The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions said this week that the FCC's further NPRM seeking comment on tougher call ID rules gets the facts wrong on the issue of Stir/Shaken and the role that rich call data (RCD) could play. Other industry commenters said handing down rules now could chill industry progress addressing caller ID issues. In addition to proposed rules on caller ID, the FNPRM, approved in October, also seeks input on requiring labels for calls that originate outside the U.S. (see 2510280024). Comments were posted this week in docket 17-59.

Wireless groups and carriers called on the FCC to push forward on streamlined rules for wireless infrastructure deployment, according to comments filed in docket 25-276. While cutting regulation is a priority under the current administration, other commenters argued that local authorities must retain oversight of permitting in their communities (see 2601020017). Hundreds of fillings also raised RF safety and other concerns. Comments were due last week, and more than 3,500 were posted as of Monday.

Submarine cable interests are continuing their campaign against the FCC's proposal to license owners and operators of submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE). Replies posted this week in docket 24-523 echoed similar SLTE licensing objections that had been voiced in initial comments (see 2512010043).

USTelecom and other industry groups urged the FCC to move forward on proposals in its notice of inquiry about streamlining wireline infrastructure rules. Reply comments on the NOI, which commissioners approved 3-0 in September (see 2509300063), were due last week in docket 25-253. State and local government groups largely opposed changes that could take power away from their members (see 2511180033), but the industry groups said there's a consensus that change is needed.

Incompas urged the FCC on Friday to release an NPRM establishing a “clear” clock for permit reviews, create safe harbor fees “based on actual costs,” prohibit discrimination between providers and require transparency for all permitting requirements. The group filed comments in docket 25-253 in response to a notice of inquiry on streamlining wireline rules (see 2511180033).

Top Democrats on the Senate and House Communications subcommittees were noncommittal in interviews Wednesday and Thursday about pursuing legislation to address changes that NTIA made to the $42.5 billion BEAD program’s rules in its June 6 restructuring policy notice. The Government Accountability Office ruled Tuesday that the Congressional Review Act (CRA) doesn’t let the Commerce Department unilaterally make such alterations (see 2512170032). Meanwhile, Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., filed the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security (Success) for BEAD Act on Thursday to allow states to repurpose non-deployment BEAD funding for next-generation 911 technology upgrades and other purposes.

Incompas adds Olivia Igbokwe-Curry, Amazon Web Services, to its board … The Wireless Infrastructure Association taps Anthony Carlson, Array Digital Infrastructure, for its board … The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation promotes Mary Collins to executive director, effective Jan. 1, a new position … Self-regulation organization BBB National Programs, elects to its board Kathryn Farrara, replacing Luis-Xavier Hernandez, both of Unilever; Lydia Parnes, replacing Maureen Ohlhausen, both of Wilson Sonsini; and Justin Thomas-Copeland, American Association of Advertising Agencies, replacing Michele Totonis, Lego; and reelects Bob Liodice, Association of National Advertisers.

The House Commerce Committee advanced the American Broadband Deployment Act (HR-2289) Wednesday by a closer-than-expected 26-24 party-line vote, with unified Democratic opposition and a smattering of Republican absences at that point in the markup session. The panel also unanimously advanced the Broadband and Telecommunications Rail Act (HR-6046) and five other bipartisan connectivity bills, as expected (see 2512020063).

NCTA on Friday praised Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chair Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Communications Subcommittee ranking member Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., for filing an upper chamber companion Thursday (see 2511200069) to the Broadband and Telecommunications Rail Act (HR-6046). The House Communications Subcommittee cleared HR-6046 Wednesday (see 2511180053).

Groups representing financial institutions called on the FCC to impose tougher Stir/Shaken rules in comments filed last week (docket 17-97) in response to a Wireline Bureau request (see 2508280040). Telecom industry groups and companies also sought tweaks to how illegal robocalls are addressed, through Stir/Shaken and beyond.