Federal Communications Commission

On Dec 12, 2023, Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel requesting input on proposals to modify the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund (USF).

The Federal Communications Commission adopted updates to its rules for the 70, 80, and 90 GHz spectrum bands to facilitate broadband access on ships and aircrafts, in addition to backhaul service for 5G.  This action will promote the efficient use of spectrum and will provide opportunities for the development of new broadband service options. The Report and Order establishes new rules and updates existing rules for the 7176 GHz, 81–86 GHz, 92–94 GHz, and 94.1–95 GHz bands.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appoints the Commissioners Nathan Simington and Anna Gomez to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Universal Service Joint Board) and the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (Separations Joint Board). In addition, Commissioners Simington and Gomez are members of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services (Advanced Services Joint Conference) by virtue of their positions on the FCC. Commissioner Gomez shall further serve as the federal chair of the Universal Service Joint Board and the Advance

Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez announced the permanent appointment of several individuals who will serve her office. 

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order on Reconsideration addressing petitions regarding the Commission’s orbital debris mitigation rules. One of the biggest threats to new space-based innovation and services is abandoned space junk that can collide with the satellites we rely on. The Order on Reconsideration provides clarity and guidance to satellite operators on compliance with orbital debris mitigation policies adopted in 2020.

On January 25, the Commission will convene its first open meeting of the new year. We already have plans to build on this forward momentum for 2024. Here’s what’s on the agenda for our February open meeting.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its intent to recharter the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WAC-27), subject to the approval of the General Services Administration (GSA), and further solicits applications for membership. WAC-27's mission is to provide to the FCC advice, technical support, and recommended proposals for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs).

The Federal Communications Commission updated its rules, and proposed additional updates, to improve communications network reliability, resiliency, and transparency during disasters and outages. The rule changes will increase participation in, and enhance the use of, the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), in which service providers report on their operational status during emergencies. Certain types of communications providers are required to report network outages to the FCC’s Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) on an ongoing basis.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to more precisely route wireless 911 calls and Real-Time Texts (RTT) to 911 call centers, which can result in faster response times during emergencies and ultimately save lives. Wireless 911 calls have historically been routed to 911 call centers based on the location of the cell tower that handles the call. But in some cases, the nearest cell tower may be in a neighboring jurisdiction. In these cases, the call may be routed to a 911 call center in that neighboring jurisdiction, not the call center that serves the caller’s location.

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced that Milla Anderson has joined his office as Policy Advisor. Ms. Anderson previously served as Policy Advisor for Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), where she managed the Congresswoman’s work for the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on the House Commerce Committee among other roles. Prior to her service in the House, Ms. Anderson served on the legislative teams for Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL). Ms.