2.5 GHz Recon Petition Denial Would Fail 'Pencils Down,' SHLB Says
The 2019 revised rules for the 2.5 GHz educational broadband service band (see 1907100054) was partisan and controversial, so until a new FCC is in place the agency should table a draft order denying a reconsideration petition by the School,…
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Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition and other educational groups, the SHLB and others said in a docket 18-120 letter to be posted. They said implementation of the EBS order should be put on hold. The groups pointed to lawmakers' "pencils-down" calls for the FCC (see 2011100061) and then-Commissioner Ajit Pai's similar call in 2016 (see 1611150052). Though commissioners agreed on some aspects of the 2.5 GHz order, such as the tribal priority window, the 3-2 vote showed they "were plainly divided on the future of the 2.5 GHz band," the groups said. They said Congress "is still actively considering this issue" via legislation to extend the rural tribal priority window for 180 days. The commission didn't comment. According to its items on circulation list, a recon order regarding the 2.5 GHz band has been on circulation since Oct. 16.