Redwire and Viasat drew resistance to their requests for FCC designation as eligible telecom carriers after making winning bids in the Connect America Fund Phase II auction. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission disputed Redwire's assertion the FCC could grant the tribal entity ETC status because it wasn't subject to Oklahoma regulatory jurisdiction (see 1902210025). The FCC should find Redwire "has not met its burden of proof and decline to take jurisdiction," filed the OCC's Public Utility Division, posted Wednesday in docket 09-197. Instead, it said the FCC should direct Redwire to supplement its ETC application to the OCC to include areas in its FCC application. Hughes Network Systems opposed Viasat's ETC application for four states. "Viasat has not demonstrated that it is capable of meeting the CAF-II service standards for high-latency bidders," Hughes filed. "Viasat may be hoping that the Commission will modify the CAF-II performance standards so that it can meet them, but this is not a sufficient basis for Viasat to make the required certification."
Redwire and Viasat drew resistance to their requests for FCC designation as eligible telecom carriers after making winning bids in the Connect America Fund Phase II auction. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission disputed Redwire's assertion the FCC could grant the tribal entity ETC status because it wasn't subject to Oklahoma regulatory jurisdiction (see 1902210025). The FCC should find Redwire "has not met its burden of proof and decline to take jurisdiction," filed the OCC's Public Utility Division, posted Wednesday in docket 09-197. Instead, it said the FCC should direct Redwire to supplement its ETC application to the OCC to include areas in its FCC application. Hughes Network Systems opposed Viasat's ETC application for four states. "Viasat has not demonstrated that it is capable of meeting the CAF-II service standards for high-latency bidders," Hughes filed. "Viasat may be hoping that the Commission will modify the CAF-II performance standards so that it can meet them, but this is not a sufficient basis for Viasat to make the required certification."
NTCA generally supports proposals to hold an incentive auction for 2.5 GHz spectrum, it told FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel aide Umair Javed. “NTCA discussed potential ways to help ensure that tribal entities and providers with a proven record of serving rural communities and educational institutions have an opportunity to obtain the spectrum,” said a filing Thursday in docket 18-20. “To the extent the Commission moves forward with priority licensing windows, NTCA suggested that controls should be in place to ensure that the rules are not used by the largest providers to obtain discounted prices for spectrum.” NTCA reiterated its opposition to T-Mobile buying Sprint and also expressed C-band concerns: “NTCA members currently use the spectrum for satellite downlinks and any changes to the spectrum licensing rules must fully protect incumbent users and consumers from harmful interference and service loss and disruptions.”
Comments are due March 6, replies March 13 on Viasat and Redwire requests to be designated as Connect America Fund eligible telecom carriers, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice in docket 09-197 and Thursday's Daily Digest. Both won CAF Phase II auction support over 10 years, with Viasat bidding $122.5 million to serve 190,595 locations in 20 states and Redwire bidding $4.8 million to serve 8,041 Oklahoma locations. Viasat's petition seeks ETC status for Alabama, California, Florida and West Virginia, which have declined to exercise their jurisdiction, and says it will provide satellite broadband and voice service. Windstream in November called Viasat's funding a waste because it would provide the "same high-latency service" it already provides (see 1811080031). But Viasat replied that "stringent" FCC criteria require it to offer a service tier and pricing it doesn't otherwise offer, including usage allowance that's expected to rise (see 1811130034). As a federally recognized tribal entity, Redwire is not subject to Oklahoma regulatory jurisdiction, says its petition, which notes it will deploy a wireless network to provide broadband and voice service to anchor institutions, businesses and residences.
FCC commissioners expressed concerns about the threat from Chinese equipment makers Huawei and ZTE (see 1902140060), in news conferences after their monthly meeting Thursday. “I don’t think you can separate China from China companies,” said Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. “It’s incredibly problematic and I’ve raised it regarding the ITU, with the equipment, what they’re doing in standard-setting bodies … their desire to capture a number of countries in trade.” The FCC has limited authority on trade, he said. Commissioner Brendan Carr said he “started speaking recently in a broad sense about our values that we want instilled in a 5G network.” It’s “no longer enough for us to be first to 5G, we need to make sure our networks are secure,” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said. The FCC “has got to finish the proceeding it started last year to make clear to every carrier, big and small, what kind of equipment they can put in their networks.” It's reviewing what it might do to counter security threats to U.S. communications networks or the communications supply chain (see 1812210032). The FCC should require certification that 5G devices meet security standards, she said: “There is so much more that we can do.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week warned European countries against technology from Huawei in their networks. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he shares Pompeo’s and the administration’s overall concerns “about the importance of the security of America’s communications network” and that’s why the FCC acted on the security NPRM last year. The FCC is working with other parts of the government and other stakeholders “to make sure that we have all the facts,” he said. “As to what the ultimate outcome of that proceeding will be, I obviously can’t forecast.” Discussing Lifeline, Pai said the FCC remains focused on curbing waste, fraud and abuse, so support can target low-income consumers who need help. He declined to say whether a proposed reseller ban is dead after a court shot down the agency's ban on resellers receiving enhanced tribal support, and on whether changes are needed to rollout of a national verifier of consumer eligibility. Rosenworcel said the court reversal signals the agency should “turn around” and “get it right” by creating opportunities for the needy, including through continued reseller participation.
The FCC’s media modernization effort should be scrutinized for ignoring “foundational statutory obligations” and bypassing policies “truly in need of modernization,” said new Commissioner Geoffrey Starks in an extended statement at Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting. Starks and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel voted “concur” on a unanimously approved order eliminating redundant midterm equal employment opportunity reports (see 1901180043). They urged the FCC to restore long-stalled collection of employment data on diversity. The agency will issue an Further NPRM on broad EEO enforcement within 90 days, Chairman Ajit Pai said.
Donald Trump's administration released its American Broadband Initiative milestones report Wednesday, outlining a strategy for spurring wireless and wireline broadband using federal lands. It includes opening Department of Interior (DOI) towers for communications use and streamlining other buildout. The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on ways to ensure U.S. infrastructure keeps up with economic growth.
Donald Trump's administration released its American Broadband Initiative milestones report Wednesday, outlining a strategy for spurring wireless and wireline broadband using federal lands. It includes opening Department of Interior (DOI) towers for communications use and streamlining other buildout. The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on ways to ensure U.S. infrastructure keeps up with economic growth.
New Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said the FCC must move quickly on complaints AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint are selling customers' real-time location data to bounty hunters (see 1901080046). The ex-Enforcement Bureau staffer, flanked by staff, met reporters Friday.
New Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said the FCC must move quickly on complaints AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint are selling customers' real-time location data to bounty hunters (see 1901080046). The ex-Enforcement Bureau staffer, flanked by staff, met reporters Friday.