FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for August 2019 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Aug 1, 2019:

Establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund – The FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would propose to adopt a two-phase reverse auction framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, committing $20.4 billion in high-cost universal service support to bring high-speed broadband service to millions of unserved Americans.

Digital Opportunity Data Collection – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would establish the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, a new data collection that will collect geospatial broadband coverage data from fixed providers, and that would make targeted changes to the existing Form 477 to reduce filing burdens. The FCC will also consider a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on enhancing the new data collection, incorporating mobile voice and broadband, and improving satellite broadband reporting.

Promoting Telehealth in Rural America – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would overhaul the Rural Health Care Program by streamlining and simplifying the way health care providers apply for and calculate universal service support amounts, promoting transparency and predictability in the program, and taking new steps to guard against waste, fraud, and abuse. 

Streamlining Licensing Procedures for Small Satellites – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would a new, optional streamlined application process designed for a class of satellites referred to as “small satellites.” 

Kari’s Law/RAY BAUM’S Act Report and Order – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would address calls to 911 made from multi-line telephone systems, pursuant to Kari’s Law, the conveyance of dispatchable location with 911 calls, as directed by RAY BAUM’S Act, and the consolidation of the FCC's 911 rules.

833 Toll-Free Number Auction – The FCC will consider a Public Notice that would adopt the procedures for the auction of certain toll-free numbers in the 833 code. 

Improving Low Power FM Radio Service – The FCC will consider an NPRM that would modernize the LPFM technical rules to provide more regulatory flexibility for licensees. 

Implementation of Section 621 – The FCC will consider a Third Report and Order that would address issues raised by a remand from the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit concerning how franchising authorities may regulate incumbent cable operators.

Anti-Spoofing Rules – The FCC will consider a Second Report and Order that would amend its Truth in Caller ID rules to implement the anti-spoofing provisions of the RAY BAUM’S Act.