Citing a GAO report identifying fraud risks in E-rate's competitive bidding process, FCC commissioners during a meeting Tuesday unanimously approved an NPRM to establish a central online bidding portal and seek comment on requiring additional documentation from applicants (see 2111300047). The NPRM had a tweak that Commissioner Brendan Carr sought. Members also adopted 4-0 an NPRM on revising the commission’s non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed satellite service (FSS) spectrum sharing rules and proposals to improve emergency alert system accessibility.
Gabriella Novello
Gabriella Novello, Assistant Editor, is a journalist for Communications Daily covering telecommunications and the Federal Communications Commission. She joined the Warren Communications News staff in 2020, after covering election integrity and the 2020 presidential election at WhoWhatWhy. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in health promotion at American University. You can follow Novello on Instagram and Twitter: @NOVELLOGAB.
An FCC Further NPRM on gateway providers and curbing illegal robocalls got a mixed reaction in comments posted through Monday in docket 17-59. Several questioned whether the proposed rules are duplicative. Most backed ending the foreign provider prohibition, which the commission paused enforcement on during the proceeding.
A draft FCC NPRM on establishing a centralized online portal for E-rate's competitive bidding process and setting additional documentation requirements for applicants is likely to be approved during the agency’s meeting Tuesday, officials told us. That’s despite recent criticism from some E-rate advocates and questions about potential implementation challenges for the proposed portal (see 2111300047).
Providers, local governments and advocates welcomed FCC-proposed rules for the $14.2 billion affordable connectivity program, in comments posted Thursday in docket 21-450. Some raised concerns about potential implementation challenges as the agency shifts from the $3.1 billion emergency broadband benefit program and urged the commission to allow flexibility for EBB providers and enrolled households during the transition.
Sorenson Communications and its CaptionCall agreed to reimburse the Telecom Relay Service Fund $28 million and pay a $12.5 million fine for violating TRS rules on incentives and reimbursement filings, in a consent decree with the FCC Enforcement Bureau. It’s the “largest recovery of monies for the TRS Fund and the largest fine for violations of the TRS rules,” the bureau said Friday.
An FCC Further NPRM on curbing illegal robocalls to public safety answering points and improving the PSAP Do-Not-Call registry got mixed reaction from public safety organizations and industry in comments posted Thursday in docket 12-129 (see 2110010065). Commissioners approved the item in September. Comments were due Wednesday.
E-rate consultants and advocates are skeptical about a draft FCC NPRM that would establish a central online portal for E-rate's competitive bidding process and seek comment on requiring applicants to submit additional documentation (see 2111230068). Stakeholders told us the draft poses several administrative challenges that may need to be addressed in additional rulemakings. Others questioned whether the move is necessary.
The FCC is likely to face minimal implementation obstacles as it transitions from the $3.1 billion emergency broadband benefit program to the $14.2 billion affordable connectivity program, advocacy and industry groups told us (see 2111180067). A central concern is ensuring EBB-enrolled households can switch to the new program with minimal hiccups once eligibility and subsidy amount changes take effect. That could be mitigated with education and outreach efforts, stakeholders said.
Broadband and housing advocates want more FCC scrutiny over multi-tenant environments and the deals MTE building owners make with providers, said replies posted Monday in docket 17-142 (see 2110210053). Some said exclusivity agreements could hamper enrollment efforts in the upcoming $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). MTE trade groups rejected additional regulation.
A Securus petition for a waiver of FCC rules on per minute rates, allowing inmate calling services to provide subscription plans, is raising eyebrows among other ICS providers and advocates (see 2111120056). Some said more information is needed before a decision is made and the issue at hand could be included in its larger rulemaking to cut interstate rate caps (see 2105200044). Comments are due Jan. 7 in docket 12-375.