Public Notice

The Federal Communications Commission announced an extension of the term of the current Native Nations Communications Task Force until the end of 2023. The current term—which was set to expire on October 24, 2023—will now expire on December 31, 2023. The FCC is also seeking applications for membership to serve on a renewed Task Force to start at the beginning of 2024. Applications should be submitted in accordance with the procedures outlined here.

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023. The FCC will consider:

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr released a fact sheet discussing the reclassification of broadband as a Title II telecommunications service. "Following President Biden’s call for the FCC to apply utility-style controls to the Internet under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, the Federal Communications Commission announced it will begin implementing that plan at its October 19 Open Commission Meeting," said the memo.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced carriers that have accepted offers of model-based Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support. Carriers were required to elect such support on a state-by-state basis by Friday, September 29, 2023 by submitting an election letter to the Bureau.

The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau settled an investigation into DISH for its failure to properly de-orbit its EchoStar-7 satellite. This marks a first in space debris enforcement by the FCC, which has stepped up its satellite policy efforts, including establishing the Space Bureau and implementing its Space Innovation Agenda.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau took additional measures to ensure that providers are receiving reimbursement from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for fully subsidized service only for households using their service, as required by the FCC’s rules.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced that, following its investigation, a major Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provider has voluntarily repaid $49.4 million that it improperly claimed between June 2021 and July 2022. The provider disclosed its improper claims and repaid the monies after OIG sent the provider a warning letter and requested that the provider explain its claims data which indicated noncompliance with program usage requirements.

Preventing and mitigating any adverse health effects from use of online platforms on minors, while preserving benefits such platforms have on minors’ health and well-being, are critical priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration.

The Federal Communication Commission invites the general public to comment on the Commission’s rules to be reviewed pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980. The purpose of the review is to determine whether rules that the FCC adopted in calendar years 2007–2012 should be continued without change, amended, or rescinded in order to minimize any significant impact the rule(s) may have on a substantial number of small entities.

AT&T filed a petition for rulemaking asking that the Federal Communications Commission establish a mid-band spectrum screen. As a broader development relating to competition policy, AT&T points to the July 2021 issuance by President Biden of an Executive Order that encouraged the FCC to consider actions to promote competition, including specifically to avoid excessive concentration of spectrum license holdings in the United States.