Category Archives: FCC

Libraries, school and others ask Senate to protect FCC wi-fi order

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Broadband Breakfast reports...

National education groups are concerned that the Senate could prevent millions of people from accessing the internet with federal assistance.

A coalition of 31 education and library groups urged senators in a letter Monday to reject a resolution by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would roll back the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to allow E-Rate funds for wireless hotspots.

“Almost 20,000 schools and libraries across the country are currently in the process of applying for several hundred thousand hotspots,” the letter stated, adding that millions of Americans could lose access to essential online resources if the measure, S.J.Res.7, is approved.

FCC approves SpaceX’s direct-to-cell Starlink-T-Mobile satellite service at higher power levels

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

The Federal Communications Commission has approved SpaceX’s request to operate its direct-to-cell Starlink-T-Mobile satellite service at higher power levels.
That’s despite the strong objections of AT&T, Verizon, and EchoStar, who found that the decision could degrade terrestrial mobile network performance. AT&T had submitted an analysis predicting an 18% drop in throughput in areas affected by SpaceX’s emissions.
The FCC granted the conditional waiver March 7, with one condition: SpaceX must mitigate any interference issues or risk losing the waiver entirely.

FCC plans a deregulatory initiative dubbed Delete, Delete, Delete

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday announced the launch of “a massive, new deregulatory initiative” aimed at eliminating FCC rules deemed unnecessary or burdensome.

Specifically, the FCC has opened a new docket titled “In re: Delete, Delete, Delete,” in which the agency seeks public comment on which rules, regulations, or guidance documents should be eliminated in the name of streamlining regulatory processes.

“The FCC is committed to ending all of the rules and regulations that are no longer necessary,” Carr said, in a post to X.

EVENT Feb 27: FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for February Open Meeting

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It’s always interesting to see what’s on the agenda of a new Administration…

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the February Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2025:

Enhancing National Security Though the Auctioning of Spectrum Licenses – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would update 10 year-old AWS-3 service-specific competitive bidding rules to bring those rules in line with current practice as the first step in fulfilling the Commission’s statutory obligation to initiate an auction of licenses for the AWS-3 spectrum in the Commission’s inventory by June 23, 2026, under the Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act.  (GN Docket Nos. 25-70, 25-71, 13-185)

Exploring New Uses for Mid-Band Spectrum in the Upper C-band – The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry exploring whether, and if so how, we could free up additional mid-band spectrum for new services in the Upper C-band to meet projected spectrum demand, spur economic growth, and advance American security interests.  (GN Docket No. 25-59)

Making Wireless Emergency Alerts More Responsive to Public Safety and Consumer Needs – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking intended to give emergency managers and consumers greater customization of the Wireless Emergency Alerts they send and receive, which would increase public safety and reduce consumers opting out of this life-saving service. (PS Docket Nos. 15-91, 15-94)

Strengthening Call Blocking Rules – The Commission will consider a Report and Order that strengthens the Commission’s call blocking rules by expanding the requirement to block calls based on a reasonable do-not-originate list to include all providers in the call path and by designating an exclusive code to notify callers when certain calls are blocked. (CG Docket No. 17-59)

Combatting Loud Commercial Advertisements – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would undertake a review of the Commission’s commercial loudness rules, in effect since 2012, and seek comment on the need for updates or changes. (MB Docket No. 25-72)

Public Drafts of Meeting Items – The FCC publicly releases the draft text of each item expected to be considered at the next Open Commission Meeting. One-page cover sheets are included in the public drafts to help summarize each item.  All these materials will be available on the FCC’s Open Meeting page: http://www.fcc.gov/openmeeting.

Public Attendance – The Open Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.  While the Open Meeting is open to the public, the FCC headquarters building is not open access, and all guests must check in with and be screened by FCC security at the main entrance on L Street.  Attendees at the Open Meeting will not be required to have an appointment but must otherwise comply with protocols outlined at: https://www.fcc.gov/visit.  Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.

FCC Chair ends required environmental reviews for infrastructure builds

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The FCC reports…

On January 24, 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
ended the FCC’s consideration of a Biden-era rulemaking proposal that would have subjected tower builds to additional, needless, and onerous environmental reviews. That proposed rulemaking plan had been under consideration at the FCC since 2022.

Chair Carr said…

“Ending the FCC’s consideration of this Biden-era proposal is just an initial step. I look
forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that the federal government
does not stand in the way of America’s broadband builders and the important work they have
ahead.”

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel proposes requiring telecom carriers secure their networks

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The FCC reports...

Following recent reports involving an intrusion by foreign actors into U.S. communications networks, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed urgent action to safeguard the nation’s communications systems from real and present cybersecurity threats, including from state-sponsored cyber actors from the People’s Republic of China.  The Chairwoman announced today that the Federal Communications Commission will act to ensure telecommunication companies are required to secure their networks.

