Judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned the FCC on how the commission structures its Universal Service Fund and oversees the role the Universal Service Administrative Co. plays in determining quarterly contribution factors during an en banc hearing Tuesday. Some pressed Consumers' Research on how the private nondelegation doctrine applied to its challenge of the Q1 2022 USF contribution factor (see 2309010060).
Judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned the FCC on how the commission structures its Universal Service Fund and oversees the role the Universal Service Administrative Co. plays in determining quarterly contribution factors during an en banc hearing Tuesday. Some pressed Consumers' Research on how the private nondelegation doctrine applied to its challenge of the Q1 2022 USF contribution factor (see 2309010060).
Officials with the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition still hope for FCC rules allowing use of the lower 12 GHz band for fixed-wireless by the end of the year, in time for the spectrum to be used as part of projects approved under of the broadband equity, access and deployment program. But SpaceX and DirecTV, in particular, which opposed mobile use for 5G, are giving no ground. Replies were posted Monday in docket 20-443.
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau awarded more than $1.2 million Wednesday in its final round of funding through the affordable connectivity program's tribal competitive outreach program (see 2303150058). The new funding will support five tribal organizations, said a public notice in docket 21-450. The funding was limited to governmental and nongovernmental tribal entities that will do outreach and enrollment assistance to eligible households on qualifying tribal lands.
Alternative connect America cost model (ACAM) carriers must indicate on a state-by-state basis by Sept. 29 whether they want to receive enhanced ACAM support, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice Wednesday in docket 10-90 (see 2307240064). The model-based support includes a predicted monthly funding threshold of $63.69, a funding cap per location of $350, and an alternative funding percentage of 80%. Tribal locations are subject to a threshold of $47.76 and a cap of $365.93. The offer is also based on what the carrier "currently receives for locations to which it has already deployed 100/20 Mbps or faster broadband but which unsubsidized competitors neither already serve nor are subject to enforceable commitment to serve."
GAO recommended NTIA provide "constructive feedback" to tribal broadband connectivity program applicants that received equitable distribution grants of up to $500,000 instead of the amounts they requested. In a report Thursday, it also recommended providing "another form of assistance" in the program's second round (see 2307270046). NTIA agreed with GAO about the "importance of providing constructive feedback" and said it did so for all 45 applicants that did not receive an award because they "did not pass merit review or successfully complete programmatic review" as required by the first notice of funding opportunity. The agency will "again conduct targeted outreach and host technical assistance webinars" as part of its second NOFO.
NTIA awarded seven grants totaling nearly $3.5 million through the tribal broadband connectivity program Thursday. The new funding will support broadband deployment and planning projects for seven tribes in New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington, per a news release. Applications for the next round of program support are due by Jan. 23 (see 2307270046).
An FCC order expanding tribal libraries' access to the E-rate program is effective Sept. 29, said a notice for Tuesday's Federal Register. Commissioners approved the item in July (see 2307200041).
An FCC proposal to allow fixed-wireless use of the lower 12 GHz band remains hotly contested. Multiple satellite interests argued expanded terrestrial use of the upper 12 GHz band, if allowed, must include protection for adjacent-band satellite services. Comments were posed Wednesday and Thursday in docket 20-443. Leaders of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition are seeking FCC action by year's end (see 2308090061). The FCC also sought comment on an NPRM on the upper 12 GHz band.
The FCC wants comments by Sept. 25, replies by Oct. 23, in docket 02-6 on ensuring eligible tribal entities have access to the E-rate program and streamlining the application process for all applicants, per a notice in Wednesday's Federal Register. Commissioners approved the item in July (see 2307200041).