Direct-to-Handset, Robotext, Inmate Calling Items on March FCC Agenda

Noting the rocketing interest in satellite direct-to-handset mobile service tied to terrestrial mobile networks, the FCC will vote at its March meeting on a framework for collaboration between terrestrial and satellite service providers, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote Wednesday, announcing the March meeting agenda. That meeting also will have votes on rules requiring mobile wireless carriers to block robotext messages considered “highly likely to be illegal," and an inmate calling NPRM and order, she said. The agency will also seek comment on expanding audio description requirements “to all remaining broadcast markets” and on “whether the costs of further expansion would be reasonable,” wrote Rosenworcel.

The proposed direct-to-handset framework would help “support the expansion and evolution” of interoperable satellite and terrestrial mobile services, Rosenworcel said. Several such services are in the works or contemplated, including a Globalstar partnership with Apple for iPhone service, T-Mobile partnering with SpaceX, Iridium partnering with Qualcomm and satellite-enabled mobile service startups Lynk and AST SpaceMobile, and Viasat has expressed interest in such a service (see 2211150058).

Proposed rules would require blocking text messages that purport to be from numbers on a do-not-originate list, the FCC said. Carriers would also be required to block texts from upstream providers known to be transmitting illegal robotexts, once notified by the agency. An accompanying Further NPRM would seek comment on text authentication rules “and other proposals to continue to fight illegal scam robotexts,” the agency said.

“Missing packages that don’t exist; confirmation of payments that didn’t happen; links to shady websites; and truncated ‘wrong number’ messages from strangers,” Rosenworcel said: “These scam robotexts are a part of everyday life for too many of us. … I’m asking my colleagues to join me in adopting the first FCC rules to focus on shutting down scam texts.”

Rosenworcel said the FCC will also strengthen Stir/Shaken rules. “Notably, the proposed rules would require intermediate phone providers to authenticate certain calls, in addition to expanding robocall mitigation requirements for all providers and adopting more robust enforcement tools,” she said.

The inmate calling item would close a "long-standing loophole" on inmate calling services and "[make] it easier for families to stay connected," Rosenworcel said. The NPRM would seek comment on expanding the FCC's authority over advanced communications and intrastate services, the FCC said. The order would "reaffirm the commission’s prior delegation of data collection authority" to the Wireline Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics. "I hope my colleagues will support me in taking the next steps to lowering the cost of prison phone bills so that incarcerated people can affordably stay connected with families and loved ones," Rosenworcel said Wednesday in a news release (see 2301060030).

Audio description requirements already apply to the top 100 markets, out of 210. Expanding the markets required to implement the service was unanimously approved in 2020 under then-Chairman Ajit Pai, and the requirement has been extended to 10 markets a year since then. That 2020 order required the FCC to consider a further expansion in 2024. The FCC had a forum on improving audio description in March (see 2203280072). During the previous audio description proceeding, NAB raised concerns about requiring the service for web clips and about the cost of implementation.

Rounding out the agenda is an update on equipment testing standards. The FCC will consider “targeted updates to our rules to incorporate four new and updated standards that are integral to equipment testing to harmonize our rules with significant developments in the standards-setting community,” Rosenworcel said. The agenda also will include two Enforcement Bureau items, she said.