FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for Nov 2019 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the Open FCC Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov 19, 2019:

1. Protecting National Security Through FCC Programs – The FCC will consider a Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order that would ensure that Universal Service Fund support is not used to purchase equipment or services from companies posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain, propose additional actions to address national security threats to USF-funded networks, and collect information to help assess the extent to which equipment from covered companies already exists in such networks. (WC Docket No. 18-89)
2. Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements – The FCC will consider a Fifth Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would adopt a vertical, or zaxis, location accuracy metric in connection with wireless E911 calls and propose additional measures to improve E911 location accuracy. (PS Docket No. 07-114)
3. Modernizing Rules for Removing Bad Actors from FCC Programs – The FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on updating its suspension and debarment rules to make them consistent with Office of Management and Budget guidelines, in order to better prevent bad actors from participating in USF programs, Telecommunications Relay Services programs, and the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. (GN Docket No. 19-309)
4. Modernizing Unbundling and Resale Rules – The FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on updating its unbundling and resale rules to reflect the marketplace realities of intermodal voice and broadband competition and to encourage both incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers to invest in next-generation networks. (WC Docket No. 19-308)
5. All-Digital AM Broadcasting – The FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on whether to authorize AM stations to transition to an all-digital signal on a voluntary basis. (MB Docket Nos. 19-311, 13-249)
6. Duplication of Programming on Commonly Owned Radio Stations – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on whether the duplicative programming rule applicable to commonly owned radio stations in the same market should be modified or eliminated given the current broadcasting marketplace. (MB Docket Nos. 19-310, 17-105)
7. Expanding the TRS Fund Contribution Base to Support IP Captioned Telephone Service – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would expand the TRS fund contribution base for covering the costs of providing Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) to include intrastate telecommunications revenue as a way of strengthening the funding base for this form of TRS without increasing the size of the Fund itself. (CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 13-24)