FCC Releases Agenda for Open Commission Meeting Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 1:00 p.m. in Room TW-C305, at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. The Commission is waiving the sunshine period prohibition contained in Section 1.1203 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1203, until 5:00 pm on Thursday December 6, 2012. Thus, presentations with respect to the items listed below will be permitted until that time.

The FCC will consider:

1. a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to broaden its initiatives in unleashing broadband spectrum, promoting technological innovation, and encouraging investment via the creation of a shared access broadband service in the 3550-3650 MHz band for small cell use.
2. an item on developing the capability for Americans to contact 911 emergency services via text messaging, and providing automatic consumer notification where text to 911 is not supported.
3. a Report and Order on reforming the FCC’s universal service support programs for healthcare that would expand healthcare providers’ access to broadband, especially in rural areas, while increasing overall efficiency and accountability in the programs.
4. a Report and Order and Order of Proposed Modification to increase the Nation’s supply of spectrum for mobile broadband by adopting service rules for 40 megahertz of spectrum in the 2 GHz band (2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz).
5. a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would implement the Congressional directive in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to grant new initial licenses for the 1915-1920 MHz and the 1995-2000 MHz bands through a system of competitive bidding.