WISPA Seeks Newsom Signature on CASF Bill

The Wireless ISP Association urged Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to sign a broadband bill (AB-2749) to update the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) grant review process and require wireless eligibility for funding. “An inclusive approach to broadband deployment smartly enlists the help of those on the ground, such as WISPA’s community-based providers, many of whom employ both fiber and fixed wireless technologies in their networks,” WISPA State Advocacy Manager Steven Schwerbel said Thursday. Consumer advocates earlier urged Newsom to veto the bill, saying it would hurt underserved communities (see 2209120062). Other industry supporters of AB-2749 include USTelecom and CTIA (see 2208290020).