Federal Communications Commission
FCC Boosts Wireless Broadband For Rural Kentucky With Temporary Spectrum Access For Harlan County
The Federal Communications Commission has granted a request for temporary access to spectrum to improve access to wireless broadband services in Harlan County, Kentucky during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Special Temporary Authority granted today gives Harlan 2-Way, Inc. access to spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band for 60 days.
Commissioner Starks Statement On Nationwide Protests and Social Change
As not only a Commissioner of the FCC, but as a Black father of two young children who deeply cares about my country and my community, I know that our policymakers must do more to include Black people and other communities of color and create a better world for future generations. We all have a part to play in the fight for equity and, as a communications policymaker, I take it very seriously. I am committed to continuing to advocate for inclusive broadband access and adoption policies and diversity in media ownership.
FCC Partners with NARUC to Raise Lifeline Awareness
In a joint letter, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Brandon Presley have written to NARUC Commissioners around the US to raise awareness of the federal Lifeline program, which helps eligible low-income consumers access affordable broadband and phone services. Many Americans may be newly unemployed or face other circumstances that make them eligible for Lifeline for the first time. Yet, they may also be unaware either of their eligibility or how to apply for the program.
C-Band Spectrum Will Be Available for 5G Services on Accelerated Basis
The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau announces that Eutelsat SA, Intelsat US LLC, SES Americom, Claro S.A. f/k/a Star One S.A.
FCC Streamlines Lifeline Process for Tribal Consumers
The Federal Communications Commission eased the Lifeline program application and enrollment process during the COVID-19 pandemic for low-income consumers living on rural Tribal lands. Specifically, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau issued a temporary waiver (until Aug 31, 2020) to allow Lifeline carriers to begin providing Lifeline service to consumers in rural Tribal areas even if those consumers have not yet submitted certain documentation to complete their application.
FCC Grants Makah Tribe Spectrum Access for Broadband During Pandemic
The Federal Communications Commission has granted an emergency Special Temporary Authority request filed by the Makah Tribe to use unassigned spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band to provide wireless broadband service over its reservation as part of its emergency COVID-19 pandemic response. The Tribe is located within Washington State. The temporary grant of authority is effective for 60 days.
FCC Commissioner Starks Remarks to the Commercial Spaceflight Federation Webinar
The American space industry holds tremendous potential to address [the challenge of the digital divide] through next-generation satellite broadband. The coming proliferation of small low-earth-orbit satellites promises to unleash internet connectivity with latency and speeds superior to existing satellite broadband options and competitive with cable and fiber offerings. And they will reach places that, due to difficult terrain and distance from population centers, have not shared in the benefits of expanding terrestrial networks.
Chairman Pai's Response to Reps Eshoo and Doyle Regarding the Rural Health Care Program
On March 21, 2020 Reps Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to urge the FCC to immediately loosen requirements of the Rural Health Care Program (RHCP) to expand eligibility to more healthcare facilities. They wrote, "Following Hurricane Katrina, the FCC loosened restrictions on the RHCP to allow non-rural providers to apply for support under the program.
FCC Approves Eighth Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications
The Federal Communications Commission approved an additional 53 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $18.22 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. To date, the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was authorized by the CARES Act, has approved funding for 185 health care providers in 38 states plus Washington, DC for a total of $68.22 million in funding. Below is a list of health care providers that were approved for funding: