FCC Open Meeting (November)

On Nov 30, Federal Communications Commission staff made a presentation on the status of implementation of the "21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010" (P.L. 111-260). The presentation included a detailed schedule of when Reports & Orders (i.e., new rules/regulations) will be issued.

In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Federal Communications Commission suggested making more efficient use of the nation's airwaves and set the stage for voluntary broadcast spectrum auctions that could provide consumers with the robust mobile broadband services they demand while preserving over-the-air TV that many rely upon. The resulting efficient use of airwaves will help ensure that America leads the global wireless revolution and enjoys the resulting jobs and economic growth.

Hill and industry reaction followed quickly on the heels of the Federal Communications Commission's unanimous vote to pave the way for reclaiming and repurposing broadcast spectrum for broadband use.

With all the talk of the Federal Communications Commission's December open meeting, don't lose sight of the Nov 30 meeting. On Nov 23, the FCC confirmed the agenda for the meeting.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that the following items will be on the tentative agenda for the next open meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 30, 2010...

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said he plans to encourage broadcasters to give up unused spectrum for auction to wireless carriers, an initial step toward achieving an agency goal of making networks faster for mobile phones and tablet computers.