Domestic Violence Survivors Connectivity, Tribal E-rate on Feb. FCC Agenda

The FCC will consider an item to help domestic violence survivors get access to "safe and affordable connectivity" during the commissioners' Feb. 16 open meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote in a Wednesday note (see 2208190056). Rosenworcel will meet with My Sister's Place, a shelter in Washington, D.C., next week to "help to ensure these ongoing efforts are informed by the experiences of domestic violence survivors and the organizations that serve them," she said. Rosenworcel said commissioners will consider proposed rules under the Safe Connections Act, including rules to "help survivors separate service lines from accounts that include their abusers, protect the privacy of calls made by survivors to domestic abuse hotlines, and support survivors who suffer from financial hardship access our Lifeline and affordable connectivity programs" (see 2212070055). Also on the agenda is an item seeking comment on ways to improve a pilot program aimed at increasing tribal library enrollment in the E-rate program (see 2210200046). "Libraries are a vital source of internet access across Indian country," Rosenworcel said. Commissioners will also consider an adjudicatory matter from the Media Bureau.