The FCC released a lengthy NPRM exploring the future use of 1755-1780 MHz and three other spectrum bands -- 1695-1710, 2020-2025 and 2155-2180 MHz. The NPRM, which circulated before the July 4 holiday (CD July 16 p4), was released Tuesday night. It wraps together into a document that runs 102 pages many of the requests various parties have made on the spectrum as well as various developments from the federal government. It treats all the bands together as Advanced Wireless Services-3 spectrum. The commission approved the NPRM 3-0, though Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai voted to approve in part and concur in part.

Few details emerged Tuesday as lawmakers pressed Gary Epstein, chair of the FCC’s Incentive Auction Task Force, for information on the commission’s work to structure the spectrum incentive auctions authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. Epstein told lawmakers during a House Communications Subcommittee oversight hearing that the commission has made “no final determinations” and has sought to engage “with all interested parties in an open and transparent process.” Epstein said he couldn’t confirm whether the auction would take place in 2014, but said “we will do everything we can in the commission to make that happen."

Few details emerged Tuesday as lawmakers pressed Gary Epstein, chair of the FCC’s Incentive Auction Task Force, for information on the commission’s work to structure the spectrum incentive auctions authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. Epstein told lawmakers during a House Communications Subcommittee oversight hearing that the commission has made “no final determinations” and has sought to engage “with all interested parties in an open and transparent process.” Epstein said he couldn’t confirm whether the auction would take place in 2014, but said “we will do everything we can in the commission to make that happen."

Public Knowledge asked the FCC to slow down when acting on Verizon’s Section 214 application to discontinue domestic telecom services on Fire Island, in a filing Monday (http://bit.ly/12Zuu8b). “The FCC should exercise its discretion to take the time needed to review Verizon’s application without the threat that the application will be automatically granted before all of the evidence has been collected,” a PK spokesman said. Verizon has asked for streamlined approval. “Verizon’s application to replace its traditional, copper-based service with a more limited fixed wireless service raises several important new questions, and the FCC should not let this application receive approval before it takes the time to consider all of the data still being gathered,” said PK senior staff attorney Jodie Griffin. “This application presents new issues that could potentially bear on how the FCC will approach similar circumstances in the future, when natural disasters damage infrastructure,” Griffin said in a blog entry on the filing (http://bit.ly/12ZuHrJ).

DENVER -- Collaboration and planning are vital in combating cyberthreats, creating new roles and models, speakers said Monday at the NARUC’s meeting. “You are the ones that can actually ask the hard questions of the utilities,” White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Michael Daniel told state regulators. He outlined the Obama administration’s cyber concerns and some of the priorities as well as necessary actions that take place in a cyberspace full of what he called very real threats. They have become part of “the new normal,” he said.

DENVER -- Collaboration and planning are vital in combating cyberthreats, creating new roles and models, speakers said Monday at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ meeting. “You are the ones that can actually ask the hard questions of the utilities,” White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Michael Daniel told state regulators. He outlined the Obama administration’s cyber concerns and some of the priorities as well as necessary actions that take place in a cyberspace full of what he called very real threats. They have become part of “the new normal,” he said.

The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology approved the NASA Authorization Act of 2013 during a markup late Thursday. It reauthorizes programs for two years and includes a top line budget of $16.8 billion, which is lower than the funding that some Democrats sought in amendments (CD July 19 p9). The bill, HR-2687, cancels the proposed reorganization of NASA education programs and “prohibits the administration’s poorly defined Asteroid Retrieval Mission, which has raised concerns within the scientific community,” Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said in a press release (http://1.usa.gov/15sJVnx). The bill was approved 22-17 on a party-line vote, it said. The committee approved amendments, including a manager’s amendment from Smith and an amendment from Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., which prohibits using authorized funds to pay contractors that have committed fraud or violated antitrust statutes, it said.

Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn decided not to circulate an order mandating 700 MHz interoperability for a vote at the Aug. 9 commission meeting, said industry and FCC officials Friday. Small carriers pressing for action had hoped it would come in August. Clyburn has long made clear she has strong concerns that small carriers have access to a wide variety of devices as they roll out service in the 700 MHz spectrum that many bought in the 2008 auction. Instead, Clyburn is expected to ask carriers large and small to meet again to try to develop an industry solution, officials said.

The FCC unanimously launched its long-awaited rulemaking on reforms to the E-rate program Friday. But beyond some broad “aspirational” goals, the specifics are anything but settled, officials said. The NPRM will take into consideration “a whole host of comments and options and opportunities and proposals,” said acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. Only after comments are received will the commission make a “comprehensive decision” on best ways forward, she said. The item is expected to be released early next week.

The FCC unanimously launched its long-awaited rulemaking on reforms to the E-rate program Friday. But beyond some broad “aspirational” goals, the specifics are anything but settled, officials said. The NPRM will take into consideration “a whole host of comments and options and opportunities and proposals,” said acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. Only after comments are received will the commission make a “comprehensive decision” on best ways forward, she said. The item is expected to be released early next week.