FCC commissioners emphasized the need for action on spectrum policy and 5G, and more certainty on broadband affordability and deployment efforts, during Incompas’ policy summit Tuesday. Some industry experts also urged changes to sustain the USF because funding for the affordable connectivity program remains uncertain and the USF contribution factor continues to rise.
Next Century Cities urged the FCC to take a more granular approach to its annual data collection for the affordable connectivity program. Aggregate level data "fails to include location and demographic data about subscribers that can be used to build crucial models" on the program's success, NCC told an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, per an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 21-450. The group filed a petition for reconsideration on the matter with the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society in February (see 2302130062). NCC also stressed the need to require an "average speed measurement" instead of a "typical" speed in the forthcoming consumer broadband labels. "Broadband speed estimates are typically higher than actual speeds delivered," it said.
The end seems nigh for affordable connectivity program (ACP) funding, with dicey odds of Congress acting before its money runs out in early 2024, speakers said Wednesday at ACA Connects' 2023 Washington summit. Small cable operator participation in the broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program will depend on the rules governing it, they said.
Industry groups urged the FCC not to revisit its current rules for the affordable connectivity program's annual data collection, in reply comments posted Tuesday in docket 21-450 (see 2301120056). The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required the commission to collect data on prices and subscription rates offered by participating providers. Consumer advocacy organizations disagreed and continued to back subscriber-level data collection with additional data points.
Industry groups and consumer advocacy organizations disagree about how the FCC should define digital discrimination and ways to facilitate equal access to broadband, according to comments posted through Wednesday in docket 22-69. The commission adopted an NPRM in December seeking comment on rules to combat digital discrimination, as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (see 2301190049).
FCC commissioners moved to assist survivors of domestic violence by approving an NPRM on access to affordable communications services, during the agency's open meeting Thursday (see 2301260050). lt also approved an item seeking comment on ways to further participation among tribal libraries in the E-rate program.
Commissioner Chris Nelson isn’t convinced eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation is no longer necessary, the South Dakota Republican said at NARUC’s winter conference Tuesday. Telecom association officials on Nelson’s panel said Congress sees that the ETC process has run its course. Nelson and a District of Columbia consumer advocate raised concerns about possible impacts to service quality as telcos abandon state-regulated copper networks.
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and Next Century Cities asked the FCC to reconsider its decision to collect affordable connectivity program data on an aggregate basis rather than at the subscriber level (see 2301120056). The decision "falls short" of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's requirements and "undermines the overall integrity of the program," said a petition for reconsideration posted Monday in docket 21-450. The groups said subscriber-level data is "critical for informing efforts by federal and state agencies, public interest groups, and non-profit organizations to target public awareness and enrollment support strategies," adding the deferment of when the data collection will start is "arbitrary."
The House Commerce Committee voice voted Thursday to adopt its oversight plan for this Congress. Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to expand the scope of the committee’s oversight plan on communications policy, including on broadband affordability and public safety communications. Panel Republicans have been eyeing more rigorous oversight of the FCC and broadband now that they're in the majority (see 2210310073). The plan calls for FCC oversight that will include “efforts to reverse the reclassification” of broadband “as a telecommunications service subject to” Communications Act Title II “and efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the Commission’s processes.” House Commerce “will continue to conduct oversight of the FCC’s decisions and their impact on innovation and the U.S. economy,” including “the impact generally of FCC actions on voice, video, audio, and data services, public safety, broadband mapping, and security of our networks,” the plan said. The committee “will also focus its oversight efforts on the Commission’s administration of” the Affordable Connectivity Program and Emergency Connectivity Fund “and investigate … cases of waste, fraud, and abuse.” NTIA oversight will focus on the agency’s “administration of broadband grant programs created” in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act “and efforts to bring transparency and accountability to NTIA’s processes,” the plan said. House Commerce “will also look into NTIA’s authorities and determine whether NTIA needs additional authorities to keep pace with the advancement of modern technology and the advancement of the communications marketplace.” FTC oversight will include examining “the impact of its decisions and actions on the general public and the business community, with a particular focus on how the FTC conducts its business while not creating undue burdens for legitimate businesses, its determination of priorities, and the need, if any, for refinement of its authorities,” the plan said. House Commerce “will explore the FTC’s role relative to emerging technologies and sectors of the economy. Additionally, the Committee will examine how the agency is utilizing specific bureaus, or lack thereof, including the Bureau of Economics, while pursuing enforcement and regulatory action." There's "this overwhelming sense that government is making lives harder for people," said House Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. "Our oversight work will inform how we hold the Biden administration accountable." The committee "will do the hard work of reclaiming Congress’s Article I authority to reauthorize expired programs that are running on autopilot," she said. Although "there are some areas that are ripe for bipartisan collaboration, I’m disappointed to say that this Republican” oversight plan “outlines clear intentions to undermine the tremendous progress we made last Congress,” said House Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J.
T-Mobile expanded its participation in the FCC’s affordable connectivity program to seven more states, bringing the total number covered to 48, T-Mobile said Wednesday. T-Mobile expanded the program to Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming. Participants get “data, texting, calling and mobile hotspot data on Assurance Wireless’ plans" via T-Mobile's network and a free Android smartphone for new customers, the carrier said.