Rosenworcel Sets 'Robust' Agenda for Jan. FCC Meeting

The FCC has a "robust agenda" for the agency's January meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel blogged Wednesday. This year is "going to be a busy and productive year at the FCC," she wrote. On tap is a proposal to establish "simple-to-understand broadband labels," an order addressing E-rate for tribal libraries, and updates on political programming, white space spectrum and equipment authorization rules.

Commissioners will consider proposals to require that ISPs disclose information about pricing, introductory rates, data allowances and broadband speeds through "white space spectrum, and equipment authorization rules," Rosenworcel wrote. The FCC created a similar broadband label in 2016 (see 1604040046). The new move was required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The goal is to "make sure consumers know what they’re paying for" and "increase incentives for carriers to compete on price and service," she said. Also on the agenda is an order on tribal libraries' eligibility for the E-rate program. Commissioners approved an NPRM in October amending the definition of eligible libraries to ensure tribal libraries access to the program (see 2109300069).

Rosenworcel said the FCC will tackle rules for TV white spaces devices, but the blog didn’t provide additional details. Last year, the FCC sought comment on the use of terrain-based models, such as the Longley-Rice irregular terrain model, to determine available TV channels for white space devices, which got opposition from broadcasters and others (see 2104270037).

“The Commission will vote to simplify our rules and provide additional regulatory certainty to white space device users, manufacturers, and database administrators,” Rosenworcel said: “This will enable unlicensed white space devices to operate more efficiently and effectively, while protecting wireless microphone users and others from harmful interference.”

The FCC will also take up a proposal to modernize its equipment authorization rules. The FCC last revised its rules in June (see 2106170051). “The FCC does its best to harmonize our equipment authorization rules with international and industry-developed standards,” Rosenworcel said: “To keep pace with rapidly evolving technology developments, we will consider targeted updates to our rules to incorporate newly adopted standards for the testing of equipment and the accreditation of laboratories that test wireless devices.”

The FCC will also vote on political advertising record-keeping rules that were teed up by an August NPRM (see 2108040058), Rosenworcel said. That NPRM sought comment on allowing social media and campaign websites to be considered among criteria for whether write-in candidates receive some broadcast ad benefits, and on minor updates to record-keeping rules for issue ads. The August item was unanimously approved before that meeting, and the NPRM drew just three comment filings. “Broadcasters are entitled to deference when determining whether a write-in candidate has satisfied the requirement, so long as they have acted reasonably and in good faith,” NAB said in docket 21-293. The proposed changes aren’t considered likely to lead to practical changes in how stations handle political ads. The commissioners will also consider a Media Bureau adjudicatory item at the January meeting, Rosenworcel’s post said.

A national security item and an enforcement item round out the agenda.