1. Monthly archive
  2. March 2021

March 2021

FCC Seeks Comment on Mid-Band Spectrum Auction

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Public Notice seeking comment on procedures for the auction of 100 megahertz of mid-band spectrum in the 3.45–3.55 GHz band that can be used to facilitate 5G deployment across the contiguous US. Bidding in Auction 110 is expected to begin in early Oct 2021. This Public Notice works in concert with new rules for the 3.45 GHz band that were also adopted March 17, establishing a framework for coordination of non-federal and federal use and establishing a band plan.

FCC Proposes to Further Strengthen Emergency Alerting

The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 charged the FCC with adopting rules to strengthen emergency alerting in various areas. On March 17, the FCC adopted a Notice Proposed Rulemaking to ensure that more people receive relevant emergency alerts, enable government agencies to report false alerts when they occur, and improve the way states plan for emergency alerts.

Sen Schatz, Thune Reintroduce PACT Act to update Sec 230

Sens Brian Schatz (D-HI) and John Thune (R-SD) reintroduced the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation to update Section 230 of the Communications Act. The PACT Act will make platforms’ content moderation practices more transparent and hold those companies accountable for content that violates their own policies or is illegal.

Impact of California ‘Net Neutrality’ Law on Free Data Services

California has enacted a “net neutrality” law banning “sponsored data” services that allowed companies to pay for, or “sponsor,” the data usage of their customers who are also AT&T wireless customers. Unfortunately, under the California law we are now prohibited from providing certain data features to consumers free of charge. Prior to California’s law, sponsored data customers were able to browse, stream and enjoy applications from sponsors without using their monthly data allowance.

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