The FCC will allow 3.65 GHz licensees whose licenses expire starting April 17 to wait until Oct. 17 to transition from Part 90 to Part 96 gear, it said in an expected move (see 2003160049). The FCC said it can take the action without delaying the June citizens broadband radio service or the December C-band auction. “This is a logical delay of the transition during the pandemic to ensure that current licensees, like [wireless ISPs] and electric utilities, can keep their eyes on the ball when it comes to helping consumers,” said Chairman Ajit Pai: “We can allow this flexibility while still maintaining a reasonable timeline for this transition.” The Wireless ISP Association had been seeking relief and applauded the change. “For now, it prevents thousands of rural customers from losing service -- something especially important given the role Internet connectivity will play in keeping us safe and in touch with the world during the COVID-19 pandemic,” WISPA said.

Four Senate Democrats and House Communications Subcommittee Vice Chair Doris Matsui, D-Calif., pressed the FCC on Lifeline access matters amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Three other Senate Commerce Committee Democrats urged the FCC Thursday to create a “consumer-friendly web portal” to help Americans find Wi-Fi hotspots, telecom companies’ contact information and federal assistance information. “The coronavirus and resulting public safety measures taken by states, municipalities, and vigilant citizens are a resounding demonstration of the importance of Lifeline and other FCC assistance programs," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and the others said Thursday in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “We strongly urge the FCC to commit that no one loses access to Lifeline at this time of crisis.” The commission should “take swift steps to provide information about Lifeline to the public and ensure carriers more aggressively advertise their Lifeline services to all eligible individuals,” the senators said. “Americans must know that help is available.” The other three senators who signed were Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; and Ed Markey, D-Mass. Matsui wrote Pai Wednesday to “take immediate steps to provide any Americans that become eligible for Lifeline due to effects of COVID-19 access to the support they need as quickly as possible.” She’s “pleased to see that recertification and reverification activity will be put on hold for the immediate future to prevent unnecessary service interruptions for current Lifeline subscribers. However, these steps will not do anything to assist Americans that become eligible for Lifeline or other qualifying assistance programs due to a loss in work or drop in income.” An FCC spokesperson pointed to Pai's success at getting ISPs to keep everyone online for the next 60 days amid the coronavirus (see 2003130066). Pai has also "exhorted those companies with low-income broadband programs like the Connect2Compete program to expand and improve them (for example, by increasing speeds to 25/3 Mbps and expanding eligibility) and those without to adopt such programs," the FCC spokesperson emailed. "He also called on broadband providers to relax their data cap policies in appropriate circumstances and on those that serve schools and libraries to work with them on remote learning opportunities. In the meantime, Commission staff have been busy at work exploring additional ways to keep students and all Americans connected during the coronavirus pandemic."

The FCC and House Commerce Committee leaders say they’re pushing for remote learning and telehealth funding to be included in a third legislative package aimed at economic losses and a possible recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Democrats have been pushing for additional funding legislation to address pandemic-related infrastructure issues, including broadband capacity and distance learning resources (see 2003180066). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was expected to unveil a separate proposal for the funding bill late Thursday. The FCC wants funding for “in-home devices for use by teachers, students, and patients,” something "the Communications Act does not authorize the FCC to subsidize," a spokesperson said. The House Appropriations Committee is considering telehealth funding as part of the next legislative package, a spokesperson said. House Commerce is “examining all options to ensure that all Americans have the connectivity they need throughout this crisis,” said Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., in a statement. Committee Republicans are also “working with the FCC to figure out how we can use our resources most effectively for those who need them most as we work towards long-term policies to close the digital divide,” a spokesperson said.

