Pai Proposes Light Dec. 10 Agenda With Focus on Supply Chain Security
5G security is the major focus of the FCC’s Dec. 10 meeting, Ajit Pai said Wednesday. The chairman released a skinny agenda by recent standards and won't further liberalize rules for Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band, which had looked more in doubt in recent days (see 2011130045). Like the 5.9 GHz order, 6 GHz has been controversial and faced opposition from incumbents unhappy with the April order opening the band. December will also feature an order on ATSC 3.0 datacasting.
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Regulators will vote on an order implementing the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, Pai blogged (see 2011180055). He cited recent comments from National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien that his “No. 1 concern” for democracy here and abroad is the integrity of communications networks.
“The FCC recognizes this threat and has taken a series of actions to secure the integrity of the communications supply chain,” Pai said: “The Commission will have the opportunity to build on this progress and take critical next steps toward securing our communications networks.” Also on tap are “two additional national security matters” Pai didn’t disclose. President Donald Trump just fired Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs, a top expert on supply chain security (see 2011180064).
Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks support tougher supply chain security rules, while arguing the FCC isn’t doing enough to keep networks secure (see 2007160051). The agency estimated in June it would cost $1.62 billion to rip and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment in U.S. networks (see 2009040050).
The FCC will also consider updated equipment authorization rules. It took comment in July on a CTA petition to allow presale of new RF devices before they're authorized (see 2006030044). The proposal got broad support (see 2007100042).
“Our rules limit the ability of device manufacturers to market and import radiofrequency devices in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible,” Pai said. “That’s why I’m proposing targeted enhancements to our equipment authorization rules to make sure the newest technologies and must-have devices reach consumers as quickly as possible while still meeting our substantive standards.”
FCC members will vote on an order that clarifies some rules on broadcasters data casting with ATSC 3.0, said Pai. The order, which stems from a June NPRM (see 2006090060), says ancillary and supplementary service fees for data casting broadcasters will be calculated as “an assessment on the revenues earned by television stations” doing data casting and retains the existing standard of derogation of broadcasting. Some MVPDs had sought to have the standard require HD service. The order doesn’t adjust the 5% fee imposed on ancillary and supplementary services for commercial stations but lowers it to 2.5% for noncommercial educational stations, Pai said.