Public Notice

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appoints the Commissioners Nathan Simington and Anna Gomez to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Universal Service Joint Board) and the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (Separations Joint Board). In addition, Commissioners Simington and Gomez are members of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services (Advanced Services Joint Conference) by virtue of their positions on the FCC. Commissioner Gomez shall further serve as the federal chair of the Universal Service Joint Board and the Advance

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its intent to recharter the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WAC-27), subject to the approval of the General Services Administration (GSA), and further solicits applications for membership. WAC-27's mission is to provide to the FCC advice, technical support, and recommended proposals for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs).

The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) is located in the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. OBD was created by statute in 2013 and just completed its tenth year of work on its mission to improve access to broadband service that meets the state’s speed goals, serving the needs of anchor institutions, and expanding the skills and knowledge needed to use these services. Border-to-Border high speed internet access is the goal throughout Minnesota. 2023 milestones for the Office included:

The Broadband Data Task Force, in coordination with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and Office of Economics and Analytics, seeks public comment on its Broadband Data Collection (BDC) challenge processes.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, in consultation with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, has appointed members to serve on the re-chartered Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. The Task Force will hold the first meeting of its third and final term on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Chairwoman Rosenworcel has designated Michael Adelaine, Ph.D., CIO Emeritus & Special Advisor to the President, South Dakota State University, to serve as Chair of the Task Force.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission has approved an order awarding 22 grants totaling nearly $20 million from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP). Created by the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act the NBBP provides up to $20 million dollars annually for the development of broadband networks capable of at least 100/100 Megabits per second (up/down) in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced requirements and guidance for the wind-down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  The FCC currently projects that the last month for which the ACP can fully reimburse providers for the ACP benefits provided to enrolled households is April 2024. Should Congress not appropriate additional money, the existing funds will be exhausted, the FCC will have to end the ACP, and providers will stop providing discounts to enrolled households.

The Federal Trade Commission proposes to amend the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, consistent with the requirements of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The proposed modifications are intended to respond to changes in technology and online practices, and where appropriate, to clarify and streamline the Rule. The proposed modifications, which are based on the FTC’s review of public comments and its enforcement experience, are intended to clarify the scope of the Rule and/or strengthen its protection of personal information collected from children. 

The Federal Communications Commission released its third report on the implementation of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program and the work done by recipients to permanently remove, replace, and dispose of covered communications equipment or services. The Bureau submitted the Third Report to Congress to explain the additional steps the FCC has taken to implement the Reimbursement Program and to provide an update on recipient progress toward removal, replacement, and disposal of covered communications equipment and services in the intervening months.

Happy new year! In the spirit of wishing everyone a safe and healthy new year, we are kicking off 2024 with a monthly open meeting that features a pair of items from our Public Safety Bureau. Here’s everything we have lined up for our January agenda.