Verizon qualified to bid in the 2.5 GHz auction, which starts July 29, joining AT&T, Dish Network, bidding as Carbonate Wireless, T-Mobile and UScellular, among 82 qualified bidders. Eleven bidders remained unqualified and won’t participate in what's expected to be the last 5G auction for some time. The FCC tabulated 39 qualified bidders on the initial list last month (see 2206090073). The number is higher than qualified bidders in both the 3.45 GHz and C-band auctions, the last two major auctions. Questions remain about whether small players will jump in or T-Mobile will dominate the auction, filling gaps in its 2.5 GHz portfolio (see 2204140062). Twenty-seven qualified providers will get small-business bidding credits and 35 rural provider credits. Each qualified bidder will be assigned to one of two mock auction dates -- July 26 or 27 -- said the notice by the Office of Economics and Analytics and the Wireless Bureau. “We strongly encourage each qualified bidder in Auction 108 to participate in its assigned mock auction as it provides an opportunity … to practice using the auction bidding system, including practice using the new proxy bidding functionality, and to test its contingency plans,” the FCC said. The auction starts on a Friday with one bidding round, moving to two on Monday.
FCC rules creating the enhanced competition incentive program haven’t been controversial since circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and are expected to be approved Thursday with minimal changes, industry and FCC officials said. The rules proposed don’t differ significantly from what was in a November Further NPRM (see 2111180071). Industry observers see a lack of enthusiasm on the program.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau proposed a $100,000 fine against Verizon Wireless Friday for allegedly failing to adequately respond to a complaint about the company’s premium voicemail service. Someone with disabilities “filed an informal complaint” with the Enforcement Bureau “alleging that the Company’s Premium Visual Voicemail service was not accessible,” the bureau said. As the FCC investigated, and after the initial response, it sent the carrier a letter of inquiry (LOI) in February seeking additional information, the notice said. “Verizon did not provide documentation supporting its assertion that the complainant’s problem was caused by” the customer’s “device,” the bureau said: “Verizon did not provide any evidence that the problem was unique to the individual complainant; nor did Verizon explain or offer evidence to show how it reached that conclusion.” The carrier also didn’t “respond fully to the LOI’s demand for information and documentation about problems with accessing its Premium Visual Voicemail service, and how those problems were resolved.” Verizon “takes its accessibility obligations very seriously,” a spokesperson emailed: “While we respect the FCC's role in ensuring that services are available to all individuals, we do not agree with the factual analysis and legal conclusions in today's notice. At all times the Verizon service at issue was accessible to everyone -- including the single individual who filed the underlying complaint with the FCC. We will respond on the record and if necessary appeal the decision."
The biggest apparent policy cut in the FCC’s wireless resiliency rules released Wednesday (see 2207060070) overrules objections by the Competitive Carriers Association and NTCA that the rules shouldn’t apply to small providers. The order creates the mandatory disaster response initiative (MDRI), replacing the industry’s wireless voluntary network resiliency cooperative framework.
FCC commissioners approved, as expected (see 2206300048), a draft order circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2206150070) requiring wireless carriers to participate in the previously voluntary wireless network resiliency cooperative framework, and work out roaming arrangements before disasters, agency officials confirmed. The order builds on Commissioner Brendan Carr's proposal in May (see 2205160067). “We find it appropriate to apply today’s requirement to all facilities-based mobile wireless providers,” the order says: “We recognize the merits of the current Framework and agree with the commenters who argue that its provisions would be more effective if they were expanded to include entities beyond the Framework’s current signatories.” The order also requires carriers to negotiate roaming agreements. “We require that all such negotiations be conducted in good faith and note that any disputes will be addressed by the Commission on a case-by-case basis,” with the Enforcement Bureau delegated to “investigate and resolve … disputes.” The FCC also approved a Further NPRM asking more questions. The order “will help restore service faster, help speed response coordination, and keep more people connected in disaster,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “But we can’t stop here,” she said. “The rules we adopt today are also a critical part of our efforts to respond to the climate crisis,” said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: “We also cannot ignore how these disasters disproportionately impact the low-income.” Replacing the voluntary framework “with new rules, as we do today, will provide consumers with strong, enforceable protections that will help ensure that even more Americans can reach public safety officials, loved ones, or others who can help during disaster scenarios where seconds can make all the difference," Carr said. “Our approach strikes the right balance between promoting industry’s incentive to invest in their networks and continuing to implement lessons learned from each disaster,” he said.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology to start drafting an order on key issues raised in a Further NPRM on the 6 GHz band, industry officials were told. Commissioners approved the FNPRM 5-0 in April 2020 (see 2004230059) and final comments have been in since July 2020 (see 2007280033).
The FCC found no agreement between Microsoft and NAB on how often narrowband devices should have to check a database to operate in the TV white spaces (TVWS). In January, commissioners approved 4-0 an order requiring other devices to check the database at least once hourly. After NAB and Microsoft clashed as the order was before commissioners, the FCC decided to further explore the rules for narrowband IoT devices in a Further NPRM (see 2201270034). Wireless mic companies supported NAB.
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington’s calls last week for the agency to take a deep dive on potential rules requiring OEMs to provide security updates for wireless devices authorized by the agency for sale in the U.S. (see 2206280072) appears likely to be picked up, said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, industry executives and agency officials.
FCC commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a draft order circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2206150070) requiring wireless carriers to participate in the previously voluntary wireless network resiliency cooperative framework, and work out roaming arrangements before disasters, agency officials confirmed. The FCC hasn't released the order, a process that can take time after an electronic vote, especially if commissioners have statements. The order builds on a proposal made in May by Commissioner Brendan Carr (see 2205160067).
In what's viewed as a major decision by the Supreme Court Thursday, justices didn’t overrule the Chevron doctrine but appeared to further clamp down on the ability of agencies like the FCC to regulate, absent clear direction from Congress. The opinion came in an environmental case, West Virginia v. EPA. Legal experts said the 6-3 decision likely presages that courts would overturn an FCC decision to classify broadband under Title II of the Communications Act.