Mississippi News
State official wants feds to investigate AT&T
State official says AT&T is cooking the books on broadband expansion, wants feds to investigate
State Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley has renewed the call for the Federal Communications Commission to investigate whether AT&T really provided broadband service to over 133,000 locations in Mississippi with federal money it received.
Presley has written new Biden administration FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, asking the FCC for a “complete compliance audit of AT&T Mississippi” on whether it met its obligations for more than $280 million in federal Connect America funds for broadband expansion.
Last year, all three elected state PSC commissioners wrote a similar letter to the FCC asking for an audit and claiming a PSC investigation “found concrete, specific examples that show AT&T Mississippi has reported location addresses … as being served when, in fact, the addresses are without service.”
Presley in his latest letter said, “They have submitted false data for years, and I am convinced that you will act appropriately to send a message that there is ‘a new sheriff in town.'” He also told Rosenworcel, who served on the FCC during the Obama administration, “on a personal note, I am thankful for your friendship.”
FOLLOW THE MONEY: How is Mississippi spending billions in federal funds flowing through the state?
An AT&T corporate spokesperson in a written statement denied the claims.
”We have invested billions of dollars, building out our wired and wireless networks across Mississippi, and we are proud of the work we have done as a company to keep communities connected and help fuel Mississippi's economy,” the statement said. “We are also proud of the work we have done through federal and state programs that help expand critical connectivity in underserved and unserved areas, including the FCC's Connect America Fund Phase II program. We have worked closely with the FCC and USAC on this program and any suggestion that we filed false data is patently incorrect.”
The issue comes as Mississippi has received hundreds of millions of federal dollars in recent years to expand broadband internet access and federal funds continue to flow. Large cable and telecom companies such as AT&T are sparring with rural electric cooperatives for the funding, particularly $162 million the state is expected to receive for broadband as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
READ MORE: Cable giants, Mississippi electric cooperatives battle over federal broadband dollars
With Presley leading the movement, the state Legislature in 2019 passed a law allowing electric cooperatives to provide internet service — an effort to expand broadband access in a poor, rural state where an estimated 40% of the state lacked access. The effort has been likened to providing electricity to rural Mississippi in the 1930s. Proponents said large cable and telecom companies were failing to expand service into rural areas because it wasn't profitable enough.
Presley recently said: “If there is any idea circulating that somehow companies like AT&T can gobble up this $162 million intended for cooperatives and non-profits, I think that idea will be dead on arrival at Treasury based on their own guidance. Cooperatives and nonprofits who put people above profits are who these funds are designated for and that's who should get them under any plan sent in by the governor. To try and please the AT&Ts of the world with these funds will only delay broadband expansion. I would fight that tooth, nail and claw.”
But cable and telecom providers say they have spent millions in private funds expanding internet service in Mississippi, and that they shouldn't be cut out of government funding for expansion.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Pleasant Mother’s Day Weekend! – Home – WCBI TV
SUMMARY: The weekend in Columbus, Mississippi will be warm and dry, with Saturday reaching the low 80s and Sunday being partly cloudy with temperatures in the low to mid 80s. However, unsettled weather is expected for the week ahead, with multiple rounds of rain and storms possible from Monday to Thursday. This weekend is a good opportunity to enjoy the nice weather before the rain sets in. On Sunday, conditions will be pleasant for Mother's Day activities, but isolated rain showers may be possible in the evening as cloud coverage increases.
The post Pleasant Mother's Day Weekend! – Home – WCBI TV appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
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SUMMARY: The boil water advisory for JXN Water in Jackson, Mississippi has been lifted after normal pressure levels and safe water quality were confirmed through testing. The system is now back to normal operations, with manageable flows and demand. Ted Henifin, the Interim Third-Party Manager, thanked everyone for their patience during the severe weather aftermath and credited the quick recovery to the hard work of JXN Water staff, contractors, and engineers. Lessons learned from this experience will be applied to enhance the system's resilience during future severe weather events.
The post JXN Water lifts boil water notice for surface water system appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
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The post One killed in two-vehicle crash in Jones County appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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