Fines proposed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel against the major wireless carriers for allegedly failing to safeguard data on their customers' real-time locations have apparently stalled, according to a document we viewed. Commissioners haven't voted to approve the fines, though fellow Democrat Geoffrey Starks voted yes, the document shows. It confirms that Rosenworcel circulated an order in September (see 2209090028). Public interest groups want action.
The FCC released its broadband consumer labels Thursday, requiring ISPs to display machine-readable information at the point of sale. The order, adopted Nov. 14, requires providers to list monthly prices and itemized fees, whether it participates in the affordable connectivity program, and speed data. The order takes effect 30 days after Federal Register publication. Compliance with the rules is not required until one year after OMB approval for providers with 100,000 or fewer subscribers and six months for all other providers. The goal is to "make the purchasing of broadband service more simple and more competitive for consumers everywhere," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said he looks forward to reviewing the record on whether the labels should include cybersecurity information. Doing so "could be very valuable to consumers" and "push ISPs to compete on network security," Starks said. The commission adopted one label requiring the same information in the same format for fixed and mobile broadband providers. Providers must include information about latency. It's "important to any application involving users interacting with each other, a device, or an application," the order said. An accompanying NPRM seeks comment on "alternative speed and latency measurements for the label going forward." The NPRM also seeks comment on the label's accessibility and availability in multiple languages, other performance data, and network management information. Comments will be due 30 days after Federal Register publication, 60 days for replies. The new label will "help consumers better understand their internet access purchases" and "allow for an effective apples-to-apples comparison tool when shopping for services in the marketplace," said Wireless ISP Association Vice President-Policy Louis Peraertz. It's a "good first step," said Next Century Cities Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Johnston: "Without including the label on a consumer's bill, the broadband nutrition label falls short of its goal."
Industry and broadband experts welcomed the release Friday of the FCC’s draft broadband availability maps. Many said they plan to participate in the challenge process because NTIA is required by Congress to use the FCC’s maps for its broadband, equity, access and deployment program funding allocations.
Things have been quiet on the FCC 10th floor since Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated an order with a new approach on the 4.9 GHz band, and early indications are she probably has the votes for approval. Rosenworcel circulated the order last month to establish a national band manager, which would govern the leasing process in the band, with an accompanying Further NPRM asking for feedback on details of how the leasing process could work (see 2210260064).
Speakers at a Utilities Technology Council virtual event Thursday issued a warning about the risks still posed by unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band and said utilities may have to take other steps to protect critical communications. The FCC, meanwhile, conditionally authorized 13 automated frequency coordination providers to operate in the band. Industry officials said last month the FCC appeared close to taking the next steps on AFC (see 2210170075).
The FCC’s Disability Advisory Committee approved a report Tuesday on best practices for sending and receiving captioning files so captioning associated with full-length programming remains available regardless of the distribution method. The vote came in the last meeting of the current cycle of the DAC. Like all other meetings during this cycle, it was held virtually. The report wasn’t immediately released by the FCC.
FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday, as expected (see 2210240047), an order launching a notice of inquiry on the 12.7 GHz band. The agency also cleared a plan to extend USF support to eligible mobile and fixed carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and an NPRM addressing Stir/Shaken caller ID authentication standards. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel acknowledged she had circulated an item focused on the 4.9 GHz band (see 2210260064).
A draft notice of inquiry exploring the future of 13 GHz spectrum is expected to be approved Thursday largely as circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2210060062). Only CTIA filed comments in 22-352, the docket created for the proceeding. FCC officials said outreach to the commission and discussion of the item among the offices have been minimal, which they said is typical for an NOI.
A draft notice of inquiry exploring the future of 13 GHz spectrum is expected to be approved Thursday largely as circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2210060062). Only CTIA filed comments in 22-352, the docket created for the proceeding. FCC officials said outreach to the commission and discussion of the item among the offices have been minimal, which they said is typical for an NOI.
The FCC is expected to approve soon a recent draft order circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel that would further clamp down on gear from Chinese companies, preventing the sale of yet-to-be authorized equipment in the U.S. The order, circulated by Rosenworcel Oct. 5 (see 2210070083), would ban the FCC authorization of gear from companies including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications, Hikvision and Dahua Technology, FCC officials said. Industry officials believe the coming restrictions could increase lawmakers' interest in approving additional funding for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program as part of an end-of-year legislative package (see 2210130074).