Federal Communications Commission

NTIA urges FCC to reinstate strong net neutrality rules

On March 20, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) N. NTIA urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reinstate strong net neutrality rules. "The Commission should act to reinstate strong net neutrality rules," said NTIA's comments. "An Internet that is open, secure, and accessible to all is an Internet that drives innovation, economic growth, and the free exchange of ideas around the world." NTIA also emphasized that reclassification can further national security objectives.

Organizations Urge FCC to Establish an Office of Civil Rights

In a March 19 letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the National Urban League (NUL), National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), and Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) write to express our strong support for the establishment of an Office of Civil Rights within the FCC.

Commissioner Starks Delivers Remarks at US Tech for Climate Action

On March 21, Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks delivered remarks at the US Tech for Climate Action Conference. Starks spoke about his perspective on climate action in his role as a Commissioner of the FCC. "In my mind, meeting the climate challenge is about a sustained effort and a sustained dialogue, both in and out of government, to reduce our emissions and secure opportunities in a clean energy economy," said Starks. Commissioner Starks concluded with two suggestions for the communications and technology industry.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Calls for Improved Wireless Calls Routing to 988 Lifeline

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared with her colleagues a proposal that would improve how wireless calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) are routed to ensure that callers in crisis have access to behavioral health resources in the state or territory they are calling from while protecting their privacy. Calls to the 988 Lifeline are currently routed based on the caller’s area code and exchange, which presents some obstacles to callers whose area code does not correspond the caller’s location when in crisis.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Proposes New 5G Fund Rules

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called on the FCC to move ahead with plans to make targeted investments in the deployment of wireless broadband services in rural communities. The proposed rules shared with her fellow Commissioners would, if adopted by a vote of the full Commission, relaunch the 5G Fund for Rural America.

FCC Adopts 'All-In' Cable and Satellite Video Pricing

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills. On June 20, 2023, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), observing that consumers who choose a video service based on an advertised monthly price may be surprised by unexpected fees that cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers charge and list in the fine print separately from the top-line listed service pri

FCC Announces Reimbursement Rate Estimates For May 2024 Affordable Connectivity Program Benefits

The Federal Communications Commission reminds providers that May 2024 will be the last month for which providers will be able to seek reimbursement for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits passed through to ACP households.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Remarks to Satellite Industry Association 25th Anniversary Dinner

On March 18, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel delivered remarks at the 25th annual Satellite Industry Association Leadership Dinner. In her remarks, Rosenworcel highlighted recent efforts by the FCC Space Bureau, as well as the Commission's recent vote to create a spectrum framework for supplemental coverage from space. "It is one small and meaningful step toward the Single Network Future," she added. "In the Single Network Future, we will connect everyone, everywhere. But to do it we can’t limit ourselves to using only one technology.

FCC Announces Availability of Preliminary Incarcerated People's Communications Services Database

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) and the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) announce the availability, under the terms of the 2023 IPCS Protective Order, of the preliminary Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (IPCS) Database (2023 IPCS Database). The FCC staff developed this database to help analyze data and other information that IPCS providers submitted in response to the Commission’s 2023 Mandatory Data Collection.

FCC Officials and Members of Congress Urge Action on the Affordable Connectivity Program

On Monday, March 18, 2024, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, and Congresswomen Yvette Clarke (D-NY) urged action to continue the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

FCC Votes to Require Cable and Satellite TV Pricing Transparency

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules requiring cable and satellite TV providers to specify the “all-in” price clearly and prominently for video programming service in their promotional materials and on subscribers’ bills. The FCC aims to eliminate the misleading practice of describing video programming costs as a tax, fee, or surcharge.

Federal Communications Commission Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted its annual assessment of whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion across the US. In addition to deployment, the Report considers broadband affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access, when determining whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to “all Americans.” The FCC’s Report, issued pursuant to section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, raises the FCC’s benchmark for high-speed fixed broadband to download speeds of 100

Temporary Waiver of Weiss Bank Safety Rating for CAF II and RDOF

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) partially waived, on one's own behalf, the requirement that a bank issuing a letter of credit (LOC) to a support recipient for either the Connect America Fund Phase II Auction (Auction 903) or the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction (Auction 904) maintain a Weiss bank safety rating of B- or better.  This limited waiver only applies to banks that previously issued LOCs to Auction 903 or 904 support recipients, and therefore previously had a Weiss bank safety rating of B- or better.

Federal Communications Commission Congressional Budget Justification

The Federal Communications Commission's mission is to “make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges.” The FCC’s vision is to pursue policies to bring affordable, reliable high-speed broadband to 100 percent of the country and encourage the private sector to build, maintain, and upgrade nextgeneration networks so that the benefits of advanced commu

Partial Grant of SpaceX Gen2 Application to Allow E-Band Operations

In this Order and Authorization, we grant in part, with conditions, and defer in part the amended application of Space Exploration Holdings, LLC (SpaceX) to construct, deploy, and operate a constellation of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites, to be known as its “secondgeneration” Starlink constellation (Gen2 Starlink), to provide fixed-satellite service (FSS). Specifically, our grant here is limited to authorizing SpaceX to conduct communications in the 71.0-76.0 GHz (spaceto-Earth) and 81.0-86.0 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands (collectively, E-band), with the 7,500 Gen2 Starlin

Grant of Kuiper Modification Application to Revise Orbital Parameters

In this Order and Authorization (Order), the Federal Communications Commission's Space Bureau grants Kuiper Systems LLC’s (Kuiper) application for modification of the license for its constellation of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites. Kuiper plans to use frequencies allocated to the fixed-satellite service (FSS) and mobile-satellite service (MSS) in the Ka-band.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces Members of Intergovernmental Advisory Committee

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the new members of the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.  This advisory panel provides guidance, expertise, and recommendations to the FCC on telecommunications issues affecting local, county, state and Tribal governments.

FCC Announces Inflation-Based Caps for E-Rate and Rural Health Care Programs

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced the E-Rate and Rural Health Care (RHC) programs’ annual caps for funding year 2024. The adjusted amounts represent a 3.6% inflation-adjusted increase to both programs’ funding year 2023 annual caps. The E-Rate program funding cap for funding year 2024 is $4,940,076,139. The RHC program funding cap for funding year 2024 is $706,926,603.

Commissioner Starks Letters to Amazon, Sears, Shein, Temu, and Walmart

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks sent letters to five online marketplaces to identify ways to stop the unlawful sale of insecure IoT devices that violate Federal Communications Commission (FCC) equipment authorization requirements. The letters raise concerns about recent reports indicating that these websites sold and continue to sell easily hacked video doorbells. “Consumers have embraced the internet of things to make their lives better to the point that a large majority of American homes now have at least one or two IoT devices.