House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., believes the early “missteps” of FirstNet are now “behind us,” he plans to say in his opening statement during Tuesday’s FirstNet oversight hearing. He will tout what he considers progress from his last FirstNet hearing more than a year ago but worry about the findings of a recent GAO report. “But that is not to say that there aren’t additional challenges,” Walden will say.

Much more work remains to find the spectrum the wireless industry needs to meet growing demand, said Kara Romagnino, CTIA director-regulatory affairs, Friday in a blog post. CTIA is encouraged by the launch of the Broadband Opportunity Council, which looks at federal efforts to speed deployment of broadband, Romagnino said. “Federal agencies can -- among other things -- work to improve their spectrum usage in order to free up additional capacity for providing wireless broadband service; coordinate multi-agency activities and improve cross-agency processes; remove barriers to broadband deployment on federal and Tribal lands; and encourage growth of federal mobile wireless platforms, mobile health applications and mobile learning applications,” she said.

Much more work remains to find the spectrum the wireless industry needs to meet growing demand, said Kara Romagnino, CTIA director-regulatory affairs, Friday in a blog post. CTIA is encouraged by the launch of the Broadband Opportunity Council, which looks at federal efforts to speed deployment of broadband, Romagnino said. “Federal agencies can -- among other things -- work to improve their spectrum usage in order to free up additional capacity for providing wireless broadband service; coordinate multi-agency activities and improve cross-agency processes; remove barriers to broadband deployment on federal and Tribal lands; and encourage growth of federal mobile wireless platforms, mobile health applications and mobile learning applications,” she said.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged the White House to support reauthorization of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, in comments posted Friday on the Broadband Opportunity Council’s (BBOC) request for comment on broadband availability and deployment issues. A group of House Democrats led by House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a separate filing to “modernize” regulations for the Rural Utility Service’s Telecom Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program to “better facilitate high-speed rural broadband deployment.” BBOC, which the White House created March 23 to spur broadband investment and adoption (see 1503230064), sought comment on ways the federal government can modernize “outdated regulations,” identify regulatory barriers to broadband deployment and promote broadband adoption.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged the White House to support reauthorization of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, in comments posted Friday on the Broadband Opportunity Council’s (BBOC) request for comment on broadband availability and deployment issues. A group of House Democrats led by House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a separate filing to “modernize” regulations for the Rural Utility Service’s Telecom Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program to “better facilitate high-speed rural broadband deployment.” BBOC, which the White House created March 23 to spur broadband investment and adoption (see 1503230064), sought comment on ways the federal government can modernize “outdated regulations,” identify regulatory barriers to broadband deployment and promote broadband adoption.

AT&T, CenturyLink and Verizon expressed concerns about a possible FCC requirement that telecom carriers providing Lifeline-supported service retain sensitive consumer documentation that's submitted to demonstrate eligibility for the USF program. The large telcos said the FCC shouldn't move forward with the proposal or should consider it further in a Lifeline NPRM the FCC is planning to vote on along with a Lifeline order at its June 18 meeting. Meanwhile, wireless Lifeline providers and others continue to lobby the FCC, backing the possible expansion of traditional Lifeline voice support to broadband access.

AT&T told the FCC the results of the AWS-3 auction and comments in the proceeding offer the same conclusion: designated entity rules “are no longer serving their intended purposes or beneficiaries -- small businesses and new entrants in the wireless market” -- and are in need of “substantial reform.” Current DEs said none of the comments so far proves that sweeping changes to the program are necessary. Questions about the DE program have been raised since Dish Network bought $13.3 billion worth of spectrum for $10 billion through two DEs. Dish has said repeatedly it didn't violate FCC rules (see 1505190046).

AT&T told the FCC the results of the AWS-3 auction and comments in the proceeding offer the same conclusion: designated entity rules “are no longer serving their intended purposes or beneficiaries -- small businesses and new entrants in the wireless market” -- and are in need of “substantial reform.” Current DEs said none of the comments so far proves that sweeping changes to the program are necessary. Questions about the DE program have been raised since Dish Network bought $13.3 billion worth of spectrum for $10 billion through two DEs. Dish has said repeatedly it didn't violate FCC rules (see 1505190046).

