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  2. September 2017

September 2017

AT&T says it’s not ignoring low-income broadband needs

AT&T says the latest claims that it is ignoring the broadband needs of low-income residents in Detroit are false and that it continues to enhance speeds. In a new complaint filed at the Federal Communications Commission, the telecommunications company has been accused of ignoring the broadband needs of low-income residents in Detroit. The practice is called “digital redlining,” a process of income-based discrimination carried out against lower-income neighborhoods.

“We do not redline,” AT&T said. “Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is unparalleled." AT&T added that its network investments are in line with the rules set by the FCC's Communications Act and that it will present its side of the story. "Our investment decisions are based on the cost of deployment and demand for our services and are of course fully compliant with the requirements of the Communications Act," AT&T said. "We will vigorously defend the complaint.”

FCC Releases 20th Wireless Competition Report

The Federal Communications Commission approved its 20th Annual Mobile Wireless Competition Report. For the first time since 2009, the FCC makes an affirmative finding that the metrics assessed in the Report indicate that there is effective competition in the marketplace for mobile wireless services. The 20th Report concludes that competition continues to play an essential role in the mobile wireless marketplace, driving innovation and investment to the benefit of the American people and economy.

FCC to Examine 911 Capabilities of Enterprise Communications Systems

The Federal Communications Commission began an examination of the 911 calling capabilities of enterprise communications systems, which serve many office buildings, educational campuses, and hotels. Noting reports that some of these systems may not support direct 911 dialing, route 911 calls to the nearest 911 call center, or transmit accurate information on the caller’s location or call-back number, the Commission is seeking to identify the reasons why the 911 capabilities of these systems appear to be lagging. The FCC seeks input on topics including the current state of the enterprise communications systems marketplace; the public’s expectations when calling 911 from these systems; the capabilities, limitations, and costs of provisioning 911 on these systems; and related developments, such as the extent of state legislation and industry standards in this area. The FCC is also seeking comment on potential ways to ensure that 911 calling from these systems keeps pace with technological developments and public expectations, including through voluntary best practices or through the development of voluntary technical or operational standards. In addition, the FCC asks whether it should continue to refrain from adopting 911 rules for enterprise communications systems or whether updating or streamlining existing rules to better support 911 capabilities for these systems is warranted. (FCC 17-125)

FCC Updates Rules to Facilitate Non-Geostationary Satellite Systems

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an updated regulatory framework to facilitate the delivery of broadband services through satellite constellations. The action paves the way for greater broadband offerings in the United States, particularly in remote and rural areas. The FCC updated, clarified and streamlined the current rules governing non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) systems to better reflect current technology and promote additional operational flexibility.
Specifically, the Report and Order:
Amends the Table of Frequency Allocations to better accommodate NGSO and geostationary satellite operations in the Ka-band (20/30 GHz);
Streamlines the NGSO milestone rules for deployment and eliminates the international geographic cover requirements to provide greater flexibility to NGSO FSS operators, and
Adopts a new threshold to characterize circumstances where–absent a coordination agreement between operators—a default mechanism will govern spectrum sharing
between operators.

FCC Proposes to Ease Hearing Aid Compatibility Reporting Regulations for Small Wireless Carriers

The Federal Communications Commission proposed revisions to its wireless hearing aid compatibility (HAC) reporting rules to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, particularly for non-nationwide service providers. All handset manufacturers and wireless service providers are currently required to file annual status reports with the FCC on their HAC deployment and compliance efforts. The FCC is proposing rule changes to provide relief from these reporting obligations to small, rural, and regional service providers while maintaining other safeguards to ensure that all consumers enjoy the benefits of having available hearing aid compatible handsets. Specifically, the item seeks comment on, among other things, whether to amend the FCC’s HAC reporting requirements to exempt non-nationwide, wireless service providers from the annual reporting requirement. It also asks about the feasibility of reliance on informal complaints and other required sources of information to ensure industry compliance. Finally, it seeks details on the costs and benefits of the proposed reporting exemption, as well as additional ways to streamline or simplify these requirements for service providers generally.

FCC Seeks Comment on Modernizing Toll Free Numbering System

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to modernize the way it distributes toll free numbers, including popular numbers in the new 833 toll free area code. Among the proposals is the use of a competitive auction to assign approximately 17,000 sought after numbers in the new 833 code. Another proposal would set aside toll free numbers to promote health and safety for use by non-profits and government, without cost. More broadly, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on how to make toll free number distribution more equitable and efficient than the existing 20-year-old system. The goal: to provide the public with a better opportunity to acquire the numbers they want, to recognize the value of unique numbers, and create incentives for toll free numbers to be put to use quickly and efficiently once they are assigned.

FCC Proposes to Eliminate Requirement to Keep Hard Copies of FCC Rules

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate rules requiring certain broadcast and cable entities to keep paper copies of FCC rules. More than forty years ago, the FCC adopted rules requiring low power TV, TV and FM translator, TV and FM booster stations, cable television relay station (CARS) licensees, and certain cable operators to maintain paper copies of FCC rules. These rules were intended to ensure that such entities could access and stay familiar with the rules governing their operations. Because the rules are now readily accessible online, many parties believe that the paper copy requirements are outdated and unnecessarily burdensome. While regulated entities still would be required to be familiar with the rules governing their services, elimination of the paper copy requirements would give them flexibility to determine how to fulfill that obligation.

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