The FCC circulated a draft order that would extend Lifeline USF support to broadband coverage and to streamline administration of the program that subsidizes low-income telecom service, as expected. The draft is expected to be considered at the agency's March 31 meeting, as Communications Daily first reported. The order would allow Lifeline support to be used for stand-alone broadband or bundled broadband/voice packages in addition to current voice service. The order would phase out the support for stand-alone mobile voice service and phase in broadband minimum standards over the next few years, said an FCC fact sheet.

Sprint supports expanding the Lifeline program to pay for broadband, but the FCC shouldn't forget about voice-only subscribers, carrier representatives said in a meeting with Wireless Bureau Chief Jon Wilkins and others at the agency. “While recognizing the importance of Lifeline support for broadband services, Sprint emphasized the fundamental need to maintain a voice-only Lifeline service option and described the significant impact an end-user co-pay would have on participation rates by the most vulnerable consumers,” Sprint said in the filing posted filing posted Thursday in docket 09-197. Sprint also issued a warning on the cost of providing broadband service. “Given the financial constraints under which the federal Universal Service Fund operates and the economics of providing broadband service" a "broadband-centric Lifeline program which includes overly ambitious performance standards will almost certainly involve out-of-pocket payments by Lifeline subscribers, both for monthly service and for the purchase of a broadband-capable device,” the carrier said. “There is no support in the record that a monthly subsidy of $9.25 would cover the cost of providing broadband service.”

The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved 12 of 27 amendments Thursday, including proposals on a national unlicensed spectrum strategy and stronger dig-once language, to the bipartisan spectrum bill Mobile Now, before approving S-2555 itself. No roll call votes were necessary. Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters after the markup he plans to proceed, as expected (see 1602250049), to hotline Mobile Now to the Senate floor.

The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved 12 of 27 amendments Thursday, including proposals on a national unlicensed spectrum strategy and stronger dig-once language, to the bipartisan spectrum bill Mobile Now, before approving S-2555 itself. No roll call votes were necessary. Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters after the markup he plans to proceed, as expected (see 1602250049), to hotline Mobile Now to the Senate floor.

The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved 12 of 27 amendments Thursday, including proposals on a national unlicensed spectrum strategy and stronger dig-once language, to the bipartisan spectrum bill Mobile Now, before approving S-2555 itself. No roll call votes were necessary. Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters after the markup he plans to proceed, as expected (see 1602250049), to hotline Mobile Now to the Senate floor.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler faced many questions about his set-top box proposal during Wednesday's Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing. Both committee leaders questioned the merits. But there was little rancor at the two-and-a-half-hour hearing, with much attention devoted to spectrum policy and relatively little to the agency’s net neutrality order.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler faced many questions about his set-top box proposal during Wednesday's Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing. Both committee leaders questioned the merits. But there was little rancor at the two-and-a-half-hour hearing, with much attention devoted to spectrum policy and relatively little to the agency’s net neutrality order.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., still plans to pursue FCC reauthorization legislation in 2016, he plans to say in his opening statement during Wednesday’s FCC oversight hearing. “Reauthorizing the FCC is our responsibility as legislators and representatives of diverse constituencies who are increasingly affected by a regulatory agency with a nearly half billion dollar budget,” Thune will say. “It’s time for this Committee to get back to regularly authorizing the Commission as part of its normal course of business. To that end, in the next few days, I will introduce the FCC Reauthorization Act of 2016, and it is my intent to mark up the bill in the coming weeks.” Thune was ready last summer with such FCC reauthorization legislation, which contained FCC process overhaul provisions. He never formally introduced the bill due to struggles in getting backing from ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla. (see 1510130039). FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the four other commissioners will testify. The GOP staff memo for the hearing listed many topics for the hearing, set for 10 a.m. in 253 Russell: “Policy topics likely to be discussed during the hearing include Internet regulations, universal service program reform, spectrum auctions, and pay-TV set-top box regulations.” The memo detailed such topics as broadband privacy rules, stand-alone broadband support and set-top box regulation. “It is likely that Chairman Wheeler will advocate for more funding for NG9-1-1 efforts during this hearing,” the memo said. “To date, the Commission has offered few specific legislative proposals to implement the broad suggestions outlined by the Chairman.”

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., still plans to pursue FCC reauthorization legislation in 2016, he plans to say in his opening statement during Wednesday’s FCC oversight hearing. “Reauthorizing the FCC is our responsibility as legislators and representatives of diverse constituencies who are increasingly affected by a regulatory agency with a nearly half billion dollar budget,” Thune will say. “It’s time for this Committee to get back to regularly authorizing the Commission as part of its normal course of business. To that end, in the next few days, I will introduce the FCC Reauthorization Act of 2016, and it is my intent to mark up the bill in the coming weeks.” Thune was ready last summer with such FCC reauthorization legislation, which contained FCC process overhaul provisions. He never formally introduced the bill due to struggles in getting backing from ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla. (see 1510130039). FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the four other commissioners will testify. The GOP staff memo for the hearing listed many topics for the hearing, set for 10 a.m. in 253 Russell: “Policy topics likely to be discussed during the hearing include Internet regulations, universal service program reform, spectrum auctions, and pay-TV set-top box regulations.” The memo detailed such topics as broadband privacy rules, stand-alone broadband support and set-top box regulation. “It is likely that Chairman Wheeler will advocate for more funding for NG9-1-1 efforts during this hearing,” the memo said. “To date, the Commission has offered few specific legislative proposals to implement the broad suggestions outlined by the Chairman.”

Senate Commerce Committee members filed 25 amendments, not released publicly, to Mobile Now (S-2555) ahead of its Thursday markup. Some of the amendments would raise the broadcaster repacking relocation fund by $1 billion, force a national unlicensed spectrum strategy, and include stronger dig once provisions. But Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told us Tuesday that he doesn’t expect too many up-or-down votes during the markup and he anticipates a possible manager’s package to address some of the members’ concerns. Thune filed a substitute amendment text, as expected (see 1602290069), proposing some technical changes to Mobile Now.