Telecom Alert: AWS-3 Spectrum Auction; NG911 Update Legislation; House Broadband Hearing; Expanded Robocall Tools [Vol. XXII, Issue 9]

FCC Adopts AWS-3 Spectrum Auction Proposal

During its February Open Meeting, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) designed to re-auction portions of underutilized AWS-3 spectrum. The NPRM proposes allocating funds from the auctions to fund the FCC’s Secured and Trusted Communications Network Reimbursement Program or “Rip-and-Replace” program, which reimburses companies who are required to remove equipment and services deemed by the federal government to be a threat to national security. While the NPRM was adopted by the Commission, its general auction authority remains expired since Congress failed to reauthorize in 2023. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).

Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan NG911 Legislation

Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) reintroduced the Enhancing First Response Act (S. 725) which makes extensive updates to the existing 9-1-1- emergency reporting system. The bill would require the Commission to issue reports after activating the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) and produce after-action recommendations to ensure network resiliency. Additionally, the bill would ensure that 9-1-1 dispatchers are reclassified as “protective service workers” under the Standard Occupational Classification System (SOC), as opposed to clerical workers. Finally, the bill requires the Commission to study and report on MLTS manufacturer compliance with Kari’s Law. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).

House Subcommittee Schedules Broadband Hearing

The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing for March 5th, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET to address the status of the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. According to an announcement made by Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC), the hearing will primarily focus on the “unnecessary red tape” impeding the deployment of fiber in designated communities. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 410.458.1342).

FCC Adopts Expanded Call-Blocking Rules for Robocalls

During its February Open Meeting, the Commission also adopted new rules which place new obligations on voice providers to block calls originating from numbers on the “do-not-originate” (DNO) lists. Numbers currently listed on the DNO lists are viewed as “highly likely to be illegal” and help consumers protect against robocalls, or correct erroneous blocking. If a caller’s number is being erroneously blocked, the new rules also designate SIP Code 603+ to notify callers to remedy future calls on IP networks. The Commission adopted the new rules in CG Docket No. 17-59. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).
 

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