“The cybersecurity of our nation’s communications critical infrastructure is essential to promoting national security, public safety, and economic security,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.   “As technology continues to advance, so does the capabilities of adversaries, which means the U.S. must adapt and reinforce our defenses.  While the Commission’s counterparts in the intelligence community are determining the scope and impact of the Salt Typhoon attack, we need to put in place a modern framework to help companies secure their networks and better prevent and respond to cyberattacks in the future.”

Chairwoman Rosenworcel has shared with her fellow commissioners a draft Declaratory Ruling finding that section 105 of Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”) affirmatively requires telecommunications carriers to secure their networks from unlawful access or interception of communications.  That action is accompanied by a proposal that would require communications service providers to submit an annual certification to the FCC attesting that they have created, updated, and implemented a cybersecurity risk management plan, which would strengthen communications from future cyberattacks.

If adopted, the Declaratory Ruling would take effect immediately.  In addition, the draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would seek comment on cybersecurity risk management requirements for a wide range of communications providers.  The proposal would also seek comment on additional ways to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of communications systems and services.

Last month, the Commission proposed cybersecurity risk management plan requirements for submarine cable landing applicants and licensees.  In addition, the Commission previously proposed that participants in the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts maintain cybersecurity risk management plans.

Trump selects Brendan Carr, senior GOP at FCC next FCC Chair

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The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports…

President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband.

Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. …

Carr has of late embraced Trump’s ideas about social media and tech. Carr wrote a section devoted to the FCC in ” Project 2025,” a sweeping blueprint for gutting the federal workforce and dismantling federal agencies in a second Trump administration produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation. …

”Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy,” Trump said in a statement on Sunday. ”He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.”

Trump’s likely choice to lead FCC details plans in Project 2025

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Ars Technica reports…

The Republican who is likely to lead the Federal Communications Commission under President-elect Donald Trump detailed how he would run the agency when he wrote a chapter for the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Carr, a longtime opponent of net neutrality rules and other broadband regulations, has also made his views clear numerous times when opposing rulemakings initiated by the current Democratic majority.

If Trump makes Carr the next FCC chairman after his inauguration, the FCC is likely to ditch consumer protection initiatives, like a recently announced inquiry into data caps, and attempt to regulate Big Tech companies while reducing regulation of Internet service providers. That could include forcing Big Tech companies to pay into a fund that subsidizes ISPs’ broadband network construction.

A Carr-led FCC could also try to punish news organizations that are perceived to be anti-Trump. Just before the election, Carr alleged that NBC putting Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live was “a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule,” and that the FCC should consider issuing penalties. Despite Carr’s claim, NBC did provide equal time to the Trump campaign.

Carr might also try to steer money to Elon Musk’s Starlink system. Carr was a vocal opponent of the FCC decision to deny SpaceX’s application for $886 million in government funding and claimed that “President Biden gave federal agencies a greenlight” to punish Musk after he bought Twitter.

LTD Broadband loses case against FCC over RDOF awards and revocation

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Broadband Breakfast reports on the latest chapter of LTD Broadband…

Judges probed LTD Broadband and the Federal Communications Commission Monday during oral arguments in the company’s challenge to its $1 billion subsidy denial.

LTD’s attorney Michael Showalter argued the company received heightened scrutiny because of its smaller size. He said the agency should have given more weight to its letter of credit and engineer-certified network designs.

Here’s a quick summary of LTD’s history…

The company had initially won more than $1.3 billion to serve 528,000 homes and businesses in 15 states from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. After the bidding process, winners submitted more detailed long-form applications to serve the locations they won, and the FCC denied LTD’s. The agency said it wasn’t convinced the company was financially or technically capable of scaling up to meet its RDOF commitments.

FCC attorney Maureen Flood said the idea the agency applied a unique standard of review to LTD’s application was “a fiction.”

It did not end as LTD would have liked…

Showalter said the company was looking for judges to remand its denial back to the agency and require staff to use “the correct standard of review,” which he said the company thought would result in its application being approved.

“Under even the most deferential standard of review, LTD is not technically and financially qualified for universal service support, and the commission’s findings in that regard are reasonable,” Flood said.

LTD Broadband was originally granted a large RDOF award in Minnesota that was later revoked.

 

Learn more about the Broadband Consumer Labels

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Remember when grocery stores starting posting cost-per-weight unit of items on the shelves? It was a game changer for me. Broadband speeds, prices, contract info are a lot more difficult to understand. And now the FCC requires broadband consumer labels to help…

Broadband Labels (Internet de Banda Ancha Etiquetas – en español) are designed to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of high-speed internet services.

