Some radio broadcasters and state broadcaster associations urged the FCC not to create an additional burden on radio stations by requiring them to provide public inspection files online, in comments in docket 14-127 on a public notice on whether to adopt such a rule for radio stations. Some public media entities argued against including noncommercial educational (NCE) stations in the regime. The notice also sought comment on whether to extend the requirement to cable- and satellite-TV operators. NCTA asked the FCC to explore how it can modify online filing rules to fit cable’s obligations.
The FCC should move forward to approve Telcordia as the new Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA), taking the contract away from Neustar, said USTelecom and CTIA in joint reply comments posted by the FCC Monday. Federal law enforcement didn’t pick sides but filed reply comments asking the commission to move forward with caution.
The FCC Friday approved, over one dissent and two partial dissents, rules requiring all carriers and interconnected over-the-top text providers to have the capacity to transmit emergency texts to 911 call centers by the end of the year. The FCC also approved a further NPRM asking about such issues as extending the mandate to non-interconnected OTT providers and on rules for determining the location of those sending the texts and making the system work for subscribers roaming on another network.
The FCC Friday approved, over one dissent and two partial dissents, rules requiring all carriers and interconnected over-the-top text providers to have the capacity to transmit emergency texts to 911 call centers by the end of the year. The FCC also approved a further NPRM asking about such issues as extending the mandate to non-interconnected OTT providers and on rules for determining the location of those sending the texts and making the system work for subscribers roaming on another network.
Recognizing changing consumer Internet demands, the FCC issued a notice of inquiry (http://bit.ly/1srx6Gz) Tuesday asking if it should raise the benchmarks for defining “advanced telecommunications capability” in preparation for its national broadband progress report. Because of a “tremendous growth in the online video and audio markets in the past few years,” the NOI asked as expected (WID June 4 p4) if the agency should modify its current broadband benchmark of 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. “The demand for video services and the introduction and use of new services on the market” may mean the old benchmark “no longer allows consumers the ability to ‘originate and receive’ the broadband services identified in section 706” of the Telecom Act, NOI said. Republican commissioners concurred in part and expressed concern that higher benchmarks could bring more regulation.
Recognizing changing consumer Internet demands, the FCC issued a notice of inquiry (http://bit.ly/1srx6Gz) Tuesday asking if it should raise the benchmarks for defining “advanced telecommunications capability” in preparation for its national broadband progress report. Because of a “tremendous growth in the online video and audio markets in the past few years,” the NOI asked as expected (CD June 4 p1) if the agency should modify its current broadband benchmark of 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. “The demand for video services and the introduction and use of new services on the market” may mean the old benchmark “no longer allows consumers the ability to ‘originate and receive’ the broadband services identified in section 706” of the Telecom Act, NOI said. Republican commissioners concurred in part and expressed concern that higher benchmarks could bring more regulation.
The FCC Wireless and Wireline bureaus approved the $650,000 winning bid of Triangle Communications for Tribal Mobility Fund Phase I support in Fort Belknap, Montana, the site of the Fort Belknap Indian Community. The Friday notice directed the Universal Service Administrative Company to pay the company. The initial payment is equal to one-third of the total winning bid amount, the notice said (http://bit.ly/1moE2yg). It said winners “will be subject to a performance default payment if it fails or is unable to meet its coverage requirement, other service requirements, or fails to fulfill any other term or condition of Tribal Mobility Fund Phase I support.” The co-op provides telecom services in 39 exchanges located in 16 Montana counties (http://bit.ly/1jYHdlX).
The FCC approved 5-0 Friday spending up to $100 million on rural broadband experiments as part of the Connect America Fund (CAF), as was expected (WID July 11 p3). Officials said the order gives the FCC the chance to test for the first time the viability of using competitive bidding to award recurring support for people living in high-cost areas.
The FCC approved 5-0 Friday spending up to $100 million on rural broadband experiments as part of the Connect America Fund (CAF), as was expected (CD July 11 p1). Officials said the order gives the FCC the chance to test for the first time the viability of using competitive bidding to award recurring support for people living in high-cost areas.
Proposed changes to how FCC regulatory fees are assessed impose a “disproportionate” burden on wireless, CTIA said in comments filed at the FCC. The FCC’s overall budget for FY 2014 is $449.8 million and Congress directed the agency to recover about $339.8 million through regulatory fees, and $98.7 million through revenue retained from spectrum auctions. Comments in docket 12-201 were due Monday on a June 12 NPRM (http://bit.ly/U1K1m0).