The FCC will take on next-gen 911, the 42 GHz band and robocalls and robotexts at its June 8 meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced Wednesday. Rosenworcel notes many states and local governments are investing in NG911, which is expected to be more resilient than legacy networks. “Completing the NG911 transition will also require operating service providers to do their part to make sure emergency calls are formatted to be compatible with the new IP-based system,” she said: “To speed this transition, the Commission will vote on a proposal to ensure that service providers connect to new NG911 networks on a timely and compatible basis.” Comments were mixed last year on a National Association of State 911 Administrators' petition for a rulemaking or notice of inquiry to fully implement NG911 (see 2110190066 and 2201200043). The 42 GHz band has gotten limited attention in the past, including in a 2018 notice (see 1809110040). Rosenworcel proposes tests. “With ever-increasing demand for wireless services and a finite supply of airwaves, it’s more important than ever that we make sure spectrum is being used as efficiently as possible,” she said. The FCC will consider a proposal to test “several innovative, non-exclusive spectrum access models” in 500 MHz of greenfield spectrum in the band, “which is ideal for experimentation due to the lack of incumbent licensees,” she said. “In addition to developing a record on how best to support efficient, intensive use of these airwaves, this proposal specifically seeks solutions on ways to increase access to spectrum for smaller and emerging wireless operators,” Rosenworcel said. The third item is on unwanted robocalls and robotexts. “The Commission will consider a proposal to strengthen the ability of consumers to decide which … they wish to receive,” Rosenworcel said: “Specifically, it would make sure guidance on consumers’ rights to control consent to be contacted is more apparent and easily accessible. It would also propose to close loopholes that allow certain callers to make robocalls and robotexts without consent and without the ability for the consumer to opt out.” Commissioners will also consider a Media Bureau adjudicatory item.
Local emergency communications centers "are definitely in a crisis" on staffing, APCO President Angela Batey said at an APCO conference Tuesday. Average turnover for ECCs was 29% in 2018, which was up from previous APCO surveys, and it's likely worsened since then, Batey said. Increased demands for public safety services coupled with the low national unemployment rate are driving the problem, she said. Batey said there should be better retention and recruiting, plus streamlined hiring.
President Joe Biden this week renewed a national emergency authorizing certain sanctions related to Iraq. The White House said "obstacles to the orderly reconstruction" of peace, security and economic institutions in Iraq continue to threaten U.S. national security. The sanctions were renewed for another year from May 22.
The U.K. and Switzerland have agreed to start negotiations on a new free trade agreement with an aim toward opening opportunities for services and investment, the U.K.'s Department for International Trade announced. Releasing a document outlining a strategic approach to the FTA talks, the U.K. said the agreement will also look to boost goods trade, promote innovation in emerging technologies and create economic opportunities for the whole of the U.K.
The Group of 7 countries likely will discuss sanctions, trade and a host of other issues at the upcoming summit in Japan, but the most consequential topic may surround the group’s emerging “de-risking” policy toward China, experts said this week. Several said they expect the G-7 countries to end the summit by releasing more information on the approach, although they also noted that not all Europeans yet agree with the strategy.
There are wireless/satellite schisms as the FCC tries to put together a framework for supplemental coverage from space (SCS) service. The divisions are over whether a preexisting arrangement with a terrestrial mobile operator should be a prerequisite, per docket 23-65 comments that were due Friday. The wireless industry is pushing for SCS applications to be handled by waivers, calling a rules regime premature. Multiple commenters called for streamlining the blanket earth station licensing framework. The SCS NPRM was adopted 4-0 in March (see 2303160009).
President Joe Biden last week renewed a national emergency that authorizes certain sanctions against Yemen. Actions and policies of certain former members of the Yemeni government and others continue to “pose an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security, the White House said. The emergency was extended for one year from May 16.
Industry and consumer advocates sought additional guidance and clarity on the FCC's proposed requirements to implement the Safe Connections Act, in reply comments posted Monday in docket 22-238 (see 2304140057). Commenters also showed widespread support for sufficient time to comply with the commission's final rules and additional guidance on potential privacy concerns. The act requires availability of safe access to communications services for survivors of domestic violence.
Companies face a complicated landscape in dealing with FCC outage reporting rules, speakers said during an FCBA webinar Monday. Last year, FCC commissioners approved rules to improve the delivery of outage information to public safety answering points, but speakers said that’s just part of what the FCC is doing on outage reporting (see 2211170051). More recently, the FCC has looked at 988 outage reporting obligations, the subject of a January NPRM (see 2301040056).
The State Department appears to be considering what it will do if Anna Gomez, tapped to lead the U.S. delegation to the World Radicommunication Conference (see 2301270060), is nominated to the FCC, said industry officials closely following the WRC. The conference starts Nov. 20 in Dubai and is considered especially important because of the focus on identifying internationally harmonized spectrum for 6G.