Communications Marketplace Report Approved 4-1, With Starks' Partial Dissent

said FCC priorities for the next two years include making additional spectrum available for mobile services, particularly midband spectrum for 5G, and reducing regulatory impediments to wireless and wireline infrastructure deployment. The agency said it will keep up efforts to eliminate or modify "obsolete, burdensome, or [video and audio] outmoded rules." Commissioner Brendan Carr said he concurred partly because the report could go further in recognizing converged markets instead of continuing to see them in silos. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the report should do more to identify how services are changing and how that could create opportunities or barriers for new entrants. The report doesn't "adequately reflect the magnitude of the work ahead for this agency" in addressing broadband access and affordability issues, she said. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, dissenting in part, said the report touts FCC actions as closing the digital divide when they haven't. He said the 2019 Lifeline order increases red tape and will hurt provider participation. He said the report ignores persistent barriers to entry for broadcasters, such as lack of access to capital for people of color and women. He said the fixed broadband priorities ignore any discussion of promoting affordability.