Public Notice

Staff from the Federal Trade Commission responded to the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Request for Comment on “Developing the Administration’s Approach to Consumer Privacy.” The comments outline the agency’s experience protecting consumers’ privacy through enforcement, education, and policy work.

The s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is seeking public comment to better inform its understanding and awareness of stakeholders’ readiness, preparation, and response with respect to Hurricane Michael. The bureau has a number of questions concerning: 1) Service Provider Preparation and Response, 2) Improvements to FCC Response, and 3) Communications Service User Experience. Comments are due December 17, 2018. (PS Docket No. 18-339)

The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for the Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program. RUS is accepting applications on a rolling basis throughout FY 2019. This will give RUS the ability to request additional information and modifications to a submitted application whenever necessary. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to update the national broadband availability map in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission and the states. NTIA is to acquire and display available third-party data sets to the extent it is able to negotiate its inclusion to augment data from the FCC, other federal government agencies, state government, and the private sector. NTIA intends to collect broadband availability data at a more granular level than that available via the FCC Form 477 process.

President Donald Trump directed the Secretary of Commerce to work with agencies and policymakers on all levels to develop a National Spectrum Strategy to guide our country’s spectrum policy in the years to come. The Strategy will examine how to improve spectrum management and assess research and development priorities to create new technologies and improve United States competitiveness. The Strategy will provide a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers on all levels so that we can successfully lead the way to a connected future.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announces that effective November 2, 2018, the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) will fully launch in the initial six participating states—Colorado, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on Wednesday, Sept 26, 2018:

In this Public Notice, as required by the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks information and data for the Federal Communications Commission’s report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans. Section 504 of the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018 directs the Commission to, within one year, “submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas” and “provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment” in preparing the report.

The Federal Communications Commission released updated data on fixed broadband deployment and mobile voice and broadband deployment as of June 30, 2017. These data were collected through FCC Form 477 and are available on the Commission’s website.

The Federal Communications Commission seeks nominations for the following positions on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for a three-year term.