The record is clear that performance measurements proposed in a Further NPRM on wireless emergency alerts are “incompatible with the existing WEA system and could raise privacy concerns,” CTIA said in reply comments. Comments were posted Wednesday in docket 15-91 on the April FNPRM (see 2204190053). In initial comments, APCO and the National Weather Service asked the agency to impose reporting requirements on carriers (see 2206220033).

SAN DIEGO -- States could speed 5G deployment by harmonizing rules for accessing poles and power, state commission staffers were told Sunday by wireless infrastructure industry officials at NARUC’s summer meeting. Meanwhile, the Telecom Staff Subcommittee cleared a resolution meant to increase affordable connectivity program (ACP) enrollment (see 2207080016).

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, like 911, needs geolocation capabilities, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Friday in Philadelphia at an event marking Saturday's launch of 988 dialing for Lifeline. Saturday's launch "is not the end of things," she said, emphasizing the need for triangulation among cell towers "to know where you are" when dialing the Lifeline. The FCC is studying Lifeline geolocation issues (see (Ref:2206080058]). Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the success of 988 dialing hinges on governors and tribal governments "owning 988" since it's not a federal program but a state and local one being run with some federal support. That support includes $430 million invested under the Biden administration to boost crisis call center capacity, he said.

The House voted Wednesday and Thursday to approve a slate of telecom and tech-focused amendments to the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (HR-7900), including proposals to require more DOD transparency on its implementation of its 2020 spectrum sharing strategy and modifications to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s remit (see 2207070064). House lawmakers, meanwhile, refrained from filing any FCC-related amendments to the FY23 omnibus appropriations package that includes funding for that agency (HR-8294) but proposed several aimed at restraining the FTC. The chamber is likely to take up HR-8294 and floor votes on amendments next week.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission should investigate a nearly 30-day Frontier Communications outage experienced by some customers in the state’s Kanawha County, the local government said in a letter posted Tuesday (docket 22-0628-T-P). The PSC should audit Frontier and require the company to complete repairs and credit customers, it said. “This is a complete failure on behalf of Frontier to provide service to these residents,” said the county. “Frontier’s delays in making the necessary repairs have created a serious public health and public safety situation.” Frontier last month agreed to a settlement with West Virginia 911 officials over outages (see 2206290010).

The House Commerce Committee unanimously advanced the Spectrum Innovation Act legislative package (HR-7624) and three other telecom bills Wednesday, as expected (see 2207120079). The House was expected to begin votes Wednesday night on amendments to the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (HR-7900). The House Rules Committee agreed 9-4 Tuesday to allow floor votes on more than three dozen telecom and tech amendments to HR-7900 (see 2207070064).

Public safety groups urged the FCC to push for more use of location-based routing (LBR) to 911 call centers, in response to a June public notice, approved by commissioners 4-0 (see 2206080040). T-Mobile said how industry addresses the issue should be voluntary without the imposition of new FCC rules. AT&T and T-Mobile said implementation has to be done carefully and takes time.

House Communications Subcommittee leaders intend to combine language from the Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act (HR-7783) and Simplifying Management, Reallocation and Transfer of Spectrum Act (HR-5486) with the Spectrum Innovation Act (HR-7624) at a Wednesday Commerce Committee markup, as expected (see 2205190068). House Commerce is planning to mark up the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (HR-8152) next week, a Democratic committee spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. The House Consumer Protection Subcommittee unanimously advanced the bill in June (see 2206230064).

Telcos facing state scrutiny for allegedly impeding Minnesota's transition to next-generation 911 said they will propose a possible resolution. Christensen Communications and nine others named in a Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) complaint would “provide all requested services and interconnections” if DPS agrees to compensate the providers from the date the services are provided, they said in Friday comments at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (docket C-22-245). The providers said the rates they had proposed, which led to the DPS complaint, “accurately reflect” the services to be provided and were “based on a National Exchange Carrier Association tariff, with prices updated as of 2021, approved by the" FCC. The companies "are neither refusing to interconnect nor attempting to leverage or delay the transition to the NG 911 system,” they said. DPS urged the PUC to act fast. The providers “placed unreasonable conditions on their willingness to interconnect,” are “impeding the full adoption of necessary improvements, thus jeopardizing their customers’ 911 access, and are seeking to impose unreasonable and unnecessary costs on the 911 fund,” it said. Minnesota's Commerce Department said the “allegations warrant investigation" and the PUC has authority. DPS also received support for its complaint from the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, Statewide Emergency Communications Board and the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board for the Minneapolis/St. Paul region.

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington’s calls last week for the agency to take a deep dive on potential rules requiring OEMs to provide security updates for wireless devices authorized by the agency for sale in the U.S. (see 2206280072) appears likely to be picked up, said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, industry executives and agency officials.