Telecom Alert: EAS NPRM; Broadband Data Collection Challenge Process Open; High-Cost Certification Deadline Extended; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 37]

Emergency Alert System NPRM

Last week, the FCC announced that the Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at its September Open Meeting that seeks to improve the security of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (“WEA”).  These systems warn the public about emergencies through alerts on their televisions, radios, and wireless phones, and the Commission recently sought input about how both systems could be improved (Vol. XIX, Issue 21).  If adopted, the proposed action would seek comment on ways to improve the operational readiness of the systems, requiring EAS participants to report compromises of their equipment, and requiring annual certifications.  For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).

Broadband Data Collection Challenge Process Open

On September 12, state, local, and Tribal governments, service providers, and other entities may begin filing bulk challenges to data in the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (the “Fabric”), which serves as the foundation for the Broadband Data Collection (“BDC”) fixed availability maps.  An FCC webinar on the challenge submission process is available for viewing.  The BDC filing window closed on September 1 (Vol. XIX, Issue 28), and the Fabric was developed to maintain a dataset of all locations in the country where broadband service is or can be installed.  The Fabric is intended to identify broadband serviceable locations as defined by the Commission, which will not necessarily include all structures at a particular location.  For more information, please contact Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).

Annual High-Cost Certification Deadline Extended

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau issued a Public Notice last week extending the filing deadline for states or eligible telecommunications carriers (“ETCs”) not subject to state jurisdiction to certify the proper use of federal high-cost universal service support.  States and certain ETCs must annually certify that federal high-cost support has been used and will be used only for the provision and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended.  Such entities now must file their certifications by October 31, 2022.  For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178).

Over $81 Million in ECF Funding

Last week, the FCC announced that it is committing over $81 million in new founding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF” or the “Program”).  This commitment supports applications from the third application window and will cover approximately 170,000 students across the country, including Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Washington, and the District of Columbia.  To date, the Commission has approved nearly $5.8 billion in commitments.  For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186).