Regulators cleared three items circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai last week -- opening the 12 GHz band to 5G, proposing bidding procedures for a 2.5 GHz auction and unveiling the first round of selections for the agency's Connected Care pilot program (see 2101060061). Pai, who leaves next week, effectively forced a vote.
The FCC will disburse $3.2 billion in emergency broadband assistance as the pandemic has boosted broadband demand and usage (see 2012220061). How the money will be spent and whether it will reach the hardest-hit communities remain uncertain, said experts in interviews this month. Some telecom stakeholders are optimistic, however.
The FCC doesn’t plan to release drafts on the 12 GHz NPRM or the 2.5 GHz auction notice before next week’s commissioners’ meeting, a spokesperson confirmed. Chairman Ajit Pai circulated both (see 2101060061) for a vote at Wednesday’s meeting, as expected (see 2101050053). Pai also circulated a public notice announcing the first round of selections for the $100 million Connected Care pilot program. Not posting drafts is in keeping with past precedent for items not circulated by the chairman three weeks before the meeting. “Because the commission is in the sunshine period, parties are not permitted to communicate with FCC staff," said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America. "So there is no point in encouraging attempts by making the draft public.” Lobbying focused on Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Jessica Rosenworcel. Public Knowledge and the Open Technology Institute at New America endorsed the 12 GHz NPRM in a call with an aide to Starks, said a filing posted Wednesday in RM-11768. An "NPRM is most appropriate at this time because there has already been considerable comment in response to the [multichannel video and data distribution service] petition and because it is clear that the band is grossly underutilized, particularly in rural areas, and is a near-term candidate for the authorization of at least opportunistic and/or unlicensed access aimed at reducing the digital divide,” they said. Incompas CEO Chip Pickering told a Rosenworcel aide that member companies "potentially could use the 12 GHz Band to deploy broadband and offer competitive alternatives,” the group said. “Move forward with an NPRM to seek comment on ways in which new terrestrial broadband services can be introduced while also allowing existing services to continue to operate and evolve unimpeded,” Federated Wireless executives asked a Starks aide.
Both houses of Congress were expected to vote Monday night on the combined FY 2021 appropriations and COVID-19 aid omnibus bill (HR-133), after Hill leaders reached a deal on the measure, which includes $6.82 billion for broadband and a raft of other tech and telecom policy provisions. HR-133 also includes increases in annual funding for the FCC, FTC, NTIA and other agencies compared with FY 2020. The Senate was, meanwhile, set to hold a revote on invoking cloture on FCC inspector general nominee Chase Johnson after failing a first try Saturday.
Both houses of Congress were expected to vote Monday night on the combined FY 2021 appropriations and COVID-19 aid omnibus bill (HR-133), after Hill leaders reached a deal on the measure, which includes $6.82 billion for broadband and a raft of other tech and telecom policy provisions. HR-133 also includes increases in annual funding for the FCC, FTC, NTIA and other agencies compared with FY 2020. The Senate was, meanwhile, set to hold a revote on invoking cloture on FCC inspector general nominee Chase Johnson after failing a first try Saturday.
Goodfriend Group hires Earl Ash, ex-aide to Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., as senior director-public policy and government relations, specializing in telecom, technology and media, succeeding Meagan Sunn, named tech, telecom and judiciary counsel at office of Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. ... Cooley global cyber/data/privacy team adds Tiana Demas from Facebook as partner.
Goodfriend Group hires Earl Ash, ex-aide to Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., as senior director-public policy and government relations, specializing in telecom, technology and media, succeeding Meagan Sunn, named tech, telecom and judiciary counsel at office of Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. ... Cooley global cyber/data/privacy team adds Tiana Demas from Facebook as partner.
The FCC may approve in coming weeks the latest Communications Act Section 706 report. It's expected to conclude that broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely manner and say 25/3 Mbps downstream/upstream remains an appropriate benchmark for fixed service, FCC and industry officials said. FCC Democrats want to wait for the new administration, officials said. The report is due in February, after the start of Joe Biden's presidency.
The FCC may approve in coming weeks the latest Communications Act Section 706 report. It's expected to conclude that broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely manner and say 25/3 Mbps downstream/upstream remains an appropriate benchmark for fixed service, FCC and industry officials said. FCC Democrats want to wait for the new administration, officials said. The report is due in February, after the start of Joe Biden's presidency.
The FCC may approve in coming weeks the latest Communications Act Section 706 report. It's expected to conclude that broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely manner and say 25/3 Mbps downstream/upstream remains an appropriate benchmark for fixed service, FCC and industry officials said. FCC Democrats want to wait for the new administration, officials said. The report is due in February, after the start of Joe Biden's presidency.