Federal Communications Commission

FCC Chairman Pai on the Future of Broadband in the Lifeline Program

As we implement the Lifeline program—as with any program we administer—we must follow the law. And the law here is clear: Congress gave state governments, not the FCC, the primary responsibility for approving which companies can participate in the Lifeline program under Section 214 of the Communications Act. This is how the program worked over two decades, over three Administrations, and over eight Chairmanships. However, the FCC last year rejected this bipartisan consensus, snatching this legal responsibility away from states and deciding to create its own federal ‘Lifeline Broadband Provider’ designation process.

At the time, I explained why the Commission lacked the authority to do this. Twelve states, from Vermont to Wisconsin, are currently challenging the legality of the FCC’s order in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In my view, it would be a waste of judicial and administrative resources to defend the FCC’s unlawful action in court. I am therefore instructing the Office of General Counsel to ask the D.C. Circuit to send this case back to the Commission for further consideration. And the FCC will soon begin a proceeding to eliminate the new federal designation process. In the meantime, we must consider the Lifeline Broadband Provider applications that are pending at the FCC. In last year’s order, the Commission delegated to the Wireline Competition Bureau the authority to address such applications. I do not believe that the Bureau should approve these applications.

FCC Extends Deadline for Boomerang to Shed Lifeline Broadband Customers

In this Order, the Federal Communications Commission extend the deadline for Boomerang Wireless to notify, de-enroll, and transition subscribers currently receiving a Lifeline-supported broadband Internet access service (BIAS) in service areas where Boomerang’s only eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation is a Lifeline Broadband Provider (LBP) designation. The FCC finds that granting this extension is in the public interest and necessary to prevent service disruption and hardship for the current Boomerang subscribers

Remarks of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai at the U.S. -- India Business Council

Our top priority so long as I serve as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is to close what I’ve called the digital divide—the gap between those with access to next-generation technologies and those without. We will work bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans, no matter who they are or where they live.

How do we do that? We believe the most powerful tool for unleashing investment and innovation is a competitive free market—and are thus focused on rules that promote it. That’s why—consistent with decades of bipartisan tradition—we are pursuing a light-touch regulatory approach. This approach suggests that the Internet should be free from heavy-handed government regulation. It seeks to eliminate unnecessary barriers to infrastructure investment that could stifle broadband deployment. It aims to minimize regulatory uncertainty, which can deter long-term investment decisions. It favors facilities-based competition—that is, creating an incentive to build one’s own network instead of relying on another’s (which depresses the deployment incentives of each). It encourages competition among companies using any technology and from any sector—cable, telco, fixed wireless, mobile, and satellite. It embraces regulatory humility, knowing that this marketplace is dynamic and that preemptive regulation may have serious unintended consequences. And it places demands on the FCC itself—to be responsive to the public and to act as quickly as the industry it regulates. This regulatory approach, not the command-and-control rules of the 20th century, is most likely to promote digital infrastructure and opportunity.

FCC Proposes To Release 4G LTE Mobile Speed Data To Facilitate Implementation Of Mobility Fund II Support

Previously, the Federal Communications Commission affirmed that it sought to promote the deployment of 4G LTE in all areas where it would not be offered by the private sector in the absence of universal service support. To identify those geographical areas potentially eligible for such support, the FCC decided to use 4G LTE deployment at a minimum advertised download speed benchmark of at least 5 Mbps, based on service providers’ Form 477 filings. The FCC concluded that any census block not fully covered by unsubsidized 4G LTE of at least 5 Mbps advertised download speed will encompass areas that are eligible for support in the Mobility Fund II auction. While the FCC directed its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) to make an initial determination of eligible areas by census block based on the Form 477 filings, it also stated its intention to “provide a robust process for interested parties to challenge our list of presumptively eligible areas for MF-II support.”

