Proposed FCC supplemental coverage from space (SCS) rules include a requirement that terrestrial providers must route SCS 911 calls to a public safety answering point using location-based routing or an emergency call center, the agency said Wednesday. Commissioners are expected to vote on the rules during their open meeting on March 14. Announcing the agenda for next month's meeting, the FCC also said there would be draft rules for "all-in" video pricing and a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless IoT devices. In addition, the meeting will see commissioners voting on an NPRM about creating an emergency alert system code for missing and endangered people (see 2402210066).
The use of quantum computing is emerging as a threat to public key infrastructure technology and other methods of encryption used to protect data on the internet, speakers said Tuesday during a Mobile World Live webinar. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has a long-standing project, launched in 2016, to develop post-quantum encryption standards.
Expect a lengthy fight among satellite operators over equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits at the FCC and during preparations for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27), satellite experts and insiders tell us. Some see the issue emerging at ITU Working Party 4A meetings in May -- 4A is concerned with satellite spectrum efficiency and interference. Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) advocates of an EPFD change face a challenging road getting EPFD rules changes made at WRC-27, though changes are possible, we're told.
Manufacturers of phones, tablets and gaming consoles should have responsibility under law for establishing default content filters that block minors from accessing pornography and obscene content, Del. Shaneka Henson (D) said Tuesday, arguing in favor of her legislation during a House Economic Matters Committee hearing.
Mitigating practices that could speed the country toward phone number exhaustion is a priority item for state officials ahead of NARUC’s Feb. 25-28 meeting in Washington, commission officials told us. The state utility regulator association is planning a vote during the meeting on a proposed resolution from Telecom Committee Chair Tim Schram. It urges the FCC “to provide updated guidance on how states should bring forward cases of telephone number resource mismanagement or suspected robocalling using rented telephone numbers to the Commission using the audit process” from Section 52.15(k) of the Telecom Act.
Petitioners Maurine and Matthew Molak want the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to “disregard the statutory requirement” under Communications Act Section 405(a) that persons who weren’t parties before the FCC file a petition for reconsideration as a “condition precedent” to seeking judicial review, said the FCC and DOJ reply Friday (docket 23-60641) in support of their motion to dismiss the Molaks’ petition (see 2402070002).
Industry groups welcomed the FCC's inquiry on improving its broadband data collection (BDC) process. The agency sought feedback as part of a report to Congress about data collection and whether tools are needed to improve the data's accuracy (see 2401190071). Comments were posted Tuesday in docket 19-195.
Media misinformation and disinformation are major concerns, but the FCC shouldn't regulate newsrooms, Commissioner Anna Gomez Tuesday told a Media Institute luncheon. “Our democracy needs a press free from interference from regulators like myself,” said Gomez.
ISPs and industry groups generally supported the FCC's proposal that builds on its Alaska Plan high-cost USF program by transforming it into an Alaska Connect Fund. Reply comments were posted Friday in docket 23-328 (see 2310190056). Some urged that the commission reconsider its eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation requirement for support recipients and sought a technology-neutral approach.