Parties Seek Comment Extension on Fixed Broadband Competition, Section 706 ATC Deployment

Groups asked the FCC to extend comment deadlines to Sept. 27 in two proceedings, on fixed broadband competition and advanced telecom capability (ATC) deployment under Telecom Act Section 706, currently due Friday and Sept. 10, respectively (see 1807300019 and 1808100040). Granting an extension, including of the ATC Sept. 24 reply deadline to Oct. 27, "is warranted in light of the importance and complexity of the proceeding(s), the brief time allotted by the Commission in the initial notices, and conflict with the major Jewish Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot," said the motion posted Thursday in dockets 18-231 and 18-238 of Public Knowledge, Incompas, Common Cause, The Greenlining Institute, Communications Workers of America, Benton Foundation, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Texaltel, Federation of ISPs of America and Northwest Telecommunications Association. The agency plans to issue its next 706 report as part of a communications market report required in Q4 under the Ray Baum Act. The FCC declined comment