Stakeholders interviewed last week want the FCC to delay further Lifeline changes and promptly answer an industry petition requesting a pause on stricter minimum broadband service standards set for Dec. 1 (see 1906280012). A proposed order and Further NPRM has stirred some concern, as the poor could lose access to mobile broadband if the cost to provide new minimum service levels exceeds incentives from federal reimbursements.
The FCC needs to move forward on its stalled look at the 5.9 GHz band, a Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) event was told Tuesday. Chairman Ajit Pai was expected to circulate a Further NPRM on the band in May, but pulled it after Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao objected (see 1906180072). Among the options is sharing with Wi-Fi.
House Communications Subcommittee leaders appear to be eyeing ways to combine language from at least five bills on improving the federal government's collection of broadband coverage data, before a planned Wednesday hearing on the subject, communications sector officials and lobbyists told us. The lawmakers are aiming to make progress on broadband mapping legislation, an issue that drew bipartisan interest. That's amid slower progress on other House Commerce Committee communications policy priorities to clear spectrum in the 3.7-4.2 GHz C band for 5G and Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization (see 1908050037 and 1908230049).
Rural broadband stakeholders urged the federal government to continue encouraging connectivity improvements via legislation and agency action, in written testimony for a Thursday Senate Commerce Committee field hearing. The hearing, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, wasn't webcast and footage wasn't immediately available. There's increased attention on broadband among 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls (see 1909040061). The House Communications Subcommittee plans a hearing next week on legislation to improve the federal government's collection of broadband coverage data (see 1909040080).
Broaden the definition of healthcare providers, allow funding for remote monitoring and medical body area network devices (MBAN), and make the program available in a wide geographic area. Those are among recommendations for the FCC pilot USF pilot to support connected care for the poor and veterans. Comments posted through Friday docket 18-213 for the three-year, $100 million program (see 1907100073).
Broadcasters and satellite operators got some of what they wanted in the FCC FY 2019 regulatory fees order. As expected (see 1908220040), there's no sign of overhaul both sectors want in the unanimous ruling. An accompanying Further NPRM tees up issues like the assessing regulatory fees on foreign satellites allowed to communicate with U.S. earth stations. Some say history shows the agency isn't likely to go that route. The money is due Sept. 30.
The FCC likely won’t act soon to provide additional clarity on Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules, agency officials said this week. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, a big advocate of addressing the rules, told us he has little hope for quick action: “I can’t say that I’m optimistic.” Other officials agreed with O'Rielly.
The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau wants comment by Oct. 21 on FCC policies and practices under Rehabilitation Act Section 504. It “requires federal agencies to make their programs and activities accessible to people with disabilities,” said a Wednesday public notice in docket 10-162. CGB seeks comment on the FCC’s Section 504 handbook “and on the overall accessibility of the Commission’s activities and programs,” including availability of sign language interpreters, physical accessibility of buildings and meeting spaces, documents in alternate formats, assistive listening devices and communication access real-time translation.
Comments are due Aug. 23 on a Tariff Act Section 337 complaint filed with the International Trade Commission seeking a ban on imports of Honeywell and HTC wireless communication devices used in smart home systems, says a notice for Thursday's Federal Register. Innovation Science’s alleges products in Resideo Technologies’ Honeywell Lynx, Lyric and Smart lines of devices, plus in HTC cellphones, infringe its patents on wireless communications. The infringing devices allegedly include smart thermostats, home control and monitoring systems and associated wireless security sensors, controllers and smart video cameras. Innovation seeks a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders banning import and sale of infringing devices from Resideo and HTC. "We do not discuss ongoing litigation," emailed a Resideo spokesperson Wednesday. HTC didn't comment.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, the lead at the agency on changes to wireless infrastructure rules, thinks more work on the issue is likely, though Carr told us he has made no decisions. Last year, the FCC approved streamlining orders in September (see 1809260029) and March (see 1803220027). “I do think there’s additional work that the FCC can do,” Carr said: “I haven’t made any final decision at this point in terms of timing or substance.”