Roaming Order Pulled at Last Minute from FCC Agenda
Chairman Kevin Martin pulled a roaming order from the FCC’s agenda just minutes before the commission’s meeting got underway Tuesday afternoon. Sources said the FCC will likely take another look at small carrier demands that larger carriers provide them with automatic roaming for data in addition to voice.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Data roaming is “definitely in play,” said an agency source. Unclear is whether the commission will vote the item on circulation or place it on the agenda for a yet-to-be- scheduled August meeting. Martin received last-minute expressions of concern from Capitol Hill over the data roaming, which may have also led to a delay.
Small carriers have pushed the FCC for a roaming order. But some expressed concerns this week that the item had received little attention (CD July 31 p 5) at the FCC as commissioners and staff got ready for a meeting dominated by discussion of an order establishing the rules for the upcoming 700 MHz auction (See other item in this issue.). The order reportedly applies Communications Act section 201 and 202 obligations to roaming. Data would be covered only to the extent it touches the PSTN. Some small carriers say this distinction would harm efforts to roll out wireless broadband.
Rural Cellular Association Counsel David Nace said a delay is appropriate. “RCA is relieved that the commission decided to devote more time to considering the roaming issues rather than to move ahead with an item that does not do enough to assure that customers have access to broadband services when they travel beyond their home carrier’s service areas,” Nace said.
“We were pleased that the Commission was ready to take up this important issue at today’s meeting,” said an attorney whose company is pushing for roaming rules. “It is our understanding that the delay will hopefully be only a short one, and it is attributable to the press of business with the 700 MHz auction.”