Monica Hogan

As the coronavirus pandemic heightens the need for ubiquitous broadband access, some want the FCC to hurry release of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund money. Possible measures include moving the auction date earlier than the proposed Oct. 22, or a quick review of RDOF applications deemed shovel-ready. Some small providers are concerned they won't have enough time to review available census blocks and make prudent bids due to scheduling conflicts stemming from COVID-19. They are seeking an auction delay. Consensus indicates neither an auction delay nor accelerated timetable is likely, we found in interviews this month.

The FCC wants refreshed comments from a 2016 "Team Telecom" NPRM on timely executive branch review of deals involving foreign ownership, said a public notice Monday. The NPRM sought comment on what types of applications should be referred to the executive branch, what information should be included on an application that could help with the review, how applicants would certify compliance with mitigation, and how quickly the executive branch would complete reviews (see 1606030025). Commissioners of both parties backed the PN.

As COVID-19 fallout continues, ISPs are extending how long they hold off disconnecting telecom services (see 2004270048). Within minutes of each other Monday, Cox and Verizon made such commitments. Comcast and AT&T followed later. More companies are expected to do the same.

More than 85% of Americans have access to fixed terrestrial broadband at speeds of 250/25 Mbps, said an FCC 2020 broadband deployment report Friday. The number of rural Americans with that access more than tripled from 2016 to 2018, it said. But Democratic commissioners and some consumer advocates question the findings that broadband is deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, saying the COVID-19 pandemic put the digital divide in stark relief.

Industry, policymakers and consumer advocates are seeking new ways to expand Lifeline enrollment and benefits in response to the public health and economic crisis, we're told. Some advocates are pursuing emergency funding to provide a more robust residential broadband Lifeline benefit to meet the demands of working and learning at home. Stay-at-home orders put restraints on Lifeline promotion and enrollment.

The FCC hopes to get appropriations for a remote learning initiative in response to COVID-19, Chairman Ajit Pai said in a Thursday Axios webinar. Pai said the funding would be outside E-rate "so we're not saddled" with bureaucratic restrictions that cause delay. He compared it to how Congress recently granted $200 million to a COVID-19 telehealth program. He wants to streamline the remote learning program for maximum impact, he said: "We're asking Congress for permission, and we hope the discussions will be fruitful."

FCC commissioners voted this week to approve release of an annual Telecom Act Section 706 report finding advanced telecom is deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, officials told us Thursday. A report could be released as early as Friday, with statements from each office, officials said. Chairman Ajit Pai circulated the report last month (see 2004150020). Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters Thursday the report doesn't signal "mission accomplished" but is a measure of the pace of broadband deployment, which is reasonable. He was answering our question. Commissioner Mike O'Rielly also voted in favor, his office said. Democratic Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Jessica Rosenworcel dissented, their offices told us.

Those seeking more broadband deployment in New York state objected to a Charter Communications petition that the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction exclude census blocks where the cable operator is obligated to upgrade and expand broadband as part of its 2016 Time Warner acquisition (see 2004140015), in comments posted through Wednesday in FCC docket 19-126. "Charter’s failure to participate in the RDOF proceeding means that it cannot comply with the standards for reconsideration, and it should not be permitted to use the waiver process to circumvent Commission procedures," the Wireless ISP Association said. Granting the petition would "undermine the certainty needed to inspire robust auction participation," said ISP Starry Inc. NCTA defended Charter's petition, saying the waiver is needed to satisfy RDOF's policy of "targeting support to areas that would not otherwise be served." The New York State Public Service Commission wants the FCC to "ensure that New York State is not harmed and declare that if Charter’s petition, or other similar requests, is granted for Phase I, New York will remain eligible for future phases of RDOF auctions."

Some want more clarity about the FCC's role regulating broadband, said comments posted through Tuesday. The agency asked to refresh dockets including 17-287, on how broadband service's reclassification as an information, not telecom, service affects authority over Lifeline, pole attachment agreements and public safety. Commenters disagreed whether the FCC should reconsider based on the public safety considerations.

The growing number of newly unemployed need access to broadband and voice services more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, FCC Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks said during a MediaJustice online event Thursday. Speakers shared stories of how the lack of robust telecom access hurt their ability to reach healthcare providers, complete online schooling and keep in touch with relatives. Bolster Lifeline benefits and enrollment, close the homework gap and lower inmate calling service rates, Rosenworcel asked of her agency. Starks recalled a visit several months ago to a District of Columbia Department of Corrections facility where he listened to 20 prisoners. They told him how important it was to stay connected to their communities. The push to make ICS free for those in local and state jails and prisons, and not just federal facilities (see 2004150061), is important, he said. Starks said the FCC should do more to keep people on tribal lands connected. Foster the Lifeline program because connectivity is a central aspect of social distancing, Starks said. Leonard Edwards, an advocate with D.C.-based Bread for the City, wants the Lifeline program to extend unlimited voice minutes and broadband data to customers even after the pandemic.