Upcoming event
The FirstNet Authority will post a detailed agenda for the Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting on FirstNet.gov prior to the meeting. The agenda topics are subject to change. Please note that the subjects discussed by the Board and Board Committees may involve commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, or other legal matters affecting the FirstNet Authority. As such, the Board may, by majority vote, close the meeting only for the time necessary to preserve the confidentiality of such information.
An in-person workshop for Tribal governments, Tribal employees, and Tribal members. This event is designed to provide information that will help Tribal Nations identify and evaluate opportunities to develop more robust broadband infrastructure and services in Tribal communities. It is also designed to provide information about the FCC and how it conducts its regulatory responsibilities, and to encourage Tribal participation in the regulatory process.
Join the Lifeline program's monthly webinar to hear an overview of the Lifeline program for consumer advocates. During this training, Lifeline program staff will discuss how to:
- Qualify and apply for the Lifeline program
- Support consumers who apply for the Lifeline program via the consumer portal or paper application
- Access additional Lifeline learning materials
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will convene an Executive Session/Organizational Business Meeting for 118th Congress
WATCH LIVE STREAM: www.commerce.senate.gov
Due to current limited access to the Capitol complex, the general public is encouraged to view this hearing via the live stream.
FCC Extends COVID Waivers Impacting Lifeline, Affordable Connectivity Program Tribal Subscribers
In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau has waived certain Lifeline program rules in thirteen previous Orders to provide relief for low-income households. The Bureau finds good cause exists to continue to waive the Lifeline recertification and re-verification requirements for those Lifeline subscribers residing on Tribal lands through April 30, 2023.
Sen Markey Urges Movement on Nomination of Gigi Sohn to FCC
Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) is urging Congress to move the nomination of Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] to be the fifth member of the Federal Communications Commission. Her nomination has been held up for two years because not enough Democrats could be lined up to hold a Senate vote.
February 2023 Open Meeting Agenda
Here’s what the Federal Communications Commission will consider at our February open meeting.
Public funding programs are helping to create a more viable business case for investing in broadband infrastructure to expand access to unserved and under-served locations across the U.S. With more than $100B in funding being made available over the next 10 years, the critical questions at the start of 2023 are how this funding will be distributed and what decisions can network operators and service providers make to maximize their investments.