Good afternoon from Washington, DC! Below you will find this week’s Weekly Wireless Wrap-Up, your update on the wireless telecommunications regulatory landscape, important wireless decisions, and more! Of note this week, the FCC released a Report and Order shortening the STIR/SHAKEN implementation extension for certain small voice service providers and also held its December Open Meeting. Here’s your wrap-up:
FCC:
- Last Wednesday, the FCC released an Order waiving certain FCC rules regarding the Internet Service Offering Restrictions for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and providing additional guidance on the transition to the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Affordable Connectivity Program will begin on December 31, 2021, and households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as of December 30, 2021 will be entitled to continue to receive their $50 a month benefit during the 60 day transition. For more information on the transition and to view a copy of the Order, see our post here.
- Also last Wednesday, the Office of Economics and Analytics released a Public Notice announcing that FCC Form 477 filers must tabulate and submit data as of December 31, 2021 using 2020 Census geographic codes and boundaries. For more information and to view a copy of the Public Notice, see our post here.
- Last Thursday, the FCC published in the Federal Register notice that the updated schedule of application fees for the Enforcement Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and the International Bureau, which were adopted last December, will become effective today. For more information and to view a copy of the notice, see our post here.
- Last Friday, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comment on STIR/SHAKEN implementation verification certificates submitted by the seven voice service providers that received an exemption from the STIR/SHAKEN implementation mandate because they were able to demonstrate early voluntary implementation progress. Comments are due on or before December 30, 2021 and reply comments are due on or before January 10, 2022. For more information and to view a copy of the Public Notice, see our post here.
- Also last Friday, the FCC released a Report and Order imposing shortened STIR/SHAKEN implementation deadlines for certain small voice service providers. Non-facilities based small voice service providers are required to implement STIR/SHAKEN by June 30, 2022 and voice service providers that the Enforcement Bureau determines are likely to be initiating a large number of illegal calls are required to implement STIR/SHAKEN within 90 days of such a determination. For more information and to view a copy of the Report and Order, see our post here.
- On Monday, the Office of Managing Director released a Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2022 will be .252 or 25.5%. For more information and to view a copy of the Public Notice, see our post here.
- Yesterday, the FCC held its December Open Meeting, where it considered and adopted three items. For more information and to view a copy of the Agenda, see our post here.
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