MediaJustice, the United Church of Christ and 60-plus other groups asked FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to facilitate free inmate calling services during COVID-19 pandemic, in a petition in docket 12-375 and as expected (see 2003300022). ICS providers should sign Pai's Keep Americans Connected pledge, and the FCC shouldn't let Securus stop making USF contributions, they asked. Also Tuesday, Worth Rises asked for free ICS calls.
The FCC will allow indoor operations over the full 1,200 megahertz of 6 GHz, without automated frequency control and at power levels lower than what the cable industry and others sought, said a draft order released Thursday. As expected, the FCC will regulate indoor use on a power-spectral density (PSD) basis (see 2004010065). The draft proposed these devices be limited to 5 dBm/MHz radiated PSD, lower than the 8 dBm/MHz sought by cable and others (see 2003260049). Industry officials said that means less throughput for devices using the wide channels. The draft proposes higher limits for outdoor devices using AFC.
FCC commissioners finished OK'ing an emergency COVID-19 telehealth program Tuesday (see 2004010032) that directs $200 million from the Cares Act to healthcare providers to treat patients at home. Chairman Ajit Pai circulated the item Monday (see 2003300048) and Commissioner Brendan Carr voted then. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said Tuesday morning he voted yes. At that day's FCC meeting, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly asked that the item, which attached a three-year, $100 million USF Connected Care pilot long in the works (see 2003120002), be split in two so commissioners could deliberate on them separately.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Wednesday he will seek a vote at the April 23 commissioners' meeting on opening the 6 GHz band to sharing with Wi-Fi unlicensed (see [Ref2004010053]). Some consider it a capstone to his legacy. A few key details remain unclear. More will be revealed Thursday when the draft is released.
The FCC Wireline Bureau waived rules restricting eligible telecom carriers from spending USF support for high-cost programs outside an awarded geographic service territory so mobile providers have more flexibility in directing the funds to an affiliated ETC's service area more in need due to COVID-19, said an order Tuesday. The flexibility is in place until June 30 and may be extended.
Commissioners voiced support Tuesday for two telehealth items Chairman Ajit Pai announced Monday (see 2003300048). Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said he voted yes before Tuesday's meeting. Brendan Carr had previously said similar. To be approved, FCC actions need three votes. When a chairman circulates an item, it usually signals the chair has voted yes.
FCC commissioners OK'd rules for a $200 million COVID-19 telehealth program late Tuesday, after remaining members voted, agency officials told us. It directs the funds appropriated in the Cares Act. Also OK'd, but without unanimous support, was a three-year, $100 Connected Care pilot funded by USF, agency officials said.
Huawei questioned the legality of rules barring U.S. providers from using its and ZTE's equipment in networks funded by the USF, in comments on implementation of the Secure Networks Act (see 2003120061). Filings were posted in dockets 19-351 and 19-352 Monday. “Since June 2018, Huawei has repeatedly highlighted the constitutional, statutory and procedural flaws in the Commission’s approach to addressing national security risks to the communications supply chain,” the Chinese vendor said. The Networks Act “requires the Commission to rely on specific national security determinations made by other agencies (or Congress) and does not allow the Commission (or the Bureau) to make such judgments itself,” Huawei said. ZTE cited differences between November's order (see 1911220033) and the act and said decisions about covered companies must be made by “an executive branch interagency body” not the commission acting alone. The agency should first focus on reimbursements for companies that need to replace equipment from the Chinese vendors, the Rural Wireless Association said. RWA said COVID-19 raises new concerns: “Given the unprecedented events of the last few weeks, the fact that the Secure Networks Act does not require final designation until 2021, and the ultimate desire by all parties operating covered company equipment to replace those elements as soon as practicable, the Commission should abstain from issuing any final designation public notice before March 2021.” WTA asked the FCC to reconsider its rules. “A plain reading of the Act requires the Commission to replace its current designation process with an equipment-centric approach instead of the company-centric approach it adopted,” WTA said. USTelecom said the FCC must rely on language in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019 in crafting rules. The act “compels the Commission to confirm its designation of Huawei and ZTE as entities that produce covered equipment,” the group said: The earlier supply chain order "presented significant evidence describing why both Huawei and ZTE warrant designations as ‘companies that pose a threat to national security.’”
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated telehealth items Monday. One would allocate the $200 million in emergency COVID-19 funding Congress appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2003270058). Another would direct $100 million in USF spending for a three-year Connected Care pilot (see 1906190013).
The FCC is taking comments through April 10, replies April 17, on a request from Securus seeking waiver of USF contribution obligations for inmate calling service providers, said a public notice on docket 19-232.