Fixed and mobile broadband availability isn't sufficient to meet a statutory mandate for "reasonable and timely" deployment of advanced telecom capability (ATC) to all Americans, Incompas commented in docket 17-199 on an FCC notice of inquiry. The Free State Foundation said broadband-like ATC deployment "clearly" satisfies Telecom Act Section 706 and said the previous FCC's refusal to make an affirmative finding "was a case of Alice-in-Wonderlandish 'Sentence First-Verdict Afterwards.'" CTIA, one of several parties whose comments were posted late Thursday, issued a statement saying that "by any measure, mobile wireless broadband deployment is ‘reasonable and timely.'" Incompas said broadband networks and services must be "physically available and affordable" pursuant to Section 706, and found it "telling" the FCC is focused on closing the digital divide. "Fixed and mobile broadband networks do not reach every American, and competition is still considerably lacking for fixed (wireline) broadband networks for residential consumers, as well as businesses who rely on dedicated broadband service," the group said. It said the FCC shouldn't find Section 706 goals have been met and should address barriers, including by improving access to poles, rights of way and multitenant buildings. The Benton Foundation said it's "certain" broadband is "not being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion," citing service shortcomings in poorer, minority and rural communities. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Wednesday objected to the possibility the FCC could effectively lower its ATC speed benchmark by finding 10/1 Mbps mobile service is sufficient to satisfy the statutory mandate (see 1709200042). The agency's direction is "particularly troubling" for rural Americans, said NTCA, which believes mobile broadband "is simply not a substitute for a robust, high-quality fixed wireline connection that so many urban consumers take for granted." The Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable urged the FCC to evaluate availability of both fixed and mobile broadband, not one or the other, and affordability of service. The Education and Library Networks Coalition asked the FCC to retain E-rate program goals of helping schools and libraries gain access to 100 Mbps near term and 1 Gbps long term.

Fixed and mobile broadband availability isn't sufficient to meet a statutory mandate for "reasonable and timely" deployment of advanced telecom capability (ATC) to all Americans, Incompas commented in docket 17-199 on an FCC notice of inquiry. The Free State Foundation said broadband-like ATC deployment "clearly" satisfies Telecom Act Section 706 and said the previous FCC's refusal to make an affirmative finding "was a case of Alice-in-Wonderlandish 'Sentence First-Verdict Afterwards.'" CTIA, one of several parties whose comments were posted late Thursday, issued a statement saying that "by any measure, mobile wireless broadband deployment is ‘reasonable and timely.'" Incompas said broadband networks and services must be "physically available and affordable" pursuant to Section 706, and found it "telling" the FCC is focused on closing the digital divide. "Fixed and mobile broadband networks do not reach every American, and competition is still considerably lacking for fixed (wireline) broadband networks for residential consumers, as well as businesses who rely on dedicated broadband service," the group said. It said the FCC shouldn't find Section 706 goals have been met and should address barriers, including by improving access to poles, rights of way and multitenant buildings. The Benton Foundation said it's "certain" broadband is "not being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion," citing service shortcomings in poorer, minority and rural communities. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Wednesday objected to the possibility the FCC could effectively lower its ATC speed benchmark by finding 10/1 Mbps mobile service is sufficient to satisfy the statutory mandate (see 1709200042). The agency's direction is "particularly troubling" for rural Americans, said NTCA, which believes mobile broadband "is simply not a substitute for a robust, high-quality fixed wireline connection that so many urban consumers take for granted." The Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable urged the FCC to evaluate availability of both fixed and mobile broadband, not one or the other, and affordability of service. The Education and Library Networks Coalition asked the FCC to retain E-rate program goals of helping schools and libraries gain access to 100 Mbps near term and 1 Gbps long term.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has made major changes to his office, assigning senior aide Nick Degani as acting general counsel and shifting longtime staffer Michael Carowitz from the Enforcement Bureau to the chairman's office to fill in. Degani has played a continuing role in the Pai office since his boss became chairman, as a key player behind the scenes engaged on most important policy calls (see 1703140024). Changes are less than meet the eye, many ex-officials told us. Degani is expected to be general counsel only temporarily, so on the big issues before the FCC, some roads still lead to him.

Industry urged the FCC to tread lightly in bolstering slamming and cramming rules targeting providers making unauthorized changes to consumers' preferred telecom providers or inserting unauthorized charges on phone bills. Major telco, cable and billing interests expressed concerns about potential new regulations teed up in a July NPRM (see 1707130054), while consumer groups were more supportive. Comments were posted in docket 17-169 Wednesday and Thursday. Replies those days in docket 17-97 on a July notice of inquiry (see 1707130054) also saw the telco industry and consumer groups at odds on whether the FCC should mandate a call authentication standards framework.

