AT&T asked the FCC to set a deadline to move telecom from circuit-switched to IP-based networks. The request came in comments this week on an FCC National Broadband Plan public notice that proposed the release of a notice of inquiry (NOI) on the transition. Small rural carriers cautioned the commission not to move too fast. Meanwhile, competitive carriers fought with Verizon over whether interconnection and traffic exchange requirements under Sections 251 and 252 of the Communications Act apply to IP networks. Wireless carriers said the rules should ensure regulatory parity.
Responding to industry accusations of bias, a Harvard University center said its conclusion that open-access policies spurred broadband in several foreign countries had been based on a review of 57 studies. In a 68-page memo released Monday, the Berkman Center for Internet & Society specified the studies, and it outlined updates planned for the final version of its report, requested by the FCC for developing the National Broadband Plan and coming in mid- January. Berkman’s first draft was criticized as unfair (CD Nov 18 p7) by incumbent broadband providers including USTelecom and NCTA.
Most FCC employees got a snow day Monday because the federal government in Washington, D.C., was shut, commission officials said. But National Broadband Plan coordinator Blair Levin and many of his team were at the office, an official said. The commission held a field hearing as planned in Chicago on broadband for small businesses. (See separate report in this issue.) On Twitter, the commission’s New Media team said, “Social media does not slow in snow.”
Verizon Wireless charges an early termination fee for smartphones that’s double the one for regular cellphones because of their costs, the carrier told the FCC by letter late Friday. Responding to an inquiry this month by the commission’s Wireless and Consumer and Governmental Affairs bureaus, Verizon Wireless also said early termination fees promote broadband adoption. But states said the letter only highlights the need for an FCC review of the fees. Consumers Union said the carrier filed a “disingenuous” explanation for shaking more money out of its customers’ wallets. An increase in the fee by Verizon Wireless prompted a bill by Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota to limit charges of its kind and require disclosures.
Shure raised concerns about a proposed June 12 deadline to clear unlicensed wireless microphones out of the 700 MHz band. The date, the first anniversary of the analog TV cutoff, was proposed in a draft order circulated late Thursday by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski (CD Dec 18 p1). “While it will be helpful to users and manufacturers for the FCC to announce its decision on the transition of 700 MHz wireless microphones and a specific date, we are concerned that such an expedited timeframe is simply not enough time for many users to accomplish all that needs to be done to replace these relatively complicated systems,” said a Shure spokesman. “Once users learn of the rule change, the replacement must be planned; bids must be solicited from vendors; funding for this unbudgeted expense must be secured; products must be acquired; and finally, the equipment must be installed and tested. This is not like buying a new cordless phone that merely needs to be taken out of the box, plugged in, and placed on the kitchen counter. For many users, it will be more like a kitchen renovation.” But CTIA President Steve Largent said he’s “pleased to see the Commission is moving forward on this important effort.” The association believes “clearing the 700 MHz is a necessary precursor to bringing spectrum to the market and will help facilitate broadband deployment around the country,” he said.
Wireless microphones would have to clear out of the 700 MHz band by June 12 if the FCC adopts an order circulated late Thursday by Chairman Julius Genachowski, an FCC staffer told us. The draft order includes a temporary waiver authorizing microphones’ use until the DTV transition’s one-year anniversary, and also sets up an extensive outreach program to educate what the FCC believes is a significant number of affected users, the staffer said. The outreach effort would include requiring manufacturers and retailers to give consumers clear notice about how microphones are licensed, the staffer said. The draft order also includes a further notice of proposed rulemaking on the long-term of status of wireless microphones both within and outside of the TV bands. The order is “necessary and essential” to finish the DTV transition and “ensure public safety and commercial users don’t experience interference in the 700 MHz band,” the source said. Commissioners have been briefed on the item, but it’s not yet clear if they will vote on the item at the FCC’s Jan. 20 meeting or earlier, the staffer said.
Consumer advocates for the deaf urged action to fix fraud and other problems with the Video Relay Services fund, in a workshop Thursday at the FCC. They called for better and more transparent oversight to promote functional equivalency required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Thursday’s forum was a chance to “reevaluate and review video relay service and the program as a way to build on its strengths and weed out its deficiencies,” said Greg Hlibok, an attorney in the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
Vice President Joe Biden announced Thursday $182 million in broadband grants for 18 projects, in the first round of NTIA and RUS funding under the stimulus law. The grants benefit projects in 17 states and are matched by more than $46 million in private capital, Biden’s office said. A report by the president’s National Economic Council highlighted some of the winning projects, which aim to build last- and middle-mile infrastructure, connect community institutions and promote digital literacy and economic development.
The FCC tentatively concluded that the timing of the National Broadband Plan makes it impossible to overhaul the Universal Service Fund high-cost support mechanism for non-rural carriers like Qwest “at this time.” The commission had committed to answer a remand by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the subject by April 16. In a further notice of proposed rulemaking released late Tuesday, the commission sought comment on specific “interim changes” to address the court’s concerns and marketplace changes. While voting for the order, Commissioners Meredith Baker and Robert McDowell expressed some disappointment that the notice didn’t say more.
ISPs resisted proposed rules requiring them to disclose more data about broadband speeds and other characteristics, urging an industry approach instead, in comments this week on an FCC National Broadband Plan public notice. But Google and public interest groups said transparency is lacking and rules are necessary. Some fixed broadband providers said any new rules applying to them should also apply to others in the broadband ecosystem.