In order to take advantage of a January launch opportunity, AST SpaceMobile is asking the FCC Space Bureau for permission to put one of its BlueBird satellites in a slightly lower orbit than its 520-kilometer authorization. In an application posted Friday, AST said that to meet the launch requirements with a quick turnaround, it was limited in the available orbital parameters. AST's next direct-to-device satellite launch is scheduled for Dec. 15.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau said three China-based voice providers have deficiencies in their Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) certifications, and allowing them to have access to those certifications could be a national security threat. The bureau gave China Telecom Global Ltd., China Unicom (Hong Kong) Operations Ltd. and China Mobile Hong Kong Co. Ltd. 14 days to explain why their inclusion in the RMD isn’t contrary to the public interest, according to orders issued Monday. The companies also must cure their RMD deficiencies or explain why they shouldn’t be removed from the database, the orders said. Removal of their certifications “would require all intermediate providers and voice service providers to cease accepting all calls” from the three companies that use North American Numbering Plan resources that pertain to the U.S. All three companies are tied to the Chinese government, the orders added. “The public interest is not served by allowing entities ‘subject to exploitation, influence, and control by the Chinese government,’ that could ‘be forced to comply with Chinese government requests’ to maintain access to valuable Commission authorizations, such as an RMD certification.”
The FCC Wireline Bureau is seeking comment on Somos' petition for rulemaking about modernizing the numbering assignment, administration and routing rules (see 2509260016), according to a public notice released Monday. The petition, filed in September, urged the FCC to transition number assignment to an all-IP system to combat cyberattacks. Comments are due Jan. 7 replies Feb. 6, in docket RM-12012.
The Media Bureau has extended the deadline for broadcasters to comply with the FCC’s foreign-sponsored content rules until June 7, said a public notice Friday. “Only new leases and renewals of existing leases entered into on or after the compliance date must comply with the rule modifications,” it said. The deadline had been set for Monday.
The Media and Democracy Project (MAD) petitioned the FCC to deny the renewal of a Fox-owned earth station as a continuation of its prior efforts against the license of WTXF Philadelphia.
Alaskan carrier GCI urged the FCC to provide more guidance to allow providers to comment on the Alaska Connect Fund eligible-areas map and performance plan template (see 2511190039). Comments were due Thursday in docket 23-328. The FCC's public notice “raises critical questions that necessitate corrections and further clarifications regarding key parameters before providers can fully offer input.”
The FCC Wireline Bureau sought comment Friday on Interactive’s proposed purchase of customers, network gear and other assets from TelNet. TelNet plans to no longer provide telecom services if the deal is completed. “Applicants state that customers of TelNet will have access to new services offered by Interactive and the proposed transaction will strengthen the competitive position of Interactive by expanding its customer base,” the bureau said. Comments are due Dec. 19, replies Dec. 26, in docket 25-189.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau sent a letter to SK Teleco demanding that the voice service provider, which is allegedly transmitting scam robocalls impersonating Walmart employees, “immediately cease-and-desist processing these calls.” The calls discuss a “preauthorized purchase of PlayStation 5 special edition with pulse 3D headset” ordered from the recipient’s Walmart account for $919.45, the bureau said this week. Call recipients who press 1 to cancel the order, as instructed, or who call back “are connected to live operators who request personally identifiable information, including social security numbers,” the bureau said. It’s “unlawful to place calls to cellphones containing artificial or prerecorded voice messages absent an emergency purpose or prior express consent,” said an FCC news release.
Connect America Fund Phase II auction carriers that fall short of a Dec. 31 milestone to serve 100% of required locations must notify the FCC within 10 days of that deadline, the Wireline Bureau said Tuesday. Providers then have a one-year “cure period” to serve remaining locations, the bureau said. They must report and certify in the high-cost universal broadband by March 1, 2027, “any further locations it has served during the cure period.”
The FCC Wireline Bureau, “on its own motion,” has extended the comment deadlines for the IP interconnection NPRM approved by commissioners in October (see 2510280024). Comments are now due Jan. 5, replies Feb. 4, in docket 25-304, said a notice this week. The NPRM proposes to sunset incumbent local exchange carriers' interconnection obligations on Dec. 31, 2028, and seeks comment on ways that the FCC can help a transition to all-IP interconnection for voice services.