Representatives of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition spoke with aides to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington on use of the 12 GHz band for 5G. “The Coalition has drawn a diverse group of supporters that have coalesced around the evidence showing the feasibility of coexistence” there, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 20-443: “The technical, engineering and economic studies submitted into the record were intended to assist the Commission staff in evaluating the feasibility for coexistence in this band and address other questions raised by the Commission in the 12 GHz NPRM and by third-party commenters.” Representatives of Incompas, Dish Network, Airspan, the Rural Wireless Association, Public Knowledge, Open Technology Institute at New America and RS Access were among those on the calls.

Providers, local governments and advocates welcomed FCC-proposed rules for the $14.2 billion affordable connectivity program, in comments posted Thursday in docket 21-450. Some raised concerns about potential implementation challenges as the agency shifts from the $3.1 billion emergency broadband benefit program and urged the commission to allow flexibility for EBB providers and enrolled households during the transition.

The Senate’s Tuesday reconfirmation of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to another term (see 2112070029) provides more certainty for upcoming policy moves, but it isn’t likely to mean any major changes in how the agency functions because it will remain in a 2-2 tie for now, lawmakers and experts told us. Democrats are relieved Senate action forestalled the possibility the FCC would shift to a 2-1 GOP majority in January but believe the ongoing stalemate underscores the need to confirm Democratic commission nominee Gigi Sohn, whose path forward remains uncertain (see 2112010043). Republicans see the ongoing stalemate as an opportunity for Rosenworcel to continue seeking bipartisan consensus.

Expand the USF contribution base to include broadband internet access services, 254 organizations said Monday in a call-to-action letter to broadband policymakers (see 2109130053). Among signers were Public Knowledge, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, the Ad Hoc Telecom Users Committee, Incompas, NTCA, WTA, the Rural Wireless Association and dozens of broadband providers. This change would “reduce regulatory uncertainty … better reflect evolving uses of services … be straightforward to administer, and would be more equitable and nondiscriminatory for residential and business consumers than the current system,” the letter said, saying the FCC can do this “under its existing authority without requiring new legislation.” The agency didn’t comment.

NAB and board member Byron Allen appeared to be partially at odds Monday on FCC nominee Gigi Sohn, before her Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing (see 2111230066). NAB wants Sohn to submit an amended ethics agreement with more information on her association with broadcast programming streaming service Locast, but Allen declared his strong support for her confirmation. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy and a group of five Republican current and former elected officials said Monday they support Sohn, whose nomination has already drawn strong GOP pushback (see 2111170071). Sohn and NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson, who’s also to appear before the Senate Commerce panel, highlighted improving U.S. broadband access and affordability, in responses to prehearing questionnaires.

Broadband and housing advocates want more FCC scrutiny over multi-tenant environments and the deals MTE building owners make with providers, said replies posted Monday in docket 17-142 (see 2110210053). Some said exclusivity agreements could hamper enrollment efforts in the upcoming $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). MTE trade groups rejected additional regulation.

LOUISVILLE -- Just as states are pursuing a few approaches to shore up their own USFs, state regulators have a similar array of ideas about how the federal government can put its funds for broadband and other telecom services on sounder financial footing. In interviews on the sidelines of NARUC's gathering and in phone interviews for those who didn't travel here for the Sunday-Wednesday event, commissioners generally agreed the path the federal USF is on isn't sustainable because the percentage fee on some telecom services that consumers are levied on their monthly bills has gone up in recent years.

President Joe Biden plans to sign “very soon” the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR-3684) once “the congressional members” involved in getting the measure through both chambers “come back” from a weeklong recess, meaning it likely won't happen until at least Nov. 15, White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday. The House voted 228-206 Friday to agree to the Senate-passed version of HR-3684, which includes $65 billion for broadband (see 2108020061). The Senate approved the bill in August (see 2108100062). The measure will make “high-speed internet affordable and available everywhere in America,” Biden said Saturday. “No parent should have to sit in a parking lot of a fast food restaurant so their child can do their homework because they have no” other broadband connection. Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., touted HR-3684 as “the most significant investment in our nation’s infrastructure in generations,” including for broadband. “Every community -- regardless of zip code -- needs and deserves access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, and with today’s action we take a giant step toward making that a reality,” said House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D- N.J., Friday. Communications stakeholders praised House passage, including ACA Connects, American Library Association, Connect Americans Now, Fiber Broadband Association, Free Press, Frontier Communications, Incompas, Internet Innovation Alliance, National Governors Association, NTCA, Public Knowledge, TechNet, Wireless Infrastructure Association, Wireless ISP Association and WTA.

The Voice on the Net Coalition sought two more weeks for comments, another two for replies, on a Further NPRM addressing robocalls and gateway providers (see 2111040058). The request was backed by the Cloud Communications Alliance, CTIA, GSMA, Incompas, NCTA, NTCA and USTelecom.

Collecting regulatory fees from tech companies and users of unlicensed spectrum would be a huge task, outside FCC authority, and hamper broadband adoption, said trade associations and others in comments posted to docket 21-190 by Thursday’s deadline.