The FCC Wireless Bureau approved TelAlaska Cellular’s revised performance plan Thursday. With fiber middle mile now available, TelAlaska’s latest revised performance plan “increases the number of Alaskans that it commits to serve with 4G LTE at 10/1 Mbps from 3,598 to 10,082,” the bureau said. “TelAlaska further commits to serve all 15,198 Alaskans in its footprint with at least 4G LTE technology” by Dec. 31.
Alaskan carriers told the FCC that the agency appears to be on the right track with the eligible-areas map and the draft performance plan template for the Alaska Connect Fund, though they suggested that further changes are needed. The map is viewed as critical to mobile support in the state. Reply comments were posted Thursday in docket 23-328.
The FCC updated its "covered list" of unsecure companies this week to reflect a recent determination that some uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components on the list should be exempted, reflecting guidance from DOD. Last month, the FCC announced it was adding some drones and components to the list (see 2512220036).
The Department of Homeland Security is backing the FCC's proposed blanket licensing of submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) owners and operators. In comments posted Thursday in docket 24-523, DHS said SLTE owners "are fundamentally involved" in cable operation and can install equipment that may affect a cable’s operation. SLTE blanket licensing would be "a good step to foster the resiliency of this critical infrastructure." Submarine cable operators and industry groups have raised objections to SLTE licensing (see 2512010043).
AT&T asked the FCC to extend an emergency discontinuance authorization in Los Angeles for 60 days, until March 18, as the carrier continues to experience copper thefts in that market. “Despite AT&T’s efforts, the scale and repetition of the thefts in some instances [has] prevented AT&T from restoring service in a timely fashion, resulting in extended outages for customers,” said a filing Wednesday in docket 25-294. As of Monday, some 21,000 circuits had been out of service for more than 45 days, and about 18,000 of those for more than 65 days, AT&T said. The company has experienced “repeated and pervasive vandalism and theft” affecting its copper facilities throughout Los Angeles County since early 2024.
House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee ranking member Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Thursday that he won't seek reelection this year. Hoyer, a former House majority leader, holds a key role in shaping FCC and FTC appropriations. He clashed with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr during a hearing in May over how much the Wireline Bureau based its approval of Verizon’s $20 billion purchase of Frontier on the carrier agreeing to end its workforce equity programs (see 2505160050). House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., lamented Hoyer's planned departure and praised his work on the panel. Hoyer has been in the House since 1981.
Marlink will pay a $175,000 fine and revise its controls of non-U.S. employees' access to its domestic infrastructure and some customer information under a consent decree with the FCC, announced Thursday. The commission said its investigation found that the satellite communications company didn't submit 186 foreign employees to DOJ for vetting before giving them access to U.S. communications infrastructure and customer information, as it was supposed to under a mitigation agreement that was a condition of its FCC licensing. Marlink's plan in the settlement includes setting up procedures for compliance with obligations concerning its foreign employees' access to domestic communications and communications infrastructure. The FCC said the Marlink consent decree was its first-ever enforcement of a mitigation agreement made with the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Services Sector ("Team Telecom").
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said at CES Thursday that making spectrum available for licensed and unlicensed use is critical to U.S. “geopolitical leadership.” When the U.S. frees up spectrum, "the world takes notice," he said, with jobs and innovators coming to the country and new devices and technology launching here first. “It’s really good for consumers.” Carr spoke during a fireside chat with Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro.
The FCC released a draft 6 GHz order and further NPRM Thursday, one of four items that Chairman Brendan Carr circulated Wednesday for votes at the Jan. 29 open meeting (see 2601070051). The FCC also released drafts of two orders that address foreign control of regulated entities and an NPRM that asks what, if anything, the FCC should do to ensure the continuation of IP relay service offerings that employ communications assistants.
The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday that it will hear argument on a circuit split over fines that the FCC imposed on AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile for violating the agency's data privacy rules (see 2512150027). The U.S. government, CTIA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce agreed in filings at the court last month that justices should hear the case. The court made the decision during a conference Friday (see 2512170019).