House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., hoped the COVID-19 aid package Democrats are aiming to pass via budget reconciliation includes additional E-rate funding. Pallone emphasized during an Incompas event the committee’s part of the pandemic bill, which it intends to mark up Thursday, is unlikely to address other telecom matters. More broadband money is almost certain to make it into additional economic aid measures and an infrastructure bill targeted for later this year, Pallone said.

Reconsider net neutrality rules, Public Knowledge petitioned for FCC reconsideration Monday. Incompas filed similar last week (see 2102050042). The commission "failed to follow proper procedure" when it issued a public notice to "refresh" the record rather than adopt an NPRM, PK argued. "In its rush to get its deregulatory orders out the door, the commission cut many procedural corners," said Kathleen Burke, PK policy counsel, in a statement: "This alone provides ground for the FCC to reopen and reverse its previous determinations."

Reconsider net neutrality rules, Public Knowledge petitioned for FCC reconsideration Monday. Incompas filed similar last week (see 2102050042). The commission "failed to follow proper procedure" when it issued a public notice to "refresh" the record rather than adopt an NPRM, PK argued. "In its rush to get its deregulatory orders out the door, the commission cut many procedural corners," said Kathleen Burke, PK policy counsel, in a statement: "This alone provides ground for the FCC to reopen and reverse its previous determinations."

Adopting final service rules for the 12 GHz band will probably take the FCC at least 18 months, with more engineering and other study needed, experts said Monday during an Incompas webinar. Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 in January (see 2101130067) at the last meeting under then-Chairman Ajit Pai. Experts said comments will help the FCC decide what action to take.

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and others cited the 25th anniversary Monday of the Telecom Act’s signing as a jumping-off point for a range of communications and tech policy proposals for this year, including the need for more broadband funding in coming legislation. Some noted the importance of the ongoing debate over revamping Communications Decency Act Section 230, enacted as part of the 1996 law.

California’s net neutrality law still faces industry challenge after DOJ notified (in Pacer) the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of California Monday that it moved to voluntarily dismiss the case (see 2102080059). Judge John Mendez soon afterward dismissed (in Pacer) and closed case 2:18-cv-02660, but not USTelecom, ACA Connects and other industry associations’ separate suit in case 2:18-cv-02684 before the same judge. Democrats applauded DOJ's withdrawing.

California’s net neutrality law still faces industry challenge after DOJ notified (in Pacer) the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of California Monday that it moved to voluntarily dismiss the case (see 2102080059). Judge John Mendez soon afterward dismissed (in Pacer) and closed case 2:18-cv-02660, but not USTelecom, ACA Connects and other industry associations’ separate suit in case 2:18-cv-02684 before the same judge. Democrats applauded DOJ's withdrawing.

Reinstate broadband internet access service's Title II telecom service classification and reestablish net neutrality rules, Incompas asked the FCC in a docket 17-108 filing emailed Friday. Larger providers have "the incentive and ability to harm competition and consumers as they have done in the past and will continue to do so in the future" if the commission doesn't reinstate the rules under Communications Act Title II, Incompas said in its petition for reconsideration on the commission's 2017 net neutrality repeal (see 2101070067). "It's time for the FCC to right a wrong, look to the future, and listen to the overwhelming majority of Americans who support bipartisan open internet protections," said CEO Chip Pickering.

Let noneligible telecom carriers access Universal Service Administrative Co. data systems so they can immediately participate in the emergency broadband benefit program, NCTA, ACA Connects, the Wireless ISP Association and Incompas asked FCC Wireline Bureau staff, per a letter posted Thursday in docket 20-445 (see 2101260053). Consumers will be "deprived of the variety and quality of services that Congress intended the program to provide" if non-ETCs are unable to sign up customers and be reimbursed as existing Lifeline providers, the associations said.

Let noneligible telecom carriers access Universal Service Administrative Co. data systems so they can immediately participate in the emergency broadband benefit program, NCTA, ACA Connects, the Wireless ISP Association and Incompas asked FCC Wireline Bureau staff, per a letter posted Thursday in docket 20-445 (see 2101260053). Consumers will be "deprived of the variety and quality of services that Congress intended the program to provide" if non-ETCs are unable to sign up customers and be reimbursed as existing Lifeline providers, the associations said.