Summit Ridge told the FCC it remains on track to shutter operations of the 3.45 GHz relocation reimbursement clearinghouse by March 1, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 19-348. A March 1 closure assumes “no unexpected delays” and is “based on reasonable timeline assumptions informed” by the Wireless Bureau, the filing said. The FCC sought comment by Dec. 18 on the proposal to close the clearinghouse (see 2412030032), but none was posted in the docket. Summit Ridge said the clearinghouse’s cash balance was $162,924.20 at the end of 2024, which will cover final expenses. “The Clearinghouse does not expect to make additional payments to incumbents,” the filing said.
The FCC Wireline Bureau is seeking comment on the latest National Exchange Carrier Association proposal to modify interstate average schedule formulas, said a public notice Monday. “NECA proposes formula changes that would result in a 6.92% overall increase in settlements at constant demand” said the Dec. 19 NECA proposal. Such modifications are historically proposed by NECA and granted by the bureau each year. FCC rules require NECA to annually propose modifications or certify that no revisions are necessary. The latest proposed modifications would be effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2026. Comments are due in docket 24-685 on Feb. 5, replies Feb. 20.
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau on Friday approved the applications of Applied Development and Sorenson for access to the telecommunications relay services numbering directory as qualified direct video entities. The agency allows TRS direct video providers to seek access to the directory “to enable more effective direct video communication using American Sign Language between consumers with hearing or speech disabilities and customer support call centers,” said the notice about Sorenson. Qualified providers must demonstrate “a legitimate need for such access and an awareness of its regulatory obligations,” it added: “These obligations include compliance with the rules and regulations governing [video relay services] providers’ access to and use of the Directory, the instructions of the TRS Numbering administrator, and the applicable standards pertaining to privacy, security, reliability, and interoperability.” The Applied Development notice has the same language.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau imposed a $20,000 fine against Root Automation and 4Fast.net for allegedly not filing FCC Form 477 20 times and filing it late once. The FCC uses the form to collect data on broadband deployment and local telephone competition. In response to a 2021 notice of apparent liability, the company “expressed its disagreement ‘with the legal synopsis of why the 477 process exists,’” the bureau said: “The Company asserts that it ‘is not able to submit any FCC 477 information at this point’ because it ‘is unable to satisfactorily trust that the FCC is acting legally.’” The bureau rejected these arguments, noting it “has long recognized that violations of the FCC Form 477 filing requirements are significant because it is a critical fact-gathering instrument that informs the Commission’s efforts to advance broadband availability,” said the order in Tuesday’s Daily Digest.
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance opposed a motion for partial stay, asking that the FCC delay a requirement that current 4.9 GHz licensees provide it with granular licensing data not later than June 9. The Government Wireless Technology & Communications Association and state groups filed that motion last week (see 2412230048). PSSA, which supports giving the FirstNet Authority effective control of the band, said supporters of a stay haven't met FCC requirements. “Movants have made no serious attempt to demonstrate that irreparable harm will result if the Commission does not grant their requested relief,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 07-100. “Incumbent licensees must review operations under their active licenses (radio service code PA)” and use the universal licensing system “to create new licenses (with granular data) in newly-created radio service codes PB (public safety licensees performing base/mobile, mobile-only or temporary fixed operations) and PF (public safety licensees operating fixed links),” the FCC Public Safety Bureau has instructed licensees (see 2412090070). “The Movants have not demonstrated, and cannot demonstrate, that irreparable harm will result from cancellation of the PA licenses,” the PSSA said: “Transitioning from PA licenses to PB/PF licenses merely allows the Commission to collect more granular data about these existing, frozen operations -- it does not have any material impact on the rights of licensees beyond what prior 4.9 GHz-related orders have already effectuated.”
Challenges remain for industry in its efforts remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment within carrier networks, even though Congress finally allocated $3.08 billion, closing the funding shortfall in the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (see 2412240036), Summit Ridge Group President Armand Musey said in an interview. Musey's firm advises several carriers in the program.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued a warning to a Piqua, Ohio, property owner for allegedly hosting a pirate radio broadcast, said a notice posted Monday. Property owner John Scarbrough could face a penalty of more than $2.3 million, it said. The notice was sent concerning illegal broadcasts on 99.5 MHz and 100.3 MHz. The Columbia, Ohio, EB field office, on May 21 and June 11, found radio signals on those frequencies were emanating from the Piqua property, the notice said. Scarbrough has 10 business days to respond.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau on Monday imposed a $10,000 fine against Western Iowa Wireless for allegedly failing to file FCC Form 477 16 times and filing the form late five times. The FCC uses the form to collect data on broadband deployment and local telephone competition. The Enforcement Bureau noted that it initially proposed a $10,000 forfeiture in 2021 “consisting of a $3,000 base forfeiture for the one violation that occurred within the one-year statute of limitations and a $7,000 upward adjustment for the company’s history of noncompliance.” The amount “comports” with fines imposed “in substantially similar cases.”
The FCC Wireline Bureau on Monday issued an order that gives certain carriers additional six-month extensions on deadlines to remove Huawei and ZTE components from their networks to comply with the rip-and-replace program. Congress recently provided additional funding for the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, providing $3.08 billion to close the funding gap (see 2412240036). The order highlights problems providers face beyond funding. Gogo Business Aviation, which in October updated the commission on its struggles to complete work (see 2410040028), received an extension from Jan. 21 to July 21. The bureau said it found Gogo’s complaints persuasive. “Rather than rely on commercial off-the-shelf parts and equipment, Gogo states that much of its replacement ground network will rely on newly developed software and hardware that require lab testing and FCC equipment authorization,” the order said: “However, Gogo’s ground-based equipment vendor is continuing to face delays from component manufacturers due to long lead times, which affects the delivery of replacement network equipment at scale.” Northern Michigan University (NMU) received an extension from Jan. 20 to July 20. “NMU states it has experienced significant delays in replacing customer premises equipment units because multiple deliveries of those units contained a high percentage of defective equipment and therefore had to be re-shipped months later.” The units also “require software updates from the manufacturer before NMU can begin mass testing and deployment.” Alaska’s Copper Valley Wireless received an extension from Jan. 21 to July 21 after complaining about the lack of tower construction crews in the state. Copper Valley “adds that delivery of equipment to Alaska requires the use of long and multiple modes of transport to reach remote sites, which further delays progress when construction seasons are so short,” the order said. The extension for Flat Wireless is from Jan. 14 to July 14. It told the FCC the funding shortfall “limited its deployment efforts, which has resulted in delays and additional costs that have necessarily extended its project timeline beyond the current term expiration date.” Hargray Communications was granted an extension from Jan. 13 to July 13 after complaining of problems obtaining nondefective gear and accessing private property to install it. LigTel Communications got an extension from Jan. 22 to July 22 after complaining of supply chain issues, and Pine Belt Cellular, an extension from Jan. 17 to July 17. Pine Belt cited “delays involving key hardware needed to replace the core of its network, as well as delays in obtaining the experienced skilled labor necessary to work on both the core and the radio access network.” Other carriers getting extensions, and the revised deadlines were: Nemont Telephone Co-op (Aug. 26), Santel Communications Co-op (July 25), Union Telephone (July 6-15 for parts of its network) and Windy City Cellular (July 27).
USTelecom, NCTA and the Wireless ISP Association separately opposed Fine Point Technologies' request (see 2411270048) that the FCC launch a rulemaking on standardized broadband speed testing protocols. Comments were posted Monday in RM-11991 in response to a Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau inquiry.