In a move FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the commission's Democratic majority said would bring more broadband and Wi-Fi connections to schools and libraries, commissioners on a party-line 3-2 vote Thursday raised E-rate’s annual spending cap by $1.5 billion. They signaled their intent to approve another reform aimed at giving people more access to the Internet, adding broadband to Lifeline (see 1411120026). Republican commissioners, while backing the aim of E-rate, opposed raising the spending cap.
Top telecom issues set for discussion at NARUC’s annual meeting this week in San Francisco include states’ authority under Communications Act Section 706, 911 reliability, the USF contribution base and municipal broadband, NARUC members said in interviews.
Top telecom issues set for discussion at NARUC’s annual meeting this week in San Francisco include states’ authority under Communications Act Section 706, 911 reliability, the USF contribution base and municipal broadband, NARUC members said in interviews.
Going into more detail about the issues he sees facing a Title II approach than he has said publicly, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler told public interest advocates that the agency would have to grapple with its legal authority to impose net neutrality rules on wireless, given a section of the Communications Act that some say prohibits treating mobile as common carriers, said three people who attended the Nov. 10 meeting. Wheeler also raised questions about the impact reclassification would have on privacy, according to the attendees, as well as an issue commissioners Mike O'Rielly and Ajit Pai brought up Friday at a Free State Foundation panel discussion on net neutrality: Would broadband providers have to begin paying into the USF?
Going into more detail about the issues he sees facing a Title II approach than he has said publicly, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler told public interest advocates that the agency would have to grapple with its legal authority to impose net neutrality rules on wireless, given a section of the Communications Act that some say prohibits treating mobile as common carriers, said three people who attended the Nov. 10 meeting. Wheeler also raised questions about the impact reclassification would have on privacy, according to the attendees, as well as an issue commissioners Mike O'Rielly and Ajit Pai brought up Friday at a Free State Foundation panel discussion on net neutrality: Would broadband providers have to begin paying into the USF?
Dozens of education groups, including local and state boards of educations, urged the FCC to increase E-rate funding, in an Oct. 16 letter (http://bit.ly/1vNh1xX) to commissioners, posted Tuesday in docket 13-184. “A sustainable, well-funded E-rate program is critical to ensuring educational opportunity and success for every student and library patron as we look to bolster the nation’s economic competitiveness,” the letter said. The groups said the “influx of learning devices in classrooms and libraries has increased demands on networks. Yesterday’s connectivity speeds simply do not meet the needs of today’s students and library patrons. Efficient and dynamic classrooms and libraries need high-speed connectivity, and they need additional E-rate support to deliver it. E-rate must possess sufficient resources to ensure that all students and patrons can gain access in schools and libraries to the high speed broadband they need to excel in school and beyond.” The letter was silent on how funding should be increased and whether the agency should expand the USF contribution base.
Dozens of education groups, including local and state boards of educations, urged the FCC to increase E-rate funding, in an Oct. 16 letter (http://bit.ly/1vNh1xX) to commissioners, posted Tuesday in docket 13-184. “A sustainable, well-funded E-rate program is critical to ensuring educational opportunity and success for every student and library patron as we look to bolster the nation’s economic competitiveness,” the letter said. The groups said the “influx of learning devices in classrooms and libraries has increased demands on networks. Yesterday’s connectivity speeds simply do not meet the needs of today’s students and library patrons. Efficient and dynamic classrooms and libraries need high-speed connectivity, and they need additional E-rate support to deliver it. E-rate must possess sufficient resources to ensure that all students and patrons can gain access in schools and libraries to the high speed broadband they need to excel in school and beyond.” The letter was silent on how funding should be increased and whether the agency should expand the USF contribution base.
USTelecom petitioned the FCC to give ILECs a break on various legacy rules so they can concentrate on the buildout of fiber and modern communications networks. The Monday petition has a list of rules for which it seeks commission forbearance.
USTelecom petitioned the FCC to give ILECs a break on various legacy rules so they can concentrate on the buildout of fiber and modern communications networks. The Monday petition has a list of rules for which it seeks commission forbearance.
The House Commerce Committee received 50 responses to its white paper on USF policy, the committee revealed Thursday, posting all comments online (http://1.usa.gov/1lBg6gN). It had issued the white paper in August as part of the Communications Subcommittee initiative to overhaul the Communications Act, and responses were due Sept. 19. It was the fifth white paper on aspects of the overhaul issued this year. Respondents include major companies such as AT&T and Verizon as well as state groups like NARUC and NASUCA and the tech company Microsoft, which has responded to every white paper so far. Other commenters include the Nebraska Public Service Commission, the Oregon Telecom Association and the Telecommunications Association of Maine. “We urge Congress to encourage the FCC to create an inclusive environment where all eligible providers have an opportunity to compete for support with the goal of closing the gap between broadband available in urban and rural areas,” the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association told House lawmakers. Microsoft lauded the shift in focusing USF on broadband and encouraged Congress to “continue to afford the FCC with authority and flexibility to reform the mechanism for contributing to the universal service fund, as needed.” The Alaska Communications System noted that “contrary to the prevailing view in Washington,” it “has never considered the USF system as ‘broken,'” but said it’s “vital to include safeguards that ensure that available funding is used efficiently.”