The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau extended until Nov. 15 the deadline for reply comments on an NPRM and notice of inquiry addressing abuse from AI-generated robocalls and robotexts in an order Thursday. A coalition of banking, telecom, and consumer groups petitioned the FCC for more time (see 2410210039). Replies are due in docket 23-362.
The FCC Wireline Bureau adopted the E-rate program's final eligible services list for FY 2025 in an order Friday in docket 13-184. The bureau revised its definition of "wireless" service under category one to include mobile service on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots. The bureau also declined to include advanced or next generation firewall services as a category two service. The bureau rejected calls to also include domain name system and dynamic host configuration protocol services under either category (see 2410070046).
AT&T will pay a nearly $2.3 million fine under a settlement with the FCC for violations in the emergency broadband benefit program and affordable connectivity program. A Friday order said an Enforcement Bureau investigation found that AT&T sought and received funding for improperly enrolled non-subscriber benefit qualifying persons between "at least" May 2021 and December 2023. AT&T violated rules that require in-store sales personnel to obtain a representative accountability database identification number. The bureau also found that the ISP collected funds for subscribers who had not used their service for at least 45 days. Providers can receive reimbursement for "offering the ACP benefit when the subscriber has used the service at least once every 30 days or has cured their non-usage during a subsequent 15-day cure period."
A small, but steady stream of defaults is hitting the rural deployment opportunity fund program, with many providers citing inflation as the cause, program watchers and participants tell us. A small burst of RDOF defaults occurred in recent days, including Cable One telling the FCC it's dropping 902 census block group projects in Idaho and Missouri (see 2410180033) and Mercury Broadband defaulting in 129 census block groups across four states. Since Sept. 1, Pinpoint Communications announced defaults of three census block groups, RiverStreet Communications had six and Lumen nine. It's unclear whether RDOF default locations will receive connectivity elsewhere, such as with NTIA's broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program.
Courts still “respect” technical expertise at agencies like the FCC despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of the Chevron doctrine, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Friday.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is pushing back against House GOP criticisms (see 2410070040) of the commission’s September approval of radio broadcaster Audacy’s request for a temporary waiver of foreign-ownership requirements to complete a bankruptcy restructuring that includes George Soros-affiliated entities purchasing its stock. The waiver vote was 3-2, with Republican Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington claiming the agency deviated from normal procedure (see 2409300046).
SpaceX and Amazon proposals for unavailability limits would make it impossible for non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite service operators to meet the high-availability requirements of public safety and government customers, Eutelsat/OneWeb said Thursday in docket 21-456. Recapping a meeting with FCC Space Bureau staffers in docket 21-456, Eutelsat/OneWeb said the limits SpaceX and Amazon's Kuiper are pushing are so relaxed that instead of coordination, operators will instead file technical compatibility studies that take up substantial FCC resources. Eutelsat/OneWeb discussed its support of O3b's rival proposal.
Alternative distribution method terms in multichannel video programming distributors' (MVPDs) contracts with programmers, like Monumental Sports & Entertainment, can substantially impede online distribution and extend to broadcast TV, the regional sports network told FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington. In docket 24-115 Thursday, the RSN said most-favored nation (MFN) terms can interfere with the ability to go direct to consumer and make it impossible to provide such offerings at a competitive price. Recapping a meeting with Simington, Monumental said such issues are especially challenging in situations where MFNs aren't conditioned on the MVPD accepting associated terms and conditions.
T-Mobile’s Q3 2024 was the company’s “best Q3 in a decade,” said CEO Mike Sievert on an earnings call Wednesday. The company recorded the highest number of new postpaid phone subscribers for Q3 in 10 years, and also showed the lowest Q3 postpaid phone churn in T-Mobile’s history, executives said on the call. The company reported $16.7 billion in total service revenue in Q3, a 5% increase over the same quarter in 2023. CFO Peter Osvaldik said the carrier expects a “trough” in 2025 from the loss of the affordable connectivity program and Tracfone's transition to Verizon. However, he also said Q4 sales will likely top Q3's due to “holiday seasonality.” Asked about T-Mobile’s plans for supplemental coverage from space, Sievert said the company tested the service through a grant of special temporary authority during the recent hurricanes in Florida and North Carolina. The tech will be “off to the races soon,” Sievert said. Executives said the company had “optionality” for its 800 MHz spectrum. T-Mobile sought to auction off that spectrum earlier this year but didn’t receive qualifying bids. The spectrum isn’t currently part of its financial predictions or spectrum plan, Sievert said. DOJ gave T-Mobile’s proposed purchases of Lumos and Metronet the nod, but it awaits FCC approval, said General Counsel Mark Nelson. T-Mobile’s purchase of U.S. Cellular isn’t as far along, but Nelson said all three deals are expected to close in 2025.
The 3.45 GHz relocation reimbursement clearinghouse is seeking the FCC's permission to begin closing. In docket 19-348 Thursday, Summit Ridge Group said it reimbursed incumbents in the band for their approved relocation expenses, and they have confirmed no more expenses will be submitted. In addition, there are no disputes outstanding regarding incumbents, the 3.45 GHz band auction winners or any other party, it said.