FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal for an Office of Economics and Analytics is expected to be OK'ed at the Jan. 30 commissioners’ meeting largely as proposed, given the minority members' concerns may not be addressed. The item could face opposition from the two Democratic commissioners, Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, industry and agency officials said. Clyburn in particular may make clear her concerns during next week’s meeting, the officials said. Republican Commissioner Mike O’Rielly told reporters Monday he's studying the proposal (see 1801220040).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposal for an Office of Economics and Analytics is expected to be OK'ed at the Jan. 30 commissioners’ meeting largely as proposed, given the minority members' concerns may not be addressed. The item could face opposition from the two Democratic commissioners, Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, industry and agency officials said. Clyburn in particular may make clear her concerns during next week’s meeting, the officials said. Republican Commissioner Mike O’Rielly told reporters Monday he's studying the proposal (see 1801220040).
The FCC would conclude mobile broadband isn't a full substitute for fixed broadband, and maintain a fixed service benchmark of 25/3 Mbps, Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday on a draft report he circulated with commissioners under Section 706 of the Telecom Act. Taking a "holistic approach," the draft would say the FCC is "meeting its statutory mandate" to promote broadband on a reasonable and timely basis, though more actions are needed, he said. A notice of inquiry asked whether 10/1 Mbps mobile broadband might be a fixed substitute for purposes of advanced telecom capability (ATC) deployment, a suggestion Democratic commissioners and others opposed (see 1709200042 and 1710100053).
The FCC would conclude mobile broadband isn't a full substitute for fixed broadband, and maintain a fixed service benchmark of 25/3 Mbps, Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday on a draft report he circulated with commissioners under Section 706 of the Telecom Act. Taking a "holistic approach," the draft would say the FCC is "meeting its statutory mandate" to promote broadband on a reasonable and timely basis, though more actions are needed, he said. A notice of inquiry asked whether 10/1 Mbps mobile broadband might be a fixed substitute for purposes of advanced telecom capability (ATC) deployment, a suggestion Democratic commissioners and others opposed (see 1709200042 and 1710100053).
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., jointly urged the FCC Wednesday to reconsider a plan to “end the distinction between mobile and fixed broadband” in its annual Telecom Act Section 706 report as part of its notice of inquiry into whether advanced telecom capability (ATC) is being deployed adequately to all Americans. Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel are participating in a “#MobileOnly challenge" this month to highlight concerns about the proposal (see 1712180057). The FCC “should continue” to recognize the distinction between fixed and mobile broadband, since removing that barrier “would be an active step backwards in expanding broadband service to rural communities,” Harris and Van Hollen said in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Without adequate service deployment and accurate data collection for both fixed and mobile, our rural and national economy will suffer.” There are “challenges in expanding broadband deployment to rural communities but the solution for Congress and the Commission is not to redefine itself out of the problem but to work with industry to propose and promote viable solutions to address obstacles,” the lawmakers said. “It would be a disservice to rural Americans to be told by the Commission that their broadband needs are being met when their reality is much different.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., jointly urged the FCC Wednesday to reconsider a plan to “end the distinction between mobile and fixed broadband” in its annual Telecom Act Section 706 report as part of its notice of inquiry into whether advanced telecom capability (ATC) is being deployed adequately to all Americans. Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel are participating in a “#MobileOnly challenge" this month to highlight concerns about the proposal (see 1712180057). The FCC “should continue” to recognize the distinction between fixed and mobile broadband, since removing that barrier “would be an active step backwards in expanding broadband service to rural communities,” Harris and Van Hollen said in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Without adequate service deployment and accurate data collection for both fixed and mobile, our rural and national economy will suffer.” There are “challenges in expanding broadband deployment to rural communities but the solution for Congress and the Commission is not to redefine itself out of the problem but to work with industry to propose and promote viable solutions to address obstacles,” the lawmakers said. “It would be a disservice to rural Americans to be told by the Commission that their broadband needs are being met when their reality is much different.”
A draft FCC order would give $500 million in new funding to cooperatives and other small rural carriers, and set "strong new rules to prevent abuse of the high-cost program," the agency said Tuesday. The item circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai to colleagues proposes changes intended to improve the high-cost USF program's "effectiveness and efficiency in promoting rural broadband deployment, including the use of a Tribal Broadband Factor to enable better access on Tribal lands," said a release. It contains a report and order, an order on reconsideration and an NPRM, an FCC official told us. An agency spokesman confirmed the tribal broadband factor proposal is in the NPRM.
A draft FCC order would give $500 million in new funding to cooperatives and other small rural carriers, and set "strong new rules to prevent abuse of the high-cost program," the agency said Tuesday. The item circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai to colleagues proposes changes intended to improve the high-cost USF program's "effectiveness and efficiency in promoting rural broadband deployment, including the use of a Tribal Broadband Factor to enable better access on Tribal lands," said a release. It contains a report and order, an order on reconsideration and an NPRM, an FCC official told us. An agency spokesman confirmed the tribal broadband factor proposal is in the NPRM.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is expected to leave before the end of February, with an announcement possible after Clyburn goes to Las Vegas for CES this week, informed people said. If Clyburn leaves, Republicans would have a 3-1 majority on the commission, with Jessica Rosenworcel the remaining Democrat.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is expected to leave before the end of February, with an announcement possible after Clyburn goes to Las Vegas for CES this week, informed people said. If Clyburn leaves, Republicans would have a 3-1 majority on the commission, with Jessica Rosenworcel the remaining Democrat.