press release

FCC To Hold Open Commission Meeting Thursday, December 15, 2016

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on Thursday, December 15, 2016:
Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology: The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to help achieve the transition from TTY technology to a reliable and interoperable means of providing real-time text communication over wireless Internet protocol-enabled networks and services.
Amendment of Part 11 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding the Emergency Alert System: The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to enhance the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as a tool for community emergency preparedness. The Report and Order improves alerting organization at the state and local levels, builds stronger community-based alerting exercise programs, and protects the EAS against accidental misuse and malicious intrusion. The Further Notice seeks comment on proposals to leverage technological advances to improve alerting and additional measures to preserve EAS security.
Update to Parts 2 and 25 Concerning Non-geostationary, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems and Related Matters: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update, clarify, and streamline the Commission’s rules to facilitate the deployment of recently proposed nongeostationary-satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service satellite systems.
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FTC Providing Over $88 Million in Refunds to AT&T Customers Who Were Subjected to Mobile Cramming

The Federal Trade Commission is providing over $88 million in refunds to more than 2.7 million AT&T customers who had third-party charges added to their mobile bills without their consent, a tactic known as “mobile cramming.” The refunds to consumers relate to 2014 settlements with AT&T, and the companies behind two of the cramming schemes, Tatto and Acquinity. The refunds represent the most money ever returned to consumers in a mobile cramming case.

Through the FTC’s refund program, nearly 2.5 million current AT&T customers will receive a credit on their bill within the next 75 days, and more than 300,000 former customers will receive a check. The average refund amount is $31. According to the FTC’s complaint, AT&T placed unauthorized third-party charges on its customers’ phone bills, usually in amounts of $9.99 per month, for ringtones and text message subscriptions containing love tips, horoscopes, and “fun facts.” The FTC alleged that AT&T kept at least 35 percent of the charges it imposed on its customers.

Reps Walden and Yarmuth Introduce Bill Eliminating Disco Era Media Ownership Rules

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and committee member Rep John Yarmuth (D-KY) introduced a bipartisan bill to repeal the newspaper broadcast cross-ownership ban. Enacted in 1975, the cross-ownership rule prohibits ownership of both a broadcast station (AM, FM, TV) and a daily newspaper in the same market. Despite the fact that the Federal Communications Commission, in 2003, found the ban to no longer be in the public interest, the rule remains largely unchanged and hinders potential investment in struggling newspapers across the country. The bipartisan bill would eliminate the 1970s era cross-ownership ban to reflect today’s competitive media marketplace, providing greater flexibility to newspapers and broadcasters.

“Broadcasters and newspapers face intense competition from cable and the Internet. Eliminating this relic of the disco era will provide much needed flexibility to the many newspapers and broadcasters throughout the country that provide important local news coverage and encourage greater investment in original journalism. We want what’s best for consumers and this bill provides a thoughtful solution that puts the public’s interest first.” Chairman Walden said.

Principles for Technology Rights and Opportunity

While we cannot anticipate all of the challenges and decisions the new Administration will face in deciding its policies, the undersigned organizations support the following principles. We urge President-elect Trump and the new Administration to use these principles to guide policymaking and form the foundation of its technology and media policies.

  • Access: Everyone should have affordable, high-quality options to access the Internet. All of the information on the public Internet should be accessible to all users.
  • Openness: The Internet must be protected from discrimination against content or users, and individuals should have the right to create, innovate, and share without interference from gatekeepers.
  • Inclusion: The expansion of technology must equally take into account the needs of all Americans and not discriminate against people of color; rural, tribal, and low-income communities; people with disabilities; or other vulnerable communities.
  • Free Speech: Individuals must be able to express themselves freely online and offline. The government should not put up barriers to lawful expression or censor the Internet.
  • Choice: Our Internet infrastructure should be diverse, decentralized, and open, with a competitive choice of providers.
  • Privacy: Individuals should have the right to protect and control access to their personal data, and to communicate and access information without any undue intrusion from government or corporations. The government and private actors must also be transparent about the data they collect and how it is stored, used, and shared.
  • Opportunity: Technology policy must strive to support economic opportunity for all.

FCC Orders USF Overpayment Recovery and Plans Fine Totaling $76 Million

The Federal Communications Commission voted to take multiple actions against Sandwich Isles Communications, which provides phone and broadband service to customers on Hawaiian Home Lands, for violations and apparent violations related to Universal Service Fund (USF) support. As a result, the company will be required to repay over $27 million in improper payments of universal service support. In addition, following an investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, the Commission has proposed more than $49 million in fines against the company for apparent violations of rules relating to the high-cost program.

