Industry groups clashed with consumer advocates and wireless providers whether E-rate should be used for self-provisioning services to students, in replies posted Wednesday in docket 21-31 on a Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition's petition to temporarily support remote learning (see 2101260055). That would raise "practical, financial, and legal issues that are too complex," and funding should be used to support existing services, said Verizon. USTelecom, NTCA and NCTA agreed. ACA Connects said its members "readily install wireline service within days of getting an order," and it "exceeds the performance of mobile wireless service." A coalition of advocacy groups, including New America, Public Knowledge, Consumers Reports, Common Sense, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and Access Humboldt, disagreed: Verizon's argument is "self-serving" and "willfully ignores the Herculean efforts many school districts have already undertaken" to connect students during the pandemic. Schools should be given the flexibility to "use hybrid approaches tailored to local circumstances," like fixed wireless services that "authenticate students directly to the school's network," the groups said. Approve the use of fixed wireless services because they can be deployed "very quickly," the Wireless ISP Association urged. Incompas agreed: Allow "hotspots, mobile wireless towers, or equipment that can reasonably be expected to support remote learning." UScellular and the National School Boards Association echoed that. "Setting aside support for any technology should be rejected in favor of permitting people to choose services that best suit their educational needs," said UScellular. Allow E-rate funds to be used for remote learning beyond the pandemic because "not all students will be able to reenter the classroom when doors reopen on day one," said Zoom.
Let E-rate funds be used for remote learning, providers, industry and advocacy groups told the FCC in comments posted Wednesday in docket 21-31 on a petition led by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (see 2101260055). Granting this petition would “further the public interest by meeting pressing educational needs, and do so without jeopardizing public health, ” said Amazon, echoed by Microsoft and Apple. The homework gap has “grown into a remote learning gulf,” said Microsoft. Wireless internet access should also play a "critical role" in connecting students, as weekly wireless data use increased nearly 30% since July, said the Competitive Carriers Association, which CTIA echoed. The temporary request should be “administratively and financially separate from the traditional E-rate program,” because it would “likely substantially increase the amount of funding,” said AT&T. Consider a “supplemental application window” to support off-campus E-rate support, Verizon suggested. Speed is essential, and rules should be simplified for schools interested in applying E-rate funds for off-campus use, said USTelecom, which NCTA echoed. Allow flexibility in how E-rate funds are used to meet the needs of schools and students, said New America, Public Knowledge, Consumer Reports, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and Access Humboldt. "Declare that so long as remote learning connections and services are used primarily for educational purposes, cost allocation is unnecessary during the pandemic emergency and through the end of the 2021 E-Rate fiscal year." Existing mechanisms "afford the commission the ability to address this extraordinary need created by the pandemic," said ACA Connects.
More stakeholders want acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to begin moving forward on USF funding revisions (see 2102010059). The current mechanism is unsustainable, experts said in recent interviews. Many disagree on changes.
More stakeholders want acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to begin moving forward on USF funding revisions (see 2102010059). The current mechanism is unsustainable, experts said in recent interviews. Many disagree on changes.
Let E-rate funds be used for remote learning, providers, industry and advocacy groups told the FCC in comments posted Wednesday in docket 21-31 on a petition led by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (see 2101260055). Granting this petition would “further the public interest by meeting pressing educational needs, and do so without jeopardizing public health, ” said Amazon, echoed by Microsoft and Apple. The homework gap has “grown into a remote learning gulf,” said Microsoft. Wireless internet access should also play a "critical role" in connecting students, as weekly wireless data use increased nearly 30% since July, said the Competitive Carriers Association, which CTIA echoed. The temporary request should be “administratively and financially separate from the traditional E-rate program,” because it would “likely substantially increase the amount of funding,” said AT&T. Consider a “supplemental application window” to support off-campus E-rate support, Verizon suggested. Speed is essential, and rules should be simplified for schools interested in applying E-rate funds for off-campus use, said USTelecom, which NCTA echoed. Allow flexibility in how E-rate funds are used to meet the needs of schools and students, said New America, Public Knowledge, Consumer Reports, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and Access Humboldt. "Declare that so long as remote learning connections and services are used primarily for educational purposes, cost allocation is unnecessary during the pandemic emergency and through the end of the 2021 E-Rate fiscal year." Existing mechanisms "afford the commission the ability to address this extraordinary need created by the pandemic," said ACA Connects.
