FCC commissioners held their monthly meeting Wednesday at the agency’s new headquarters for the first time, making it the first in-person meeting for commissioners since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the agency to shift to remote work. "We hope to use today's open meeting as a first step toward welcoming the agency and the public into our new building," Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said at the meeting, which was also in part held virtually. Media and the public couldn't attend in person.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has moved more slowly on wireless issues than expected since being confirmed to another term as a commissioner and designated last year as permanent chairwoman. On Wednesday, the FCC acted on the next steps on a 2.5 GHz auction. But other wireless items haven’t advanced as quickly as some hoped.

The FCC will soon adopt rules that "crack down on revenue sharing” and exclusive access arrangements between broadband providers and building owners in multi-tenant environments said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during an Incompas policy summit in Washington Tuesday (see 2201210039). The record the FCC received last year on broadband access in MTEs “made one thing very clear,” Rosenworcel said: “The agency’s existing rules are not what they could be.” Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington encouraged NTIA to prioritize unserved areas in its new broadband programs. Other panelists urged the FCC to revise the USF.

Speakers at the Incompas Policy Summit expressed hope Tuesday that the FCC will act soon to allow use of the 12 GHz band for 5G. Incompas has been a leading member of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition, which seeks new rules for the band (see 2107080055).

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit judges evinced some skepticism about standing issues and Viasat's broad read of the National Environmental Policy Act's (NEPA) jurisdiction, during docket 21-1123 oral argument Friday on challenges to the FCC's April OK of a license modification for SpaceX (see 2108090022). A lawyer in the proceeding told us it's not clear how soon the three-judge panel might rule.

Senate Commerce Committee Democrats found ample support during a Wednesday confirmation hearing for plans to speed panel and floor consideration of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s renomination, in part citing Republicans’ expected somewhat supportive reception for the nominee (see 2111160001). Democratic FTC nominee Alvaro Bedoya got stronger criticism. At least two committee Republicans indicated they’re considering placing holds that would delay Bedoya’s progress on the floor (see 2111170059).

Advocates of reallocating the 12 GHz band for 5G are putting on a full-court press for FCC action as early as the February commission meeting. 5Gfor12GHz Coalition members said in interviews their strongest argument is that other than 2.5 GHz, nearly ready for auction, and 3.1-3.45, being looked at for reallocation, no other candidate bands are available for the “spectrum pipeline.” Proponents say action will likely have to wait for Senate confirmation action on FCC nominees and for the Office of Engineering and Technology to wrap up engineering work.

Non-geostationary orbit satellite constellation operators have an "intense demand" for Ku-band spectrum, and the FCC must protect those services from "encroachment by speculative terrestrial interests in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band," OneWeb officials urged acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr, per a docket 20-443 filing Friday.

RS Access, which urged opening the 12 GHz band for 5G services, is continuing to lobby the FCC's eighth floor, said a docket 20-443 filing Wednesday on a meeting between CEO Noah Campbell and an aide to acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. It gave a presentation similar to ones given earlier this month to aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks.

FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel can force votes on items, a step that needs the vote of at least one Republican commissioner under must-vote rules. With a full commission, the chair needs the votes of only the other members of the majority party to trigger the rules. Rosenworcel hasn't focused on changing the rules. Some experts said in interviews an change is overdue, although many think the rules won't significantly impede her.