Press Release

The Federal Communications Commission proposed revisions to its wireless hearing aid compatibility (HAC) reporting rules to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, particularly for non-nationwide service providers. All handset manufacturers and wireless service providers are currently required to file annual status reports with the FCC on their HAC deployment and compliance efforts. The FCC is proposing rule changes to provide relief from these reporting obligations to small, rural, and regional service providers while maintaining other safeguards to ensure that all consumers enjoy the benefits of having available hearing aid compatible handsets. Specifically, the item seeks comment on, among other things, whether to amend the FCC’s HAC reporting requirements to exempt non-nationwide, wireless service providers from the annual reporting requirement. It also asks about the feasibility of reliance on informal complaints and other required sources of information to ensure industry compliance. Finally, it seeks details on the costs and benefits of the proposed reporting exemption, as well as additional ways to streamline or simplify these requirements for service providers generally.

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to modernize the way it distributes toll free numbers, including popular numbers in the new 833 toll free area code. Among the proposals is the use of a competitive auction to assign approximately 17,000 sought after numbers in the new 833 code. Another proposal would set aside toll free numbers to promote health and safety for use by non-profits and government, without cost. More broadly, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on how to make toll free number distribution more equitable and efficient than the existing 20-year-old system. The goal: to provide the public with a better opportunity to acquire the numbers they want, to recognize the value of unique numbers, and create incentives for toll free numbers to be put to use quickly and efficiently once they are assigned.

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate rules requiring certain broadcast and cable entities to keep paper copies of FCC rules. More than forty years ago, the FCC adopted rules requiring low power TV, TV and FM translator, TV and FM booster stations, cable television relay station (CARS) licensees, and certain cable operators to maintain paper copies of FCC rules. These rules were intended to ensure that such entities could access and stay familiar with the rules governing their operations. Because the rules are now readily accessible online, many parties believe that the paper copy requirements are outdated and unnecessarily burdensome. While regulated entities still would be required to be familiar with the rules governing their services, elimination of the paper copy requirements would give them flexibility to determine how to fulfill that obligation.

The Federal Communications Commission proposed the maximum fine allowable by statute—$144,344—against a so-called “pirate radio” operation in North Miami, Florida. The action marks the first time the FCC has proposed finding the property owners where the transmission equipment was located apparently liable for the operation of the station. Unlicensed radio broadcasts are illegal and can interfere with licensed broadcasting, including broadcasters’ ability to communicate public safety warnings to their communities.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced a major initiative to support the role of strong, trusted journalism as essential to a healthy democracy. The initiative is anchored by the Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy, a panel of thinkers and doers from diverse backgrounds committed to creating more informed and engaged communities. This nonpartisan commission will explore causes for the erosion of trust in democratic institutions, in particular the press. It will also identify new thinking and solutions around rebuilding trust.

The Knight Commission will be chaired by Jamie Woodson, executive chairman and CEO of Tennessee’s State Collaborative on Reforming Education, and Tony Marx, president of The New York Public Library, the largest public library in the nation and the most used library system in the world. It will be run by the Aspen Institute, with $2 million in support from Knight. The initiative also includes the Knight Prototype Fund, which fosters accurate information in media and announced a new round of winners in June 2017, and Newsmatch, a partnership with Democracy Fund to support nonprofit news and investigative news outlets with matching grants during the end-of-year giving period; Newsmatch was initially launched by Knight in December 2016. Knight plans to build on the initiative further with the help of the commission and other partners.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association recognized 13 companies in rural areas of the United States and Canada that have earned Smart Rural Community Showcase awards as part of the association’s initiative to highlight efforts that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. The following broadband providers received national recognition:
CL Tel (Clear Lake, Iowa)
Dakota Central (Carrington, N.D.)
GBT (Rush Center, Kan.)
GVTC Communications (New Braunfels, Texas)
Hartelco (Hartington, Neb.)
Marquette-Adams Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Oxford, Wis.)
Mosaic Telecom (Cameron, Wis.)
Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Guymon, Okla.)
Quadro Communications Co-operative, Inc. (Kirkton, Ont., Canada)
Red River Communications (Abercrombie, N.D.)
Totelcom (DeLeon, Texas)
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association (Gowrie, Iowa)
West Carolina Tel (Abbeville, S.C.)

Without a Net: The Digital Divide in America – a new documentary from Academy Award nominee Rory Kennedy and Verizon – focuses on the deep inequalities in America's education system that are keeping millions of students in digital darkness. The film, narrated by Academy and Grammy Award winner Jamie Foxx, and premiering on National Geographic at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 26th, spotlights the 'haves' and 'have nots' as it relates to technology in classrooms and presents the emotional and economic impact on students who lack access.

The film presents in-depth interviews with students, parents, educators, administrators and learning experts across the U.S., especially those from disadvantaged areas, and the frustrations, anxieties and challenges of trying to create a modern, tech-focused learning environment to ensure students are prepared to join the global digital workforce. Education experts weigh in on the serious inequalities in access and funding, as well as the need for multi-faceted solutions to close the technology gap.

On August 14, 2017, House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai regarding reports that suggest favorable treatment of Sinclair Broadcast Group since Pai became Chairman. In particular, the Reps wrote that the reports raise two overarching questions: "Whether actions taken by the FCC under your leadership show a pattern of preferential treatment for Sinclair?" and "Whether a series of interactions between your office, the Trump Campaign and Trump Administration, and Sinclair demonstrates inappropriate coordination?"

On Sept 15, Chairman Pai responded in detail about his two meeting with President Donald Trump, both of which he says "we did not discuss any pending FCC proceedings." Later on, Chairman Pai writes, "In terms of other White House officials in the current Administration, I do not recall having any discussions with any of them pertaining to the Sinclair Broadcast Group, and I am not aware of anyone in my office having such discussions."

We’re seeing an unprecedented level of political engagement in this cultural moment. In the two months since the Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality, those efforts have crystallized into a decentralized grassroots movement to defend a free and open internet. Welcome to Team Internet.

Nearly half a million strong, we’re a group of people working together in direct response to threats to Net Neutrality at the Federal Communications Commission and in Congress. We organize alongside hundreds of other organizations and individuals who work on media and technology issues. A small and dedicated staff from three partner organizations — Demand Progress, Fight for the Future and Free Press Action Fund — supports the team.

While some state legislative proposals target internet service providers (ISPs), we are also seeing a steady stream of state bills that seek to regulate broader aspects of internet privacy and cover all online companies. This fragmented approach will only serve to confuse consumers, impede innovation and distort competition.

In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asserted privacy jurisdiction over ISPs and adopted ISP privacy rules that would have favored some online service providers over others. The Federal Trade Commission itself pointed out that these would have subjected consumers to an illogical and confusing array of regulations. The FCC’s actions also served as a warning that other federal agencies could adopt internet privacy regulations for specific sectors that create even more imbalance among internet companies. While Congress wisely repealed the FCC rules before they could take effect later this year, the issue of which agency has jurisdiction over ISP privacy has yet to be resolved.