Sandwich Isles has ongoing obligations to its customers, under both the Communications Act and Commission rules, to continue to provide interstate telecommunications services and may not discontinue service without the Commission’s express authorization.

Benton Foundation Updates Guide for Community Leaders Seeking Affordable, Next Generation Broadband

The Benton Foundation published a handbook for city officials seeking the affordable, abundant bandwidth their communities will need to thrive in the decades ahead. Designed for local decision makers, The Next Generation Network Connectivity Handbook: A Guide for Community Leaders Seeking Affordable, Abundant Bandwidth reviews the current landscape of broadband networks, including next generation, gigabit capable networks, outlines best practices, summarizes existing models, and presents a framework through which community leaders might begin preliminary project steps given their city’s specific strengths and circumstances. “Our purpose,” said co-author Blair Levin, “is to lower the initial, daunting information barrier that exists between cities already immersed in these Internet infrastructure issues and those just beginning to navigate them.” From 2009-2010, Levin oversaw the development of the National Broadband Plan while at the Federal Communications Commission. A key insight offered by city officials is the important linkages between deploying next generation information networks and other municipal policies, including those affecting construction, transportation, housing, and economic development. As a result, the Handbook identifies two critical and related tasks for cities: understanding how its practices affect the economics of deploying and operating next generation networks, and organizing its assets, practices and people to improve its ability to negotiate with third party providers or deploy these networks themselves. “Many communities are tackling 21st Century information infrastructure challenges themselves, regionally, or with private partners. We have a lot to learn from their approaches.” said co-author Denise Linn, Program Analyst for the Smart Chicago Collaborative. “In the second edition of the Handbook, we’ve incorporated new cases and resources from 2016. This field is a moving target with emerging best practices and shifting players — tracking new broadband initiatives has never been more important.”

A Year of Action Supporting Computer Science for All

Marking the 2016 year of progress, and kicking off the Computer Science Education Week 2016, the White House is announcing new actions in support of computer science education:

National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing $20 million in planned investment in FY 2017 in support of CS education. These new investments will take place under the Computer Science for All: Researcher Practitioner Partnerships (CSforAll: RPP) program, building on NSF’s $25 million investment in FY 2016. The program aims to better understand, through research and development, how to provide high-school teachers with the preparation, professional development, and ongoing support that they would need to teach rigorous computer-science courses; and K-8 teachers with the preparation they would need to integrate computer science and computational thinking into their classrooms.

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) will develop a CSforAll strategic framework in the coming year. The NSTC Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CoSTEM) Federal Coordination in STEM Education Task Force’s (FC-STEM) Computer Science for All Interagency Working Group will develop a strategic framework to guide Federal efforts to support the integration of computer science and computational thinking into K-12 education.

FCC Proposes Fine for Unlawful Overcharging of Universal Service Fees

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $392,930 fine against NECC Telecom for apparently charging excessive and unlawful universal service fees to its customers.

Phone companies are required to pay into a fund to support various universal service programs and may assess fees on customers to offset that cost. Carriers are prohibited from charging customers more in fees than they pay into the Universal Service Fund (USF). The FCC Enforcement Bureau’s investigation showed that NECC, primarily an international long distance reseller, profited from overcharges labeled as USF-related fees imposed upon its international service customers despite being exempt from any USF contribution obligation. This is the Commission’s first action enforcing FCC rules prohibiting a carrier from collecting more from consumers in USF fees than the carrier actually pays into the USF. The FCC also alleges that NECC failed to pay over $80,000 in mandatory regulatory fees and transferred its authorizations to provide telecommunications services without FCC approval.

Public Interest Groups Slam AT&T’s Refusal to Serve Low-Income Americans Through Lifeline Program

Five diverse public interest groups spoke out about AT&T’s recent decision to opt out of the Lifeline broadband program and urged them to reconsider participating to offer the modest discount that Lifeline provides to low-income families struggling to afford broadband. Despite supporting the inclusion of broadband within the modernized Lifeline program, AT&T has officially filed for forbearance from the Lifeline broadband Internet access service requirements. This decision would confine their extension of Lifeline broadband to only very limited regions of its service territory.

