September 22, 2022 Weekly Wireless Wrap-Up

Good afternoon from Washington, DC!  Below you will find this week’s Wireless Wrap-Up, your update on the wireless telecommunications regulatory landscape, important wireless decisions, and more!  Here is your wrap-up:

  • BROADBAND DATA COLLECTION
    • On 9/15, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the availability of the Data Specifications for Bulk Fixed Challenge and Crowdsource Data. The specifications provide guidance on filing bulk challenges and bulk crowdsource information to the fixed broadband availability data that will be published in the FCC’s Broadband Data Maps, which are anticipated to be released in November 2022.  For more information and to view a copy of the Tentative Agenda see our post here.
  • RIP AND REPLACE
    • On 9/20, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released a Public Notice announcing that Pacific Network Corp and its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC, as well as China Unicom (Americas) Operations Limited have been added to the Covered List.  Certain telecommunications providers, including Eligible Telecommunications Providers that receive USF support, are required to remove equipment or services from these companies from their networks within 60 days.  For more information and to view a copy of the Notice, see our post here.
  • ENHANCED COMPETITION PROGRAM
    • On 9/20, the FCC published in the Federal Register the Report and Order (“Order”) and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) establishing and seeking additional comment on the Enhanced Competition Incentive Program. Portions of the Order are effective October 20, 2022.  Comments on the FNPRM are due October 20, 2022 and reply comments are due November 21, 2022.  For more information, see our post here.
  • 6-3.7 FSS EARTH STATION OPERATIONS
    • On 9/15, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and the International Bureau (collectively “the FCC”) released a Public Notice reminding grandfathered Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) earth station operators in the 3.6-3.7 GHz band of their annual registration requirements. The FCC also granted a one-time grace period to file 2022 registrations. For more information and to view a copy of the Public Notice, see our post here.
  • CONGRESS
    • On 9/15, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing entitled “A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Broadband.” Witnesses included the Honorable Xochitl Torres Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development, Lynn Follansbee, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at USTelecom, the honorable Tarryl Clark, First District commissioner of Sterns County Minnesota on behalf of the National Association of Counties, and Garrett Hawkins, President of the Missouri Farm Bureau.  The hearing focused on the need to for inter-agency coordination to expand broadband to all regions of the country and the specific challenges associated with extending broadband to rural regions.  For more information, view the Committee’s website here.

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