Companies offering automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band told the FCC they have launched a portal for reporting interference. The companies said the portal should satisfy a requirement that the Office of Engineering and Technology imposed. “We have committed significant effort and resources to develop an efficient, centralized means for authorized 6 GHz incumbents to report potential harmful-interference events,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 21-352. “All information submitted through the Portal is automatically shared with the approved 6 GHz AFC system operators” and the FCC, including the Enforcement Bureau, the filling said. Broadcom, Comsearch, Federated Wireless, Qualcomm, Sony Group, Wi-Fi Alliance Services and the Wireless Broadband Alliance signed it.
NCIC Communications asked the FCC to "expand its authority" to non-incarcerated people's communications service video visitation providers "to ensure those providers are required to comply with all FCC mandates applicable to IPCS providers," holding separate meetings with aides to Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez. The company also met with Enforcement Bureau and Wireline Bureau staff, per an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 23-62. NCIC noted that some non-interconnected VoIP and commissary providers "often provide services that a traditional IPCS provider would provide" but "purport to operate outside of the FCC’s jurisdiction." It also asked the FCC to "extend to video visitation providers the requirement to provide access to video relay service."
The House Communications Subcommittee plans May hearings on the FY 2025 budget requests for the FCC and NTIA, the Commerce Committee said Friday. President Joe Biden in March proposed $448 million for the FCC in FY25 and $65 million for NTIA (see 2403110056). The FCC hearing, set for May 7, would happen less than two weeks after the commission is expected to vote in favor of net neutrality rules that largely mirror a rescinded 2015 order. House Communications Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, previously predicted the subpanel would hold more hearings on the FCC’s net neutrality actions (see 2404180058). The NTIA hearing will happen May 15.
The FCC’s Disability Advisory Committee will next meet May 16, starting at 10 a.m. at FCC headquarters, said a notice in Friday’s Federal Register. DAC last met in January (see 2401300051).
Verizon joins wireless industry voices urging the FCC not to allow expanded uplinks in the 2110-2120 MHz band for space launch operations. That swath was critical to 4G deployment and "will continue to support the deployment of next-generation wireless technologies for years to come," Verizon said Friday in docket 13-115. In addition, CTIA and AT&T have raised red flags about expanded space operations in the 2110-2120 MHz portion of the AWS-1 band (see 2404020028). More users in the AWS-1 band "would add significant complexity and uncertainty to the interference environment," Verizon said. It said if the FCC allows expanded access for space launches, it should be restricted to the NASA Deep Space Network research facility in California -- the sole venue where wireless licensees of the band have been subject to interference up to now.
Most ex parte meetings on the net neutrality order have focused on Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and her fellow Democrats Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez, with about twice as many meetings as with the Republicans, based on our count. Industry officials said that’s not surprising, saying Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington certainly will dissent and have little leverage to seek changes. Commissioners vote Thursday.
Industry and consumer groups have lobbied the FCC in recent days on whether to maintain its proposed language regarding forbearance of Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions for broadband internet access service (BIAS) in its draft order restoring net neutrality rules, according to an analysis of recent ex parte filings in docket 23-320. The FCC in its draft order to be considered Thursday during the commissioners' open meeting tentatively decided to grant ISPs forbearance from Communications Act Section 254(d) requirements, which govern USF contributions (see 2404050068).
Impulse Space hopes it can launch its non-geostationary orbit Impulse-2 orbital transfer vehicle as soon as October, it said in an FCC Space Bureau application posted Thursday. It's seeking approval to operate Impulse-2 as a host of experimental payloads and to demonstrate on-orbit maneuvering capabilities. Impulse said Impulse-2 would be "a steppingstone toward creating an orbit transfer vehicle that will ... be capable of rendezvousing and lowering the orbit of or de-orbiting harmful orbital debris."
The FCC's "all-in" pricing disclosure requirement for cable and direct broadcast satellite operators will be effective Friday, according to a notice for that day's Federal Register. The commission voted 3-2 on party lines at its March meeting to mandate "all-in" pricing for bills and promotional materials (see 2403140050).
The wireless industry has enthusiastically worked with the FCC and others on all stages of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline implementation, and anticipates continuing to coordinate with stakeholders regarding georouting of 988 calls, CTIA representatives said. In meetings with aides to the five commissioners, recapped Thursday in docket 18-336, CTIA said along with coordination, it wants to ensure "flexibility and sufficient implementation time for the diverse range of wireless providers."