“Benton is extremely disappointed with AT&T’s decision and the impact it will have on home broadband adoption for the most vulnerable families in the US,” said Amina Fazlullah, Director of Policy at Benton Foundation: “Teamed with FCC Lifeline program subsidies, AT&T could have been a leader in providing affordable broadband service for qualified, low-income families. We could have seen an incredible rise in broadband adoption by addressing the number one barrier to subscriptions: cost. This is an unfortunate failure to take advantage of a meaningful public-private partnership. We hope AT&T will reconsider its decision.”

FCC Releases Sixth 'Measuring Broadband America' Report

The Federal Communications Commission released the results of its ongoing nationwide performance study of consumers’ fixed broadband Internet access service in its sixth “Measuring Broadband America” report. The report furthers the Commission’s efforts to provide greater transparency about network performance to help consumers make more informed choices about their Internet Service Provider. 2016’s report highlights the following findings:

  • Significant growth in advertised broadband speeds available to consumers, though the results are not uniform across technologies.
  • Actual speeds experienced by most consumers meet or exceed advertised speeds.
  • Consumers with access to faster services continue to migrate to higher service tiers.
  • Latency and packet loss vary by technologies.

Progress and Momentum in Support of TechHire Initiative

Since its launch, TechHire communities across the country have piloted fast-track training programs designed to give people skills that are in high demand by employers. So far over 4,000 people have been trained and connected to work opportunities with local employers, earning average salaries of well over median income. US Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith announced how private organizations will seize on this progress with new steps to meet the scale of the opportunity:

  • Expansion of TechHire to over 70 Cities, States, and Rural Areas.
  • Growth of theTechHire Action Network.
  • TechUP's Include.io 27-City Roadshow 2017.

Free Press Launches Campaign to Use FCC Airwaves Auction to Strengthen Journalism and Serve Local Communities

Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund launched a campaign to set aside proceeds from the auction of public TV station licenses to strengthen local journalism and community-information projects. According to new Free Press research, at least 54 public television stations around the country are taking part of the ongoing Federal Communications Commission broadcast incentive auction. Spectrum held by public TV stations alone is expected to bring in as much as $6 billion in the auction, with state governments, local school boards, university trustees and other station owners each likely raking in tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars for taking their stations off the air or moving down the dial to free up bandwidth to meet the growing demand mobile data.

The initial phase of the campaign — which is being launched at NewsVoices.org — will focus on New Jersey and urge lawmakers there to devote a portion of the proceeds from auctioning state-owned public TV licenses to support innovative journalism and community-driven projects across the state. Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund will be pushing to create a $250 million permanent public fund to support local information needs for decades to come. Ideas for use of proceeds include support for community-focused digital news sites, blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, public data access apps and other civic engagement tools.

FCC Chairman Wheeler Announces Tentative Agenda for December Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for the December Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 2016:

  1. Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology: The FCC will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to help achieve the transition from TTY technology to a reliable and interoperable means of providing real-time text communication over wireless Internet protocol-enabled networks and services. (CG Docket No. 16-145, GN Docket No. 15-178).
  2. Improving the Nation’s Public Alert and Warning Systems: The FCC will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to enhance the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as a tool for community emergency preparedness. The Report and Order improves alerting organization at the state and local levels, builds stronger community-based alerting exercise programs, and protects the EAS against accidental misuse and malicious intrusion. The Further Notice seeks comment on proposals to leverage technological advances to improve alerting and additional measures to preserve EAS security. (PS Docket No. 15-94)

The following items that are currently on circulation may be considered, unless voted on circulation prior to the December Open Meeting:

  • Update to Parts 2 and 25 Concerning Non-geostationary, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems and Related Matters, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
  • In the Matter of Amendment of Part 0 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding Public Information, the Inspection of Records, and Implementing the Freedom of Information Act
  • Maritime Communications/Land Mobile, LLC, Order on Reconsideration and Memorandum Opinion and Order
  • Improving the Resiliency of the Nation's Mobile Wireless Communications Networks, Order
  • Preferred Long Distance, Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order

Chairmen Upton and Thune Request Pause on Controversial FTC Regulations

House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Edith Ramirez requesting a pause on any controversial new regulations.

“We are writing to express our thoughts about the pending [Federal Trade Commission (FTC)] agenda in light of the recent election and upcoming transition. While the leadership of the [FTC] will soon change, congressional oversight of the Commission will continue. Therefore, any action taken by [FTC] before a new chairman is designated will receive particular scrutiny. While we expect and encourage the [FTC] to continue its routine merger reviews and consumer protection enforcement in support of competition and on behalf of American consumers, we strongly encourage the [FTC] to avoid directing its attention and resources in the coming months on complex, partisan, or otherwise controversial items that the new Congress and new Administration will have an interest in reviewing.”

