FCC Reform

Key Republicans are warming to an idea that was once anathema to the party—leveling taxes on big American companies to pay for internet subsidy programs. An idea from GOP Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr to force tech companies to pay into a pool of money used to fund broadband programs is gaining steam with some key lawmakers, including GOP Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Republican support of taxing Big Tech could help shore up the struggling Universal Service Fund; Commissioner Carr argues that Congress should direct the companies that benefit from using internet networks

Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced a twelve-month extension of the original three-year term of the Federal Communications Commission’s current Native Nations Communications Task Force.

Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the Federal Communications Commission will re-charter the Advisory Committee for Diversity and Digital Empowerment under a new name–the Communications Equity and Diversity Council. The Council’s mission will expand from its initial focus on the media ecosystem to review critical diversity and equity issues across the technology sector. This Committee is charged with providing recommendations to ensure that underserved communities are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks.

The Federal Communications Commission updated its radio frequency device marketing and importation rules to accelerate the timeframe for developing and releasing new wireless devices. The new rules will give innovators more flexibility to engage in crowdfunding and other popular marketing campaigns and, in specific cases, to import devices still under equipment authorization review. These changes will help consumers more quickly access must-have devices that meet the stringent authorization requirements of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology’s equipment authorization program.

This proposal outlines a series of actions to introduce a second monthly meeting of the five commissioners who comprise the Federal Communications Commission. During the additional meeting, FCC staff should present on major items that might be brought before the Commission for a vote in the next several months. This forward-looking monthly meeting gives the public information needed to provide meaningful input to the Commission prior to its decision-making. The meeting would also improve the Commissioners’ own ability to respond to policy recommendations.

In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported that FCC’s ability to deter and detect alleged Erate program fraud has been severely limited since the program’s inception due to a lack of certain controls. Also, as recently as February 2020, a number of E-rate program participants pled guilty to defrauding the program by billing for equipment and services that were not provided, and obtaining more than $2.6 million in program funds to which they were not entitled. GAO was asked to review fraud risk management in the E-rate program.

The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2021 Financial Services and General Government bill on a vote of 30 to 22. The legislation provides annual funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Judiciary, the Executive Office of the President, and other independent agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission. The bill includes $376.1 million for the FCC, an increase of $37.1 million above the FY 2020 enacted level. This includes funding to implement new broadband mapping legislation.

I believe that we can thoughtfully update Federal Communications Commission rules to make it easier and more affordable to bring devices to consumers while reducing investment risk without undermining any consumer protections.

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a new seal. The redesigned seal is the product of an agency-wide contest that solicited proposals from FCC employees and contractors. The winning design was submitted by Umasankar Arumugam and selected by a vote of the agency’s employees and contractors. The revised design incorporates the following elements:

Media industry, take note: As of the past week, a Federal Communications Commission action item is now circulating that could spell some structural changes within the FCC, specifically within its Media Bureau that deals with TV and radio issues. “If adopted, this proposal would consolidate the Media Bureau’s Engineering Division with the Bureau’s Industry Analysis Division,” an FCC spokesperson said. For the coming fiscal year, the FCC requested funding for 131 full-time employees for its Media Bureau, a number that’s been dwindling in recent years amid the changing media landscape.