1. Monthly archive
  2. December 2017

December 2017

FCC Streamlines Paperwork Requirements for New Mobile Services

The Federal Communications Commission allows licensees to identify the nature and regulatory treatment of its mobile services based on how it uses spectrum, rather than based on the specific spectrum band used to provide such service. The Order eliminates an outdated and incomplete list of certain services meeting the statutory definition of commercial mobile radio service and eliminates unnecessary filings that some licensees must make to use spectrum for private mobile radio services.

FCC Adopts Restoring Internet Freedom Order, Ends Net Neutrality Protections

In a Declartory Ruling and two Orders, the Federal Communications Commission reversed its 2015 Open Internet rules.

Declaratory Ruling

Benton Statement on Restoring Internet Freedom Order

On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission acted decisively to protect the rights of internet users to employ any legal applications, content, devices, and services of their choosing on the broadband networks they rely on. Today, the FCC’s Republican majority abandons those protections.

FCC Seeks Comment on Plan to Ease Collocations on Twilight Towers

The Federal Communications Commission voted to seek public comment on a plan to exclude from routine historic preservation review the collocation of wireless communications equipment on certain towers known as Twilight Towers.

FCC Launches Review of its Rural Health Care Program

The Federal Communications Commission launched a review of its Rural Health Care Program to ensure that all communities have access to advanced telehealth services. The FCC is seeking comment on the appropriate level of the RHC Program funding cap. It also explores ways to more efficiently distribute RHC Program funds and combat waste, fraud and abuse. In addition, the FCC waives the RHC Program’s annual cap on a one-time basis for funding year (FY) 2017 to address the impact of the funding cap on RHC Program participants.

The FCC also makes some immediate changes for FY 2017:

FCC Adds Blue Alerts to Nation's Emergency Alert Systems

The Federal Communications Commission added a new alert option—called a “Blue Alert”—to the nation’s emergency alerting systems. Blue Alerts can be used by state and local authorities to notify the public of threats to law enforcement and to help apprehend dangerous suspects. Blue Alerts warn the public when there is actionable information related to a law enforcement officer who is missing, seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, or when there is an imminent credible threat to an officer.

Chairman Pai Jokes About Internet Freedom in Daily Caller Video

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is facing an online backlash after joking about the implications of repealing net neutrality. Pai appeared in a video wielding a fidget spinner and performing the Harlem Shake just one day before a decisive vote is cast over whether to repeal net neutrality. The video appeared on conservative news site The Daily Caller on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s vote by the FCC that is expected to reverse the Obama-era “Open Internet Order” regulations. 

© 1994-2026 Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. All Rights Reserved.