To aid interested parties, and to provide additional information about the geographical areas eligible for Mobility Fund II support, the WCB and WTB propose to release minimum advertised or expected 4G LTE speed data included in the December 31, 2015, and June 30, 2016 Form 477 filings (and any subsequent Form 477 filings) to facilitate Mobility Fund II analysis. Disclosure of the minimum advertised or expected speeds associated with service providers’ 4G LTE coverage submitted in their Form 477 filings will enable a transparent process for challenges, and final determinations of areas eligible for Mobility Fund II support. Strong public interest benefits support disclosing the minimum advertised or expected 4G LTE speeds.

FCC Chairman Pai on Congressional Resolution Disapproving Privacy Regulations

Last year, the Federal Communications Commission pushed through, on a party-line vote, privacy regulations designed to benefit one group of favored companies over another group of disfavored companies. Appropriately, Congress has passed a resolution to reject this approach of picking winners and losers before it takes effect.

It is worth remembering that the FCC’s own overreach created the problem we are facing today. Until 2015, the Federal Trade Commission was protecting consumers very effectively, policing every online company’s privacy practices consistently and initiating numerous enforcement actions. However, two years ago, the FCC stripped the FTC of its authority over Internet service providers. At the time, I strongly opposed usurping the FTC, and the FCC’s struggles to address the privacy issue over the past couple of years (along with its refusal to recognize consumers’ uniform expectation of privacy) has only strengthened that view.

Moving forward, I want the American people to know that the FCC will work with the FTC to ensure that consumers’ online privacy is protected though a consistent and comprehensive framework. In my view, the best way to achieve that result would be to return jurisdiction over broadband providers’ privacy practices to the FTC, with its decades of experience and expertise in this area.

FCC Names Ombudsperson for Issues Related to Combating Contraband Wireless Devices

By this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) names Charles Mathias as the ombudsperson to serve as the single point of contact for issues related to contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities and the deployment of technologies used to combat this vital public safety problem. Mathias will also continue serving in his current position as Associate Chief in WTB.

Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Releases Final #Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan

Our office is pleased to release a final version of the #Solutions2020 Call to Action Plan. We believe these recommendations, if acted upon in a timely manner, can deliver robust, affordable, and reliable connectivity within the next four years. Taken together, these recommendations would narrow the opportunities divide, support the growth of our economy and greatly improve the quality of life for all Americans. Implementation will require bipartisan action, support from leaders at the federal, state and local levels as well as buy-in from representatives of the technology and telecommunications industries. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners, Members of Congress, state and local government partners, the public interest community and industry to bring about real and lasting change by the end of this decade.

Overall Recommendations:
1) Ensuring Affordable Communications
2) Empowering Communities
3) 5G and Beyond for All Americans
4) Enhancing Consumer Protections
4) Broadband as a Driver of Imporved Health Services
6) Promoting a More Diverse Media Landscape

Consumer Alert: 'Can You Hear Me' Scams

The Federal Communications Commission is alerting consumers to be on the lookout for scam callers seeking to get victims to say the word “yes” during a call and later use a recording of the response to authorize unwanted charges on the victim's utility or credit card account.

FCC Chairman Pai Statement On Charter's Broadband Investment Announcement

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement on the announcement by Charter Communications on broadband investment: “The FCC’s top priority is making sure that any American who wants high-speed Internet access, or broadband, is able to get it. To do that, since January, we have been working to set rules of the road that encourage companies to build and upgrade broadband networks across the country. I’m pleased to see that our investment-friendly policies, along with the Administration’s overall regulatory approach, are already producing results. I applaud Charter Communications for its announcement today that it intends to spend $25 billion in broadband infrastructure and technology over the next four years. I am optimistic that this massive investment will help to close the digital divide and to strengthen our economy.”

FCC Seeks Comment On The State Of Mobile Wireless Competition

This Public Notice solicits input on competition in the mobile wireless industry for the Federal Communications Commission’s Twentieth Annual Report on the State of Competition in Mobile Wireless, including Commercial Mobile Radio Services.