ITU releases annual global ICT data and ICT Development Index country rankings

International Telecommunication Union's flagship annual Measuring the Information Society Report​ reports that the world is getting more and more connected and reveals that there are still huge investment opportunities for the private sector to connect the unconnected.

The Republic of Korea tops the Information and Communications Technologies Development Index (IDI) rankings in 2016 for the second consecutive year. The top 10 countries of the IDI 2016 also include two other economies in the Asia-Pacific region, and seven European countries. Three island countries in the Caribbean – St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Grenada – featured among the most dynamic countries with strong improvements in their IDI value and rank.

Libraries bolster opportunity — new briefs show how libraries support policy priorities of new administration

The American Library Association (ALA) released three briefs highlighting how libraries can advance specific policy priorities of the incoming Trump Administration in the areas of entrepreneurship, services to veterans and broadband adoption and use. Each paper features numerous snapshots of programs around the country illustrating libraries’ contributions to vibrant communities, as well as “takeaway” points for decision-makers:

One Small Business at a Time: Building Entrepreneurial Opportunity in America’s Communities
Snapshot: A Maryland ice cream entrepreneur used library resources to write an award-winning business plan that led to $50,000 in seed money and the launch of her shop.
Takeaway: Leverage libraries in new policy initiatives to grow entrepreneurship and small businesses.

Libraries Help and Honor Our Veterans: Employment, Education and Community Connection
Snapshot: A California veteran said the referral he received at the library led to him receiving medical benefits and back pay he was unaware he earned.
Takeaway: Libraries represent a proactive, cost-effective solution for extending outreach and services to veterans and their families.

America’s Libraries: Powering Broadband Access, Adoption and Use
Snapshot: Families in public housing with school-aged children receive digital literacy training and access to online homework resources and other digital services at libraries.
Takeaway: Libraries bring a wealth of resources and expertise to partnerships like ConnectHome with the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development

FCC Signs Robocall Agreement With Canadian Regulator

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission announced a formal agreement, committing the two agencies to work together to combat unlawful robocalls. The Memorandum of Understanding represents the FCC’s commitment to working cooperatively with international regulators to combat robocalls and caller ID spoofing. Under the agreement, the two agencies agree to cooperate on enforcement matters related to unlawful robocalls and caller ID spoofing. These agencies have also committed to exchange information about investigations and complaints, share knowledge and expertise, provide information about legal theories and economic analysis, keep each other abreast of significant legal developments, and provide other appropriate assistance.

FTC “Sharing Economy” Report Explores Evolving Internet And App-Based Services

A Federal Trade Commission staff report provides an in-depth assessment of evolving business models that rely on Internet and app-based “sharing economy” platforms used by millions of Americans. The report summarizes a June 2015 FTC public workshop and highlights a number of competitive benefits and potential consumer protection challenges posed by disruptive business models in markets such as for-hire-transportation and short-term lodging.

The report, The “Sharing” Economy: Issues Facing Platforms, Participants, and Regulators, details how buyers and sellers are increasingly using internet-connected devices – smartphones and tablets – to access a matchmaking platform that allows them to search for new services, secure a price point, and complete a transaction. It discusses several “trust mechanisms,” such as reputation rating systems or money-back guarantees, which help build trust between buyers and sellers, as well as providing confidence that a transaction will proceed as agreed online. The report summarizes concerns expressed by state and local regulators and stakeholders that sharing economy platforms enable new entrants to evade regulations designed to protect consumers and promote public safety. In exploring the tension between the potential competitive benefits that sharing economy business models may provide and the potential consumer harms that they may pose, the report draws on the FTC’s expertise as both a competition and a consumer protection agency.

Executive Order -- Establishing a Community Solutions Council

Building on the Obama Administration’s efforts to modernize the way the Federal Government works with cities, counties, and communities — rural, tribal, urban, and sub-urban – President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order establishing a Community Solutions Council. The Council will provide a lasting structure for Federal agencies to strengthen partnerships with communities and improve coordination across the Federal Government in order to more efficiently deliver assistance and maximize impact. This progress is further fueled by efforts such as:

Harnessing Data and Technology to Improve Outcomes for Communities: The Federal government is working to foster collaborations between communities and the tech sector, non-profits and citizens to help communities develop new ways to use both Federal and local data to address challenges with greater precision and innovation. As a result, new digital tools are helping citizens find affordable housing near jobs and transportation, matching unemployed Americans with jobs that meet their skills, enabling local leaders to use data to better target investments, and more.