Stakeholders are seeking simple enrollment in the FCC's $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program, they said in replies due Tuesday in docket 20-445. Adopt a broad definition of “household," Public Knowledge asked. The National Council of Urban Indian Health raised concerns about eligibility requirements, asking the commission to let tribal citizens not residing on tribal lands participate “to the same extent that American Indians and Alaska Natives residing on tribal lands are able.” Encourage broadest adoption so the hardest-hit communities can participate, said the LGBT Technology Partnership & Institute. That includes allowing noneligible telecom carriers to take part, it and others said. The group sided with AT&T in asking the commission to provide a 90-day notice that the funds are projected to be exhausted. Starry said non-ETCs should be automatically approved if they can “objectively show that they currently offer a discounted service to low-income consumers or individuals adversely affected” by the COVID-19 pandemic. ETCs should get the opportunity to participate “even outside their designated ETC service area,” said CTIA. Others disagreed. The California Public Utility Commission said non-ETCs should “submit election notices and compliance plans that will be reviewed and approved." Others asked that the program include support for equipment like Wi-Fi routers and hot spots. The Competitive Carriers Association asked to include smartphones as a “connected device” and focus on “whether a device meets minimum requirements to support the kinds of functions needed for online learning and other similar applications.” Tracfone, which is being bought by Verizon, said the definition of “tablet” should include “4G/LTE-capable devices with a touchscreen that support video conferencing.” The Illinois Office of Broadband supported leveraging resources of state authorities to promote awareness and suggested providing financial support. The FCC should confirm that it, not states and localities, has enforcement authority because that would otherwise “disincentivize provider participation,” said Altice.
Stakeholders are seeking simple enrollment in the FCC's $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program, they said in replies due Tuesday in docket 20-445. Adopt a broad definition of “household," Public Knowledge asked. The National Council of Urban Indian Health raised concerns about eligibility requirements, asking the commission to let tribal citizens not residing on tribal lands participate “to the same extent that American Indians and Alaska Natives residing on tribal lands are able.” Encourage broadest adoption so the hardest-hit communities can participate, said the LGBT Technology Partnership & Institute. That includes allowing noneligible telecom carriers to take part, it and others said. The group sided with AT&T in asking the commission to provide a 90-day notice that the funds are projected to be exhausted. Starry said non-ETCs should be automatically approved if they can “objectively show that they currently offer a discounted service to low-income consumers or individuals adversely affected” by the COVID-19 pandemic. ETCs should get the opportunity to participate “even outside their designated ETC service area,” said CTIA. Others disagreed. The California Public Utility Commission said non-ETCs should “submit election notices and compliance plans that will be reviewed and approved." Others asked that the program include support for equipment like Wi-Fi routers and hot spots. The Competitive Carriers Association asked to include smartphones as a “connected device” and focus on “whether a device meets minimum requirements to support the kinds of functions needed for online learning and other similar applications.” Tracfone, which is being bought by Verizon, said the definition of “tablet” should include “4G/LTE-capable devices with a touchscreen that support video conferencing.” The Illinois Office of Broadband supported leveraging resources of state authorities to promote awareness and suggested providing financial support. The FCC should confirm that it, not states and localities, has enforcement authority because that would otherwise “disincentivize provider participation,” said Altice.
Stakeholders are seeking simple enrollment in the FCC's $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program, they said in replies due Tuesday in docket 20-445. Adopt a broad definition of “household," Public Knowledge asked. The National Council of Urban Indian Health raised concerns about eligibility requirements, asking the commission to let tribal citizens not residing on tribal lands participate “to the same extent that American Indians and Alaska Natives residing on tribal lands are able.” Encourage broadest adoption so the hardest-hit communities can participate, said the LGBT Technology Partnership & Institute. That includes allowing noneligible telecom carriers to take part, it and others said. The group sided with AT&T in asking the commission to provide a 90-day notice that the funds are projected to be exhausted. Starry said non-ETCs should be automatically approved if they can “objectively show that they currently offer a discounted service to low-income consumers or individuals adversely affected” by the COVID-19 pandemic. ETCs should get the opportunity to participate “even outside their designated ETC service area,” said CTIA. Others disagreed. The California Public Utility Commission said non-ETCs should “submit election notices and compliance plans that will be reviewed and approved." Others asked that the program include support for equipment like Wi-Fi routers and hot spots. The Competitive Carriers Association asked to include smartphones as a “connected device” and focus on “whether a device meets minimum requirements to support the kinds of functions needed for online learning and other similar applications.” Tracfone, which is being bought by Verizon, said the definition of “tablet” should include “4G/LTE-capable devices with a touchscreen that support video conferencing.” The Illinois Office of Broadband supported leveraging resources of state authorities to promote awareness and suggested providing financial support. The FCC should confirm that it, not states and localities, has enforcement authority because that would otherwise “disincentivize provider participation,” said Altice.
An NPRM on curbing 911 fee diversion (see 2101270060) is likely to receive unanimous support during Wednesday's meeting, FCC officials told us. Congress in December passed the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act, which required the commission to issue rules defining what constitutes a 911 fee or diversion.
Act quickly to set up the $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program, panelists told FCC commissioners during a roundtable Friday (see 2101070052). Several said it’s also important to prioritize transparency so providers and consumers are kept in the loop as the funds wind down.