Industry groups asked the FCC to either clarify or reconsider parts of rules for the commission's consumer broadband labels. Some in comments posted Wednesday in docket 22-2 expressed concerns about the types of services and details required in the labels. Commissioners adopted the new labels in November, largely mirroring those established in 2016 (see 2211180077).

Procedural concerns could complicate a case at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a New York law requiring affordable broadband. At oral argument Thursday in Manhattan, Judge Richard Sullivan grilled parties on a procedural maneuver they used to move the case to the 2nd Circuit from the trial court. Sullivan asked New York’s attorney tough questions on the state’s argument that its law isn’t preempted.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wants improved ability to route calls and texts made to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to local call centers (see 2207150036), but mental health and emergency management stakeholders say more enhanced capabilities to know exactly where calls are being placed from could be complicated by a sizable policy split in the mental health community on privacy.

The FCC Wireline Bureau extended by 12 days the deadline to submit reply comments to a notice of inquiry on caller ID authentication for non-IP networks (see 2212130065). The Cloud Communications Alliance, NCTA, NTCA, USTelecom, Voice on the Net Coalition and WTA sought an extension. Replies are now due Jan. 23 in docket 17-97, said an order Thursday.

USTelecom promotes Paul Eisler to vice president-cybersecurity and innovation … Incompas announces 2023-2024 board, including new member Tristar License Group Vice President Owen Mayfield … Montana Public Service Commission elects Jennifer Fielder (R) vice president, succeeding term-limited Commissioner Brad Johnson (R), and adds physician Ann Bukacek (R) to commission.

USTelecom asked Congress to "stay closely engaged" with the Biden administration and states to ensure broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act results in "maximum program effectiveness," in a letter Tuesday. The group is seeking legislation to "help ensure timely infrastructure permitting" and "appropriate oversight" of grant recipients. It also asked that the FCC's affordable connectivity program be made permanent: "While most customers enjoy faster speeds and lower broadband prices, those struggling financially need additional assistance." Congress should work with the FCC to expand the contribution base for the USF, USTelecom added, noting edge providers and platforms are "the greatest beneficiaries of high-speed networks." The group also sought action on public-private cybersecurity partnerships, privacy protections and eliminating the tax on federal broadband grants.

USTelecom representatives met with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to support the FCC's 2020 order on unbundled network elements rules and oppose a petition by Sonic Telecom seeking reconsideration (see 2210170079). “The Commission correctly recognized that in light of the passage of time and changed marketplace conditions, it should reexamine its unbundling requirements,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 19-308. The FCC “applied the law faithfully by evaluating what unbundling requirements are appropriate in the modern marketplace based on the impairment standard and by forbearing where the statutory test was satisfied,” USTelecom said, noting it “advocated for forbearing from all unbundling obligations, but negotiated a compromise” with Incompas and “nearly every interested competitive LEC and incumbent LEC in this docket.” The commission “has a long history of relying on negotiated agreements,” the group said.

Senate Communications Subcommittee members from both parties targeted FCC and NTIA implementation of connectivity programs created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and COVID-19 aid measures Tuesday, as expected (see 2212120064), including concerns about deficient data the commission used to develop its new broadband maps. Lawmakers also touched on other telecom policymaking matters they hope Capitol Hill can address during the lame-duck session or in the next Congress. Senate Commerce Committee leaders saw a potential one-week extension of their talks on one lame-duck priority, a compromise spectrum legislative package (see 2212070068), appear via a proposed continuing resolution to fund the federal government past Friday.

Industry urged the FCC to facilitate the transition to IP networks for caller ID authentication. Many said there's no need to establish rules allowing for caller ID authentication on non-IP networks and cited TDM tandem switches as one of the main obstacles to fully implementing Stir/Shaken technology. Comments were posted Tuesday in docket 17-97 (see 2210270046).

A Tuesday Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing on implementation of broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other recent measures is likely to include a heavy focus on GOP leaders’ concerns about federal agencies’ oversight of those disbursals, lawmakers and other officials told us. There also may be discussion about other pressing issues, including recent pushes to include additional money for the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program in a FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package (see 2212070068) and to enact legislation that ensures broadband funding from IIJA and the American Rescue Plan Act doesn’t count as taxable income, observers said.