Press Release
Chairman Pai Response Regarding the Rural Health Care Program
On July 20, 2019, 13 senators wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging him to postpone adoption of a reform order of the Rural Health Care Program that was on the agenda for the FCC's Aug 1, 2019 meeting.
FCC Takes Steps to Enforce Quality Standards for Rural Broadband
The Federal Communications Commission approved performance testing procedures for carriers receiving Connect America Fund support to deploy fixed broadband networks to unserved Americans living in rural areas, helping to ensure that rural Americans have access to the same high-quality networks as Americans in urban areas. The action also ensures that carriers remain accountable to consumers, taxpayers, and the FCC, and are delivering the network performance they have committed to provide.
FCC Requires 911 Fee Parity for VoIP & Traditional Phone Service
The Federal Communications Commission clarified that state, local, and Tribal governments cannot charge the same class of subscribers total 911 fees that are higher for VoIP services than for traditional telecommunications services with the same 911 calling capability.
800 MHz Rebanding Initiative Supports Interference-Free Public Safety Communications
The Federal Communications Commission streamlined rules and procedures to reduce administrative costs and accelerate the successful conclusion of its 800 MHz band reconfiguration program, which was designed to enable public safety, critical infrastructure, and other licensees in the band to operate free of the interference that previously plagued first responder communications.
FCC Grants Charter Communications' Effective Competition Petition
The Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order granting Charter Communication’s Petition for Determination of Effective Competition, based on a finding that Charter is subject to effective competition from the AT&T TV NOW video streaming service in certain franchise areas in Hawaii and Massachusetts where Charter is currently subject to rate regulation.
Sen Schatz Leads Hawai‘i, Alaska Senators In Urging FCC To Stop Plan That Threatens Funding For Programs That Help Millions Of Americans Access Phone And Internet Services
Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) called on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to end his efforts that would threaten funding for programs that help millions of Americans in rural communities access telephone and internet services. Chairman Pai released a proposal to arbitrarily cap funding for Universal Service Fund (USF) programs.
ALA denounces Amazon, Macmillan in response to Congressional inquiry on competition in digital markets
Current practices by content publishers and distributors in digital markets limit libraries’ ability to deliver core services, according to a new report from the American Library Association (ALA).
USDA Invests $9.75 Million in Rural Broadband for South Carolina Families
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $9,750,000 in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 3,911 rural households in South Carolina. Orangeburg County (SC) will use ReConnect Program grant funding to deploy a fiber to the home (FTTH) broadband network capable of simultaneous transmission rates of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater. The funded service areas include 3,911 households, 21 farms, 17 rural businesses, 13 educational facilities, nine critical community facilities, and a health care center.
Democratic House Commerce Committee Leaders Seek Answers from FCC on Its Order Ignoring Court's Media Ownership Decision
House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr.
