The Federal Communications Commission proposed enhancements to the FCC’s equipment authorization rules to grant limited, early-stage flexibility to innovators to accelerate the deployment of common consumer devices like cellphones, laptops, and Wi-Fi routers after FCC authorization. The proposed rule changes would allow radiofrequency device manufacturers and marketers to better position their devices for sale and distribution once a device has been authorized by the FCC. The FCC’s equipment authorization program helps to ensure that radiofrequency devices meet the FCC's technical standards and do not result in harmful interference to other devices and operations.

For over seven years, Mike O’Rielly has served with distinction on the Federal Communications Commission. And since Jan 2017, he has been an important partner as the FCC has accomplished one of the most ambitious policy agendas in agency history. Because I had confidence in Mike, I’ve asked him to take the lead on important initiatives. And he delivered each time. A good example is the 3.5 GHz spectrum band. Mike showed leadership in reforming the rules for the 3.5 GHz band to promote 5G deployment. Because of his efforts, the auction of this band was a major success. And thanks to Mike, the agency modernized its rules governing children’s television to better match the realities of today’s media marketplace. Throughout his tenure on the Commission, Mike was a strong and consistent advocate for eliminating barriers to infrastructure investment, repealing outdated rules, freeing up more licensed and unlicensed spectrum, and reforming our processes to promote transparency. He also proved that he’s not afraid to cast tough votes or tackle tough issues. For example, he didn’t waver for a second in his support of the Restoring Internet Freedom Order because he knew it was the right thing to do. And he hasn’t been afraid to take on state governments, including his home state of New York, calling out their misuse of 911 fees that are diverted away from public safety.

It is Day 1,421 of the Trump Administration. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, from Day 1, has insisted that closing the digital divide is the Trump FCC's top priority. This week, the FCC announced the winners of over $9 billion worth of rural broadband subsidies -- the "single largest step ever taken to close the digital divide," according to Chairman Pai. But looking at the results may leave millions of rural residents apprehensive -- and disconnected. Chairman Pai has planned his exit for Day One of the Biden administration, but as a Republican colleague made it clear he will not be helpful in ensuring open, affordable, universal broadband in the U.S. Last week, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr urged the U.S. Senate to confirm Nathan Simington for a seat on the FCC -- so they can stall action at the commission come January. "I think it would be very valuable to get Simington across the finish line and help forestall what really would be billions of dollars worth of economic damage that I think a Democratic FCC would look to jam through from Day One." Commissioner Carr would have served the country better by weeding out waste in the FCC's most recent attempt to close the digital divide. There are real concerns about the capabilities of the providers the FCC has picked to build these critical networks -- and about why some providers won subsidies to offer service in urban areas.

The Federal Communications Commission does not collect broadband pricing data or analyze the price of broadband access. This is despite numerous studies detailing how cost is one of the biggest barriers to broadband adoption, a stark divide that disproportionately harms Black, Latinx, tribal, and rural communities. The COVID-19 pandemic casts this gap in a grim new light. For the incoming administration, the solution is as close at hand as the nearest jar of pasta sauce or container of ice cream. Nutrition Facts demonstrates how a standardized label can help consumers cut through a mess of confusing information.

Labeling is such a common-sense measure that it has been adopted in the broadband context before. In 2016, the FCC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau together rolled out their version of the “broadband nutrition label.” In 2017, President Donald Trump’s newly installed FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, abandoned the broadband nutrition label. In July, the House of Representatives passed legislation directing the FCC to revive the label and promote its widespread adoption. The Senate has yet to take up the bill, but the FCC does not need to wait for Congress to pass a law. The agency could revive the label at any time. With Ajit Pai’s pending resignation, a new FCC chair should make employing a common-sense, easily understood broadband label a top priority.

[Amir Nasr is a policy analyst at New Americas Open Technology Institute. Austin Adams a senior communications associate at the Open Technology Institute]

MCC Iowa, which is a subsidiary of Mediacom Communications, has filed a lawsuit against the City of West Des Moines and its city council. MCC's petition of declaratory judgment alleges the West Des Moines City Council improperly used taxpayer-based financing bonds that were intended for urban blight and poverty projects to build a $50 million city-wide conduit network for exclusive use by Google Fiber. Filed in Iowa District Court for Polk County, the petition outlined seven specific violations of the law and requested that West Des Moines suspend activities related to the conduit network. Mediacom said it wasn't asking for compensation that would increase costs to West Des Moines taxpayers.