The FCC Wireline Bureau announced Monday that some census block groups are now available for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and other program support following Lumen defaults in four states. The bureau said Lumen will be subject to penalties as a result, including loss of further RDOF auction support payments in New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming for defaulting on its service milestones. Lumen remains subject to program rules for the census blocks it defaulted on in Colorado. The bureau also referred Lumen's defaults to the Enforcement Bureau for further consideration.
The FCC has rejected proposed caps on or phase-in of increased regulatory fees for space and earth station fee payers for FY 2024. In its FY 2024 regulatory fees order in Monday's Daily Digest, the agency said a cap or phase-in would mean more regulatory fees on all other regulatory fee payers, though they don't get the benefit of additional Space Bureau staff devoted to oversight and regulation of satellites. Members of the satellite industry issued multiple calls for phasing in the fee hikes stemming from establishing the Space Bureau (see 2407300027).
The FCC Wireline Bureau reminded recipients of funds through the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program that they must file their next status update on or before Oct. 7. The notice was posted on Friday in docket 18-89.
The National Association of Surety Bond Producers urged the FCC to allow performance bonds to be used as an alternative to letters of credit for USF high-cost program recipients (see 2408200021). The FCC in July sought comment on whether it should amend its letter of credit rules. In separate meetings with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Wireline Bureau staff, the group noted that performance bonds "guarantee the funding recipient's performance of the construction and installation of the broadband network needed" to provide broadband services "even in bankruptcy" for the amount of the bond, per an ex parte filing Friday in docket 10-90. It's also "in the public interest" to let performance bonds be used as NTIA did for the broadband, equity, access and deployment program.
The FCC Wireless Bureau on Thursday launched a record refresh seeking comment on updating performance standards for maritime radiocommunications equipment under Part 80 of the commission’s rules. Comments are due Oct. 21, replies Nov. 4, in RM-11765. The bureau asked for comment on the specific updated version of the standard the agency should incorporate into its rules, “the rule section(s) where the standard appears, … the element(s) of the standard which have been modified from the version currently referenced in part 80” and “the costs and benefits of referencing the updated standard,” among other issues.
Under a draft FCC order tackling robocalls and robotexts, related issues will need addressing before consumers will trust telecom networks again. The FCC released the draft Thursday, along with an order on using 17 GHz spectrum for satellite broadband and an order and a Further NPRM on accessibility in videoconferencing. Commissioners are set to consider the items at their Sept. 26 open meeting.
The FCC Wireline Bureau said Wednesday the window opens Sept. 17 and closes Nov. 1 for filing FCC Form 484 applications to participate in the agency’s three-year, $200 million cybersecurity pilot program for schools and libraries. Commissioners approved the program 3-2 in June with Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington dissenting (see 2406060043).
The record reflects consensus on the need for federal funding for consumer education that will make the FCC’s voluntary cyber trust mark program a success, CTIA told the FCC in reply comments posted Wednesday in docket 23-239. Other aspects of the program require “further consideration and clarification,” CTIA said: “In particular, the Bureau should reduce uncertainty about the role of [cybersecurity labeling administrators] and minimize the burdens that will be placed on CLAs.” FCC commissioners approved 5-0 in March a voluntary cyber-mark program while adopting a Further NPRM seeking comment on some details (see 2403140034). Reply comments were due Tuesday. Initial comments last month urged the regulator to proceed cautiously when crafting rules for the CLAs and for the lead administrator, who will oversee an IoT product registry under the program (see 2408200037). The Electronic Privacy Information Center stressed the importance of a fair and transparent process in selecting CLAs. “We support the [Public Safety] Bureau’s proposals that the standards, testing criteria, and label design be stakeholder consensus-based, but urge that the relevant stakeholder entities should include representatives from consumer advocacy groups and not merely … representatives from industry groups,” EPIC said. The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation called on the FCC to accept and conditionally approve CLA applicants provided they meet the requirements standard 17065 from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). “The principles of ISO/IEC 17065 ensure the technical competence in undertaking the scope of work; the need for resources to fulfill the work is reviewed and satisfied; suitable policies and procedures are established and implemented to undertake the work with integrity; impartiality in practices is maintained and confirmed; and operations are supported with a quality management system,” the group said. Somos said the IoT registry should include sensor data, while protecting consumer privacy. “The IoT registry should include general information about sensor types and their cybersecurity features, without revealing specific personal or sensitive data collected by these sensors,” Somos said: “This approach aims to provide transparency regarding device capabilities and risks while protecting user privacy.”
The FCC has determined that cybersecurity and anti-virus software that Russia’s Kaspersky Lab produced or provided poses “an unacceptable risk to the national security” of the U.S. and should be on the agency’s covered list of unsafe products, a Tuesday notice said. Any gear “that integrates cybersecurity or anti-virus software produced or provided by Kaspersky, or any of its successors or assignees, is prohibited from obtaining an equipment authorization from the Commission,” said the notice by the Office of Engineering and Technology and Public Safety Bureau. Kaspersky was initially added to the list in 2022 (see 2203270001).
China-based Hikvision USA asked the FCC to “move forward in a timely manner to review and approve” its proposed plan for compliance with agency rules (see 2308070047). Hikvision representatives spoke with staff from the Office of General Counsel and Public Safety Bureau, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 21-232. The company is on the FCC’s covered list of organizations that pose a threat to U.S. security. “At present, Hikvision and its affiliates are unable to obtain equipment authorizations on any of its equipment, including non-covered equipment, due to both a lack of clarity as to the scope of ‘video surveillance’ and ‘telecommunications equipment’ that is covered and the lack of an approved compliance plan,” the company said.