Carr Defends Telehealth Pilot NOI Focus on Facilities-Based Providers; Seeks Media Rule Update
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said a telehealth inquiry's facilities-based focus is aimed at advancing broadband access through a pilot program, but is open to discussion. At a Wiley Rein event Wednesday, Carr outlined his views on a draft notice of inquiry to provide up to $100 million for "connected care" pilot projects slated for a vote Aug. 2, and agency efforts to make wireless regulation "5G ready" and modernize media regulation.
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Carr said the FCC connected-care initiative is trying to replicate a program he visited where the University of Mississippi medical center is partnering with C Spire and local clinics to provide remote monitoring of patients with diabetes and other illnesses in the poorest part of the state. He said this improved patients' "adherence" to medical treatment and their health, with every dollar invested producing $3-$4 in reduced Medicaid spending.
In Q&A, we asked Carr about the telehealth draft NOI suggestion that broadband providers participating in the pilot program be required to be facilities-based, after an FCC proposal to prohibit reseller participation in the Lifeline program ran into near-unanimous opposition (see 1802210045). Carr said there are areas that still lack adequate broadband access, so if the pilot program funds facilities-based projects, the FCC can advance broadband availability in addition to improving healthcare outcomes and generating cost savings. The NOI asks the question, Carr said. "We're open to hearing feedback."
The notice sought comment on requiring broadband participants to be facilities-based eligible telecom carriers. "This approach would be consistent with the Lifeline program, which also targets benefits toward low-income consumers and limits service provider participation to ETCs," the draft forecast in paragraph 37. "We believe that participants should be facilities-based ETCs given that one of the goals of the pilot is to increase broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas." Carr said the anticipated connected-care projects and Lifeline program have similarities. Regarding the Lifeline proceeding, Carr said the FCC is still analyzing the comments, and he will look at whatever Chairman Ajit Pai proposes.
Carr said the wireless "race to 5G" requires the FCC to update rules. He said wireless regulations have been geared toward 3G and 4G services, not 5G, which will include many more small-cells not needing 200-foot-tall cell towers. More actions are coming, he said. When asked about small-cell legislation in states and Congress, he said, "We're all rowing in the same direction," trying to make it easier to deploy the infrastructure.
Carr was surprised by how media rules "languished" in recent years. "A lot has changed in the media marketplace," he said, noting sector "silos" were breaking down. He said broadcasters and other traditional media companies face much competition for advertising dollars from social media platforms such as Facebook. Such core market competition has to inform regulation, but ownership and other media rules have largely stayed the same, he said.
Asked about T-Mobile buying Sprint, Carr said generally, the impact on competition would be a big part of his analysis of whether a wireless deal would be in the public interest. Initial comments are due Aug. 27 (see 1807180048).