Federal Communications Commission

On Dec 15, 2023, Republican leadership from the Senate and House Commerce Committees wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel with questions and concerns abbout the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

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.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote to auto manufacturers as well as wireless service providers to seek their help in protecting domestic abuse survivors from the misuse of connected car tools by abusers.

With less than four months before the projected Affordable Connectivity Program end date and without any immediate additional funding, the Federal Communications Commission expects to begin taking steps to start winding down the program to give households, providers, and other stakeholders sufficient time to prepare. The FCC expects funding to last through April 2024, and run out completely in May 2024. The FCC has released a fact sheet on the ACP which can be viewed here.

On January 8, 2024, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote a letter updating lawmakers on the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Launched in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Affordable Connectivity Program is the largest internet affordability program in US history, and has enrolled nearly 23 million households, helping close the digital divide by bringing more households online. The FCC expects funding for the ACP to last through April 2024, and

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.

Arpan Sura has joined Commissioner Brendan Carr's office as Legal Advisor. Sura previously served as Senior Counsel to the Chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, where he focused on spectrum policy, emerging technologies, and infrastructure matters. Before joining the FCC, Sura spent more than a decade representing clients in the telecommunications and technology sectors, most recently as Counsel in the Communications, Internet, and Media practice at Hogan Lovells. 

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.