The FCC’s “top-to-bottom” review of communications companies’ ties to Russia, announced by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Wednesday (see 2203160031), likely has a broad focus, covering media companies, telecom and infrastructure providers, submarine cable operators and any Russian companies carrying U.S.-international phone traffic, industry experts told us. But compared with China, a recurring focus of the FCC, ties to Russia appear to be minimal.
The FCC’s “top-to-bottom” review of communications companies’ ties to Russia, announced by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Wednesday (see 2203160031), likely has a broad focus, covering media companies, telecom and infrastructure providers, submarine cable operators and any Russian companies carrying U.S.-international phone traffic, industry experts told us. But compared with China, a recurring focus of the FCC, ties to Russia appear to be minimal.
FCC commissioners held their monthly meeting Wednesday at the agency’s new headquarters for the first time, making it the first in-person meeting for commissioners since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the agency to shift to remote work. "We hope to use today's open meeting as a first step toward welcoming the agency and the public into our new building," Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said at the meeting, which was also in part held virtually. Media and the public were barred from attending in person. The hybrid meeting, which combined in-person commissioners and staff appearing by videoconference, was the first in the FCC’s new meeting room in their new headquarters in Washington's NoMa district. The hybrid set-up was intended to assess the possibility of returning to in-person open meetings, Rosenworcel said on a post-meeting press call. She didn’t say if the April meeting will be in-person or hybrid or return to all virtual but said she wants to get back to physical open meetings “as soon as safely possible.”
House Communications Subcommittee members are continuing to wrestle with whether and how to package legislation to reauthorize the FCC’s spectrum auction authority with other related policy matters. Witnesses at a Wednesday hearing on those issues urged Congress to quickly renew the FCC’s sales authority and cited a range of other matters lawmakers should simultaneously consider, including directing proceeds to pay for other telecom projects and addressing interagency disputes on frequency allocations (see 2203150069).
FCC commissioners held their monthly meeting Wednesday at the agency’s new headquarters for the first time, making it the first in-person meeting for commissioners since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the agency to shift to remote work. "We hope to use today's open meeting as a first step toward welcoming the agency and the public into our new building," Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said at the meeting, which was also in part held virtually. Media and the public couldn't attend in person.
The FCC plans a 2.5 GHz auction starting in July, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told the Mobile World Congress Tuesday. The FCC has been under pressure to announce a start date, with its auction authority expiring Sept. 30 (see 2202110056). Rosenworcel also told the conference the FCC will issue a notice of inquiry on receiver performance and standards (see 2202180054) in April. Speakers at the Barcelona event said 6 GHz is emerging as a key band for 5G and Wi-Fi globally.
Eutelsat is pushing FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to support whatever work the Wireless Bureau needs to complete to issue the format for C-band Phase II accelerated relocation certification. In a docket 18-122 ex parte post Wednesday on a meeting between Rosenworcel and CEO Eva Berneke, Eutelsat cited its "extensive outreach efforts" to C-band earth station operators. It said it's committed to meaningful orbital debris mitigation steps, but those have to be coordinated internationally.
Citing the expanded use of telemedicine, FCC commissioners unanimously adopted a Further NPRM seeking comments on changes to the rural healthcare program’s telecom program’s rates determination rules and to the healthcare connect fund’s internal funding caps, during the agency’s monthly meeting Friday (see 2202170031). They also adopted an order requiring Aureon to submit information needed to calculate refunds to its customers, and a $45 million fine against a company that made more than 500,000 robocalls that violate Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also said the FCC plans a notice of inquiry on receiver standards, which has been before the agency for 20 years.
The FCC unanimously adopted new rules for broadband access in multi-tenant environments Friday that crack down on revenue sharing and exclusive access agreements, said an order posted Tuesday (see 2202080065). The rules apply to telecom carriers in commercial and residential MTEs, and multichannel video programming distributors subject to section 628(b) in residential MTEs. Providers are prohibited from entering exclusive or graduated revenue sharing agreements, with the rule applying to agreements signed after the effective date of the rules and those already in place. Those with existing contracts will have 180 days after Federal Register publication to come into compliance. The FCC disagreed with commenters that the MTE broadband marketplace is competitive so further action is unnecessary (see 2202090046). Providers will be required to comply with a consumer disclosure requirement for any exclusive marketing agreements. A declaratory ruling clarifying the prohibition on sale-and-leaseback arrangements was also adopted. The new rules are “important steps that will increase competition,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Every American should have access to high-quality, affordable modern communications services,” said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. Commissioner Brendan Carr said the actions “align with commission precedents as well as the iron laws of economics.” Commissioner Nathan Simington didn’t issue a statement.
The FCC and NTIA committed Tuesday to update their 2003 memorandum of understanding, among other ways to improve the two agencies’ coordination on spectrum policy matters amid continued congressional ire over federal infighting on those matters that’s extended into the Biden administration (see 2202030081). The FCC-NTIA agreement is likely to be a main focus of a Wednesday House Communications Subcommittee hearing with NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson, communications officials told us. Lawmakers continue to show interest in pursuing legislation to prevent future policy fracases, though it could be tough to address this year (see 2202070066). NTIA stakeholders will also watch the Wednesday hearing for any signs of lawmakers’ interest in pursuing legislation to revamp the agency (see 2202150075). The hearing will begin at noon EST. It’s House Communications’ first NTIA oversight hearing since 2018 (see 1803060048).