The application filing window for the second round of the FCC’s COVID-19 telehealth program is scheduled to open at the end of the month (see 2104150036), but policy experts warn the evaluation metrics could cause healthcare providers and facilities in need to lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding.
CTIA and major wireless carriers urged the FCC to provide more information as soon as possible on how the 3.45 GHz band will be cleared and the protections that will continue for federal incumbents, in initial comments on the auction procedures public notice. Carriers generally were enthusiastic about the FCC’s next 5G auction, starting in October, but sought some tweaks. Comments were posted Thursday in docket 21-62. The Competitive Carriers Association asked for higher bidding credits.
A 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel seemed skeptical both of aspects of the FCC's 2019 local franchise authority order and of LFAs' ability to charge separate fees for cable operators' right-of-way access for their cable and broadband services, during oral argument Thursday. The timing of a decision on the challenge, primarily by localities, of the FCC's 2019 local franchise authority order (see 1909120028) isn't clear, we're told.
Many state utility commissions are still evaluating when to fully bring back employees and the public, as more COVID-19 vaccines become available, agency representatives said in response to a Communications Daily survey. Two Southern commissions said they’re at least mostly back, though coronavirus protocols continue. Commissions reported such safety measures as plexiglass barriers, temperature checks, and masking and social distancing requirements. Communications companies, law firms and federal agencies also are still deciding, our earlier report found (see 2104140030).
Senators in both parties continued to emphasize the importance of communications sector interests in an eventual infrastructure spending package Thursday, as talks continued on the scope of such legislation. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said during a Communications Subcommittee hearing that she’s going to push for local media outlets to receive some funding in a final infrastructure bill. Committee ranking member Roger Wicker of Mississippi and other Republicans said they’re committed to including broadband language in a planned counterproposal to President Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure package (see 2104140069).
Prompt private-sector reporting about cyber incidents is critical to allowing the U.S. to stay ahead of attacks like SolarWinds, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday in response to a legislative proposal from Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and John Cornyn, R-Texas (see 2103040066).
Lead GOP Endless Frontier Act sponsor Sen. Todd Young of Indiana indicated after a Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee hearing that fellow Republicans are unlikely to support a floor vote on the bill by the end of the month, as hoped by lead Democratic sponsor Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Senate Commerce Republicans raised a litany of concerns Wednesday about a to-be-filed revised version of the measure (see 2104130068), but most committee members appeared interested in some increase in science and tech research funding.
Calls for redefining broadband to 100 Mbps symmetrical as part of the White House's proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan (see 2103310064) will face sizable cable industry opposition and could get caught up in partisan disagreements, broadband experts told us. The fiber broadband industry is the chief proponent of that redefinition, and some think 100 Mbps symmetrical will be an uphill battle.
Communications companies and federal agencies are still deciding when to bring more employees back for in-person work, experts said in interviews. But with no clear federal rules, executives are weighing benefits and risks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is expected to release updated guidance in the next few weeks.
Groups representing smaller carriers emphasized the importance of giving carriers with fewer than 2 million subscribers priority as the FCC establishes rules to pay for ripping and replacing network gear from Chinese vendors. Huawei protested any requirement that equipment be removed from networks and said the program should be voluntary. The FCC should be aware that a global shortage of chipsets (see 2104120057) could complicate replacement, USTelecom warned. Comments were posted Tuesday in docket 18-89.