July 2019

Pai Proposal Resolves USTelecom Forbearance Petition

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has circulated a proposal to grant USTelecom what is described as two narrow portions of its request for forbearance from applying some copper-era Telecommunications Act voice service support regulations to an increasingly fiber world. But it does not retire broadband-related obligations after USTelecom withdrew that ask July 1.

Benton Urges FCC to Reject Proposal that Would Harm Competition and Consumers

On July 1, 2019, the Benton Foundation urged the Federal Communications Commission to dismiss a proposal that would require E-Rate program participants to pay more than is required by mandating less competition than is available. The FCC's E-Rate program makes broadband and telecommunications services more affordable for schools and libraries around the country.

New America Urges FCC to Reject Petition That Would Harm Schools and Libraries

New America’s Open Technology Institute called on the Federal Communications Commission to reject a petition that would harm the E-Rate program, which helps schools and libraries access broadband service. Access Humboldt; National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income clients; Next Century Cities; Public Knowledge; and United Church of Christ, OC Inc. signed onto the comments as well.

Apparently, T-Mobile and Dish have reached a divestiture deal, pending DOJ concerns

Apparently, Dish Network and T-Mobile have agreed to a divestiture deal that brings the wireless carrier a step closer to gaining government approval of its merger with Sprint. However, there are still issues the Department of Justice is actively focused on before it would allow a deal.