Gabriella Novello

Broadband mapping experts raised concerns about the FCC’s methodology and processes for developing its new broadband availability maps. During a Wednesday Broadband Breakfast webinar some questioned how the data will affect how NTIA allocates broadband, equity, access and deployment program funding (see 2209060059).

Industry groups welcomed a draft FCC notice of inquiry on the status of caller ID authentication technology for non-IP networks and providers’ progress in transitioning non-IP networks to IP technology (see 2210060062). Commissioners will consider the item Thursday. NTCA wanted additional language that would seek comment on whether the adoption of new rules could further the transition to IP and the feasibility of adopting non-IP authentication standards.

Industry asked the FCC to place more emphasis on proper attestation levels when calls are authenticated, in reply comments posted Monday in docket 17-97 (see 2210040061). The FCC sought comments on caller ID authentication obligations under the Traced Act and the efficacy of Stir/Shaken for its first triennial assessment. Some companies said Stir/Shaken should be implemented on all portions of a provider's network, and sought additional oversight of carriers transmitting unsigned calls.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr backed an Office of General Counsel amicus on the National Lifeline Association's challenge of the California Public Utilities Commission's requirement that wireless providers charge no co-payment to participate in the state's Lifeline program. Carr, in a statement Friday, agreed with the brief's position that the commission "has never addressed whether states may advance universal service by requiring wireless providers to offer minimum service standard plans with a $0 copayment as a condition of receiving state subsidies through a voluntary program like California LifeLine." The brief, filed in August in case 21-15969 with the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, was written in support of neither party.

Rural broadband providers and electric cooperatives stressed the need Tuesday for more partnerships with communities and industry for broadband deployment. It’s “time to think creatively” about how to “get the job done” given recent federal broadband investments, said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield during a webinar.

The FCC's 2020 order on unbundled network elements (UNEs) rules "has had a chilling effect" on fiber to the home deployment, said Sonic Telecom in reply to comments opposing its 2021 petition for reconsideration of portions of the order Monday in docket 19-308 (see 2209160070). Sonic sought reconsideration of the order's findings that there's "no impairment and grant of forbearance for unbundled DS0 Loops and unbundled dark fiber." USTelecom continued to express opposition, but consumer advocacy groups and CLECs urged the commission to grant the petition to promote competition.

E-rate advocates sought more emphasis on cybersecurity in the program, during a Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition event Thursday. Delivering internet connections is “an ongoing challenge” for E-rate participants, said Funds for Learning CEO John Harrington, and most identified cybersecurity as a cost that should be part of the program’s eligible services list. Whether it should be listed under category 1 or category 2 “is a debate that I would love for us to be having,” he said. “We should never take for granted that there’s a program that provides support” for more than 132,000 schools and libraries, Harrington said, saying there are also some “real practical limitations” to implementing the FCC’s proposed central bidding portal for the E-rate program (see 2204280051).

The FCC should act now to ensure the Universal Service Fund remains sustainable once programs funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are fully implemented, panelists said during a Broadband Breakfast webinar Wednesday. Some disagreed about whether the FCC should expand the contribution base to include broadband internet access service (BIAS) or wait for Congressional action.

ISPs, states and local officials said they're closely monitoring the FCC’s bulk challenge process for the broadband serviceable location fabric, before the initial map’s release later this fall. Few issues have been identified so far, though some ISPs raised concerns about potential challenges by states since the new maps will be used to allocate broadband-related Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.

Industry asked the FCC to encourage all voice service providers to implement Stir/Shaken on the IP interconnection portions of their networks, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 17-97 (see 2208050055). Some companies urged the commission not to further extend the Stir/Shaken implementation beyond the June deadline for small providers.