FCC Poised to Make Controversial Spectrum Decision in Pai’s Final Days

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai appears to be moving full steam ahead on a controversial spectrum item in his final days as head of the agency. According to the FCC’s list of items on circulation, he recently shared a Petition for Reconsideration that was filed by ten education groups regarding the FCC’s July 2019 decision on Educational Broadband Service (EBS) spectrum. If the item receives three votes while on circulation – which some believe may already be the case – the FCC can move forward and dismiss the petition, thus denying schools a meaningful opportunity to acquire EBS licenses and connect students. A coalition of 23 educational groups is now calling on Chairman Pai not to move forward on this controversial item. In a letter to Chairman Pai led by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), the organizations explained three important reasons why this item should not be considered until the incoming presidential administration and the new FCC has had a chance to fully consider the ramifications of the Petition for Reconsideration. 1) The EBS rulemaking was controversial. 2) Congress is still actively considering this issue. 3) There is new evidence that was never considered.