FirstNet moved several more steps toward the launch of a public safety network for first responders, with the board approving elements of its request for proposal (RFP) and 64 final interpretations from the first and second public notices on its network. FirstNet's CEO Mike Poth said after its Friday meeting that it will have room to negotiate deals with industry.
Industry parties and others continued to support FCC proposals to Lifeline USF subsidies to broadband service and revamp administrative oversight, but divisions remain over specifics. In reply comments filed in docket 11-42 responding to initial comments on the FCC’s NPRM (see 1509010073 and 1509040045), parties generally backed giving low-income consumers expanded choice and shifting responsibility for verifying Lifeline subscriber eligibility from telecom carriers to a third party. But there was disagreement over whether the FCC should establish minimum Lifeline standards for broadband/voice service. Numerous tribal groups also filed reply comments urging the FCC to retain and even increase enhanced Lifeline tribal support.
Industry parties and others continued to support FCC proposals to Lifeline USF subsidies to broadband service and revamp administrative oversight, but divisions remain over specifics. In reply comments filed in docket 11-42 responding to initial comments on the FCC’s NPRM (see 1509010073 and 1509040045), parties generally backed giving low-income consumers expanded choice and shifting responsibility for verifying Lifeline subscriber eligibility from telecom carriers to a third party. But there was disagreement over whether the FCC should establish minimum Lifeline standards for broadband/voice service. Numerous tribal groups also filed reply comments urging the FCC to retain and even increase enhanced Lifeline tribal support.
Leaders of the House Transportation Committee introduced legislation (HR-3651) Wednesday to postpone the deadline for positive train control implementation from Dec. 31 of this year to the end of 2018. The technology involves railroads’ acquisition of spectrum and FCC siting approval, both of which had caused delays, and many railroads can't meet this year’s congressionally mandated deadline. Extension “is essential to preventing significant disruptions of both passenger and freight rail service across the country,” said committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., in a statement. The legislation text said exceptions to the new deadline could be made for some railroads and called for progress reports. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., lauded the bill, in a statement: “Our country’s economy cannot afford the significant disruptions that will occur if we don’t act soon. Reaching an agreement and passing legislation in the coming weeks is the only way to avert a rail service shutdown.” Thune said "there have been some unexpected delays in implementing the technology,” in a floor speech Wednesday. “The [FCC] halted the construction of necessary communication towers for over a year in 2013 over concerns about historic preservation and potential impacts on tribal lands. There have also been delays in regulatory approvals, problems in obtaining necessary communications spectrum, and many difficulties that come with building a new technology.” Association of American Railroads President Edward Hamberger praised the House legislation. “The committee leadership clearly recognizes the need for immediate action to forestall the looming economic crisis that would result from widespread freight and passenger rail service disruption,” he said.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (HR-3490), sending the bill to the House floor by voice vote during a markup Wednesday. The bill authorizes the Secret Service to train state and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges through the Alabama-based National Computer Forensics Institute how to investigate cybercrimes and electronic crimes, do computer and mobile device forensic exams, and respond to network intrusion investigations, a committee news release said.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (HR-3490), sending the bill to the House floor by voice vote during a markup Wednesday. The bill authorizes the Secret Service to train state and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges through the Alabama-based National Computer Forensics Institute how to investigate cybercrimes and electronic crimes, do computer and mobile device forensic exams, and respond to network intrusion investigations, a committee news release said.
The FCC should modify rules under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to ease the collocation of distributed antenna system (DAS) networks and other small cell systems, said CTIA, major wireless carriers and other industry commenters. The Wireless Bureau sought comment on revised rules for small cells in a July public notice (see 1507280037). Initial comments were due Monday and many of the comments were posted Tuesday in docket 15-180.
The FCC should modify rules under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to ease the collocation of distributed antenna system (DAS) networks and other small cell systems, said CTIA, major wireless carriers and other industry commenters. The Wireless Bureau sought comment on revised rules for small cells in a July public notice (see 1507280037). Initial comments were due Monday and many of the comments were posted Tuesday in docket 15-180.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., pressed for extension of the Dec. 31 positive train control (PTC) implementation deadline, in a news release from the committee issued Thursday. “As a practical matter Congress needs to pass an extension by the end of October to prevent freight and commuter rail disruption,” the news release said. “To do this, Congress may have to pass the PTC extension in the DRIVE Act as a stand-alone bill.” Congress this summer had approved the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act, which was part of a long-term transportation funding bill that the Senate but not the House passed. Thune initially had considered trying to attach the PTC extension to the short-term funding bill the Senate is trying to pass now. His effort to include the extension was unsuccessful. The news release mentioned the role of the FCC in helping with PTC implementation: "Some delays actually came from federal agencies. Railroads must install about 35,000 wayside interface units and 25,000 poles to transmit PTC signals, and in May 2013 the [FCC] halted construction of these structures for over a year until the agency could develop a process to review potential historic preservation and tribal impacts.” Committee staffers also posted many responses to Thune from railroads regarding their inability to meet the PTC deadline.
The White House’s Broadband Opportunity Council delivered its long-anticipated recommendations on broadband deployment Monday. The proposal sets up what the council calls “dozens of actions” anticipated by federal agencies over the next 18 months, streamlining processes and better organizing how information is presented and handled online.