Welcome back to TLP’s Weekly Wireless Wrap-Up, your weekly update on the wireless telecommunications regulatory landscape, important wireless decisions, and more! This week, the FCC announced its tentative agenda for the June Open Meeting, which includes several draft items of particular interest for wireless providers. Here’s your wrap up:
FCC:
- On Thursday, the FCC released the tentative agenda for the June Open Commission Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday June 17, 2021 and the Commission is set to consider eight items. For more information on the agenda see our post here.
- In addition, the FCC released four draft items relevant to wireless providers, which are tentatively scheduled for consideration at the June Open Meeting:
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- A Draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Draft NPRM”) and Notice of Inquiry (“Draft NOI”) on Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain through the Equipment Authorization and Competitive Bidding Program. The item seeks comment on additional steps that can be taken to secure the United States telecommunications networks, specifically by ensuring that equipment on the “Covered List” does not receive FCC authorization and prohibiting winning bidders in FCC auctions from utilizing equipment on the “Covered List” in their networks, among other things. A copy of the draft item can be found here.
- A Draft Report and Order (“Draft R&O”) on Allowing Earlier Equipment Marketing and Importation Opportunities. The Draft R&O modernizes the FCC’s marketing and importation rules to permit manufacturers to import and market certain RF devices prior to authorization. A copy of the draft item can be found here.
- A Draft Report and Order (“Draft R&O”) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Draft FNPRM”) on Improving the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts. The Draft R&O creates a new non-opt out class of National Alerts, creates a voluntary reporting system for false alerts, and amends several rules related to State Emergency Communications Committees, among other things. The Draft FNPRM seeks comment on further updates to the EAS and WAS codes and alert notification processes. A copy of the draft item can be found here.
- A Draft Report and Order (“Draft R&O”) on Improving Robocall and Spoofing Input from Private Entities. The Draft R&O adopts a new streamlined process that would allow private entities to alert the Enforcement Bureau of suspected robcalling or spoofing through a new online portal. A copy of the draft item can be found here.
- On Thursday, the FCC released an Order staying implementation of the 4.9 GHz Band Sixth Report and Order during the pendency of several petitions for reconsideration. The FCC found that a stay was in the public interest given the important questions raised by the petitions and the potential impact of the order on public safety. For more information, check out our post here.
- On Thursday, the FCC also announced that it will be hosting an online Open RAN Showcase on Tuesday June 29, 2021 beginning at 9:30 AM eastern time. The showcase will give fixed and mobile network operators the opportunity to hear from vendors on 5G network equipment and services that will be available in the near future. The FCC anticipates the showcase will be particularly relevant for operators planning to participate in the FCC’s Rip and Replace Program. For more information, see the FCC’s Press Release here.
NTIA:
- Last Tuesday, NTIA released a request for comment on its annual Internet Use Survey. NTIA seeks to add 67 comments to this year’s survey, which will be released in November 2021. NTIA and federal agencies use information from the survey to inform policies aimed at achieving digital equality, including determining which regions and types of technology are eligible for broadband grant funding. For more information see NTIA’s website here.
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