Federal Communications Commission

FCC Adopts Joint Boards Member Appointments Order

The Federal Communications Commission announced the appointment of the Honorable Mary Pat Regan to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Universal Service Joint Board). The FCC also announced the appointment of the Honorable Karen Charles,the Honorable Mary Pat Regan, the Honorable Maida J. Coleman, and the Honorable Steven M. DeFrank, to the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (Separations Joint Board).

FCC Chairwoman Updates Congress on Funding Shortfall for Removing Insecure Equipment from Communications Networks

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote to Congressional leaders about a more than $3 billion funding shortfall in the FCC's “rip and replace” program. The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act requires the removal, replacement, and disposal of communications equipment and services produced or provided by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation, and established the FCC’s reimbursement program which has only been appropriated $1.9 billion toward the approximately $4.98 billion in reimbursable costs.

Saving the ACP: A Commitment to Connectivity

The US Congress faces an imminent decision about the future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the connectivity it delivers to 23 million households.

Congress lets broadband funding run out, ending $30 low-income discounts

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel made a final plea to Congress, asking for money to continue a broadband-affordability program that gave out its last round of $30 discounts to people with low incomes in April. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has lowered monthly Internet bills for people who qualify for benefits, but Congress allowed funding to run out. People may receive up to $14 in May if their ISP opted into offering a partial discount during the program's final month.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Commissioner Carr Call for Agency Rules to Bar Entities of National Security Concern from Certifying Wireless Equipment

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr today announced a proposal to ensure that wireless equipment authorizations are not compromised by entities that have been found to pose national security concerns. If adopted by a vote of the full Commission at its next Open Meeting, this bipartisan proposal would ensure that telecommunications certification bodies and test labs that certify wireless devices for the U.S.

Your Home Internet Bill Can Be Deceptively Confusing. Now It’s (Slightly) Easier to Understand.

Figuring out what you’ll actually pay for your home internet service each month has often been like trying to follow a recipe with an incomplete list of ingredients. There’s the advertised price, but what will you pay after the promotional period ends? What about the cost for the modem you have to rent?

Federal Aviation Administration bill faces Senate holdup over expiring affordable internet program

At least two senators are demanding that a program subsidizing high-speed internet for lower-income families be extended as part of the airline safety bill making its way through the Senate. Sen J.D.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Final Update to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program

On May 1, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote to Congressional leaders with a final update on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). April was the last month of full funding for the program, which will fully exhaust during May without additional funding from Congress. "If additional funding is not promptly appropriated, the one in six households nationwide that rely on this program will face rising bills and increasing disconnection.

Things are getting tight for US telecom network operators

Slowing growth in the market for telecommunications services appears to be putting additional pressure on network operators in the US. Mergers and acquisitions are on the rise. Layoffs appear to be accelerating.

Reform the ACP

On May 2, the Senate will hold a hearing on “The Future of Broadband Affordability.” The Affordability Connectivity Program (ACP) that provides subsidies for more than 20 million low-income households will expire in May. Without the extension, these families will see the cost of the internet service increase by up to $30 per month and prompt some families to drop internet service altogether.