The FCC denying Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program funding for SpaceX's Starlink (see 2208100050) points to satellite operators needing to be able to prove their systems' scalability and reliability if they want to participate in future broadband subsidization programs, experts told us. SpaceX and the FCC didn't comment.

The FCC rejected LTD Broadband and Starlink's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction long-form applications Wednesday, citing a "failure to demonstrate that the providers could deliver the promised service." LTD was the largest winning bidder, preliminarily bidding about $1.3 billion to serve 528,088 locations in 15 states (see 2012070039). Starlink's preliminary award was about $885.5 million.

The FCC Wireline Bureau partially granted the Northern Arapaho Tribal Industries a waiver of certain Connect America Fund Phase II auction rules, said an order Tuesday in docket 10-90. NATI sought a temporary waiver of the requirement that it increase the value of its letter of credit for the auction. The bureau let NATI keep its current value until the Universal Service Administrative Co. "completes its verification process for the locations to which NATI has certified deployment."

The cable industry is incorrect that applying affordability metrics in California Advanced Services Fund is inconsistent with CASF statutory directions, said the California Public Utilities Commission in a revised draft order Thursday in docket R.18-07-006. Responding to concerns raised by the California Cable and Telecommunications Association, the new draft said “consideration of affordability impacts is consistent with the stated goal of Pub. Util. Code Section 281 ‘to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies…’” The CPUC previously rejected CTIA’s argument that affordability metrics apply only to rate-regulated communications services, the draft said. Communications companies have resisted California affordability metrics (see 2207110030). The CPUC plans to vote on the proposed decision Aug. 4 after delaying the item that had first been scheduled for July 14. Meanwhile in docket R.20-023-008, Verizon’s Tracfone slammed a proposed decision to reduce California LifeLine subsidies when total federal monthly support applied to a LifeLine plan is more than $9.25. Other companies also raised concerns with the item that could get a vote Aug. 25 (see 2207280059). The CPUC draft “limits consumer choice and harms consumer affordability in a manner that is contrary to the” Moore Universal Telephone Service Act, a 2021 California law, said the wireless Lifeline provider: The draft “would prohibit low-income consumers from maximizing the full breadth of federal and state Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and LifeLine support that carriers would use to help design unlimited wireless connectivity offerings at no cost.”

Outer space should be added to the Department of Homeland Security's list of the nation's 16 critical infrastructure sectors, space cybersecurity experts told House Space Subcommittee members Thursday during a hearing regarding space cybersecurity issues. It's "unquestionable" space qualifies to be on the list alongside communications, dams and financial services, as all 55 critical national functions have some space dependence, said Brandon Bailey, Aerospace Corp. senior project leader-cyber assessments and research. But such a designation without planning could just result in bureaucratic rules that stifle innovation, he said. Theresa Suloway, Mitre space cybersecurity engineer, said there are concerns in the commercial space universe that such a designation would represent a costly regulatory burden.

The FCC should ensure that regulatory fees “more meaningfully reflect the benefits provided to fee payors,” said NAB in calls Tuesday with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr, according to an ex parte filing posted in docket 22-223 Wednesday. The agency should exempt broadcasters from paying for work on aspects of the USF, the filing said. The FCC “has acknowledged that broadcasters do not benefit from the Commission’s Universal Service Fund (USF) activities,” NAB said.

The FCC Wireline Bureau granted waivers to restore originally requested Emergency Connectivity Fund support to the West Virginia Department of Education and Toms River (New Jersey) Regional School District after both applicants voluntarily reduced their months of service, said an order Wednesday in docket 21-93. The bureau also granted a waiver on its own motion to "similarly situated applicants who modified a first or second window recurring service funding request" prior to the bureau extending the service delivery date to June 30, 2023. Affected applicants have 30 days to file requests with the Universal Service Administrative Co. to "restore the voluntarily reduced months of service" in their initial funding requests. The bureau denied Wellpinit (Washington) School District 49's waiver request because it sought to "increase its support amount beyond what was previously approved and committed."

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and other House Commerce Committee members urged the chamber Tuesday to pass the Spectrum Innovation Act legislative package (HR-7624) by a lopsided bipartisan margin ahead of floor votes as soon as that evening on several telecom and tech measures. The House planned floor votes on HR-7624 and two other telecom and tech bills on the docket: the Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for Oversight and Monitoring Web Attacks and Ransomware from Enemies Act (HR-4551) and Safe Connections Act (HR-7132). The chamber was also expected to consider the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act (HR-4990). The Rules Committee, meanwhile, began considering Tuesday afternoon a set of proposed amendments to the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (HR-4040) amid Republicans’ concerns that the measure didn’t first get House Commerce clearance.

The Universal Service Administrative Co. told the FCC Friday that “total funds available for carry-forward” for the rural healthcare program are $380.50 million June 30. Estimated total RHC program demand for FY2022 is $697.85 million, including USAC administrative expenses of $28.15 million, USAC said in a letter posted in docket 02-60. USAC said the Wireline Bureau asked it to file an update.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr raised concerns Thursday about coordination among federal agencies regarding NTIA’s $42.5 billion broadband, equity, access and deployment program and about overbuilding through the program. “We’re going to take areas that have service today and we’re going to put federal dollars on top of private dollars rather than actually connecting people,” Carr said during an American Enterprise Institute event.