The FCC took actions intended to spur wireline and wireless broadband deployment, some more controversial than others, at Thursday's monthly meeting. Commissioners voted 3-2 to adopt a combined order, declaratory ruling and Further NPRM that Republicans said were aimed at removing barriers to wireline infrastructure investments and Democrats said would remove important consumer and competition safeguards as industry transitions from copper-based networks to fiber-based IP systems. They voted 5-0 as expected (see 1711150015) to approve a wireless order commissioners said would make it easier to replace utility poles without compromising National Historic Preservation Act mandates.

Stakeholders criticized proposed FCC wireline broadband infrastructure actions in a draft item on the agenda for Thursday's commissioners' meeting (see 1710270040). Consumer groups, industry parties and others opposed changes the draft would make to agency rules adopted in past orders on technology transitions, copper retirements and telecom service discontinuances. Electric utilities voiced concern about possible FCC efforts to further drive down pole-attachment rates. The objections were in filings posted Monday and last week in docket 17-84, including on meetings before lobbying restrictions took effect Thursday.

Stakeholders criticized proposed FCC wireline broadband infrastructure actions in a draft item on the agenda for Thursday's commissioners' meeting (see 1710270040). Consumer groups, industry parties and others opposed changes the draft would make to agency rules adopted in past orders on technology transitions, copper retirements and telecom service discontinuances. Electric utilities voiced concern about possible FCC efforts to further drive down pole-attachment rates. The objections were in filings posted Monday and last week in docket 17-84, including on meetings before lobbying restrictions took effect Thursday.

The FCC will move on additional infrastructure overhaul, but not all at once, Rachael Bender, wireless adviser to Chairman Ajit Pai, told an FCBA lunch audience Wednesday. Aides to all five commissioners were at the session and indicated they mostly agreed on the importance of 5G and other looming spectrum issues. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee meets Thursday in what's expected to be a key session.

The FCC will move on additional infrastructure overhaul, but not all at once, Rachael Bender, wireless adviser to Chairman Ajit Pai, told an FCBA lunch audience Wednesday. Aides to all five commissioners were at the session and indicated they mostly agreed on the importance of 5G and other looming spectrum issues. The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee meets Thursday in what's expected to be a key session.

The FCC reaffirmed its schedule for geo-targeting of wireless emergency alerts to “best approximate” the target area, and said the nation’s five largest carriers have to provide “clickable” embedded references by Nov. 1. It said smaller carriers must still meet the same geo-targeting requirement as their larger peers but will get an extra 18 months to meet the embedded messages requirement. The order was released about 8 p.m. Wednesday, the deadline day.

The FCC reaffirmed its schedule for geo-targeting of wireless emergency alerts to “best approximate” the target area, and said the nation’s five largest carriers have to provide “clickable” embedded references by Nov. 1. It said smaller carriers must still meet the same geo-targeting requirement as their larger peers but will get an extra 18 months to meet the embedded messages requirement. The order was released about 8 p.m. Wednesday, the deadline day.

The FCC approved an NPRM Tuesday proposing to rewrite parts of rules for the shared 3.5 GHz band, over a dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn concurred rather than approve, saying she would have preferred the FCC left the rules as is. The votes were as predicted, with all three Republicans voting yes (see 1710180043). Both Democrats voted against the FCC allowing stations to host studios outside their communities of license (see 1710240062).

The FCC approved an NPRM Tuesday proposing to rewrite parts of rules for the shared 3.5 GHz band, over a dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn concurred rather than approve, saying she would have preferred the FCC left the rules as is. The votes were as predicted, with all three Republicans voting yes (see 1710180043). Both Democrats voted against the FCC allowing stations to host studios outside their communities of license (see 1710240062).

The FCC approved an NPRM Tuesday proposing to rewrite parts of rules for the shared 3.5 GHz band, over a dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn concurred rather than approve, saying she would have preferred the FCC left the rules as is. The votes were as predicted, with all three Republicans voting yes (see 1710180043). Both Democrats voted against the FCC allowing stations to host studios outside their communities of license (see 1710240062).