The labels are modeled after the FDA nutrition labels and are intended to help consumers comparison shop for the internet service plan that will best meet their needs and budget.

Internet service providers that offer home, or fixed, internet services, or mobile broadband plans are required to have a label for each standalone broadband service plan they offer.

Consumers should look for broadband labels at any point of sale, including online and in stores.

The labels must disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds. They also include links to information about network management practices and privacy policies.

A glossary (glosario en español) is available to help consumers better understand the information displayed on the label.

To review a sample home internet, or fixed, label created by the FCC, download the home internet label in PDF format. You can also review a sample mobile broadband label in PDF format.

While many providers began displaying their labels in April of 2024, providers with less than 100,000 subscribers have until Oct. 10, 2024, to comply with the FCC rules to display broadband labels at their points of sale.

Filing a complaint

If a provider is not displaying their labels or has posted inaccurate information about its fees or service plans, consumers can file a complaint with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center .

If you have a question about accessibility requirements for the Consumer Broadband Disclosure Labels, contact the FCC’s Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov.

FCC waives Lifeline requirements for phone and broadband subsidies for hurricane/storm victims

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The FCC reports…

In this Order, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) takes quick action to assist those affected by Hurricane Milton and future hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms, and tropical cyclones (together, “tropical weather systems”) by temporarily waiving certain Lifeline program eligibility rules to ensure that consumers receiving federal disaster assistance can easily apply for and enroll in the Lifeline program.  Hurricane Milton caused significant power and infrastructure disruptions, in addition to property damage in homes, schools, libraries, businesses, and health care facilities in impacted areas.  Because of the exigent circumstances that arose from Hurricane Milton, we find that there is good cause for further action to expeditiously ensure that households receive critical assistance for their communications needs in the aftermath of hurricanes and other tropical weather systems in the near term.  As such, on our own motion, and consistent with the guidance detailed below, we temporarily waive the Lifeline eligibility requirements to permit households not already enrolled in the Lifeline program to enter the program if they are receiving individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program (IHP) as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Milton or other hurricanes or other tropical weather systems that result in a Presidential declaration of emergency or major disaster that occur during the next six months.[1]  Such waiver will run for at least six months from the date of the declaration.

[1] See 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq. (Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act).

FCC & Dep of Education release Cybersecurity Resource Guide

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From the FCC…

The Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Education, with input from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, today released a resource guide to help schools and libraries evaluate their cybersecurity risks and identify the most impactful cybersecurity solutions.  The guide can also help schools and libraries as they complete applications for the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program and serve broadly as a resource for schools and libraries as they take steps to better protect their networks.

“Through the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, we’ll have a chance to better understand what equipment, services, and tools will help protect school and library broadband networks from cyberthreats,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “This guide will serve as a valuable resource to schools and libraries through their application process.”

The joint resource guide provides cybersecurity guidance and recommended resources to help schools and libraries keep their broadband networks secure.  Given the budget and resource constraints facing schools and libraries, the resource guide highlights free and low-cost options and focuses on the most impactful initial steps.  The guide also recognizes that specific cybersecurity needs may vary and provides a framework for schools and libraries to identify solutions that meet their unique needs.

“With cyber incidents regularly impacting K-12 schools, the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program will provide much needed support for schools across the country,” said U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten.  “By collaborating with our colleagues at the FCC and CISA, this guide will help schools address their most pressing cybersecurity risks.”

The resource guide will help schools and libraries interested in applying for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, which will award up to $200 million over a three-year term.  Participants selected for the pilot program will receive support to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment, while providing the Commission with data to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to improve school and library defenses against increasing cyberattacks.

The resource guide is part of the FCC’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Education and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries, including the Commission’s participation on the Department of Education’s Government Coordinating Council to support K-12 cybersecurity.

For information regarding the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, visit https://www.fcc.gov/cybersecurity-pilot-program.

Additional cybersecurity resources for schools and libraries are available through the Department of Education and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including the K-12 Critical Infrastructure Brief: Defensible and Resilient, Cybersecurity Action Steps for the K-12 Community and Report: Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats.

Pew recognize conundrum for State and households over loss of ACP

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The impact of losing the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidies gets a lot of attention, because it is leaving many of low income households without broadband and has changed the math for BEAD funding. Here’s Pew’s latest on the topic…

Support for affordability programs is technically allowed under BEAD and DEA rules, but states are heavily restricted in how they use funds. For example, under the BEAD program, consumer subsidies and other “nondeployment” activities can be funded only if the state demonstrates that it can reach all of its unserved and underserved locations with deployment projects. Currently, less than half of all states anticipate having any nondeployment funding available. And under DEA, affordability subsidies are capped at 10% of a state’s allocation. That’s a drop in the bucket and not a viable alternative to ACP.

