More stakeholders want acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to begin moving forward on USF funding revisions (see 2102010059). The current mechanism is unsustainable, experts said in recent interviews. Many disagree on changes.
Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the launch of a Broadband Data Task Force to push out the maps that will be needed for the 5G Fund, approved in October over partial dissents by Rosenworcel and fellow Democrat Geoffrey Starks (see 2010270034). Jean Kiddoo, who will chair the task force, warned the maps likely won’t be ready before next year. Rosenworcel declined to comment on the timeline in a news conference. The maps are also critical to other USF programs, officials said Wednesday.
NARUC's Telecom Committee unanimously agreed the FCC should closely review Rural Digital Opportunity Fund long-form applications to ensure RDOF providers have what's needed to deliver on promises. The committee cleared that proposed resolution Wednesday at NARUC's virtual meeting. Earlier, an analyst raised concerns about young companies winning bids. Committee Chair Karen Charles Peterson urged the new FCC to revisit broadband reclassification and net neutrality rules, revamp USF contribution and restore Lifeline voice support.
Verizon’s proposed TracFone buy is likely to be one of the first such transactions before the FCC that's now under Democratic control. The deal has raised some competitive concerns. Friday, 16 state attorneys general led by Virginia’s Mark Herring (D) asked the FCC to further investigate implications for Lifeline before approving the deal.
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction winners must follow through on broadband promises, NARUC Telecom Committee members said in interviews last week. NARUC plans to vote at its Feb. 4-5 and 8-11 meeting on a draft resolution urging the FCC to scrutinize RDOF long-form applications (see 2101260033). Some commissioners raised doubts about fixed wireless and said they’re unfamiliar with entities that won federal dollars.
NTIA heard complaints Thursday during a virtual “listening session” on 5G security about a lack of guidance on security threats. Much talk was on open radio access networks (ORAN), a continuing focus at the FCC (see 2012110036). The session was scheduled under the Trump administration.
NTIA heard complaints Thursday during a virtual “listening session” on 5G security about a lack of guidance on security threats. Much talk was on open radio access networks (ORAN), a continuing focus at the FCC (see 2012110036). The session was scheduled under the Trump administration.
An omnibus FY 2021 appropriations measure under negotiation is likely to include funding for the FCC to implement the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (S-1822), said House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., Thursday. He told a USTelecom webinar that he believes movement on infrastructure legislation like the House-passed Moving Forward Act (HR-2) is “not going to happen” during the waning days of the lame-duck session, but “hopefully we can get it passed” and enacted after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Many advocates of federal broadband spending are optimistic a Biden administration will be able to reach a deal with Congress on infrastructure legislation (see 2011200056).
An omnibus FY 2021 appropriations measure under negotiation is likely to include funding for the FCC to implement the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (S-1822), said House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., Thursday. He told a USTelecom webinar that he believes movement on infrastructure legislation like the House-passed Moving Forward Act (HR-2) is “not going to happen” during the waning days of the lame-duck session, but “hopefully we can get it passed” and enacted after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Many advocates of federal broadband spending are optimistic a Biden administration will be able to reach a deal with Congress on infrastructure legislation (see 2011200056).
The Senate Commerce Committee appeared on track before its Wednesday meeting to advance FCC nominee Nathan Simington’s confirmation to the full chamber. That's despite continued uncertainty about whether panel member Dan Sullivan of Alaska will join other Republicans in backing the nominee. Opponents of Simington’s confirmation claim President Donald Trump picked him to displace Commissioner Mike O’Rielly because the nominee supports the push for a rulemaking on its Communications Decency Act Section 230 interpretation (see 2011100070).