SomosGov has been selected by the FCC to provide number administration services, including a new function to help in the fight against illegal robocalls. The FCC SomosGov contract is for five years, with the FCC holding an option for an…
Policy
Republicans Call for Audit of $1.4 Billion ReConnect Rural Broadband Program, Citing Overbuilding
Republican members of the Congressional Commerce Committee are calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit the USDA’s Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program, commonly referred to as the ReConnect program. The ReConnect audit request came in the form of a…
Former FCC Chair Explains Why the Government Might Need 5G Access, Outlines Biden Priorities
The idea of a government-owned 5G network seems to be anathema to commercial wireless network operators. But Julius Genachowski, who served as FCC chairman during President Obama’s first term, sees a need for the government to have 5G access. Genachowski…
Pew Report Highlights How States Used CARES Act Funding for Broadband, Including Fiber Deployments
Several states that didn’t previously have broadband grant programs were motivated to create them when the CARES Act made $150 billion available to state, local and tribal governments to use as they saw fit to mitigate the impact of the…
President-Elect Biden Signals Multi-Billion Investment for National Broadband
According to numerous media reports, the incoming Biden administration aims to address broadband disparities in the U.S. with billions in new funding. The Biden broadband plan aims to address both access and affordability. Like many issues in Washington these days,…
FCC Robocalling Fine Totals $10M for False Political Claims
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has issued another huge fine in a robocalling complaint, this time against a telemarketer for placing more than 47,000 spoofed robocalls – in only two days – that made false charges against a California State…
Despite DOT Objections, FCC Votes to Free Up 5.9 GHz Band for Unlicensed Wi-Fi
Despite objections from the Department of Transportation (DOT), the FCC voted today to allow unlicensed use of 45 MHz of spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band. The spectrum was originally dedicated to intelligent transportation systems (ITS) over 20 years ago,…
FCC Improves Rules for Resolution of Program Carriage Complaints
WASHINGTON, November 18, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Report and Order revising its rules governing the resolution of program carriage disputes between video programming vendors and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). It also amends parallel rules governing program…
Governors Report on Broadband Best Practices for States, CARES Act Broadband Funding
Governors can help spur broadband deployment in their states through a range of best practices, according to a new report from the National Governors Association and Western Governors University. The report also looks at how some states used federal CARES…
T-Mobile Gets Stuck with $200M Sprint Lifeline Settlement
T-Mobile has agreed to pay a civil penalty to settle an FCC Sprint Lifeline investigation dating back over a year. The Sprint Lifeline settlement is for $200 million. The Lifeline program, administered by the FCC, pays service providers $9.25 a…
FCC Streamlines Rules for Wireless Infrastructure Modifications to Facilitate 5G Deployment
WASHINGTON, October 27, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission today took action to reduce regulatory barriers to 5G deployment by further streamlining the state and local government review process for modifications to existing wireless infrastructure that involve excavation and deployment beyond existing…
Government Accountability Office USF Review Cites Reporting Flaws, Finds Contribution System “Unsustainable”
The FCC should improve how it tracks the effectiveness of the Universal Service Fund high-cost program, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. The Government Accountability Office USF review also had harsh words for the contribution system…
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