press release

Connect Americans Now: New Coalition Aims to Eliminate the Digital Divide in Rural America

Rallying around a plan to eliminate the digital divide by 2022, a diverse group of community leaders, rural advocates and top innovators announced the national launch of Connect Americans Now. The new alliance will work with the Federal Communications Commission and other policymakers to ensure that there is sufficient unlicensed low band spectrum in every market in the country to enable broadband connectivity.

All 50 States Choose FirstNet Public-Private Partnership for Public Safety Broadband Network

The US Department of Commerce and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced that all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands have accepted FirstNet and AT&T’s proposals to design and build a broadband network for the public safety community. Guam, the Pacific Territories of American Samoa, and the Mariana Islands have until March 12, 2018, to make their decision. 

FCC Settles Five Lifeline Improper Payment Investigations

The Federal Communications Commission announced it has settled its investigations of five providers that received improper payments from the Lifeline program. Noting that the companies have already repaid the program for improper payments, the FCC found that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decrees, which resolve the Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeitures issued to the companies. As part of each settlement, the companies have agreed to make additional payments to the U.S.

FCC Proposes to Fine Sinclair Broadcast Group Over $13 Million for Violations of Sponsorship ID Rules

The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $13,376,200 fine against Sinclair Broadcast Group for apparently failing to make required disclosures in connection with programming sponsored by a third party. The programming was broadcast more than 1,700 times, either as stories resembling independently generated news coverage that aired during the local news, or as longer-form stories aired as 30- minute television programs. This is the largest fine that the Commission has ever proposed for a violation of its sponsorship identification rules.

Germany ensures net neutrality

The Bundesnetzagentur prohibited certain aspects of the "StreamOn" add-on option offered by Telekom Deutschland GmbH (Telekom) with its "MagentaMobil" mobile tariff. The decision ensures that the provisions of the European Regulation on roaming and net neutrality are being complied with. "Telekom can continue to offer StreamOn. But in the interest of consumers, adjustments have to be made to the arrangement," explained Jochen Homann, Bundesnetzagentur President.

With Tax Reform, AT&T Plans to Increase US Capital Spending $1 Billion and Provide $1,000 Special Bonus to more than 200,000 US Employees

Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T plans to invest an additional $1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus to more than 200,000 AT&T US employees — all union-represented, non-management and front-line managers. If the President signs the bill before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays. [AT&T announced on November 8 that it would step up US investment by $1 billion if a tax bill passed.]

CTIA Extends CEO Meredith Baker Contract

Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO of CTIA, has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep her as the head of the leading wireless industry group. Baker joined CTIA in 2014 and oversees the wireless industry’s political advocacy as well as key industry initiatives.  Under her leadership, CTIA has broadened its reach attracting new members to reflect the growing importance of mobile to the US economy.  CTIA has also invested in the technical and policy expertise needed for tomorrow’s challenges, launched a new annual convention, and developed key programs to help enable t

FCC Chairman Pai Names Six Members to USAC Board of Directors

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai appoints the following individuals to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Board of Directors:

Representative for schools that are eligible for discounts under to section 54.501 of the Commission’s rules: Joan H. Wade, Ed.D., Executive Director, Association of Educational Service Agencies;  Representative for low-income consumers: Ellis Jacobs, Senior Attorney, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.;

FCC Takes Key Step Toward Auction To Expand Rural Broadband, Identifying Locations Eligible for Support from Connect America Fund

Continuing its push to expand access to broadband in rural America, the Federal Communications Commission identified the locations of nearly 1 million homes and small businesses in 48 states that are eligible for up to $2 billion in support for broadband deployment over the next decade. Currently unserved by high speed Internet access, these locations are in largely rural areas, where, absent support, carriers are unlikely to expand service.

FCC Proposes Modernizing Pay TV Subscriber Notification Rules

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that explores ways to enable pay-tv providers (multichannel video programming distributors in regulatoryspeak), such as cable and satellite providers, to communicate with their subscribers in more efficient and less costly ways. Specifically, the Notice proposes to allow cable operators to send general written notices to subscribers by email, as long as they use a verified email address and comply with other consumer safeguards.

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 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.

House Commerce Committee Leaders Head Republican Letter to FCC on Restoring Internet Freedom

House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) led a letter signed by over 100 Republican Reps to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the upcoming vote restoring Internet freedom.

Rep. McNerney Denied Request to Address FCC Open Meeting

Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) submitted a formal request to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, asking to address the full Commission at tomorrow’s open meeting. While outside entities have previously been given the opportunity to speak at these meetings – which are open to the public – Chairman Pai has disregarded this precedent and denied the Congressman’s request. Congressman McNerney said:

FCC and NCI Champion Critical Role of Broadband in Rural Cancer Care

The Federal Communications Commission’s Connect2Health Task Force (C2HFCC) announced that the FCC and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have joined forces, signing a memorandum of understanding that will focus on how increasing broadband access and adoption in rural areas can improve the lives of rural cancer patients.  As an inaugural project under the memorandum of understanding, the agencies have convened a public-private collaboration to help bridge the broadband health connectivity gap in Appalachia, taking another concrete step toward closing the digital divide.

34 House Members Sign Letter to Chairman Pai to Protect Net Neutrality

We write to express our strong opposition to the Federal Communications Commission's proposal to abdicate its responsibility under law to uphold Title II of the Communications Act. Voting to undo Title Ii protection for broadband Internet will leave consumers vulnerable to exploitation by ISPs, hinder innovation and free expression, and allow for discrimination against marginalized communities and activists. For these reasons, we urge the commission to not vote for this proposed rule on December 14, 2017. 

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Thune Commends FCC's Internet Freedom Order

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) took to the Senate floor to praise the Federal Communications Commission'’s work and transparency while calling on supporters of an open internet to support bipartisan legislation.

39 Senators Call on FCC Chairman Pai to Abandon 'Reckless' Plan to End Net Neutrality

More than three dozen senators joined Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) on a letter turging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to abandon his plan to repeal the agency’s net neutrality rules in favor of giving internet providers the ability to freely block or slow down consumers’ access to the internet. “Your plan gives a broadband provider the ability to significantly alter their subscribers’ internet experience,” the lawmakers wrote.

FCC and National Cancer Institute Champion Critical Role of Broadband in Rural Cancer Care

The Federal Communications Commission’s Connect2Health Task Force (C2HFCC) today announced that the FCC and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have joined forces, signing a memorandum of understanding that will focus on how increasing broadband access and adoption in rural areas can improve the lives of rural cancer patients.

MMTC President and CEO Kim Keenan Resigns

The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) announced that Kim Keenan has resigned from her post as President and CEO. Maurita Coley Flippin, who has served for five years with MMTC as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will serve as Interim President and CEO. Keenan took the helm of the organization from co-founder David Honig in 2014, and her legacy focused on “bringing policy to the people,” reaching out to communities to make complex and esoteric telecom policies relatable, and to bridge the digital divide.

Reps McNerney and Dingell Blast Chairman Pai for Failure to Follow Through on Commitments

Reps Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai expressing their strong disappointment that the Chairman has failed to provide repeatedly requested documentation related to the alleged May 7 distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System. 

Sens Heinrich, Heller Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Increase High-Speed Internet Access In Indian Country

Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced the Tribal Connect Act of 2017 to improve broadband connectivity in Indian Country. The bill would increase access to the Federal Communications Commission's schools and libraries universal service support program, known as E-rate, that provides discounts to assist public schools and libraries obtain high-speed internet access and telecommunications at affordable rates.