November 2019

FCC Announces Employee Award Winners

The Federal Communications Commission announced the winners of the agency’s Excellence in Economic Analysis, Excellence in Engineering Analysis, and Employee of the Year Awards.

FCC Ensures Sustainable Funding for IP Captioned Phone Service (Federal Communications Commission)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 11/22/2019 - 17:32

FCC Proposes Authorizing Voluntary All-Digital AM Broadcasting (Federal Communications Commission)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 11/22/2019 - 17:30

FCC Seeks Comment on Duplication of Radio Programming Rule (Federal Communications Commission)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 11/22/2019 - 17:30

FCC Seeks Comment on Eliminating Outdated Unbundling Requirements (Federal Communications Commission)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 11/22/2019 - 17:29

FCC Proposes New Rules for Removing Bad Actors from FCC Programs

The Federal Communications Commission began a rulemaking which would adopt new procedures to protect federal funds from misuse. The proposed rules would provide the FCC with broader and more flexible authority to promptly remove bad actors from participation in the Universal Service Fund (USF), the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund, and the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. The proposal would align FCC rules with the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidelines to Agencies on Government Debarment and Suspension.

FCC Helps First Responders Quickly Locate Wireless 911 Callers

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that will help first responders locate people who call 911 from wireless phones in multi-story buildings. The rules will help emergency responders determine the floor level of a 911 caller, which will reduce emergency response times and ultimately save lives. The action builds on the FCC’s efforts to improve its Enhanced 911 rules, which require wireless providers to transmit to 911 call centers information on the location of wireless 911 calls.

FCC Bars Subsidies for Equipment Posing National Security Threats

As part of its continuing efforts to safeguard the security and integrity of the nation’s communications networks, the Federal Communications Commission has barred use of its $8.5 billion a year Universal Service Fund (USF) to purchase equipment and services from companies that pose a national security threat. The Order adopted initially designates Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corp. as companies covered by this rule and establishes a process for designating additional covered companies in the future.