In 2024, three strategies to solve this problem emerged, with state lawmakers exploring different approaches to resolve funding gaps and define eligibility. Some lawmakers—such as those in California and Oregon—are considering modifying their state-operated Lifeline subsidy programs in ways that increase the funding available to supplement the $9.25 monthly discount already offered by the federally operated Lifeline program. Others—such as those in New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania—considered legislation to establish their own broadband subsidies. In addition, some states debated replicating the BEAD low-cost option provision by requiring service providers under contract with the state to offer plans at a state-determined affordable price.

New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, adopted in 2021, takes a broader regulatory approach and could be another option for states. The law, passed months before the formal creation of ACP but not yet enforced because of a lengthy legal dispute, requires ISPs operating in New York to provide a low-cost option at $15 or $20 for low-income subscribers, depending on the plan’s speed. However, some legal experts have suggested that additional legal scrutiny may be required after the Federal Communications Commission’s recent net neutrality order redefining its regulatory jurisdiction over broadband service providers and other related federal court cases.

OPPORTUNITY: FCC Opens Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Schools and Libraries Application Window

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The FCC reports…

The Federal Communications Commission today announced the opening of the application window for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.  During the 45-day application filing window, which will run from September 17, 2024 to November 1, 2024, eligible schools and libraries can apply to participate in the three-year, $200 million pilot program.  Participants selected for the pilot program will receive support to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment, while providing the Commission with data to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to improve school and library defenses against increasing cyberattacks.

“School districts and libraries across the country have proven to be prime targets for cyber criminals.  The vulnerabilities in the networks are real—and growing,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “Through this pilot program, we’ll have a chance to better understand what equipment, services, and tools will help protect school and library broadband networks from cyberthreats.”

Modeled after the FCC’s successful Connected Care Pilot, the Cybersecurity Pilot Program will allow the FCC to collect data and evaluate the effectiveness of using universal service funds for cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data.  The $200 million budget will use general universal service funds to ensure that gains in enhanced cybersecurity do not come at the cost of undermining E-Rate success in promoting digital equity and basic connectivity.  The pilot program will also allow the FCC to share actionable data with federal, state, and local government partners to jointly address this growing problem.

Interested schools and libraries can apply for the pilot program by providing basic information about their cybersecurity needs, experience, and plans to use the funding if selected in Part 1 of the application.  Then, selected pilot program participants will be required to provide more detailed information in Part 2 of the application to help the Commission determine whether and how to best use limited universal service funds to support the long-term cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries.

The pilot program is part of Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Learn Without Limits initiative to address the Homework Gap by ensuring connectivity to and within schools and libraries.  This initiative includes Wi-Fi on school buses, the Wi-Fi hotspot lending program, and E-Rate support for libraries in Tribal communities.

Benton Institute releases report to help local governments prepare for BEAD deployment

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society released a report to help local governments handle broadband permitting when the expected surge of deployments funding by BEAD is expected to begin…

This paper is intended to help local governments and Internet Service Providers (ISP) navigate this challenge and develop permitting processes that will maximize the impact of BEAD and all future broadband investments. The paper’s findings were identified during a national summit on local permitting processes, which was attended by representatives from local, state, and federal governments, ISPs, civil society organizations, philanthropies, and other key stakeholders.4 By developing effective and efficient permitting processes, ISPs and local governments can help ensure that every community in America receives the full benefits of modern connectivity.

Rather than try to summarize or select excerpts, I thought I’d share the Table of Contents…

  • FINDING 1: Foster Partnership Between the Permit Seeker and the Permitting Authority
  • Meet Early and Often
  • Understand the Responsibilities and the Realities of Local Government
  • Understand the Proposed Deployment
  • Establish Trust and Accountability
  • FINDING 2: Maximize Resources Available to the Permitting Authority
  • Establish Models for Providing Support to Permitting Authorities
  • Limit Excessive Demand on Permitting Resources
  • Articulate the “Return on Investment” of Permitting
  • FINDING 3: Ensure Transparency and Consistency in the Permitting Processes
  • Modernize Application Processes
  • Reduce Unnecessary Duplication
  • CONCLUSION 
  • Checklist for ISPs
  • Checklist for Local Governments
  • Checklist for State and Federal Agencies
  • CASE STUDIES 
  • Case Study 1: Ting’s Master Agreement
  • Case Study 2: Mesa’s Consultant Reimbursement Agreement
  • Case Study 3: Funding Opportunities Within BEAD
  • Case Study 4: Permitting in Leawood, Kansas