Federal Communications Commission

Remarks of Commissioner Rosenworcel at "Internet Freedom Now: The Future of Civil Rights Depends on Net Neutrality"

Even though our net neutrality policies are now legally viable and wildly popular, the leadership at the Commission wants to revisit Internet openness. It has started a proceeding that tears at the foundation of net neutrality. It has proposed cutting the rules we have and instead offering our broadband providers the power to favor sites, content, and ideas; the power to discriminate with our traffic; and the power to become censors and gatekeepers for all that is online. If you want an example, look no further than what happened during the last 14 days with the #MeToo movement.

Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding the First Amendment

On October 23, 2017, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai responded to multiple Members of Congress regarding First Amendment freedoms and the independence of the FCC. Numerous lawmakers, notably House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Michael Doyle (D-PA), and Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA), had written to Chairman Pai over the influence of a radio network funded by the Russian government being used on U.S. airwaves to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Remarks of Commissioner Clyburn at "Internet Freedom Now: The Future of Civil Rights Depends on Net Neutrality"

We are weeks away, from broadband providers being given the green light, to freely engage in paid prioritization, blocking, throttling, or unreasonable discrimination at interconnection points. We are weeks away from the probability, of an entirely new and even wider divide – of those that can afford to pay for priority access, and others that cannot.

FCC Fines Securus $1.7M, Resolving Investigation Over Submitting Misleading Information To Agency

The Federal Communications Commission announced it has reached a $1.7 million consent decree with Securus Technologies resolving an investigation into whether Securus provided inaccurate and misleading information to the FCC regarding the company’s transfer of control to Platinum Equity, LLC.  As part of the consent decree, Securus will implement a strict compliance plan.

FCC Unanimously Approves Emergency Assistance To Restore Connectivity In Hurricane-Affected Schools And Libraries

The Federal Communications Commission has unanimously approved emergency assistance to restore connectivity in schools and libraries affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria through the agency’s E-rate program.

FCC Chairman Pai Names Ashley Boizelle As Deputy General Counsel

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has named Ashley Boizelle as deputy general counsel, with responsibility for administrative law issues. 

FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel Announces New Staff

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel announced the appointment of Umair Javed as Legal Advisor, with primary responsibility for wireless and international issues. 

Federal Communications Commission FY 2018 Budget Estimates to Congress

The Federal Communications Commission’s fiscal year 2018 budget request. The FCC requests $322,035,000 in budget authority from regulatory fee offsetting collections. This request represents a decrease of $17,809,000 or 5.2 percent from the FY 2017 level of $339,844,000 that excludes the one-time request amount $16,866,992 for the headquarters move/restack. The FCC requests $111,150,000 in budget authority for the spectrum auctions program. This request represents a decrease of $5,850,000 or 5 percent from the FY 2017 level of $117,000,000. To date, the spectrum auctions program has generated over $114.6 billion for government use. The FCC requests 1,448 Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s) for regulatory fee offsetting collections and the spectrum auctions program. This request represents a decrease of 102 FTEs or 6.6 percent from the FY 2017 enacted level of 1,550. This will allow an alignment of the FCC workforce to meet the needs of today and the future rather than the requirements of the past.

FCC Chairman Announces Monteith Will Serve As Wireline Bureau Chief

Federal Communications Commission Ajit Pai announced that the agency has chosen Kris Anne Monteith to serve as chief of its Wireline Competition Bureau, continuing the work she has been doing as acting chief.

“The FCC and the American people are lucky to have someone as skilled and dedicated as Kris leading this important arm of the agency,” said Chairman Pai. “The FCC has a vital role to play in clearing the way for broadband investment across America and in helping spur deployment where it lags behind. I am grateful that Kris has agreed to continue to lead our talented team of dedicated professionals in furthering these important goals.”

The Wireline Competition Bureau helps lead the agency’s work on Chairman Pai’s top policy priority: closing the digital divide by encouraging investment in broadband infrastructure. It works to protect consumers, foster competition, and ensure that all Americans have access to robust, affordable broadband and voice services. Its programs help ensure access to affordable communications for schools, libraries, health care providers, and rural and low-income consumers.

Monteith has held several senior leadership positions within the FCC in her 20 years with the agency. She has served as acting chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau as well as chief of the Enforcement Bureau. She has been a deputy chief in the Wireline Competition Bureau she now leads, as well as the Media Bureau and the policy division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Before joining the Commission in 1997, Monteith practiced telecommunications law with McDermott, Will, and Emery and Keller and Heckman in Washington, D.C. She received her J.D. from the George Washington University and her B.A. from the University of Colorado.

Chairman Pai Announces Plans for Nationwide Blue Alerts

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced a proposal to add an alert option to the nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) to help protect our nation’s law enforcement officers. Called a “Blue Alert,” the option would be used by authorities in states across the country to notify the public through television and radio of threats to law enforcement and to help apprehend dangerous suspects.

The Chairman unveiled the proposal at an event hosted by the Department of Justice announcing the nationwide rollout of the National Blue Alert Network. “As we have learned from the very successful AMBER Alert initiative for recovering missing children, an informed public can play a vital role in assisting law enforcement,” Chairman Pai said. “By expanding the Emergency Alert System to better support Blue Alerts, we could build on that success – and help protect those in law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect us.” Blue Alerts can be used to 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. As a result, a Blue Alert could quickly warn you if a violent suspect could be in your community, along with providing instructions on what to do if you spot the suspect and how to stay safe.

FCC Launches Review of Media Regulations

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Public Notice that begins a review of its rules applicable to media entities, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television providers. The FCC’s action invites public comment on which media rules should be modified or eliminated as unnecessary or burdensome.

Through this review, the FCC seeks to reduce regulations that can stand in the way of competition, innovation, and investment in the media marketplace. The Commission also seeks input regarding specific rules from which small businesses should receive regulatory relief. Today’s media entities are subject to a multitude of regulations, many of which are decades old.