The Broadband Opportunity Council got only a handful of questions Wednesday during a webinar designed to answer broad queries as it seeks public input on barriers hampering broadband deployment. The council was established March 23 by President Barack Obama and is led by the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, through the Rural Utilities Service and NTIA. “The plan is to make sure that we develop a national broadband expansion plan,” said Keith Adams, assistant administrator at RUS, who spoke during the webinar. “We must use the unique opportunity to collectively join in with the president’s broadband mission and deliver unprecedented impact.” The council already is taking a close look at all federal programs that support broadband “or have the potential to promote broadband services via any type of modifications to rules or regulations,” he said. The council is seeking recommendations from agencies for executive actions and will prepare a final report to the president in August, he said. “We want to make sure that we’re getting all kinds of information from industry, from state, local governments, from anybody who has a stake in understanding how we can provide broadband,” Adams said. The council wants “firsthand feedback on the current issues,” said Douglas Kinkoph, acting associate administrator over the NTIA Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications. “We want to solicit new, bold ideas,” he said. “We’re open to all ideas and issues that you are experiencing.” Comments should cover adoption and deployment issues, Kinkoph said. “It’s important to be specific in regards to the programs, rules, agencies, obstacles and opportunities.” Commenters should avoid addressing issues already before the FCC, such as net neutrality or intercarrier compensation, he said. The council said in a May 6 notice it's seeking comment on: “(i) Ways the federal government can promote best practices, modernize outdated regulations, promote coordination, and offer more services online; (ii) identification of regulatory barriers to broadband deployment, competition, and adoption; (iii) ways to promote public and private investment in broadband; (iv) ways to promote broadband adoption; (v) issues related to state, local, and tribal governments; (vi) issues related to vulnerable communities and communities with limited or no broadband; (vii) issues specific to rural areas; and (viii) ways to measure broadband availability, adoption, and speed.” Comments are due June 10.

The Broadband Opportunity Council got only a handful of questions Wednesday during a webinar designed to answer broad queries as it seeks public input on barriers hampering broadband deployment. The council was established March 23 by President Barack Obama and is led by the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, through the Rural Utilities Service and NTIA. “The plan is to make sure that we develop a national broadband expansion plan,” said Keith Adams, assistant administrator at RUS, who spoke during the webinar. “We must use the unique opportunity to collectively join in with the president’s broadband mission and deliver unprecedented impact.” The council already is taking a close look at all federal programs that support broadband “or have the potential to promote broadband services via any type of modifications to rules or regulations,” he said. The council is seeking recommendations from agencies for executive actions and will prepare a final report to the president in August, he said. “We want to make sure that we’re getting all kinds of information from industry, from state, local governments, from anybody who has a stake in understanding how we can provide broadband,” Adams said. The council wants “firsthand feedback on the current issues,” said Douglas Kinkoph, acting associate administrator over the NTIA Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications. “We want to solicit new, bold ideas,” he said. “We’re open to all ideas and issues that you are experiencing.” Comments should cover adoption and deployment issues, Kinkoph said. “It’s important to be specific in regards to the programs, rules, agencies, obstacles and opportunities.” Commenters should avoid addressing issues already before the FCC, such as net neutrality or intercarrier compensation, he said. The council said in a May 6 notice it's seeking comment on: “(i) Ways the federal government can promote best practices, modernize outdated regulations, promote coordination, and offer more services online; (ii) identification of regulatory barriers to broadband deployment, competition, and adoption; (iii) ways to promote public and private investment in broadband; (iv) ways to promote broadband adoption; (v) issues related to state, local, and tribal governments; (vi) issues related to vulnerable communities and communities with limited or no broadband; (vii) issues specific to rural areas; and (viii) ways to measure broadband availability, adoption, and speed.” Comments are due June 10.