Public Notice
FCC Adopts White Spaces Order
As the Federal Communications Commission continues taking steps to sustain and spur growth within the white space ecosystem, we adopt three orders addressing pending issues associated with white space devices. These actions will provide additional certainty to white space device users and manufacturers to enable unlicensed white space devices to operate efficiently while protecting other spectrum users. In the Report and Order we adopt rules specifying the database re-check interval for the new categories of mobile and narrowband white space devices established in 2020.
Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Expanding Testing and Evaluation
The Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund will invest $1.5 billion in the development of open and interoperable networks. By demonstrating the viability of new, open-architecture approaches to wireless networks, this initial round of funding will help to ensure that the future of 5G and next-gen wireless technology is built by the US and its global allies and partners—not vendors from nations that threaten our national security.
FCC Announces Comment Dates for the Martha Wright-Reed Act
The Federal Communications Commission' Wireline Competition Bureau announced that comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on issues related to the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022 are due no later than May 8, 2023, and reply comments are due no later than June 6, 2023. The Notice, which seeks comment on matters related to implementing the new Act and establishing just and reasonable rates and charges for incarcerated people’s communications services, requires that comments and reply comments be filed no later than 30 days an
Connect America Fund Phase II Auction Post-Authorization Defaults Announced
The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) announced that Gila Local Exchange Carrier d/b/a Alluvion Communications (GLEC) and Fond du Lac Communications (Fond du Lac) have notified the FCC of their decisions to withdraw from the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II auction support program. Fond du Lac’s and GLEC’s letters constitute notification to the FCC that they are defaulting on their obligations to meet their service milestones.
FCC Announces Final List of Entities Selected for Affordable Connectivity Pilot Programs
The Federal Communications Commission announced the final list of 34 entities selected for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Pilot Programs, which are aimed at providing ACP outreach and application assistance to eligible households. The two ACP Pilot Programs are: (1) the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program, which is focused on ACP outreach and application support to recipients of federal housing assistance; and (2) the ACP Navigator Pilot Program, which provides selected entities access to the National Verifier to help low-income households complete and submit their ACP applica
FCC Releases Tutorials on Responding to Mobile Wireless Challenges
The Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Data Task Force announced the release of two tutorial videos to educate providers on how to prepare and submit responses to challenges to mobile wireless coverage data filed in the Broadband Data Collection (BDC). The first video provides an overview of the FCC's rules for responding to a challenge, timelines for mobile service providers to respond to challenges, how a provider can demonstrate mobile coverage in an area, and types of evidence that may be used to rebut a challenge in different scenarios.
Proposed Supplementary Broadband Guidance
As provided for in each Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and Capital Projects Fund (CPF) award agreement, the Uniform Guidance applies to all uses of funds made available under those awards unless provided otherwise by the US Department of the Treasury. In response to questions from recipients and internet service providers, Treasury is proposing to issue the following guidance regarding the application of the Uniform Guidance to broadband infrastructure projects.
Promoting Telehealth to Low-Income Consumers; COVID-19 Telehealth Program
In this report, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau analyzes how the Connected Care Pilot Program and the COVID-19 Telehealth Program impacted healthcare providers’ use of telehealth services. Telehealth took on an increasingly critical role in healthcare delivery during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
RUS Accepting Community Connect Grant Applications
The Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is accepting applications under the Community Connect Grant (CCG) program for Fiscal Year 2023. RUS has approximately $79 million for FY 2023. These grant funds will be made available to eligible applicants to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications. Applications are due June 20, 2023.
FCC Extends Preventing Digital Discrimination NPRM Reply Comment Date
The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau granted an unopposed motion filed by Public Knowledge, The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Center for Accessible Technology, Common Cause, Common Sense Media, Communications Workers of America, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Free Press, The Greenlining Institute, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, MediaJustice, National Urban League, Next Century Cities, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and TURN—The Utility Reform Network seeking a 30-day extension of time for filing reply comments in the