ACA Connects backed USTelecom's request for a 60-day extension of the April 15 deadline for affordable connectivity program providers to comply with the non-usage tracking rule, in a meeting with FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington and staff, said an ex parte letter posted Wednesday in docket 21-450 (see 2203230041). The group said its members face similar challenges in meeting the deadline. ACA Connects also asked the FCC to allow fixed broadband providers to follow the agency's 2011 enforcement guidance on reporting actual speeds and latency in the forthcoming consumer broadband labels.

ISPs sought minor modifications of the FCC’s 2016 broadband consumer labels as the agency works to create new labels required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In reply comments posted Friday in docket 22-2 (see 2203100059), disagreement continued on what details should be included in the labels. Others raised issues with calls to require privacy disclosures in the eventual labels, suggesting links that include more detailed information instead.

“While there is more work to be done,” the Cross-Sector Resiliency Forum has been a success two years after it started, representatives of CTIA, the Edison Electric Institute, NCTA and USTelecom told aides to FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks. The forum “continues to facilitate the sharing of service expectations and planning needs to enable better coordination during emergency and disaster events,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 11-60. The forum “plans to reconvene in late spring 2022 to assess progress” and “prepare for the 2022 hurricane and wildfire seasons.”

The FCC Wireline Bureau wants comments by March 31 on separate petitions filed by USTelecom and Verizon on affordable connectivity program rules, said a public notice Wednesday in docket 21-450. USTelecom sought a 60-day extension for participating providers to comply with the program's non-usage tracking rule. Verizon sought a 60-day extension for its subsidiary Tracfone to prepare its systems to offer the monthly benefit for "certain prepaid mobile broadband services priced below $30 and above $30" (see 2203220051). It didn't seek additional time for plans priced at $30.

Industry disagreed whether the FCC should pause some of its high-cost Universal Service Fund programs amid the recent $65 billion federal broadband support from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, in reply comments posted Friday in docket 21-476 (see 2202180046). Others debated whether to expand the fund's contribution base or turn to direct congressional appropriations. The FCC sought comments on USF's future as part of its report to Congress due by Aug. 12.

Open a third FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund application filing window, urged the Information Technology Industry Council, Competitive Carriers Association, Incompas, USTelecom and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a letter to commissioners posted Wednesday in docket 21-93. The groups backed a similar request by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (see 2201310071). They also backed "extending the limited waiver of the gift rule" until June 30, 2023, to coincide with the program's service delivery date.

Few changes are likely to be made to the FCC’s draft Further NPRM on pole replacement disputes and notice of inquiry on digital discrimination in broadband access, aides told us. The items are expected to be unanimously approved during Wednesday’s commissioners' meeting.

The FCC’s forthcoming broadband consumer labels should be “simple, consistent, and easy for consumers to use,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Friday during the agency’s first virtual public hearing on the labels (see 2203100059). Current disclosures “are not consistent from carrier to carrier, so it’s really hard to compare service and prices,” Rosenworcel said, and there’s “no time to waste” given Congress’ one-year deadline to adopt new labels.

Industry, state officials and advocacy groups disagreed how the FCC should proceed in adopting new broadband consumer labels, in comments posted Thursday in docket 22-2 (see 2201280038). Industry disagreed whether certain information should be required or optional, while state officials and advocacy groups called for strong enforcement and regular publishing of the labels online and on consumer bills. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) required the FCC to adopt labels and hold public hearings on the issue (see 2201270030).

USTelecom may join inmate calling services docket R.20-10-002 at the California Public Utilities Commission, Administrative Law Judge Robert Haga ruled Friday. Haga denied the association’s earlier request to join due to omissions in the motion (see 2202240048). In a Monday ruling, Haga denied CTIA entry because the ALJ said the association didn't list its members. The CPUC is weighing whether it can regulate video and other non-voice ICS rates, fees and service quality (see 2201310050).