President Donald Trump’s renomination of FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly Wednesday drew widespread praise. O’Rielly would serve a term ending June 30, 2024 (see 2003180070). His current term ended in June, but he can remain until this Congress ends at the beginning of 2021 (see 1910250039). “I am deeply appreciative of the President’s decision and his aggressive leadership on communications policy, including extensive efforts to bring broadband access to all Americans,” O’Rielly said. As a commissioner “I have advocated for preserving and advancing American free market principles to develop common sense regulation and eliminate unnecessary rules that hurt consumers.” It’s “gratifying to watch the private and public sectors pulling together to rise to the occasion” amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other “monumental challenges currently confronting our nation,” he said. Trump “made a wise choice,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. O’Rielly has “made many contributions to the work of the Commission, from his leadership on 3.5 GHz spectrum policy to his unwavering advocacy against state misuse of 911 funding. And when we were in the minority, he consistently stood on principle while being pragmatic.” O’Rielly’s “tireless work ethic has helped deliver many good wins for this country during his time on the Commission,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr. O’Rielly “is incredibly knowledgeable on communications policy matters and has contributed so much to the work of the agency,” said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks also congratulated O’Rielly. CTIA President Meredith Baker highlighted O’Rielly for being “a champion for smart spectrum policies, ending 9-1-1 fee diversion.” NAB “supports the renomination,” said CEO Gordon Smith. Charter Communications, Comcast, the Competitive Carriers Association, Incompas, Wireless Infrastructure Association and Wireless ISP Association also applauded the renomination.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr isn't backing down from comments on Twitter earlier in the week criticizing China for spreading false reports that the U.S. is responsible for COVID-19, he told a Broadband Breakfast teleconference Thursday. Carr said more FCC actions on the pandemic are on the way. “We’re going to be in for a tough time,” he warned. So far, networks seem to be holding up, he said.

In a key early test of the FCC’s ability to wrap up big items in a coronavirus world, commissioners are expected to vote in April to allow Wi-Fi to share the 6 GHz band (see 2003050058). The Office of Engineering and Technology hadn’t completed work on the order before FCC staff was ordered to telework last week, but most industry and FCC officials said they still expect the order to be ready for a vote at the April 23 meeting, though questions remain difficult.

President Donald Trump’s administration is partnering with the Ad Council, broadcasters and digital platforms to air public service announcements to urge social distancing and personal hygiene practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has urged broadcasters to air PSAs featuring celebrities plugging social distancing (see 2003170068). Pai has also urged broadcasters to work with MVPDs to avoid retransmission consent-related service disruptions during the next 60 days, something that has support from some broadcasters and MVPDs (see 2003180036). Surgeon General Jerome Adams, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Debbie Birx and first lady Melania Trump will appear in the PSAs, the White House said Wednesday. ABC, iHeartMedia, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS will be running PSAs coordinated with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health and Human Services, the White House said.

Inteliquent wants the FCC Wireline Bureau to assure the company it won't fall under access stimulation rules for terminating high-volume incoming traffic "to support a massive surge in demand for conference calling services as the American people move en masse from work in the office to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic," it petitioned, posted Wednesday in docket 18-155. It seeks waiver through June 1 and at 60-day intervals "as events warrant."

The FCC can take several steps to help with the coronavirus, including acting on an E-rate petition “clarifying that schools can wirelessly extend E-Rate subsidized connections to students at home,” Microsoft officials told an aide to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 02-6. The FCC should also act on changes to the technical rules for TV white space devices provide an expected waiver of citizens broadband radio service transition requirements (see 2003160049).

The FCC should require wireless carriers to lift data caps and drop data overage charges on wireless plans due to the novel coronavirus, NARUC President Brandon Presley said Wednesday. Telecom companies should “work proactively with communities to ensure that students left out of school are not left behind academically.” The COVID-19 pandemic “heightened attention to the digital divide that exists in many communities,” he said. Presley praised NARUC members for acting to stop service disconnections (see 2003170005, 2003160035 and 2003130065). FCC Chairman Ajit Pai “has already exhorted companies with low-income broadband programs like Connect2Compete to expand and improve them (for example, by increasing speeds to 25/3 Mbps and expanding eligibility) and those without to adopt such programs,” a spokesperson emailed. “He also called on broadband providers to relax their data cap policies in appropriate circumstances, on telephone carriers to waive long-distance and overage fees in appropriate circumstances, on those that serve schools and libraries to work with them on remote learning opportunities, and on all network operators to prioritize the connectivity needs of hospitals and healthcare providers.” Presley and fellow Mississippi Public Service Commission members separately urged unlimited mobile and satellite data in a Tuesday letter to the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, and in an identical letter that day to CTIA. The wireless industry is “focused on keeping Americans connected, and our members have taken significant and innovative steps to meet that challenge," said CTIA Senior Vice President-External and State Affairs Jamie Hastings. SBCA didn’t comment.