House Communications Subcommittee hearing on Understanding Role of Connected Devices in Recent Cyberattacks

The House Communications Subcommittee, Chaired by Rep Greg Walden (R-OR) and the Trade Subcommittee held a hearing examining the recent series of Internet of Things (IoT) connected device-based distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

In Oct, hackers leveraged a DDoS attack against global Internet routing company Dyn that resulted in thousands of consumers being unable to connect with Netflix, Twitter, CNN, and other well-known websites. It’s estimated that 50 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020 and as this number grows, so too do the risks. Members continued the committee’s long track record of examining emerging cybersecurity threats and their impact on consumers and the economy while looking at what can be done to mitigate future attacks and risks.

“The knee-jerk reaction might be to regulate the Internet of Things, and while I am not taking that off the table, the question is whether we need a more holistic solution,” said Chairman Walden. “The United States can’t regulate the world," he warned.

High-Speed Rail and CENIC Join Forces to Create California Broadband Communities

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and the Corporation for Education Networking Initiatives in California (CENIC) announced that they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that will foster initiatives to expand the availability and accessibility of high-capacity broadband to communities and institutions throughout California.

As a part of the high-speed rail system corridor, the Authority and CENIC will create an ultra-fast broadband network, connecting into CENIC’s statewide research and education network, as well as to other public and private sector broadband networks. According to a recent Field Research Corporation Poll, conducted for the California Emerging Technology Fund, the lowest income, least educated, and most rural Californians are living without this reliable Internet access. This investment in broadband connectivity will allow these communities access the educational, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement opportunities that lead to greater economic opportunities and to a better quality of life.

Unprecedented international audience growth to 278 million; US international media sees a rise in demand for fact-based global reporting

The Broadcasting Board of Governors released its annual impact numbers which show the agency had its largest ever increase in its weekly worldwide audience to 278 million people, up from 226 million in 2015. These increases occurred across all platforms with digital platforms seeing the largest percentage growth, followed by radio and television.

“The unprecedented growth we’ve seen this year further illustrates the need for US international media particularly in parts of the world where access to balanced, impartial news is severely limited or non-existent,” said BBG CEO and Director John Lansing. “In media markets increasingly dominated by disinformation and propaganda, more and more people are turning to BBG networks for fair, accurate, fact-based reporting.” The increases include gains in highly competitive media markets that are of strategic importance to the United States. Digital audiences increased from 32 million to 45 million while those for radio rose by 27% to 130 million. Television audience also grew, increasing 23% to 174 million.

Fairlawn, Ohio, Seeing the Benefits of FairlawnGig

Fujitsu announced that the first two long-time Fairlawn, Ohio, businesses that are connected to the city’s new broadband network, FairlawnGig, are now delivering enhanced customer service and experiencing smoother business operations. Fujitsu Network Communications is the design-build network integrator and is operating and maintaining the network on behalf of the City.

FairlawnGig’s state-of-the-art fiber optic and carrier-grade wireless network delivers from 1 Gbps up to 100 Gbps connectivity to established enterprises, and is expected to attract new generations of professionals to the city and Akron-Fairlawn-Bath Township Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). FairlawnGig differs from many traditional broadband implementations in that it is the only entity within its area offering ubiquitous fiber and wireless coverage to the entire City and JEDD. By design, every service address will have access to a direct fiber connection, or fixed wireless, or standard Wi-Fi. The reliable broadband network is more than 20 times faster than anything previously available in the area. With the rollout of FairlawnGig beginning in August, the advantages of broadband are already being realized by area businesses like RDA Hotel Management Company, which owns and operates Hilton and DoubleTree hotels, as well as a 100,000 square foot office building on a 12-acre campus.

Consumer Alert: Utilities Call Scam

The Federal Communications Commission is alerting consumers to be on the lookout for callers pretending to be utility company employees demanding immediate payment, often by prepaid debit cards, credit cards, or gift cards. As American consumers prepare for winter months when many people would be endangered by an interruption to heating fuel, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau wanted to make consumers aware of this scam and prepared to protect themselves.

Key Consumer Tip: If consumers receive a call warning them of a balance they do not believe they owe their utility, they should hang up, independently look up their utility company’s phone number on a recent statement or legitimate website, and call that number to verify the legitimacy of the call.