The FCC is fishing for ideas to incentivize C-band satellite operators beyond costs of moving customers to just the upper portion. That's more complicated since all operators have equal access to the full band, we were told. Momentum is behind the idea of incentivizing incumbents, partly to try to avoid what otherwise is seen as a likely legal challenge to a government move to take back satellite spectrum authorizations.

The FCC said rural broadband experiment applicant Northeast Rural Services demonstrated good cause for waiver of default rules that would have allowed Universal Service Administrative Co. to collect all disbursed funds from its program participation, in an order in Thursday's Daily Digest and on docket 14-259. The Wireline Bureau directed USAC seek repayment on a study area basis. But Lake County, Minnesota, the order said, "failed to demonstrate good cause for waiver of the commission's default rules to permit it to retain a percentage of its disbursed support based on the average amount of disbursed support per location reported as served as of its 15-month milestone." It said the county permanently defaulted on its obligations. The municipality didn't comment. The locality petitioned for relinquishment of RBE status after it agreed to sell its broadband network (see 1905200043).

House Commerce Committee leaders raised concerns about lack of detail on the FCC’s recently announced plan to ditch Mobility Fund Phase II and repurpose $9 billion in USF funds for that program and others over the next 10 years for a new 5G Fund (see 1912040027). Several lawmakers raised concerns about the proposal at a House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing earlier this month (see 1912050043). The “5G Fund must be allocated responsibly,” said House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and others in Thursday's letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “The way that this fund is structured can make the difference between connecting unserved and underserved Americans or deepening the digital divide.” House Communications Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, also signed. “Goals of [MF-II] remain unmet” so it “is critical that areas that lack 4G LTE coverage -- or any connectivity -- are not left behind in a rush to advance well intended efforts to deploy 5G,” the lawmakers said. “The design and execution of any new fund must be carefully constructed to succeed where [MF-II] failed.” They sought information on what “safeguards” the agency will “put in place to ensure that areas eligible for support are based on reliable coverage data,” along with how the commission will determine which services qualify for 5G Fund support and potential performance benchmarks. The FCC is "pleased" House Commerce leaders are "‘encouraged that the FCC plans to dedicate $9 billion in Universal Service Fund support’ to expand mobile broadband in rural areas as well as the wide range of support for the creation of the 5G Fund," a spokesperson emailed. "The questions they raise are important ones that the Commission will resolve through a notice-and-comment rulemaking to be launched early next year."

The FCC said rural broadband experiment applicant Northeast Rural Services demonstrated good cause for waiver of default rules that would have allowed Universal Service Administrative Co. to collect all disbursed funds from its program participation, in an order in Thursday's Daily Digest and on docket 14-259. The Wireline Bureau directed USAC seek repayment on a study area basis. But Lake County, Minnesota, the order said, "failed to demonstrate good cause for waiver of the commission's default rules to permit it to retain a percentage of its disbursed support based on the average amount of disbursed support per location reported as served as of its 15-month milestone." It said the county permanently defaulted on its obligations. The municipality didn't comment. The locality petitioned for relinquishment of RBE status after it agreed to sell its broadband network (see 1905200043).

House Commerce Committee leaders raised concerns about lack of detail on the FCC’s recently announced plan to ditch Mobility Fund Phase II and repurpose $9 billion in USF funds for that program and others over the next 10 years for a new 5G Fund (see 1912040027). Several lawmakers raised concerns about the proposal at a House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing earlier this month (see 1912050043). The “5G Fund must be allocated responsibly,” said House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and others in Thursday's letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “The way that this fund is structured can make the difference between connecting unserved and underserved Americans or deepening the digital divide.” House Communications Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, also signed. “Goals of [MF-II] remain unmet” so it “is critical that areas that lack 4G LTE coverage -- or any connectivity -- are not left behind in a rush to advance well intended efforts to deploy 5G,” the lawmakers said. “The design and execution of any new fund must be carefully constructed to succeed where [MF-II] failed.” They sought information on what “safeguards” the agency will “put in place to ensure that areas eligible for support are based on reliable coverage data,” along with how the commission will determine which services qualify for 5G Fund support and potential performance benchmarks. The FCC is "pleased" House Commerce leaders are "‘encouraged that the FCC plans to dedicate $9 billion in Universal Service Fund support’ to expand mobile broadband in rural areas as well as the wide range of support for the creation of the 5G Fund," a spokesperson emailed. "The questions they raise are important ones that the Commission will resolve through a notice-and-comment rulemaking to be launched early next year."

T-Mobile won't stop being the "Uncarrier" after it buys Sprint, CEO John Legere said at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The combined company would join the league of top rivals by market share. After about two hours of friendly questions from the defendant side, states grilled T-Mobile on alternative ways to compete. But they only had about 30 minutes and will complete cross-examination Friday.

T-Mobile won't stop being the "Uncarrier" after it buys Sprint, CEO John Legere said at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The combined company would join the league of top rivals by market share. After about two hours of friendly questions from the defendant side, states grilled T-Mobile on alternative ways to compete. But they only had about 30 minutes and will complete cross-examination Friday.

The FCC Wireline Bureau adopted E-rate 2020 funding year eligible services list as proposed in August (see 1908020016), said an order for docket 13-184 in Tuesday's Daily Digest. It declined "several requests that are beyond the scope of this proceeding." The bureau asked Universal Service Administrative Co. to open the FY 2020 E-rate application filing window in 45 days. Recommended changes to E-rate applications are a separate proceeding (see 1911180012). Last week, the FCC 5-0 made permanent a five-year budget cycle for E-rate category 2 (see 1912030065).

The FCC Wireline Bureau adopted E-rate 2020 funding year eligible services list as proposed in August (see 1908020016), said an order for docket 13-184 in Tuesday's Daily Digest. It declined "several requests that are beyond the scope of this proceeding." The bureau asked Universal Service Administrative Co. to open the FY 2020 E-rate application filing window in 45 days. Recommended changes to E-rate applications are a separate proceeding (see 1911180012). Last week, the FCC 5-0 made permanent a five-year budget cycle for E-rate category 2 (see 1912030065).

Internecine clashes in the mental health crisis and social service communities over what three digits to use for a nationwide suicide prevention hotline are seemingly over. There's general acceptance -- sometimes grudging -- of 988, experts told us. Many see its selection as inevitable given the support on Capitol Hill and at the FCC. Commissioners vote Thursday on a draft NPRM proposing 988 (see 1911210049).