Space Launch Spectrum, Foreign Content ID on April 22 FCC Agenda
Space launches would get dedicated spectrum, foreign-sponsored broadcast content would need identification, and 911 outage reporting rules would be harmonized under items on April 22's FCC meeting agenda, acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel blogged Wednesday. Also on tap are a Further NPRM requiring carriers to implement texting to the 988 nationwide suicide prevention hotline going live in 2022 (see 2103310054), declaring the 800 MHz rebanding done after 17 years, and an unspecified enforcement matter.
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The rocket launch secondary allocation in the 2200-2290 MHz band would be limited to transmissions from the rocket during prelaunch testing and launch operations, the FCC said. The allocation would mean special temporary authority would no longer be needed to share the spectrum during the launch. The pace of commercial launches is growing quickly, and "the regulatory frameworks we rely on to support these efforts are dated," Rosenworcel said. The agency approved an NPRM in 2013 on access to the 420-430 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz and 5650-5925 MHz bands during space launches (see 1305100042). The FCC said the item includes an FNPRM proposing rules for "a more consistent licensing process."
Requiring disclosures for broadcast content sponsored by foreign governments "will help to ensure transparency" in the U.S., Rosenworcel said. The docket for the proposal -- 20-299 -- has been active in recent weeks. NAB, NPR (see 2012290035) and others (see 2103040060) were concerned that overly broad ID rules could ensnare unintended targets, such as BBC programming. Noncommercial educational stations have asked for a carve-out from any requirements (see 2101260065).
When the NPRM was approved under the previous FCC (see 2010260052), it passed unanimously except for a partial, unexplained concurrence from then-Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. It proposed requiring disclosures if a foreign governmental entity -- as defined by the Foreign Agents Registration Act -- pays a station to air material or provides content for free. The NPRM proposed requiring standardized disclosure language and applying requirements similar to those used for sponsored political ads.
Commissioners will vote at the April meeting on a public notice setting the application cap for the coming NCE FM window, as the Media Bureau proposed in October. “The public record and prior experience shows that the 10-application cap strikes the best balance of the Commission’s objectives,” said Rosenworcel. Such a cap provides “a meaningful opportunity for applicants to file for new NCE FM stations to expand service while, at the same time, deterring speculative applications and procedural delays.” NPR supported the FCC’s plan in comments in docket 20-343 (see 2012010063). Common Frequency and low-power FM entity REC Networks sought a five-application cap, while Educational Media Foundation wanted no cap in rural markets.
Stronger, harmonized rules for reporting 911 outages "can save people from wasting time on repeated 911 calls that won’t be answered, which can ultimately save lives,” Rosenworcel said. Commissioners OK'd an NPRM on curbing 911 fee diversion in February (see 2102170049).
Members approved an 800 MHz rebanding order in 2004, in which Nextel agreed to reconfigure the band and pay for retuning to address public safety interference. Nextel was later bought by Sprint, which became part of T-Mobile last year. In February, T-Mobile asked the FCC to declare the retuning complete (see 2103010029). “Over 2,100 licensees have been successfully relocated to new channels in the band, with no interruption to public safety communications during the transition,” Rosenworcel said: The order will “close out the re-banding program and terminate the proceeding.”
The FCC will also address wireless mics, allowing wireless multichannel audio system (WMAS) use of licensed spectrum and exploring unlicensed operations. “Whether they run a music venue or a convention center, users of wireless microphones want the spectrum capacity to accommodate multiple speakers or performers,” Rosenworcel said: WMAS “uses spectrum more efficiently, which enables the use of more microphones per megahertz of spectrum available.”
In 2018, mic-maker Sennheiser asked for a rulemaking on WMAS and other technologies, which got general support (see 1812280053). Don't allow use of WMAS technology on an unlicensed basis without complying with other Part 15 rules, Microsoft said then (see 1901020013).