The National Emergency Number Association launched an NG9-1-1 Interoperability Oversight Commission. NENA said Wednesday it and other stakeholders will work together on the commission, which will address next-generation 911 issues, including “the need for Public Key Infrastructure to manage secure credentials within the 9-1-1 industry.” NENA will have “no direct control … allowing for fully independent oversight,” said Brandon Abley, NENA director-technical issues. “We’re following the exact same model used in other critical industries.”

The FCC Public Safety Bureau extended by three days to Feb. 21 the comments deadline and four days to March 20 replies on a Further NPRM on advanced vertical location, mapping, and addressing 911 services. The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, National Association of State 911 Administrators, National Emergency Number Association, Texas 911 Alliance and Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications sought the extension. The order on docket 07-114 was in Wednesday's Daily Digest.

Communications sector officials and lobbyists see President Donald Trump’s mention in his Tuesday night State of the Union of prioritizing broadband access improvements (see 2002040070) as a net positive for policymaking efforts on and off Capitol Hill, but also likely having limited effect. Several believe it will draw further attention to existing work at the FCC, Department of Agriculture and Congress. They noted that probably won't change fundamental hurdles likely to prevent lawmakers from advancing an infrastructure funding legislative package before the Nov. 3 presidential election (see 2001240001).

The amount satellite operators would receive to exit the C band on an expedited basis appears to be in flux headed into FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s big unveil Thursday of his proposal. Some at the FCC earlier appeared to take a hard line, suggesting a $5 billion incentive payment for all operators (see 2001290049). Pai may be willing to offer a higher amount but less than $10 billion.

FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly asked American Samoa Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga why the territory failed to respond to requests for information on whether it used 911 fees collected from consumers as intended. O'Rielly's letter Monday said American Samoa was the only state or territory not to respond to the latest FCC request for information (see 1912190077). "Given that American Samoa has responded to requests in the preceding four years, it is disappointing that we did not receive any responses to our 2019 request," he said. He noted a 2018 filing indicated American Samoa doesn't collect 911 fees from consumers, and "unless this has changed, filing this information with the Commission should not be a difficult or time-consuming process." The governor's office didn't comment. "We will be submitting our report on this matter" to the governor, emailed CEO Lewis Wolman of American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, one of the territory's two service providers.

The Information Technology Industry Council “encourages” President Donald Trump to use his State of the Union Tuesday to “highlight the priorities and initiatives that will continue to … ensure the United States can stay on the cutting-edge of technological leadership," said CEO Jason Oxman in a Monday opinion piece on The Hill’s website. "Progress has been made, but more can be done to free unused spectrum and promote a global marketplace so the U.S. doesn’t fall behind on 5G.” ITI hopes Trump “urges Congress to create a single uniform” federal privacy standard, Oxman said. “The lack of a national privacy law is the single biggest obstacle to answering U.S. consumer demands to protect their data,” so Congress “must pass federal privacy legislation that enhances transparency, increases consumer control, promotes security, and manages privacy risk.” Trump made a generic call during his 2019 SOTU for Congress to “unite for a great rebuilding of America's crumbling infrastructure” (see 1902060002). House Democratic leaders last week proposed $98 billion in funding for broadband and next-generation 911 projects, in an infrastructure plan (see 2001290052).

House Democratic leaders proposed $98 billion in funding over five years for broadband and next-generation 911 projects as part of a new infrastructure plan released Wednesday. Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio of Oregon, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal of Massachusetts and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone of New Jersey released the $760 billion plan. It took the form of a framework, contrary to earlier expectations for a bill (see 2001160063).

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai appears to be preparing to play C-band hardball, officials indicated. Pai is considering a proposal that satellite operators be given incentive payments totaling about $5 billion to move, regardless of how much money comes in through an auction (see 2001280063). Senior aide Nick Degani apparently told the companies in a meeting last week that if they won’t go along the FCC could “sunset” their licenses, forcing them off the band. Intelsat stock closed down 30 percent Wednesday at $3.78.

The FCC is pressing satellite operators in the C band to accept a compromise, under which they would be compensated for leaving the spectrum, but with a fixed fee, regardless of how much money comes in through an auction. Staff for Chairman Ajit Pai presented that scenario to the operators last week and reportedly held briefings for Congress' Appropriations and Commerce committees, said industry officials close to the proceeding. The FCC didn’t comment. Industry officials told us the incentive fee is expected to be only $5 billion total to be split among licensees. A trio of senators meanwhile bowed new C-band legislation Tuesday.

Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman John Kennedy, R-La., Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., filed their Spectrum Management And Reallocation for Taxpayers (Smart) Act Tuesday in a bid to designate the proceeds from a coming auction of bandwidth on the 3.7-4.2 GHz C band. Aides to Kennedy and Schatz confirmed the bill’s filing to us ahead of a formal announcement.