After almost two months of anticipation, the Federal Register is expected to publish the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) concerning the future use of 3.7-4.2 GHz (the “4 GHz Band”) by the mobile, fixed, and satellite services released by the FCC on July 13, 2018. The August 29 publication in the Federal Register will establish … Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently took steps to preserve the status quo for existing users in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (the “4 GHz Band”) while it considers myriad options to restructure that spectrum for commercial flexible mobile use and more intensive fixed use. The FCC appears set to move forward with deliberation while it … Continue Reading
As Kelley Drye reported in an earlier post, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is moving quickly on efforts to expedite review of certain FCC applications, including, but not limited to, Section 214 and submarine cable-related applications, by the Executive Branch agencies known as Team Telecom. In a May 2016 request to the FCC, the National Telecommunications and … Continue Reading
The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission” or “FCC”) is looking to jump start the initial steps of the Executive Branch process of reviewing certain applications, including Section 214 and submarine cable-related applications. In a May 2016 request from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”), NTIA proposed rule changes designed to facilitate more rapid opening stage … Continue Reading
The “Team Telecom” review process of applications involving foreign ownership has long endured a reputation for excessive length and opacity. It appears change may be on the horizon. The National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) filed a letter (NTIA Letter) on May 10, 2016 with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requesting the Commission … Continue Reading
The Administration continues to drive efforts to spur broadband deployment across the country and to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable broadband service. Yesterday afternoon, President Obama announced ConnectALL, an effort aimed at connecting 20 million more Americans to broadband by 2020. This announcement builds on the successes of ConnectED, the White House … Continue Reading
This month marks the one year anniversary of the Presidential Memorandum that created the Broadband Opportunity Council (Council), a federal inter-agency council, tasked with using all available and appropriate authorities to identify and address regulatory barriers to broadband deployment and adoption. My former BroadbandUSA colleagues at the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information (NTIA) … Continue Reading
FirstNet released its final Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a Contractor to build and operate the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN), as authorized by the Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Relief Act of 2012 (Act), and fund FirstNet operations. The RFP is the result of input to more than 13 Requests for Information, … Continue Reading
The Notice of Funds Availability issued jointly by the Rural Utilities Service and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration was published in the Federal Register today. The NOFA is 121 pages long and lists the rules for applying to receive funding in the first round, which will make available up to $4 billion of the … Continue Reading
