Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC has released a Notice of Inquiry, initiating the eighteenth annual assessment concerning the “availability of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans.” The Commission has requested information to assist it in determining whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion. In the 2024 Section 706 Report (2024 Report), the Commission adopted goals of universal deployment, adoption, affordability, and equitable access to broadband throughout the U.S., for conducting its section 706 inquiry. The Commission has proposed to maintain the standards and goals adopted by the 2024 Report and seeks comment on potential additional metrics and sources by which to measure them. Comments are due October 7 and reply comments are due November 6.