The Communications Act requires the submission to Congress each year of reports analyzing competitive conditions with respect to commercial mobile services. With this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (the Bureau) seeks information and data for the Commission’s analysis of competition in the mobile wireless industry for the Twentieth Report.

Interested parties may file comments on or before May 8, 2017 and reply comments on or before June 7, 2017.

FCC Acts To Confront 'IRS Debt' Scam Robocalls and Malicious Caller-ID Spoofing

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment on rules that would codify the “Do-Not-Originate” initiative proposed by the FCC and launched by the industry strike force, allowing the effort to continue to grow and help more consumers. The proposed rules would allow carriers to block spoofed caller ID numbers associated with phone lines that do not actually dial out, without running afoul of FCC rules requiring carriers to complete all calls. A test of this concept, conducted by Strike Force members with the FCC’s permission, reduced IRS scam calls by about 90 percent in the third quarter of 2016.

FCC Acts To Promote Public Safety By Curbing Prison Inmates' Use Of Contraband Wireless Devices

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to simplify the process for Contraband Interdiction Systems (CIS) operators to obtain FCC Authorization to operate, allowing for quicker and easier deployment of these systems in correctional facilities. Specifically, this Order introduces a range of solutions including:

  • FCC Authorization Process: The rules adopted today will streamline the process so CIS operators can obtain authorizations faster and with fewer filings.
  • Carrier Cooperation: A CIS operator must have arrangements with every carrier providing service in its area in order for the system to be effective. The rules will require wireless carriers to cooperate with CIS operators and correctional facilities in a timely manner.
  • FCC Ombudsperson: The Commission will designate an Ombudsperson to serve as the single point of contact for CIS operators and wireless carriers

FCC Acts To Improve Video Relay Service To Help Americans With Hearing And Speech Disabilities

The Federal Communications Commission approved new rules to improve the quality and efficiency of video relay services. Video relay services (VRS) enable people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech disabled to make calls over broadband through intermediaries using American Sign Language and a videophone. These changes respond to requests from VRS users for improved relay services – and a more robust marketplace of service providers – that are functionally equivalent to those available to hearing individuals.

Specific provisions of the new rules include:

  • Specialized Interpreters: The FCC authorizes, on a trial basis, routing VRS calls that require the use of legal, medical, and computer support terminology to interpreters who have special skills in interpreting these technical conversations, and bringing in qualified deaf interpreters to help on calls from people with limited ability in signing or comprehension.
  • Comparison Shopping for VRS Companies: The FCC will begin taking action to publish providers’ speed-of-response history to help consumers make informed choices when shopping among providers. The FCC will also explore the development of new service quality data to help consumers make informed choices.
  • Direct Video Calls with Hearing People: Video phone numbers will be made available to hearing people who know American Sign Language, so they can have direct-dialed video calls with deaf consumers.
  • At-Home Interpreting: The Order authorizes a pilot program for VRS calls to be handled from home-based work stations under strict requirements to maintain call quality and confidentiality.

FCC Enables Investments In And Provisioning Of Mobile Broadband Services In The 800 MHZ Cellular Band

The Federal Communications Commission moved to reform certain outdated rules applicable to the 800 MHz Cellular Service band to facilitate the use of Cellular spectrum for mobile broadband services such as long term evolution (LTE), which provides high-speed connectivity to today’s mobile consumers. To accommodate continued skyrocketing demand for mobile broadband, the revisions will allow providers to use Cellular spectrum to provide mobile broadband service to the public more efficiently, reduce barriers to innovation and investment and ease administrative burdens. At the same time, the rules will continue to safeguard public safety operations.

