A state law barring the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) from sharing information about Lifeline program subscribers with other government agencies, including immigration authorities, means the state can no longer do its own Lifeline subscriber verifications, according to the FCC. The Wireline Bureau ordered Thursday that the state could no longer opt out of using the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) federal verification system. "Going forward, federal processes will be used to conduct eligibility verifications and perform duplicate checks for federal Lifeline program applicants in California."
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signaled a possible broadcast hoax or news distortion probe of PBS and NPR in a letter sent Wednesday to those entities, as well as the BBC. The letter came a day after the agency opened a proceeding that appeared to be aimed at encouraging broadcasters to more frequently preempt shows, as they did with Jimmy Kimmel Live! President Donald Trump again called for Kimmel’s firing in a social media post Thursday.
The FCC on Thursday approved 3-0 an NPRM, with tweaks, that moves the agency closer to an auction of upper C-band spectrum, in what would be the first major sale since the 3.45 GHz auction, which ended in 2022. Among the changes were questions on a window to make spectrum available to tribes (see 2511170055) and on access to unused or unassigned spectrum and how to incentivize buildout.
The FCC Wireless Bureau on Wednesday extended the comment deadlines on the Alaska Connect Fund eligible-areas map and performance plan template. Comments were previously due Oct. 31, replies Nov. 14. The new deadlines are Dec. 4 for initial comments, Dec. 19 for replies, in docket 23-328.
The FCC Media Bureau is seeking comment by Dec. 10 on possible agency oversight of network/affiliate contracts, broadcaster preemption rights and future rulemakings on programming agreements, said a public notice Wednesday.
An estimated 6 billion people were online in 2025, up from a revised estimate of 5.8 billion in 2024, ITU said in a report released Monday. Some 2.2 billion people remain offline, fewer than the estimated 2.3 billion in 2024. Last year, 5G covered about 55% of people worldwide, “reflecting strong momentum in advanced mobile technologies.” But, ITU found, only 4% of people in low-income countries had access to 5G, compared with 84% in high-income countries.
The FCC could soon look at strengthening broadcast affiliate stations’ right to preempt network programming, Chairman Brendan Carr told a group of reporters outside an NTCA event Tuesday. In a press conference the same day, President Donald Trump suggested that Carr should take action against ABC.
The FCC announced new deadlines Monday for a host of filings and filing categories delayed by the federal shutdown. The public notice superseded previous deadlines, making Tuesday the new due date for most filings that had been due from Oct. 1 to Nov. 17, except those singled out with different dates.
FCC commissioners are expected to approve an NPRM Thursday to seek comment on rules for an upper C-band auction, most likely with a few tweaks from the draft notice that Chairman Brendan Carr circulated (see 2510290047), industry officials said Monday. The FCC has heard from various parties asking for questions to be added.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau has reached a $7,200 settlement with a Massachusetts pirate broadcaster, said an order and consent decree in Friday’s Daily Digest. The order was adopted Sept. 30, but its release was likely delayed by the federal shutdown. The FCC approved a $40,000 notice of apparent liability against Robert Bellinger of Cotuit, Massachusetts, in April 2024. According to Friday’s order, Bellinger asked the FCC to cancel the proposed forfeiture due to his inability to pay it, and the agency verified his financial information and confirmed that his unauthorized broadcasts have ceased. Under the terms of the settlement, he will have to pay the remaining $32,800 if he is found to be engaging in unauthorized broadcasts again in the next 20 years.