Congress’ clash on spectrum legislation is expected to escalate just before lawmakers leave for the long August recess with a continued lack of bicameral consensus. House Commerce Committee leaders are eyeing potential floor consideration the week of July 25 of the Spectrum Innovation Act legislative package (HR-7624) the panel advanced Wednesday (see 2207130066). Senate Commerce Committee leaders haven’t signed on in support of HR-7624’s approach and are likely to hold a hearing the week of Aug. 1 on renewing the FCC’s spectrum auction authority and other matters the measure addresses. HR-7624 authorizes an FCC auction of up to 200 MHz on the 3.1-3.45 GHz band.
NTIA’s reconstituted Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee had its first meeting Friday since April 2021, when it wrapped up work that started in the Trump administration (see 2104080060). Under President Donald Trump, CSMAC didn’t meet July 2018-October 2019 and NTIA didn’t have a permanent administrator for most of that administration.
As it looks to open up the 17 GHz band to geostationary orbit fixed satellite service downlinks, the FCC is also eyeing allowing using the band for non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite service downlinks, according to a draft order and NPRM on the agency's Aug. 5 meeting agenda. The draft items released Friday also include a draft order establishing an outreach grant for the affordable connectivity program and a draft order creating a one-year pilot program aimed at boosting enrollment among households receiving federal housing assistance.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr's staff is scheduling a meeting with TikTok representatives after the popular Chinese social media app requested the meeting amid scrutiny over the company’s ties to Beijing. Carr said in an interview Thursday he remains focused on TikTok’s data practices and will push for the federal government to take action.
The FCC’s final estimate of additional funding it will need to fully satisfy demand for money from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program is $3.08 billion, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Friday in letters to leaders of the House and Senate Commerce committees and other top lawmakers. That’s $320 million less than the shortfall the FCC estimated last month before full completion of its review of amended applications to the program, which are to repay U.S. carriers for removing from their networks equipment made by companies deemed a national security risk (see 2206160073). Congress originally appropriated $1.9 billion for the rip and replace program in the FY 2021 appropriations and COVID-19 aid omnibus law (see 2203140061).
The Texas Public Utility Commission quietly approved a whopping increase to the Texas USF surcharge Thursday. Texas will raise the TUSF revenue-based surcharge to 24% from 3.3% on Aug. 1, commissioners decided on unanimous consent, without discussion, at a livestreamed meeting. Legislators could provide relief soon, said state Sen. Drew Springer (R) in an interview. Industry and a consumer advocate supported broad TUSF contribution changes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is telling senators to expect a floor vote as early as Tuesday to start moving a smaller chips package that would include, at a minimum, emergency chips funding and an investment tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing (see 2207130053), a source familiar with discussions told us Thursday.
The House voted Wednesday and Thursday to approve a slate of telecom and tech-focused amendments to the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (HR-7900), including proposals to require more DOD transparency on its implementation of its 2020 spectrum sharing strategy and modifications to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s remit (see 2207070064). House lawmakers, meanwhile, refrained from filing any FCC-related amendments to the FY23 omnibus appropriations package that includes funding for that agency (HR-8294) but proposed several aimed at restraining the FTC. The chamber is likely to take up HR-8294 and floor votes on amendments next week.
FCC commissioners approved 4-0 a new enhanced competition incentive program, with only minor changes, as expected. Some industry observers questioned how much good ECIP will do, but commissioners expressed hope the program will help promote wireless deployment (see 2207110036). The monthly meeting Thursday was the first to be opened to the public since February 2020.
T-Mobile is leading in 5G because it predicted correctly the latest generation of wireless would unfold in mid-band, not millimeter-wave frequencies, said CEO Mike Sievert at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., Wednesday. Verizon led on 4G in the last decade and “we've jumped out in the 5G era with a lead in 5G,” he said.