House Communications Subcommittee leaders told us they plan to continue actively pushing for floor action on the Commerce Committee-approved Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act (HR-3565) when the chamber returns Sept. 12, despite the measure facing continued opposition from some Senate Republicans. House Commerce leaders tried and failed to get a floor vote on the measure before the August recess (see 2307270063). Lawmakers believe the outcome of a pending DOD study on repurposing the 3.1-3.45 GHz band may affect the prospects for reaching a deal to pass a spectrum legislative package that includes language from HR-3565 and other measures (see 2308070001).
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska unanimously voted at a hybrid meeting Wednesday to make permanent an emergency extension of the state’s universal service program. The Alaska USF sunset date is now June 30, 2026. The emergency regulations otherwise would have ended Oct. 28.
DENVER -- The state with the biggest allocation from NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) will probably need more money to connect everyone, a Texas broadband official said on a Wednesday panel at Mountain Connect here. Other states also said they don’t have enough money to connect everyone, though some said alternative technologies like fixed wireless could be used.
The National Association of State 911 Administrators warned the FCC that moving to next-generation 911 will be complicated, in comments on an NPRM commissioners approved 4-0 in June (see 2306080043). The National Emergency Number Association said the FCC is on the right track with the NPRM. Comments were due at the FCC Wednesday in docket 21-479. The notice followed a NASNA petition seeking a rulemaking or notice of inquiry to fully implement NG911 (see 2110190066 and 2201200043).
Multiple cable operators faced residential broadband struggles in the first half of 2023, with year-over-year residential subscriber declines in Q1 and Q2. They face different issues, but fixed wireless is a major competitive challenge for many, Leichtman Research Group's Bruce Leichtman told us.
Leaders of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition hope for FCC action by year-end on rules to allow fixed-wireless use of the lower 12 GHz band. Comments were due Wednesday on a Further NPRM, which commissioners approved 4-0 in May, examining fixed-wireless and unlicensed use of 12.2-12.7 GHz spectrum (see 2305180052). That FNPRM was part of a complicated series of items addressing the 12 and 13 GHz bands.
Consumer advocates, industry and local officials want more details in the five-year action plan California will submit to NTIA as part of the broadband, equity, access and deployment program Many in comments posted Tuesday in docket R-23-02-016 (see 2307180013) sought additional information in the final plan about affordability and digital equity efforts.
DENVER -- Sen. John Hickenlooper sees no hurdles to broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program success, the Colorado Democrat said Tuesday. At the Mountain Connect conference, Hickenlooper, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and multiple states' broadband officials largely sounded upbeat on achieving universal access within a decade. Also, Hickenlooper expects “tremendous pressure” to reup the affordable connectivity program (ACP), but said debt concerns might limit how much funding it receives from Congress.
NTIA announced the first three winners under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, a $1.5 billion federal fund aimed at spurring the growth of open radio access networks and advanced spectrum sharing. NTIA unveiled the grants Tuesday at Northeastern University in Boston, one of the recipients.
Dish Network's proposed buy of EchoStar, announced Tuesday, should help debt-laden Dish shore up its finances as it spends heavily to complete its terrestrial 5G network, analysts told us. The deal is considered unlikely to face antitrust or other regulatory challenges. Dish spun off EchoStar in 2008.