Specific reforms include:

  • Power Reform: The FCC will facilitate broadband technologies by changing its technical rules to permit Cellular licensees to transmit the same amount of power across the spectrum band, whether they are deploying a legacy (narrow bandwidth) technology or modern (wider bandwidth) technology like LTE.
  • Co-existence with Public Safety: The FCC will continue to ensure co-existence of Cellular and neighboring public safety systems by retaining Cellular-specific interference resolution rules and procedures and by engaging stakeholders via a public forum.
  • Consistent Treatment with Similar Spectrum Bands: The FCC will treat Cellular spectrum consistently with other similar commercial wireless spectrum bands by conforming rules related to power measurement, out of band emissions, field strength, and discontinuance of operations.
  • Unnecessary rules/burdens: The FCC will eliminate unnecessary rules and burdens related to application filings, domestic and international coordination, and comparative renewal.

FCC Proposes To Eliminate And Streamline Burdensome International Reporting Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission took steps to streamline and eliminate certain international reporting requirements. Specifically, the Commission proposes to eliminate the annual Traffic and Revenue Reports, and seeks comment on whether there are ways to further streamline the Circuit Capacity Reports. The Commission believes these reports may no longer be necessary in their current form.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today proposes to eliminate the Traffic and Revenue Report as the costs of the data collection – which are significant for both filers and the Commission – now exceed the benefits of the information. The NPRM also seeks comment on streamlining and improving the reporting requirements for the Commission’s Circuit Capacity Reports. Providers of international telecommunications services are required to file annual reports identifying submarine cable, satellite, and terrestrial capacity between the United States and foreign countries.

FCC Expands Channel Sharing Opportunities For Broadcasters

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order that expands broadcast stations’ ability to share a single TV channel so viewers can continue to receive their broadcast programming.

The ability to channel-share is an important component of the FCC’s incentive auction, mandated by Congress in 2012, which provides a voluntary opportunity for full power and Class A broadcast stations to relinquish their spectrum and share a channel with another full power or Class A broadcaster in exchange for a part of the proceeds from a related mobile wireless auction. Separately, the Commission in 2015 extended channel sharing to low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations to help stations displaced by the incentive auction stay on the air. The Order permits television broadcast stations with an auction-related channel sharing agreement (CSA) to continue channel sharing by entering into a new CSA in the event that their existing agreement ends. This enables stations to continue providing service to their viewers. The new rules also permit Class A stations to channel share outside of the auction context. Additionally, all LPTV and TV translator stations are now able to share a channel with a full power or Class A station. This flexibility gives LPTV and TV translator stations that are displaced by the auction repacking process more options for continuing to operate. It also may reduce construction and operating costs for LPTV and TV translator stations, many of which have limited resources, are minority-owned, or provide programming to underserved audiences.

Improved Staff Openness & New Priorities

One of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s most welcomed, yet least noted, process reforms has been his unequivocal direction that staff should be completely up front with all Commissioners, not just the Chairman. The message from the Chairman was that all staff will not withhold information requested by Commissioners or fail to share information that is pertinent to the many matters before us. This should be very liberating for staff as they don’t have to worry about being sent to the proverbial doghouse for helping Commissioners do their jobs.

At a time when Commission leadership has changed and is reconsidering and reconstructing its approach to many issues across the agency, there needs to be a realization from everyone that those priorities of the past Commission – not directly required by statute – should not necessarily be the focus of staff time. With resources at such a relative premium, staff attention shouldn’t be spent pursuing outdated goals.For instance, it wouldn’t make sense to have staff still focus their valuable time on those cybersecurity and privacy issues over which the Commission lacks statutory authority. Moreover, our enforcement staff should move away from headline grabbing and eye popping penalties that will never be collected. Let’s refocus our attention on our statutory responsibilities and realize a new Chairman gets to set the Commission’s agenda.

FCC Announces Rollout of Version 3.0 of the Network Outage Reporting System

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau announces the rollout of Version 3.0 of the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS). Under Part 4 of the Commission’s rules, certain communications providers (e.g., wireless, wireline, cable, satellite communications and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)) must report significant disruptions or outages to their communications systems.

