CTIA officials updated FCC staff about progress on deploying managed access systems (MAS) to curb the use of illicit phones in correctional facilities. The FCC Wireless Bureau last year tentatively approved applications of five contraband interdiction system operators to help address contraband phones (see 2306230033). “CTIA’s members have continued to commit both their resources and their technical expertise to make it easier for corrections officials to implement MAS interdiction solutions,” said a filing Thursday in docket 13-111. Efforts include “enhanced coordination with MAS vendors, creation of a MAS ‘How To’ checklist for corrections officials and system vendors, support for federal funding, identification of efficient and accurate methods for permanently disabling contraband devices, and streamlining the roaming agreements needed to enable” evolved MAS, CTIA said.
The FCC Wireline Bureau extended until March 13 the deadline to submit reply comments on a Further NPRM on proposed revisions to pole attachment and replacement rules (see 2402140048). Additional time will allow interested parties to also file replies to oppositions regarding a related petition filed by the Edison Electric Institute, the bureau said in an order Friday in docket 17-84.
SpaceX likely faces a tough challenge as it seeks easier access to the 2 GHz and 1.6/2.4 GHz spectrum bands, spectrum experts tell us. In a pair of FCC petitions last week, the company argued that in both cases the spectrum is underused and urged changes in the licensing and sharing frameworks to allow new entrants and coexistence.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau removed 12 carriers from its robocall mitigation database. The Thursday bureau order removed certifications for Viettel Business Solutions, Etihad Etisalat's Mobily, TeleCube.PL, Nervill LTD, Textodog and Textodog Software, CIS IT & Engineering, Datacom Specialists, DomainerSuite, Evernex SMC, Humbolt Voip and My Taxi Ride for failing to "correct their facially deficient database certifications" or prove why they should not be removed following an October inquiry. All intermediate providers and voice service providers were directed to cease accepting calls from the listed carriers. In a separate order Thursday, the bureau removed Teleclub's certification for "fail[ing] to include any description of any robocall mitigation efforts" the company is taking.
Representatives of the Open Technology Institute at New America and Public Knowledge spoke with staffers of the FCC Wireless Bureau, Office of Economics and Analytics and others about their request for handset unlocking requirements for T-Mobile as part of its proposed buy of Mint Mobile (see 2402060025). “Consumer advocates have long argued that mobile phones should come unlocked by default, allowing users to more easily make choices about the device and service they purchase, as they can for most products,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 23-171. They noted that the U.K.’s Office of Communications has required mobile phones to be sold unlocked there since 2021. Ofcom found that “more than a third of people who decided against switching said having to get a handset unlocked put them off" changing providers, which “means they could be missing out on a better deal,” the groups said.
The FCC should create an Office of Civil Rights, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Media and Telecommunications Task Force told FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a meeting last week, according to an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 22-459. The existing Disability Rights Office and Office of Native Affairs and Policy perform important functions but are focused on different tasks than an Office of Civil Rights would be, the filing said. “Resolving individual disputes or encouraging participation” are different matters from “legal and quantitative analysis that could proactively identify systematic problems” and addressing those problems with rulemakings and enforcement actions, the filing said. “Intergovernmental consultation may belong in the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, but civil rights enforcement does not,” the filing said. The Leadership Conference also called on the FCC not to leave the 2022 quadrennial review open past 2024, keep ISPs active in encouraging digital equity, and endorse the FCC’s collection of workforce diversity data. Representatives from groups including the Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Communications Workers of America, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, National Hispanic Media Coalition and Common Cause also attended.
Commerce would take "a go-slow, cautious" regulatory approach if given oversight of novel space missions, as proposed in the White House's novel space activities framework (see 2402210036), according to Glenn Tallia, NOAA weather, satellites and research section chief. Speaking Thursday at the FAA’s annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference in Washington, he promised a "light-touch," noting concerns that regulation could chill innovation or investment. FCC Space Bureau special counsel Karl Kensinger said the policy proposal leaves the agency's authority largely unaffected.
The FCC's supplemental coverage from space framework draft order would see the service operate in select spectrum bands and on a secondary rather than a co-primary basis. The agency on Thursday released agenda items for commissioners' March 14 open meeting. A vote on the framework is expected that day. Also on the agenda are orders for "all-in" pricing disclosures by multichannel video distributors and launch of a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program, initially focused on wireless consumer IoT “products." In addition, Commissioners will vote on a report raising the FCC's broadband speed benchmark to 100/20 Mbps and an NPRM proposing creation of an emergency alert system code for missing and endangered adults.
AT&T acknowledged Thursday it suffered extensive outages on its wireless network, including the ability of customers to call 911. The FCC is investigating.
R2 Space will pay an $8,000 civil penalty and implement a compliance plan to resolve an FCC Enforcement Bureau investigation into whether the company transferred a satellite license without prior authorization, a bureau consent decree said Wednesday. The bureau said the transfer came in connection with Meta Aerospace's acquisition of R2 and its conversion of the business to an LLC without prior FCC OK. It said sale of the satellite license to Iceye is pending the outcome of a bureau investigation.