The FCC is considered likely to grant requests from stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for permission to move to their post-auction channel assignments early (see 1711150038), Gray Miller broadcast attorney Todd Gray told us. Two more TV stations in Puerto Rico joined the group of 15 stations in Puerto Rico and one in the U.S. Virgin Islands requesting the relief Friday, according to a letter in docket 16-306.
An FCC draft ruling and orders would undo 2015 net neutrality regulation and Title II broadband classification under the Communications Act, as Chairman Ajit Pai and staffers outlined Tuesday (see 1711210020). The 210-page draft declaratory ruling, report and order, and order released Wednesday would "reverse heavy-handed utility-style" broadband regulation "and return to the light-touch framework" that promoted a "free and open internet" before Title II classification, it said.
An FCC draft ruling and orders would undo 2015 net neutrality regulation and Title II broadband classification under the Communications Act, as Chairman Ajit Pai and staffers outlined Tuesday (see 1711210020). The 210-page draft declaratory ruling, report and order, and order released Wednesday would "reverse heavy-handed utility-style" broadband regulation "and return to the light-touch framework" that promoted a "free and open internet" before Title II classification, it said.
FCC commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a Lifeline item to begin to revamp again the low-income subsidy program, going in a different direction than a 2016 overhaul. Chairman Ajit Pai and Republican colleagues said the combined orders and notices would crack down on program abuse and better target funding to those consumers and areas that really need it, while promoting facilities-based deployment. Dissenting Democrats said the actions and proposals would effectively gut the program and widen the digital divide. Congressional Democrats also hammered the moves.
FCC commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a Lifeline item to begin to revamp again the low-income subsidy program, going in a different direction than a 2016 overhaul. Chairman Ajit Pai and Republican colleagues said the combined orders and notices would crack down on program abuse and better target funding to those consumers and areas that really need it, while promoting facilities-based deployment. Dissenting Democrats said the actions and proposals would effectively gut the program and widen the digital divide. Congressional Democrats also hammered the moves.
BALTIMORE -- State members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service are ready to recommend how to revamp USF contribution, said State Chair Chris Nelson at a NARUC meeting. State members met unofficially Sunday without their FCC counterparts, Nelson told us. Monday, the NARUC Telecom Committee delayed voting on two competing Lifeline resolutions, but voted for a draft resolution to support requiring direct dialing of 911 in hotels and other enterprises.
BALTIMORE -- State members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service are ready to recommend how to revamp USF contribution, said State Chair Chris Nelson at a NARUC meeting. State members met unofficially Sunday without their FCC counterparts, Nelson told us. Monday, the NARUC Telecom Committee delayed voting on two competing Lifeline resolutions, but voted for a draft resolution to support requiring direct dialing of 911 in hotels and other enterprises.
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska agreed to ask stakeholders if the state USF is fulfilling statutory goals after supporting a short-term fix to Alaska USF addressing what to do in a shortage situation. At a Wednesday meeting, commissioners voted 4-1 for the short-term measure and 4-1 to seek comment on broader USF questions. Under the short-term item, the Alaska USF administrator would distribute funds first for administrative costs, then the Lifeline program, then other universal service programs with oldest claims first and “pro-rated among claimants within a monthly accounting period based on the total unpaid claims for that period.” Except for claims before the effective date, the administrator wouldn’t pay claims that remain unpaid more than six months after accrual, it said. Commissioner Jan Wilson voted no on the short-term measure because she objects to the commission not fully funding USF by adopting a surcharge less than what was requested, she said. It should be fully funded until the fund size is reduced, she said. The long-term item seeks comment on several questions by Commissioner Rebecca Pauli, who previously backed setting a date to terminate AUSF and come up with a replacement (see 1710250022). Pauli asked if universal intrastate interexchange service, regardless of technology, is provided at reasonable rates throughout the state. If not, Pauli wants more details and an assessment of how to get there, she said. Chairman Stephen McAlpine voted no on the long-term proposal, saying, “Sometimes it’s more important that you make a decision than is the decision that you make.”
The FCC must make certain universal service funding is “adequate and predictable” to support broadband in rural areas, said Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., at a hearing Tuesday on advancing rural IoT opportunities. To thrive, IoT technologies must have reliable and secure broadband services, Wicker said, urging the FCC to collect accurate information on broadband programs before making new funding decisions. Funding should be targeted to “communities in need,” he said.
The FCC must make certain universal service funding is “adequate and predictable” to support broadband in rural areas, said Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., at a hearing Tuesday on advancing rural IoT opportunities. To thrive, IoT technologies must have reliable and secure broadband services, Wicker said, urging the FCC to collect accurate information on broadband programs before making new funding decisions. Funding should be targeted to “communities in need,” he said.