Network virtualization and open radio access networks (ORANs) could be the key to ensuring that 5G networks are secure, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said in a keynote at the Mobile World Congress. Speakers Wednesday said 5G offers great promise and some challenges.
A notice of inquiry for the FCC's annual broadband deployment report was adopted 3-2 Oct. 4 and posted Wednesday afternoon. Comments are due Nov. 22, replies Dec. 9, in docket 19-285. The NOI circulated in July (see 1908090012) and concerns were raised about incorrect data. Now, Democratic commissioners' concerns focused on lack of better data collection methods. The FCC proposed to maintain 25/3 Mbps as the metric for fixed broadband and will take comment on whether another approach is justified.
Commissioners are expected to approve, with no dissents and few questions, an order and Further NPRM Friday on the 800 MHz rebanding, FCC and industry officials said. The order is loosely tied to T-Mobile’s proposed buy of Sprint (see 1910020030) but didn’t generate controversy. No parties reported meetings at the FCC on the item in docket 02-55.
States protested the FCC denying waivers of Wednesday’s deadline to hard-launch the Lifeline national verifier in Connecticut, Georgia, Nebraska, New York and Vermont. State and other officials told us low-income people could lose inexpensive telecom service. Tuesday’s Wireline Bureau order responded that states have themselves to blame (see 1910220060). “It was harsh,” said Vermont Department of Public Service Telecommunications and Connectivity Division Director Clay Purvis.
Some media-focused officials testified in favor of a shorter-term Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization during a Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee hearing. The possibility has come into increasing focus as the law's Dec. 31 expiration nears (see 1910220058). Witnesses otherwise adhered to their existing STELA stances. Several Senate Commerce members later told us they're no closer to deciding what direction to go on the issue.
NPR, NAB and the Educational Media Foundation (EMF) have concerns about FCC proposals to update technical rules on low-power FM stations, posted through Tuesday in docket 19-193 for Monday’s NPRM comment deadline (see 1907310044). Representatives for LPFM entities such as REC Networks and Prometheus Radio Project said proposals don’t go far enough to relax interference restrictions for LPFM. “20 years is enough time to take the training wheels off and move LPFM forward into the next 20 years,” said REC Networks. “The net effect of enacting these proposals would be more congestion in the already crowded FM band,” NAB said.
ISPs and state telecom authorities asked the FCC to delay the first-round auction for its $20 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund until it gets better broadband mapping data. In replies posted through Tuesday in docket 19-126, the California Public Utilities Commission, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) and Navajo Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, among others, supported delay.
Offices of state attorneys general leading an antitrust investigation of Google plan to meet in Colorado to determine next steps, a state official told us Tuesday. The gathering could take place Nov. 11, though the date is in flux. Of the 51 AG offices we contacted, Arizona was the only to comment. “As a lead state in the Google antitrust investigation, Arizona is actively involved in all stages of the strategy and execution of the investigation,” a spokesperson emailed. “We will be there.”
The FCC sees 6 GHz as critical to the future of Wi-Fi and unlicensed, said Chairman Ajit Pai at the Mobile World Congress in Los Angeles Tuesday. The band will provide “huge 160 MHz channels that could be used for unlicensed innovation, the likes of which we only conceive now,” said Pai, interviewed by CTIA President Meredith Baker. The FCC is looking for “an accommodation” for public safety, business and other users of the band, he said.
Trade groups representing Connect America Fund ISP auction participants urged in interviews and filings with the FCC to fine-tune a draft order on reconsideration that would update broadband performance measurements for the rural, high-cost USF program. Commissioners vote on the order, in docket 10-90, Friday (see 1910040053). Interested parties met with officials, sometimes repeatedly, in recent weeks.