcoming
from
from
the
cost
Quest
that
has
produced
the
FCC
Maps.
So
we're
those
are
things
we're
evaluating.
A
You
all
see
no
further
questions
approaching
the
90-minute
portion.
I
was
going
to
see
what
was
going
to
finish.
First
representative
McPherson,
your
granddaughter's
lollipop.
She
had
back
there
or
the
committee
meeting
today
and
I
think
she's
going
to
win
out
on
this
one.
Thank
you
all
so
much
thanks
for
the
information
thanks,
everybody
for
your
attendance
and
your
Indulgence
to
the
questions
and
I
ask
for
a
motion
for
adjournment.
So
move
see
you
all
next
month.