Boomerang Wireless filed an amended version of its 2010 petition at the FCC asking to be designated as an eligible telecom carrier to offer low-cost service under the Lifeline program. Boomerang wants to serve Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. “Boomerang submits this Amended Petition to expand its proposed Lifeline offering,” said the petition, filed in docket 09-197. “Boomerang proposes to provide Lifeline customers with low- cost plan options that include 250 MB of data per month, and Lifeline customers who reside on tribal lands with low-cost plan options that include 500 MB of data per month.” Boomerang asked for an expedited decision by the commission.

FirstNet reached out to the 56 state and territory single points of contact (SPOCs) in July, said a blog post from the organization Thursday. The calls were to remind the SPOCs of the importance of data collection for informing FirstNet’s acquisition of a comprehensive network solution and state plans development, understand everyone’s current data collection status, and determine if any more support may be needed from FirstNet, the post said. Most SPOCs said they plan to provide data by the Sept. 30 deadline, FirstNet said. Most also reported a high level of outreach and consultation with metropolitan and rural areas within their states and territories, with some making direct calls or holding in-person meetings with agencies at all levels of government on the data collection process, it said. Tribal engagement has also been going well, with the biggest successes seeming to be in states that work through their governor’s office, it said.

The FCC push to extend Lifeline USF support to broadband received support in early comments, but some state and local officials are concerned it could come at the expense of traditional phone services. Some Native American groups also urged the commission to reach out more directly to tribal authorities to address their needs. Responding to several requests for more time, the FCC extended its Aug. 17 deadline to Aug. 31 for commenting on its NPRM to revamp its Lifeline USF support for low-income consumers (see 1508050032). Some parties filed comments in docket 11-42 by the original deadline. The Alliance for Excellent Education said it “strongly supports” FCC efforts to expand and modernize Lifeline to help “narrow the homework gap” affecting “low-income families and traditional minorities” that lack access to technology needed to do school assignments. Senior Service America asked the agency to "strengthen links between Lifeline’s existing eligibility determination system and other major federal means-tested assistance programs as an efficient and effective way to reach a significant proportion of the millions of older Americans who remain offline.” State and local officials expressed varying degrees of enthusiasm for general Lifeline reform efforts, but voiced concerns about some proposals, in letters that appeared to work off the same template. Linda Hudson, mayor of Fort Pierce, Florida, said “several aspects of this regulatory scheme” would “adversely affect qualified low-income individuals and households, and further broaden the digital divide.” She and others said they were concerned a proposed FCC rule would force Lifeline subscribers to choose between spending their monthly subsidy on cellphone service or broadband. They also said the commission’s current $9.25/month Lifeline subsidy isn't enough to buy broadband that would “solve any real communications issues” or voice/broadband bundles. Public Knowledge asked the FCC to take care in establishing any “budget” for the Lifeline program, which provides about $1.6 billion in support, down from $2.1 billion a few years ago. Some tribal groups also weighed in, seeking greater consultation and outreach.

The FCC’s push to extend Lifeline USF support to broadband is receiving support in early comments, but some state and local officials are concerned it could come at the expense of traditional phone services. Some Native American groups also have urged the commission to reach out more directly to tribal authorities to address their needs. Responding to several requests for more time, the FCC extended its Aug. 17 deadline to Aug. 31 for commenting on its NPRM to revamp its Lifeline USF support for low-income consumers (see 1508050032), but some parties filed comments in docket 11-42 by the original deadline.

The Department of Homeland Security plans to consolidate two import-related systems of records, DHS said in a notice on the proposal (here). The two systems, now known as the Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System System of Records and the Automated Commercial System System of Records, would also be renamed as Import Information System (IIS) System of Records, it said. The consolidation is hoped to simplify public understanding of CBP handling of import information after ACE is implemented, said DHS.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel's office names Johanna Thomas, ex-Wireless Bureau, legal adviser, working on wireless, international and public safety issues, and promotes Travis Litman to senior legal adviser, working on wireline and consumer issues ... NATPE/Content First hires JP Bommel, ex-Barton Creek International, as managing director and chief operating officer, effective next month ... Graham Media hires Heidi Schmid Whiting, ex-Cinnamon Mueller, as vice president-general counsel, succeeding John Ronayne, retiring from that role and becoming vice president-senior counsel ... Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers hires Terry Maloney, ex-Entertainment Promotions, as vice president-marketing and business development.

The FCC kicked off its annual inquiry into whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to all Americans, pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecom Act. The notice of inquiry approved by commissioners Thursday contemplates retaining the agency's 25/3 Mbps broadband definition for terrestrial fixed services while seeking comment on whether the commission should include terrestrial mobile and satellite fixed services in its broadband assessment, FCC officials and a release said.

The FCC kicked off its annual inquiry into whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to all Americans, pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecom Act. The notice of inquiry approved by commissioners Thursday contemplates retaining the agency's 25/3 Mbps broadband definition for terrestrial fixed services while seeking comment on whether the commission should include terrestrial mobile and satellite fixed services in its broadband assessment, FCC officials and a release said.

House Republicans intend to drill down on FCC process overhaul, the broadcast TV incentive auction and its designated entity (DE) rules and the implications of the net neutrality order on privacy, said the GOP memo for a Tuesday House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing. Chairman Tom Wheeler will push back against the criticisms and say the agency is well on track toward accomplishing all its goals, according to his written testimony, in contrast to concerns Commissioner Ajit Pai plans to raise.

House Republicans intend to drill down on FCC process overhaul, the broadcast TV incentive auction and its designated entity (DE) rules and the implications of the net neutrality order on privacy, said the GOP memo for a Tuesday House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing. Chairman Tom Wheeler will push back against the criticisms and say the agency is well on track toward accomplishing all its goals, according to his written testimony, in contrast to concerns Commissioner Ajit Pai plans to raise.