Public Notice

The Federal Communications Commission is required to review biennially its regulations “that apply to the operations or activities of any provider of telecommunications service” and“determine whether any such regulation is no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of such service.” The FCC must repeal or modify any regulation that it finds are no longer in the public interest.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its general policy and application procedures for funding under the broadband pilot program established pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 which provides loans, grants, and loan/ grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the pilot will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. One of those opportunities is precision agriculture. The use of this technology requires a robust broadband connection.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces that effective January 15, 2019, the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) will fully launch in five states – Hawaii, Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Dakota – and one territory – Guam.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) released updated data on fixed broadband deployment and mobile voice and broadband deployment as of December 31, 2017. These data were collected through FCC Form 477 and are available on the FCC's website.

The Federal Communications Commission's Office of Managing Director (OMD) announces that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2019 will be 0.200 or 20.0 percent. Total Projected Collected Interstate and International End-User Telecommunications Revenues for First Quarter 2019: $12.289162 billion.

The Federal Communications Commission announces its intent to recharter the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC), a federal advisory committee, which provides advice and recommendations to the Commission on accelerating the deployment of high-speed Internet access. By this Public Notice, we seek nominations for membership on the BDAC. The Commission intends to renew the BDAC’s charter (subject to any necessary approvals by the General Services Administration) for a period of two (2) years, starting on or about March 1, 2019.

Establishment of the Office of Economics and Analytics. This action is taken to enhance the role of economic analysis, the design and implementation of auctions, and the use and management of data at the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC determined that the proper dispatch of its business and the public interest will be served by creating an Office of Economics and Analytics. In the Order, the FCC amended its Rules to reflect the new organizational structure, describe the Office’s functions and delegated authority, and make other conforming changes.

In response to a request from Representative Frank Pallone, Jr.

The Federal Communications Commission will accept nominations for the eighth Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility (Chairman’s AAA). The nomination period opens on Dec 1, 2018 and continues through Feb 28, 2019 for products, services, technologies or practices introduced to the public between Jan 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2018. Nominations may be submitted for the development of new mainstream or assistive technologies introduced into the marketplace, the development of standards, or the implementation of best practices that further accessibility.

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) controls the export of dual-use and less sensitive military items through the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including the Commerce Control List (CCL). As controls on exports of technology are a key component of the effort to protect sensitive U.S. technology, many sensitive technologies are listed on the CCL, often consistent with the lists maintained by the multilateral export control regimes of which the United States is a member.