Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting (Dec 2012) (updated agenda)

Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting

Federal Communications Commission
December 12, 2012
01:00 pm

Agenda

The Commission will consider:

1. a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to broaden its initiatives in unleashing broadband spectrum, promoting technological innovation, and encouraging investment via the creation of a shared access broadband service in the 3550-3650 MHz band for small cell use.
2. an item on developing the capability for Americans to contact 911 emergency services via text messaging, and providing automatic consumer notification where text to 911 is not supported.
3. a Report and Order on reforming the FCC’s universal service support programs for healthcare that would expand healthcare providers’ access to broadband, especially in rural areas, while increasing overall efficiency and accountability in the programs.

These items were approved before the meeting:

• a Report and Order and Order of Proposed Modification to increase the Nation’s supply of spectrum for mobile broadband by adopting service rules for 40 megahertz of spectrum in the 2 GHz band (2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz).
• a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would implement the Congressional directive in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to grant new initial licenses for the 1915-1920 MHz and the 1995-2000 MHz bands through a system of competitive bidding.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that the following items will be on the tentative agenda for the next open meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2012:

1. Enabling Spectrum Sharing and Small Cell Wireless Broadband Services in the 3.5 GHz Band: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to broaden its initiatives in unleashing broadband spectrum, promoting technological innovation, and encouraging investment via the creation of a shared access broadband service in the 3550-3650 MHz band for small cell use.
2. Facilitating the Deployment of Text-to-911 and Other Next Generation 911 Initiatives: The Commission will consider a Report, Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on developing the capability for Americans to contact 911 emergency services via text messaging. This would be a first step toward additional next generation services offering wider access to 911 responders.
3. Reforming Rural Health Care Support: The Commission will consider a Report and Order on reforming the FCC’s universal service support programs for healthcare that would expand healthcare providers’ access to broadband, especially in rural areas, while increasing overall efficiency and accountability in the programs.