Industry urged the FCC to tread lightly in bolstering slamming and cramming rules targeting providers making unauthorized changes to consumers' preferred telecom providers or inserting unauthorized charges on phone bills. Major telco, cable and billing interests expressed concerns about potential new regulations teed up in a July NPRM (see 1707130054), while consumer groups were more supportive. Comments were posted in docket 17-169 Wednesday and Thursday. Replies those days in docket 17-97 on a July notice of inquiry (see 1707130054) also saw the telco industry and consumer groups at odds on whether the FCC should mandate a call authentication standards framework.

Incompas wants to work with the FCC and others to create a process for reviewing confidential and highly confidential information from large-scale transactions in connection with the net neutrality proceeding, said an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 17-108 on a Wednesday meeting between Incompas and aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Brendan Carr, plus staff from the Office of General Counsel. Incompas also met Thursday with an aide to Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. Incompas also discussed its motion to modify the protective orders in some deals.

Incompas wants to work with the FCC and others to create a process for reviewing confidential and highly confidential information from large-scale transactions in connection with the net neutrality proceeding, said an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 17-108 on a Wednesday meeting between Incompas and aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Brendan Carr, plus staff from the Office of General Counsel. Incompas also met Thursday with an aide to Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. Incompas also discussed its motion to modify the protective orders in some deals.

Groups and 12 Senate Democrats asked for more time to comment on the FCC inquiry into advanced telecom capability (ATC) deployment (see 1708110034). Without a delay, initial comments are due Thursday, replies on Sept. 22. The groups asked for an eight-week extension. “In addition to broad implications of the result of this proceeding, the questions raised therein are directly tied to questions posed in other, related proceedings,” said a filing in docket 17-199. “As those proceedings also have open comment windows that extend in some cases into October, it would be reasonable for the Commission to extend the deadlines in this proceeding.” The notice of inquiry on whether ATC is being rolled out to all in a reasonable and timely way under Telecom Act Section 706, launched in early August, proposes to keep the current 25/3 Mbps speed benchmark for fixed broadband. “Such substantial shifts in policy require greater consideration and debate, something that the current schedule for comment does not allow,” said Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and the other senators. They raised concerns about the NOI’s desire for comment on whether an area should be considered “served” if mobile service of 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload is available. “While we recognize and welcome the possibility that technology may one day evolve to a point where mobile broadband options could be deemed equivalent to fixed broadband services, that is not the case today,” they said. “Such a striking change in policy would significantly and disproportionately disadvantage Americans in rural, tribal, and low income communities across the nation, whose livelihoods depend on a reliable and affordable broadband connection.” For the groups' letter, signers included New America’s Open Technology Institute, the American Library Association, Center for Democracy & Technology, Center for Media Justice, Common Cause, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Incompas, National Hispanic Media Coalition and Public Knowledge. The FCC didn't comment.

Groups and 12 Senate Democrats asked for more time to comment on the FCC inquiry into advanced telecom capability (ATC) deployment (see 1708110034). Without a delay, initial comments are due Thursday, replies on Sept. 22. The groups asked for an eight-week extension. “In addition to broad implications of the result of this proceeding, the questions raised therein are directly tied to questions posed in other, related proceedings,” said a filing in docket 17-199. “As those proceedings also have open comment windows that extend in some cases into October, it would be reasonable for the Commission to extend the deadlines in this proceeding.” The notice of inquiry on whether ATC is being rolled out to all in a reasonable and timely way under Telecom Act Section 706, launched in early August, proposes to keep the current 25/3 Mbps speed benchmark for fixed broadband. “Such substantial shifts in policy require greater consideration and debate, something that the current schedule for comment does not allow,” said Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and the other senators. They raised concerns about the NOI’s desire for comment on whether an area should be considered “served” if mobile service of 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload is available. “While we recognize and welcome the possibility that technology may one day evolve to a point where mobile broadband options could be deemed equivalent to fixed broadband services, that is not the case today,” they said. “Such a striking change in policy would significantly and disproportionately disadvantage Americans in rural, tribal, and low income communities across the nation, whose livelihoods depend on a reliable and affordable broadband connection.” For the groups' letter, signers included New America’s Open Technology Institute, the American Library Association, Center for Democracy & Technology, Center for Media Justice, Common Cause, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Incompas, National Hispanic Media Coalition and Public Knowledge. The FCC didn't comment.

The Internet Association warned the FCC it's destined for a court fight if the agency reverses 2015 net neutrality rules, as a related hearing may be delayed. With replies due Wednesday in docket 17-108, the FCC reached the final stage on its NPRM, before approval of rules most observers believe will be ready by year-end. The agency offered extra time to write comments, but industry lawyers told us they don’t expect many surprises, though staff still face a big job processing everything that was filed.