The FCC’s Disability Advisory Committee approved a report Tuesday on best practices for sending and receiving captioning files so captioning associated with full-length programming remains available regardless of the distribution method. The vote came in the last meeting of the current cycle of the DAC. Like all other meetings during this cycle, it was held virtually. The report wasn’t immediately released by the FCC.
FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday, as expected (see 2210240047), an order launching a notice of inquiry on the 12.7 GHz band. The agency also cleared a plan to extend USF support to eligible mobile and fixed carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and an NPRM addressing Stir/Shaken caller ID authentication standards. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel acknowledged she had circulated an item focused on the 4.9 GHz band (see 2210260064).
A draft notice of inquiry exploring the future of 13 GHz spectrum is expected to be approved Thursday largely as circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2210060062). Only CTIA filed comments in 22-352, the docket created for the proceeding. FCC officials said outreach to the commission and discussion of the item among the offices have been minimal, which they said is typical for an NOI.
A draft notice of inquiry exploring the future of 13 GHz spectrum is expected to be approved Thursday largely as circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2210060062). Only CTIA filed comments in 22-352, the docket created for the proceeding. FCC officials said outreach to the commission and discussion of the item among the offices have been minimal, which they said is typical for an NOI.
The FCC is expected to approve soon a recent draft order circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel that would further clamp down on gear from Chinese companies, preventing the sale of yet-to-be authorized equipment in the U.S. The order, circulated by Rosenworcel Oct. 5 (see 2210070083), would ban the FCC authorization of gear from companies including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications, Hikvision and Dahua Technology, FCC officials said. Industry officials believe the coming restrictions could increase lawmakers' interest in approving additional funding for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program as part of an end-of-year legislative package (see 2210130074).
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will seek a vote on a proposal to provide additional support for communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to make them more resilient, at the commission’s Oct. 27 meeting, Rosenworcel blogged Wednesday. The FCC will also consider a 13 GHz notice of inquiry and an NPRM aimed at making emergency alerting more secure. An item on Stir/Shaken rounds out the agenda.
The FCC approved a requirement that satellites in low earth orbit deorbit within five years of end of life, and the International Bureau anticipates further orbital debris rule-making action but can't say when, Deputy Chief Patrick Webre said Thursday. The 4-0 approval at the commissioners' September meeting was expected (see 2209230003). It also adopted unanimously orders updating emergency alert system rules, an NPRM removing FCC rules references to analog TV now that no analog TV services remain, and an order expanding access to telecom relay services for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The agency said it's acting in Florida in response to Hurricane Ian (see 2209290055).
Telecom-focused lawmakers are hopeful they will be able to reach a final deal in the coming days to include a short-term extension of the FCC’s expiring spectrum auction authority in a potential continuing resolution to extend federal appropriations past Sept. 30 (see 2209090053). Talks Wednesday appeared to be strongly coalescing around a stopgap reauthorization through Dec. 16 -- in line with the likely expiration of the overall CR -- but there’s been no final deal, lawmakers and lobbyists told us. Lawmakers believe the temporary renewal will give them more breathing room to reach a deal on a broader spectrum legislative package during the lame-duck session (see 2208090001).
The Enterprise Wireless Alliance welcomed a May proposal from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel that would allow E-rate program funding to be used to supply Wi-Fi on school buses. “EWA’s membership includes a significant number of wireless sales and service organizations around the nation that already provide equipment and services to schools and school buses, some of which is supported through E-Rate funding,” said a Monday filing in docket 13-184. Outfitting school buses with Wi-Fi access “would be a significant step toward bridging” the homework gap, EWA said.
The FCC appears increasingly likely to take a deeper dive into the data retention and privacy policies of wireless carriers. In recent days, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent follow-up letters of inquiry to major wireless carriers and mobile virtual network operators, asking for documents and including further, highly detailed questions about their policies (see 2209070077).