The FCC would give rural telcos monthly model-based USF support of $200 per location if they adopt new commitments to build out 25/3 Mbps broadband, under a draft order issued Wednesday. It would also seek to firm up support for rate-of-return (RoR) carriers still on legacy support in exchange for increased 25/3 Mbps deployment. The tentative agenda issued for the Dec. 12 commissioners' meeting also includes draft items on a new high-band 5G spectrum auction, a communications market report, a quadrennial review, media modernization, a robocall-related reassigned number database (here) and wireless messaging classification (here), as announced Tuesday by Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1811200048).
The FCC plans to launch a 2018 quadrennial review, classify wireless messaging as an information service, pave the way for a new high-band 5G auction, and provide rural telcos with new USF support in exchange for more deployment of 25/3 Mbps broadband, at the Dec. 12 commissioners' meeting. It's targeting votes on items to create a reassigned phone number database to help against unwanted robocalling, further "modernize" broadcast rules and issue a communications market report. The wireless messaging (including short message service or SMS) and auction items weren't among those previously expected (see 1811190047), with the first item now getting criticism.
Best Buy shares held up against the market’s Tuesday plunge, closing up 2.2 percent at $63.55 after the company reported higher-than-expected sales for Q3 ended Oct. 28. Best Buy also raised its full-year sales forecast to $42.5 billion-$42.9 billion, from $42.3 billion-$42.7 billion. Sales were $42.2 billion last fiscal year.
ORLANDO -- State regulators’ relationship with the FCC “needs some work,” said NARUC Second Vice President Paul Kjellander in an interview at the association’s annual conference last week. Federal USF contribution modification could raise tension next year if the FCC continues to exclude states from the process, he said, while others identified net neutrality and VoIP classification as hot-button issues. The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, holding its annual event concurrently, remains concerned about deregulation and consumers losing protection as telecom moves to IP, President Elin Swanson Katz told us.
Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, filed the Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports Rural America Act to exempt small telecom companies from some SEC filing requirements. The bill would raise the number of investors that would trigger some SEC requirements for telecom companies that receive "support, directly through an affiliate, through any Federal universal service support" mechanism. “Unfortunately, rural telecom companies are getting hit with disclosure costs that were never intended for them,” Baldwin said: Rural service providers need relief "to build-out high-speed broadband in small communities and continue our efforts to bring broadband access” for everyone. Ernst said "rural telecom providers throughout Iowa face the threat of costly SEC reporting requirements, making it more difficult to invest in broadband throughout Iowa, and" nationally.
Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, filed the Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports Rural America Act to exempt small telecom companies from some SEC filing requirements. The bill would raise the number of investors that would trigger some SEC requirements for telecom companies that receive "support, directly through an affiliate, through any Federal universal service support" mechanism. “Unfortunately, rural telecom companies are getting hit with disclosure costs that were never intended for them,” Baldwin said: Rural service providers need relief "to build-out high-speed broadband in small communities and continue our efforts to bring broadband access” for everyone. Ernst said "rural telecom providers throughout Iowa face the threat of costly SEC reporting requirements, making it more difficult to invest in broadband throughout Iowa, and" nationally.
ORLANDO -- State regulators’ relationship with the FCC “needs some work,” said NARUC Second Vice President Paul Kjellander in an interview at the association’s annual conference this month. Federal USF contribution modification could raise tension next year if the FCC continues to exclude states from the process, he said. The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, holding its annual event concurrently with NARUC, remains concerned about deregulation and consumers losing protection as telecom technology moves to the IP world, NASUCA President Elin Swanson Katz told us.
Commissioners split on the FCC's role in orbital safety and congestion issues caused by the satellite mega constellation boom and growth of new satellites, but agreed there's a problem. Approving the orbital debris NPRM Thursday, Jessica Rosenworcel and Mike O’Rielly described parts as “timid.” Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr staked out different stances on the agency's role and authority on tackling orbital debris. At the meeting, which included a variety of space-related items, members voted 4-0 to update wireless handset hearing-aid compatibility rules (see 1811150033).
Localities and their allies inundated the FCC with filings opposing a Further NPRM proposing treating cable operators' in-kind contributions required by local franchise authorities -- such as public, educational and government channel transmission -- as franchise fees (see 1811070045). Wednesday was the comments deadline. The opposition hadn't swayed the agency's GOP commissioners yet, said a cable lawyer with LFA experience. It's unclear if the additional comments might sway them.
The FCC is expected to issue a proposal kicking off the 2018 quadrennial review next month. Many industry officials foresee a focus on AM/FM subcaps, top-four duopoly rules, and how competition in the media market is defined.