NORS Version 3.0 improvements will enhance the overall security and reliability of NORS and allow future evolutions to better support new analytic methods. The new version of NORS has four interfaces: (1) a web-based interface, (2) a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Application Programming Interface (API), (3) a Representational State Transfer (REST) API and (4) an Extensible Markup Language (XML) interface. The SOAP API, REST API and the XML interfaces are intended for use by companies that want to automatically file outage reports.

On the Road in the Industrial Midwest

Inspired a bit by Kerouac, I hit the road last week. I visited Pittsburgh (PA), Youngstown (OH), Cleveland (OH), and Detroit (MI). Some might not think of these as glamorous travel destinations — but that's precisely why I went. I had a chance to see these principles in action during my trip through the Industrial Midwest. I heard firsthand about the promise and perils of broadband deployment; about the entrepreneurship that was sprouting up along the way; and about the established companies that are creating jobs and innovating in these cities.

FCC Proposes Extension of the Freeze of Jurisdictional Separations

In this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice), we propose a further eighteen month extension of the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors for rate-of-return incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) while we continue to work with the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (Joint Board) to overhaul our separations rules.

The separations rules have long been frozen in recognition of the sweeping technical and regulatory changes that have been occurring in the communications sector over the last two decades. Having made progress in implementing changes to our intercarrier compensation regime and to the high cost universal services support program, and having recently reformed our Part 32 accounting rules, now is the time to address the separations rules. In this Further Notice, we seek comment on the proposed extension and describe the path we envision towards comprehensive reform of the jurisdictional separations procedures embodied in the Commission’s rules.

Hon. Wendy M. Moser of Colorado PUC to Separations Joint Board

Pursuant to section 410(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Commission appoints the Honorable Wendy M. Moser, Commissioner, Colorado Public Utilities Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. This appointment fills the position recently vacated by the Honorable Betsy Wergin, Commissioner, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The Commission gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Commissioner Wergin to the work of the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations.

FCC Chairman Pai Reiterates Support for the First Amendment

I welcome the opportunity to reiterate my strong support for the First Amendment rights of the media and all Americans. A free media is vital to our democracy. That is why during my time at the FCC I have consistently opposed any effort to infringe upon the freedom of the press and have fought to eliminate regulations that impede the gathering and dissemination of news. So long as I am privileged to serve as Chairman, I will continue to respect the First Amendment. As Chairman of the FCC, I take my oath to defend and protect the Constitution seriously. And the preservation of the First Amendment is the foundation of that commitment.

Chairman Pai Statement On Broadband Health And The Connect2Health Task Force

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement on his visit to the Cleveland Clinic and the continued work of the Connect2HealthFCC Task Force: “Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with the visionary leaders at the Cleveland Clinic. I was impressed by the innovative work they are doing in telehealth, particularly in the area of lifesaving tele-stroke services. With technology-based solutions like this, health care providers can deliver high-quality care to patients anywhere. Expanding the reach of medical expertise with connectivity illustrates the potential of broadband to improve people's lives, particularly in rural and underserved areas. That's something I personally appreciate, as the son of two doctors who have practiced for almost four decades in a small town in Kansas. This visit also highlighted the important role of the FCC in bridging the broadband-enabled health gap. That is yet another aspect of the digital divide, which I'm committed to closing. Accordingly, I'm pleased to announce that the Commission’s Connect2HealthFCC Task Force will continue to focus on this important issue. My colleague, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, has shown passion and leadership on these issues in the past, and she will continue to lead this effort. I look forward to working closely with her on this initiative, which aims to address an increasingly important aspect of digital empowerment."

Statement of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on the Continuation of the Connect2Health Task Force

Over the past three years, the Connect2HealthFCC Task Force has been on the cutting edge of examining the intersection of broadband, advanced technology and health. This is why I am so thrilled that Chairman Pai has affirmed his commitment to its continuation. The task force has and will continue to ensure that the Commission is equipped with the data and information it needs to understand the rapidly evolving landscape for broadband-enabled healthcare. Armed with this knowledge, we can narrow the digital and opportunities divide to ensure much needed health and wellness solutions reach all Americans.”