The FCC agreed 3-1 Thursday to stay the 4.9 GHz order, approved 3-2 last year and as some expected (see 2105140051). Commissioner Brendan Carr dissented, while Nathan Simington voted yes. “The Commission’s decision to stay our 4.9 GHz band order will return this spectrum to the broken framework of the past,” Carr said: “This is the spectrum equivalent of taking points off the board. While I am dissenting from today’s decision, I remain hopeful that we can find a way to quickly put a beneficial framework back in place.” Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks dissented to the original order, which gave states control over how the band is used (see 2009300050). Simington wasn't a member then. No other commissioner had a statement now. The order noted petitions for reconsideration by APCO, the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance and National Public Safety Telecommunications Council. “In light of the serious questions posed …, the possibility of irreparable harm to current and future public safety users of the 4.9 GHz band and to our goal of facilitating greater use of this spectrum, the extent to which a stay will further the public interest, and the fact that no parties will be injured if a stay is granted, a stay is appropriate to permit the Commission to address the issues raised,” the order said. “Allowing use of the band to become fragmented on a state-by-state basis could create incentives for individual states to make use of the spectrum for revenue generation in ways that do not serve the interests of public safety, decreasing the likelihood of interoperable communications for public-safety users.” The commission’s action "comes as a relief,” said APCO Executive Director Derek Poarch, who thanked commissioners for “listening to public safety and taking this important step to chart a better course for the spectrum.”
Drafts released Thursday revealed details of what acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wants FCC colleagues to vote on at the members' June 17 meeting. On letting companies market RF devices pending FCC authorization, a draft would allow a greater number of the products than initially suggested. CTA sought limited marketing and sales of wireless devices to consumers before they're authorized.
The FCC will launch a proceeding aimed at increasing telecom security by making changes to its equipment authorization rules and competitive bidding procedures “to help keep insecure devices off the market,” acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday. Commissioners will also take up a proposal sought by CTA allowing the limited marketing and sales of wireless devices to consumers before equipment authorization. All the items are to be voted at the June 17 commissioners' meeting.
The FCC proceeding on its Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act isn’t considered likely to lead to rule changes, but increased enforcement and warnings to licensees could be in the cards, said broadcast and cable attorneys. The FCC acted quickly to begin an examination after the act’s originator, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., criticized lack of enforcement. The agency has authority to enforce the rule, Rosenworcel told reporters Thursday. Comments on the rules are due June 3 (see 2105070058).
Citing the impact of COVID-19 on incarcerated people and their families, FCC commissioners unanimously approved an order and Further NPRM Thursday to cut interstate rates for inmate calling services (see 2105120031). It’s “not the last action we will take because there is more that needs to be done,” said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during Thursday’s meeting.
Staying 4.9 GHz band rules as proposed by acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel isn't a slam dunk. Rosenworcel appears close to lining up a third vote to support the stay, FCC and public safety officials said in interviews last week. The order made broad changes, giving control to states. Few of them have engaged. A Louisiana bill to reallocate the band per the FCC order got unanimous House approval last month and could pass the Senate Monday.
The FCC is likely to look to DOJ to tackle Dish Network’s complaint against T-Mobile about the pending shuttering of T-Mobile’s CDMA network, government and industry officials said in recent interviews. In a May 3 letter, groups asked the FCC (see 2105030065) to use Communications Act authority to examine the closing of the network, by year-end. The more likely forum to examine the complaint is at DOJ, though the FCC could scope the shutdown, experts said. The California Public Utilities Commission could also investigate.
The FCC is likely to look to DOJ to tackle Dish Network’s complaint against T-Mobile about the pending shuttering of T-Mobile’s CDMA network, government and industry officials said in recent interviews. In a May 3 letter, groups asked the FCC (see 2105030065) to use Communications Act authority to examine the closing of the network, by year-end. The more likely forum to examine the complaint is at DOJ, though the FCC could scope the shutdown, experts said. The California Public Utilities Commission could also investigate.
The FCC should “take a fresh look” at “effectiveness” of rules implementing the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act’s bar on excessively loud TV ads, acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a letter to Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., released Thursday. The Media Bureau sought comment last month in docket 21-181 on the extent to which Calm Act rules need to change in response to a request from Eshoo (see 2104140001). Comments are due June 3, replies July 9 (see 2104200001). “Like you, I am concerned when I hear complaints about commercials that are far louder than the programming they accompany,” Rosenworcel told Eshoo. “I am hopeful that the record we develop will help inform what next steps may be needed to increase the effectiveness” of Calm Act enforcement.
Stakeholders are increasing outreach before the FCC's emergency broadband benefit program starts on May 12 (see 2102250066). Some remain concerned whether EBB efforts will reach consumers that need the support the most, they said in recent interviews.