The FCC approved revised rules for wireless emergency alerts (WEA) and sought comment on future changes. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly partly dissented, objecting to some policy calls. The order, as expected (see 1609220008), increases the maximum length of WEA messages from 90 to 360 characters for 4G LTE and future networks and requires participating wireless providers to support inclusion of embedded phone numbers and URLs in all WEA alerts, said a Thursday news release.

Senators clashed on the chamber floor Tuesday over the block from Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., of the Commerce Committee’s bipartisan Mobile Now spectrum bill (S-2555). Commerce Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., went to the floor to formally ask for unanimous consent approval of his measure, as expected last week, which prompted a formal objection. Reid objected and defended the hold he has had on the measure’s hotline process filing since summer -- and a Reid aide told us later that Reid would do the same if Thune tries to seek unanimous consent consideration of the FCC Reauthorization Act (S-2644).

Senators clashed on the chamber floor Tuesday over the block from Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., of the Commerce Committee’s bipartisan Mobile Now spectrum bill (S-2555). Commerce Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., went to the floor to formally ask for unanimous consent approval of his measure, as expected last week, which prompted a formal objection. Reid objected and defended the hold he has had on the measure’s hotline process filing since summer -- and a Reid aide told us later that Reid would do the same if Thune tries to seek unanimous consent consideration of the FCC Reauthorization Act (S-2644).

Midwest RLECs voiced concern the FCC may alter model-based USF subsidy criteria for rate-of-return carriers to exclude many entities, while Alaska carriers cited fiber and middle-mile cost challenges. Eleven rural telcos from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa said they intend by Nov. 1 to opt into subsidy support derived from a broadband Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM). The companies "were both surprised and concerned" with language in an Aug. 3 Wireline Bureau public notice (see 1608030049) "indicating that it might 'prioritize' among electing carriers on the basis of one or more of three different potential criteria (percentage of locations lacking 10/1 Mbps, absolute number of locations lacking 10/1 and/or average cost per location)," said a filing from the group Friday in docket 10-90 on a meeting with an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. The rural telcos are concerned potential FCC changes, probably after Nov. 1, could "significantly decrease the number of RLECs eligible to participate in the ACAM Path." The possibility some carriers might be excluded would be "an arbitrary and unfair change" of rules "in the middle of the process," they said. In a Monday filing, representatives of GVNW Consulting and Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative met separately with aides to Chairman Tom Wheeler, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly and Rosenworcel about an FCC order adopting a modified "Alaska Plan" for rate-of-return and wireless carrier broadband support (see 1608310067). While lauding the order, the RLEC representatives said fiber deployment costs were expected to rise with demand, and small carriers would be competing with large carriers for contractors, crews and equipment. "Middle mile is the step after the implementation is initiated for the consensus Alaska Plan that relates to the last mile costs," said the GVNW filing. "If last mile issues are not adequately addressed for Alaska, any middle mile debate is moot. We provided an update from the nearly completed Alaska Network Services (ANS) analysis that revealed that the cost of extending the middle mile network across Alaska exceeds $2 billion."

Midwest RLECs voiced concern the FCC may alter model-based USF subsidy criteria for rate-of-return carriers to exclude many entities, while Alaska carriers cited fiber and middle-mile cost challenges. Eleven rural telcos from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa said they intend by Nov. 1 to opt into subsidy support derived from a broadband Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM). The companies "were both surprised and concerned" with language in an Aug. 3 Wireline Bureau public notice (see 1608030049) "indicating that it might 'prioritize' among electing carriers on the basis of one or more of three different potential criteria (percentage of locations lacking 10/1 Mbps, absolute number of locations lacking 10/1 and/or average cost per location)," said a filing from the group Friday in docket 10-90 on a meeting with an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. The rural telcos are concerned potential FCC changes, probably after Nov. 1, could "significantly decrease the number of RLECs eligible to participate in the ACAM Path." The possibility some carriers might be excluded would be "an arbitrary and unfair change" of rules "in the middle of the process," they said. In a Monday filing, representatives of GVNW Consulting and Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative met separately with aides to Chairman Tom Wheeler, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly and Rosenworcel about an FCC order adopting a modified "Alaska Plan" for rate-of-return and wireless carrier broadband support (see 1608310067). While lauding the order, the RLEC representatives said fiber deployment costs were expected to rise with demand, and small carriers would be competing with large carriers for contractors, crews and equipment. "Middle mile is the step after the implementation is initiated for the consensus Alaska Plan that relates to the last mile costs," said the GVNW filing. "If last mile issues are not adequately addressed for Alaska, any middle mile debate is moot. We provided an update from the nearly completed Alaska Network Services (ANS) analysis that revealed that the cost of extending the middle mile network across Alaska exceeds $2 billion."

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler showed possible willingness to step down at the end of the Obama administration, speaking Thursday during a Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing. Some observers wondered if this may break loose a long-time logjam in the Senate. The chamber's Republicans for months sought a Wheeler commitment to step down, blocking the reconfirmation of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and spurring Democratic counter blocks on the floor of bipartisan telecom legislation coming out of the Commerce Committee.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler showed possible willingness to step down at the end of the Obama administration, speaking Thursday during a Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing. Some observers wondered if this may break loose a long-time logjam in the Senate. The chamber's Republicans for months sought a Wheeler commitment to step down, blocking the reconfirmation of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and spurring Democratic counter blocks on the floor of bipartisan telecom legislation coming out of the Commerce Committee.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., expects all the prime FCC proceedings to face scrutiny Thursday during an oversight hearing featuring FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the four other commissioners. This is the first Senate Commerce oversight hearing since March and the first since Thune took to the Senate floor in July to disparage the style and substance of Wheeler’s time leading the agency (see 1607070049).

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., expects all the prime FCC proceedings to face scrutiny Thursday during an oversight hearing featuring FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the four other commissioners. This is the first Senate Commerce oversight hearing since March and the first since Thune took to the Senate floor in July to disparage the style and substance of Wheeler’s time leading the agency (see 1607070049).

Little time remains for moving the bipartisan Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act (S-827/HR-2566) across the finish line this year, but lawmakers in both chambers are gearing up to try to score a victory. Much may depend on whether Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., wants to block hotline consideration of S-827 due to frustration over the lack of reconfirmation of FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a senior Senate Republican said. Its Democratic sponsor, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, is committed to enacting the bill this year.