FCC Votes Feb. 17 on 911 Fee Diversion, Secure Network Reimbursement NPRMs
The FCC will consider two NPRMs on defining what constitutes 911 fee diversion and modifying rules for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks reimbursement program during the Feb. 17 commissioners' meeting, a news release said Wednesday. Commissioners will also hear…
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presentations on the emergency broadband benefit and COVID-19 telehealth programs (see 2101260053), plus efforts to improve broadband mapping data. The agency would seek comment on a proposal to raise the cap on eligibility to participate in its Secure and Trusted Communications Networks reimbursement program for providers of advanced communications service with 10 million or fewer customers. In December, commissioners voted 5-0 to put in place a system to replace insecure equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in U.S. networks (see 2012100054). The action is the FCC’s first on network security under the Biden administration, expanding the longtime focus under former Chairman Ajit Pai. The draft NPRM seeks comment on a proposal to change the acceptable use of reimbursement funds to include “the removal, replacement, and disposal of equipment and services subject to the" Huawei and ZTE designation orders and on modifying rules “to use reimbursement funds to remove, replace, or dispose of equipment or services that were purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained on or before June 30.” It asks whether to replace rules with prioritization categories in the combined FY 2021 appropriations and COVID-19 aid omnibus law (see 2012220061).