Telecom Alert: December Open Meeting; Carr’s Objectives; Handset Unlocking Rule; PA BEAD Funding [Volume XXI, Issue 49]

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces December Meeting Agenda

Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the tentative agenda for the FCC’s December Open Meeting scheduled for December 11th, which includes consideration of a Third Report and Order expanding the 6GHz band for very low power devices on a contiguous 1200 MHz of spectrum. Additionally, the FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking updating broadcast processing, filing, and reference requirements, as well as a Report and Order altering the requirements for Letters of Credit awarded to USF recipients of high-cost support through a competitive process. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).

Commissioner Carr Outlines Next Year’s Commission Objectives

Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has been named as the next FCC chair by the incoming Trump Administration, outlined key initiatives he wished to focus on, including restoring the FCC’s authority to auction spectrum bands, which the FCC has not held since March 2023. Additionally, Carr wishes to implement a funded “rip and replace” program designed to reimburse carriers for equipment and services being placed on the FCC’s Covered List or otherwise deemed a threat to national security. Restoring auction authority would potentially bring in revenue that would fund the rip and replace program. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271). 

15 State AG’s Support Handset Unlocking Rule

In July 2024, the FCC proposed the adoption of a rule requiring mobile service providers to unlock mobile devices within 60 days of activation, in order to permit consumers to easily switch between providers and facilitate competition. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) advocates for standardized unlocking requirements to balance consumer choice against the service provider’s determination of fraud. Now, over a dozen State Attorneys General support the proposal, citing consumer concerns for misleading wireless device offers which restrict their ability to use unlocked devices and change providers. They hope the proposed rule will provide consumers with flexibility to sell their devices on the secondary market, as well as provide transparency. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271). 

Pennsylvania Opens BEAD Funding Applications

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced that applications to receive Pennsylvania’s share of BEAD program funding have opened and will be accepted until January 21, 2024. The federal BEAD Program provides more than $42 billion in funding for expanding high-speed Internet access across the country and supporting existing and future infrastructure deployments. As of last week, ten eligible jurisdictions have begun service provider selection in their state or territory. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 410.458.1342).

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