Industry opposition to an FCC proposal reclassifying broadband as a Title II service under the Communications Act continued in reply comments posted through Thursday in docket 23-320 (see 2312150020). Most groups warned reclassification would stifle competition. Some consumer groups disagreed, urging the FCC to reinstate its net neutrality rules without preempting state and local governments.
While the FCC received support for moving forward on a November proposal permitting schools and libraries to get E-rate support for off-premises Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless internet services (see 2311090028) many commenters raised questions. Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington dissented on an NPRM, questioning the proposal's legal underpinnings, and several comments agreed. The comments were filed the same week as the U.S. Supreme Court considered the Chevron doctrine's future and how strictly regulators must adhere to statutory language (see 2401170074).
ACA Connects has again updated its broadband equity, access and deployment framework (see 2307180030), incorporating updated broadband map data. ACA Connects said Wednesday the data indicates 6.4 million unserved and underserved locations will be eligible for BEAD funding, and that fiber should reach at least 71% of eligible locations.
The retransmission consent blackout rebate NPRM that FCC commissioners adopted 3-2 along party lines last week (see 2401100026) asks numerous questions about agency authority and implementation but has few tentative conclusions about how such a rebate regime might work. The approved NPRM was released Wednesday.
NTCA and ACA Connects urged the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Tuesday to adopt the FCC's proposal to amend a 2017 rule simplifying the historic preservation review process for communications providers. Streamlining the review process will give providers more flexibility when seeking to deploy federally funded broadband infrastructure, the groups said in a news release. The will ensure providers can "utilize game-changing broadband funding" to "more effectively and efficiently" close the digital divide, ACA Connects President-CEO Grant Spellmeyer said. It's "critical to balance important historic preservation considerations and minimizing burdens and delays in network construction," said NTCA Executive Vice President Mike Romano.
ACA Connects hires three vice presidents: Zamir Ahmed, ex-NAB, for external affairs; Olivia Shields, ex-House Commerce Committee, public affairs and communications; and Max Staloff, ex-Jenner & Block and former FCC, for regulatory affairs … USTelecom appoints Keller and Heckman’s Kathleen Slattery Thompson as vice president-policy and advocacy … Akin promotes intellectual property lawyer David Lee to partner … Troutman Pepper Names patent and IP partner Tate Tischner as managing partner, Rochester office … Former Lawler Metzger partner Jim Falvey announces opening of The Law Office of James C. Falvey, representing fiber infrastructure and other telecom providers.
A cable industry priority for the new year is opposing the FCC's proposal that requires MVPDs to refund subscribers for programming blackouts due to failed retransmission consent talks with broadcasters, ACA Connects President Grant Spellmeyer told Communications Daily. In an interview, Spellmeyer discussed his 18 months as ACA head (see 2205170043), video's declining -- but not negligible -- importance to his members, and cable's broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program concerns. The following transcript was edited for length and clarity.
NTIA "directionally aligned" its approach to the broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program in a policy notice released Tuesday. The notice signaled NTIA's BEAD approach is generally in line with the Treasury Department's broadband infrastructure projects and the FCC's USF policies. The notice comes after NTIA received more than 60 comments from a range of stakeholders seeking exceptions and program adjustments.
Industry and consumer groups clashed on whether the FCC should reclassify broadband internet access as a Title II service under the Communications Act in comments posted through Friday in docket 23-320 (see 2310190020). Commenters against reclassification warned that it would stifle innovation and competition. Supporters said the proposal would ensure consumers have equal access to broadband ahead of anticipated federal broadband deployment programs.
Citing the need to speed up resolution of pole attachment disputes, FCC commissioners during their open meeting Wednesday unanimously adopted an order, declaratory ruling and Further NPRM revising rules to make for faster and cheaper broadband deployment. The item builds on a 2022 proceeding seeking comment on the commission's cost allocation principles (see 2203160031).