No Spring Break for the FCC

Building on our progress last week modernizing our wireless infrastructure rules so that they are 5G ready, the Federal Communications Commission in April will continue to move full steam ahead in making spectrum available for next-generation 5G networks. At our April meeting, the Commission will vote on a public notice seeking input on auction procedures for the 28 GHz and 24 GHz bands. And under the draft that I have presented my colleagues, the 28 GHz auction would commence on November 14. By kicking off the pre-auction processes, we take another important step to promote American innovation in 5G wireless services, the Internet of Things, and other advanced spectrum-based services at previously underused high-band frequencies.

But our focus on the future isn’t limited to wireless; we also want to advance next-generation satellite technologies. That’s why I’m proposing to streamline the process for authorizing commercial small satellite operations. This April, we’ll also take the next step toward ensuring that phone calls to all Americans go through, including those in rural America. I’m seeking to enact new rules to improve the monitoring by long-distance carriers of “intermediate providers” to which calls are handed off. The goal is to ensure that carriers that are handed a call — those who take the baton, so to speak — don’t drop it, but instead take care to ensure it gets to its destination.

The next item on our April agenda is — well, admittedly a little arcane, but hear me out. It would provide a path for rate-of-return carriers that receive high-cost universal service support under the Alternative Connect America Cost Model to voluntarily elect to migrate their business data services offerings to incentive regulation.