FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

On May 1, Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai with 107 speed tests from his constituents noting problems with the FCC's 2020 Broadband Deployment Report which claims 98% of West Virginians have access to fixed broadband or mobile LTE coverage. On June 15, Chairman Pai wrote back saying that implementation of the Broadband DATA Act will help improve broadband deployment data, but Congress needs to appropriate $65 to the FCC to make it happen.

On June 4, eight senators wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about Ligado's spectrum license. The senators asked for answers to 13 questions about the FCC's decision to modify technical aspects of Ligado's license. On June 12, Chairman Pai answered the questions. 

On May 5, Sen John Kennedy (R-LA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about the C-band auction, urging the FCC to institute a "Buy American" request to all satellite operators. On June 15, Chairman Pai wrote that the five eligible space station operators are required to file their Transition Plans for FCC review by June 19. These plans should provide detailed information on the specific aspects of the planned transitions for each operator, including plans to manufacture, procure, and launch new satellites.

Items on the Federal Communications Commission's July 2020 agenda:

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai sent a letter to Congress seeking legislation to help consumers and small businesses stay connected over the coming months after the end of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. While the Pledge expires on June 30, Chairman Pai informed Congress that he has asked companies not to disconnect consumers and small businesses who are behind on their bills due to the coronavirus pandemic in July, but instead offer the option of extended payment plans and deferred payment arrangements.

On March 16, 2020, 16 senators wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging the FCC to use its emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic to temporarily waive relevant E-rate program rules and allow its beneficiaries to utilize universal service funding to provide home wireless service to existing school devices and hotspots for students who lack internet access at home. 

We’ve come together to celebrate World Wi-Fi Day, which is [June 20]. You could make the case that every day has been Wi-Fi Day since the pandemic took hold. I think it’s appropriate that the focus of this event is on the power of Wi-Fi to help bridge the digital divide—to connect the unconnected. What is the Federal Communications Commission doing to harness the power of Wi-Fi to bridge the digital divide?

On May 15, 2020, 32 senators wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to express their concerns with the Order announced by the FCC on April 20, 2020 granting Ligado's application to deploy a terrestrial nationwide network to provide 5G services.

I thought that I’d spend my time this morning talking about how the Federal Communications Commission has responded to COVID-19 and some of the lessons we’ve learned.  The FCC doesn’t just want to encourage private industry to better serve the public, we want to free them to expand and enhance their networks. That’s why we’ve moved aggressively to cut through red tape that often prevents or delays innovative solutions to consumers’ problems. 

On April 3, 2020, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to ensure that as the FCC begins the mapping efforts required under the Broadband DATA Act (which President Donald Trump signed on March 23, 2020), that the FCC include community anchor institutions such as health care facilities, schools, and libraries.