Industry disagreed whether the FCC should consider an Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) Broadband Coalition proposal to extend the program through increased deployment obligations in exchange for additional funding (see 2205190023). Some sought to expand eligibility to carriers receiving other high-cost USF support, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 10-90. Others said the FCC should defer new high-cost support until programs funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are completed.
Country of origin cases
The biggest change in the item on the new enhanced competition incentive program, approved by commissioners 4-0 Thursday, was a series of questions on private networks in a Further NPRM that go beyond language in the draft, based on a side-by-side comparison. The FCC posted the ECIP order Monday. The questions were added at the urging of Commissioner Geoffrey Starks (see 2207140055). “Many emerging private wireless use cases have the potential to unlock efficiencies in areas that are not only less populated but also associated with more moderate levels of enterprise demand,” the final FNPRM says: “For example, small farms can still benefit from smart agriculture, just as small businesses in any number of rural industries can leverage wireless technologies to enhance their operations -- and increasingly may need to do so to stay competitive as larger firms do the same. Similarly, smart infrastructure, which can be deployed outside of population centers, may not always be operated by a single customer (e.g., a large utility) that can generate a large amount of concentrated demand.” The FCC asks “to what extent can secondary market transactions fulfill demand for these applications, and to what extent will these applications rely on buildout by the original licensee?” Given “the centrality of these and similar use cases to the public interest benefits of 5G and other advanced wireless technologies, how can we ensure that our construction requirements, both population-based and alternative, encourage spectrum deployment in all areas with private wireless demand?” it asks: “Should we modify our population-based requirements to ensure that spectrum is available and put to use in these locations? If so, how?” Only Starks and Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel filed written statements.
The House passed the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (HR-7900) Thursday with a package of telecom and tech-focused amendments (see 2207140070) on a bipartisan 329-101 vote. Approved amendments to the measure included ones to require more DOD transparency on its implementation of its 2020 spectrum sharing strategy and modifications to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s remit. The House also voted 405-20 to pass the Promoting U.S. International Leadership in 5G Act (HR-1934), which would direct the secretary of state to assist in enhancing U.S. leadership at international standards-setting bodies that handle 5G and other telecom issues (see 2206210048). Lawmakers originally debated the measure on the floor in June (see 2206210048).
The FCC’s final estimate of additional funding it will need to fully satisfy demand for money from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program is $3.08 billion, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Friday in letters to leaders of the House and Senate Commerce committees and other top lawmakers. That’s $320 million less than the shortfall the FCC estimated last month before full completion of its review of amended applications to the program, which are to repay U.S. carriers for removing from their networks equipment made by companies deemed a national security risk (see 2206160073). Congress originally appropriated $1.9 billion for the rip and replace program in the FY 2021 appropriations and COVID-19 aid omnibus law (see 2203140061).
An FCC order targeting gateway providers and foreign-originated illegal robocalls takes effect Sept. 16, said a notice for Monday's Federal Register. Comments on a Further NPRM proposing additional call authentication requirements are due by Aug. 17, replies Sept. 16. Commissioners approved the items in May (see 2205190023).
FCC commissioners approved 4-0 a new enhanced competition incentive program, with only minor changes, as expected. Some industry observers questioned how much good ECIP will do, but commissioners expressed hope the program will help promote wireless deployment (see 2207110036). The monthly meeting Thursday was the first to be opened to the public since February 2020.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is telling senators to expect a floor vote as early as Tuesday to start moving a smaller chips package that would include, at a minimum, emergency chips funding and an investment tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing (see 2207130053), a source familiar with discussions told us Thursday.
Industry groups and carriers welcomed a draft FCC Further NPRM that would propose ways to clarify commission rules on access stimulation. Some sought minor edits to the draft (see 2206230069). The item would seek comments on revisions to a 2019 order on access arbitrage to clarify "perceived ambiguities ... that some providers are exploiting," according to the draft. It would target carriers that may be evading the rules by including IP enabled services (IPES) into the call flow.
Public safety groups urged the FCC to push for more use of location-based routing (LBR) to 911 call centers, in response to a June public notice, approved by commissioners 4-0 (see 2206080040). T-Mobile said how industry addresses the issue should be voluntary without the imposition of new FCC rules. AT&T and T-Mobile said implementation has to be done carefully and takes time.
FCC authorization of geotargeted radio would create a “wild west” in New Jersey and disproportionately favor out-of-state Class B radio stations, said the New Jersey Broadcasters Association in an ex parte letter posted Thursday in docket 20-401. The tech would be “a threat to the vast majority of New Jersey’s lower powered, fully licensed stations,” the NJBA said, “Adding this splintering of new competitors will only further disrupt our industry and derail any hopes of recovery to 2019 levels, while repressing true localism. ... The NJBA is resolutely opposed to any proposal that advocates boosters being able to originate programming.”