The FCC unanimously launched its long-awaited rulemaking on reforms to the E-rate program Friday. But beyond some broad “aspirational” goals, the specifics are anything but settled, officials said. The NPRM will take into consideration “a whole host of comments and options and opportunities and proposals,” said acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. Only after comments are received will the commission make a “comprehensive decision” on best ways forward, she said. The item is expected to be released early next week.
The FCC unanimously launched its long-awaited rulemaking on reforms to the E-rate program Friday. But beyond some broad “aspirational” goals, the specifics are anything but settled, officials said. The NPRM will take into consideration “a whole host of comments and options and opportunities and proposals,” said acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. Only after comments are received will the commission make a “comprehensive decision” on best ways forward, she said. The item is expected to be released early next week.
Speech-impaired individuals will be able to communicate more effectively using the Speech-to-Speech (STS) Relay Service, FCC officials said, as commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an order and FNPRM adopting several enhancements to the program. The changes are designed to enhance “functional equivalency” for its users, an official said. Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn called the item “another step toward fulfilling the promise of Title IV of the [Americans with Disabilities Act].”
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai offered his vision for the E-rate program Tuesday, which would prioritize next-generation Internet services over standalone voice telephone service. Pai’s plan would let schools know before the academic year starts how much money they have to spend, and would include a “straightforward matching requirement” that sees schools contributing $1 for every $3 they receive. The commission is scheduled to vote on an NPRM aimed at overhauling the E-rate program at its meeting Friday.
Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., are scheduled to speak at the FCC’s July 10 workshop on inmate calling services, the commission said Wednesday (http://fcc.us/12e07Wp). After opening remarks by acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, panels will explore the “individual and societal impacts” of high prison phone rates; steps that states have taken to reform rates; and how inmate calling services are evolving to respond to the “unique needs of correctional facilities.” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel will also speak. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room, and will be streamed live on fcc.gov/live.
Six weeks into her FCC acting chairmanship, Mignon Clyburn is under pressure by small carriers to move forward on rules requiring device interoperability in the lower 700 MHz band. Following last week’s FCC meeting, Clyburn was noncommittal, saying during a press conference she hoped industry could still work out its differences and agree on a solution.
The order (http://fcc.us/1aRpmpa) makes several changes to Form 477 that the agency says will “streamline” reporting, reducing the burden on carriers and ISPs. It eliminates the requirement to file speed data in tiers; collects mobile coverage information using a standard geographic information system software format; and seeks mobile broadband deployment data by technology, minimum advertised speed, and spectrum band. As expected (CD June 7 p16) the order creates a uniform format for the collection of broadband deployment data, replacing the current separate state-by-state collections under different methodologies.
The FCC approved by a 3-0 vote Thursday a report and order moving the FCC toward an auction of H-block spectrum, 10 MHz of already cleared paired spectrum at 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz. The H-block auction is expected to be the first in which the federal government will collect money to pay the $7 billion costs of launching FirstNet, the national wireless network for public safety. The money must come from auction proceeds, though not necessarily the incentive auction of broadcast TV spectrum.
FCC acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn is set to meet with officials from both Canada and Mexico to discuss international ramifications of the incentive auction of broadcast TV spectrum, officials said Thursday. Clyburn has meetings scheduled in Ottawa next week at an ITU symposium, officials said. Commissioners got an update from its Incentive Auction Task Force on the latest developments on the auction, from Gary Epstein, head of the task force. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel urged the FCC to take the steps it can before Tom Wheeler is confirmed as chairman, ultimately replacing Clyburn.
"In taking on things this monumental, it is always better to have a full complement of commissioners, but I believe we have a mandate from Congress and cannot delay,” Rosenworcel said. “We need to make progress. We need to move forward.” Rosenworcel said the FCC should hold a series of public hearings on the auction and reach out to every broadcaster in the top 30 markets nationwide. “That is where our mobile broadband needs are greatest,” she said.