The FCC Wireline Bureau Tuesday posted updated responses to questions on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program as well as a new user guide. “We encourage Reimbursement Program recipients to regularly consult the Reimbursement Program webpage for updates,” the bureau said. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has urged Congress to close the more than $3 billion shortfall in the rip and replace program, which pays for replacing Huawei and ZTE communications gear and services from mostly wireless networks (see 2405020071).

Ericsson said Friday it has an agreement to sell iconectiv to Koch Equity Development for $1 billion. As part of its Telcordia acquisition in 2012, Ericsson picked up the U.S. network planning and management services subsidiary. Private equity firm Francisco Partners co-owns the subsidiary. “The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, with completion targeted during the first half of calendar 2025,” Ericsson said. Iconectiv, which is the local number portability administrator (LNPA), and Koch told the FCC iconectiv will be able to continue serving in that role. “The proposed ownership structure will ensure iconectiv’s neutrality and impartiality post-closing of the transaction,” a filing posted Monday in docket 07-149 said.

Comments are due Sept. 16, replies Oct. 15, on a July NPRM from the FCC on broadband data collection rules. The FCC is seeking comment on proposed changes limiting publication of data on ‘‘grandfathered’’ services. The NPRM also proposes collecting "terrestrial fixed wireless spectrum authorization information, and additional certifications and supporting data from satellite broadband providers,” a Thursday notice in the Federal Register said. “We propose to amend our rules to permit filers to indicate that the service offered at a location is a grandfathered service only,” the NPRM says: “We also propose that information on the availability of these services would only be disclosed by the Commission on an aggregated, redacted or otherwise de-identified, differentiated or masked basis.” The section on fixed wireless notes that the commission has an obligation “to verify providers’ broadband availability data filed in the BDC.” In verifying broadband availability based on terrestrial fixed wireless service, “we must also ensure that the reported availability is authorized based upon applicable FCC spectrum licenses or other forms of authorizations (as reported by technology category code), as a claim of terrestrial fixed wireless service availability would be invalid if the service provider’s operations were unauthorized,” the notice says. Comments should be filed in dockets 19-195 and 11-10.

GCI Communications urged that the FCC adopt a revised framework of the Alaska Plan for the Alaska Connect Fund. During a meeting with staff of the Wireline Bureau, Wireless Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics, GCI proposed a framework built on the "existing and successful" Alaska Plan "rather than reinvent the wheel." In an ex parte filing posted Wednesday in docket 23-328, GCI said the state "has a uniquely challenging environment for deploying broadband services," so the commission should adopt a "two-phase approach." The first, it said, should be a 10-year term that builds on the existing plan with increased support levels to account for inflation. The second would require the commission to initiate a proceeding evaluating the results of NTIA's broadband, equity, access, and deployment program to evaluate and develop cost models.

Google's Pixel 9 smartphone offers emergency SOS messaging via Skylo's satellite connectivity, Skylo announced Tuesday. The service uses mobile satellite spectrum, it said.

The FCC Public Safety Bureau said on Tuesday its 911 reliability certification system is open for filing annual reliability certifications. The certificates are due Oct. 15. FCC rules require 911 service providers take reasonable measures to provide reliable service with respect to 911 circuit diversity, central office backup power and diverse network monitoring (see 2308220047).

The FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee will meet Sept. 24, starting at 1 p.m., at FCC headquarters, a notice in Tuesday’s Daily Digest said. The main topic is a report on how AI “can help protect vulnerable consumer populations from unwanted and illegal calls, along with other consumer protection issues,” the FCC said.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted Benton Institute for Broadband & Society's motion to hold briefings in abeyance for two cases about pending petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's net neutrality rules (see 2408080004). The court said in a Monday order (dockets 24-3504 and 24-3507) that a new briefing schedule for the two cases will be issued "when this outstanding matter has been resolved." No parties opposed the motion.

The government should classify public safety telecommunicators (PSTs) and dispatchers as in a protective service occupation, “the same as police officers and other public safety professionals,” and avoid putting PSTs in the same occupational classification as secretaries and office clerks, the National Emergency Number Association said in comments filed Monday with the Office of Management and Budget. NENA said the job of dispatchers has changed markedly in the past 50 years. “Unlike commercial dispatchers, PSTs have constant direct contact with callers experiencing stressful and even traumatic events,” the group said in docket BLS-2024-001. “It is not uncommon for PSTs to hear an officer’s screams ... to hear the shot when a caller commits suicide, or to calm a frantic mother while coaching her to stop the massive bleeding of an injured child,” NENA said: “These frequent traumatic contacts require a different skill set, a different mindset, and a fundamentally different stress management regime than that required to dispatch commercial transportation vehicles.”

The FCC Precision Ag Task Force will meet virtually Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. EDT, a Federal Register notice said Monday. The group will hear from working group leadership and discuss progress toward their recommendations to the commission.