SCS Rules, IoT Cybermark, 'All-in' Video Pricing on FCC's March Agenda
Proposed FCC supplemental coverage from space (SCS) rules include a requirement that terrestrial providers must route SCS 911 calls to a public safety answering point using location-based routing or an emergency call center, the agency said Wednesday. Commissioners are expected to vote on the rules during their open meeting on March 14. Announcing the agenda for next month's meeting, the FCC also said there would be draft rules for "all-in" video pricing and a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless IoT devices. In addition, the meeting will see commissioners voting on an NPRM about creating an emergency alert system code for missing and endangered people (see 2402210066).
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Commissioners also will vote on raising the broadband benchmark from 25/3 Mbps to 100/20 Mbps, the agency said. Rosenworcel floated a 100/20 Mbps benchmark in July as a step toward an eventual 1 GB/500 Mbps goal (see 2307250068). Industry has not reached consensus (see 2312040024).
The FCC said the draft SCS order would spell out a framework for satellite and terrestrial service providers jointly operating using terrestrial mobile flexible-use spectrum as long as they meet such conditions as having a spectrum lease from a terrestrial licensee in a specified geographic area. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the framework "will ensure continued U.S. leadership and establish a clear and predictable regulatory approach to these partnerships in support of innovation and competition.” The commission said accompanying the order would be a Further NPRM asking questions about protection of radioastronomy services. The National Science Foundation said SCS services pose a threat to radioastronomy (see 2402200030).
The agency last year unanimously approved an SCS NPRM (see 2303160009). Companies have lobbied heavily since then. SpaceX and T-Mobile are urging the FCC to allow SCS in all flexible-use mobile bands. In a docket 23-65 filing Tuesday, the two recapped a meeting with FCC Space and Wireless bureau staffers where they called for a general SCS launch authorization overseen by the Space Bureau and allowing already-licensed mobile devices to connect to satellites for SCS without separate earth station licensing. They also urged terrestrial interference limits for SCS that are measured at the ground rather than at the satellite transmitter and a phase-in of emergency calling and emergency alerts that aligns with technical feasibility.
Under the all-in video pricing draft order, MVPDs would have to prominently provide on bills and promotional materials the total price of video service. The agency said that price would include retransmission consent fees, regional sports programming costs and other programming-related fees. "Cable or satellite TV providers too often hide the real price of their service behind deceptive junk fees,” Rosenworcel said. “We’re putting an end to this form of price masking." Commissioners adopted an all-in video service pricing NPRM in June (see 2306200042).
In comments last year, and in numerous filings since, industry urged FCC adoption of a voluntary cyber mark program based on National Institute of Standards and Technology guidance (see 2310100034). Commissioners approved an NPRM 4-0 in August seeking comment (see 2308100032:).
The cyber mark logo would appear on wireless consumer IoT products “that meet baseline cybersecurity standards,” a news release said. The logo would be accompanied by a QR code “consumers can scan for easy-to-understand details about the security of the product, such as the guaranteed minimum support period for the product and whether software patches and security updates are automatic,” the release said. Accredited labs would handle compliance testing.
“Smart products can make our lives a lot more convenient, but they can also pose security and privacy risks,” Rosenworcel said. This program would encourage “companies to meet higher cybersecurity standards, and strengthen the ecosystem for connected products,” she said. Rosenworcel compared it to the Energy Star program, which certifies energy efficiency.