Telecom Alert: Spectrum Authority Bill; New FCC Leadership; Broadcaster Complaints; DIRS Compliance Deadline; Circulation List Emptied [Volume XXII, Issue 4]

House Republican Introduces Spectrum Authority Legislation

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) introduced legislation last week providing the Commission with the renewed ability to auction spectrum, which would aid private wireless carriers in expanding their national coverage. Known as the Spectrum Pipeline Act, the bill would identify at least 2,500 MHz of spectrum for both public and private use, as well as allocate additional spectrum for unlicensed 5G devices. The bill would also require new reporting mechanisms managed by the FCC and NTIA, as well as annual reports to Congress. House Democrats, including House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) have opposed the bill, stating that the Commission’s spectrum authority should only fund federal programs. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).

Chairman Carr Announces Incoming FCC Leadership

Following President Trump’s formal designation of Brendan Carr as the next Chairman of the FCC, Carr announced the appointment of various leadership positions across the Commission. Of note, Joel Taubenblatt was appointed as Acting Chief of the WTB, previously serving as the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division and Broadband Division, and Debra Jordan was appointed as Acting Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, previously serving as Deputy Chief of the Bureau. Chairman Carr plans to make additional personnel announcements in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).

FCC Reopens Broadcast Licensing Complaints

The FCC announced they will reopen investigations into potential broadcast licensing violations committed by major news stations, including ABC, CBS, and NBC. The complaints claim that the stations harbored anti-conservative biases across their programming, particularly during the presidential debate hosted by CBS, as well as failing to uphold the equal-time rule for then presidential candidate Trump. Former Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Commissioner Gomez cautioned against reopening of the complaints, citing the need to protect the First Amendment freedom of the press and avoid unnecessary censorship of broadcasters. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 410.458.1342).

FCC Adopts DIRS Compliance Deadline

Last year, the FCC adopted a Second Report and Order mandating new reporting requirements to its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). The order requires daily reporting when the Commission activates DIRS in geographic areas where providers provide service, as well as provide a final report within twenty-four hours of the system’s deactivation. The rules also continue the current practice of waiting NORS reporting obligations while DIRS is active. Based on the new order, all cable communications, wireless, wireline and interconnected VoIP providers must comply with the new DIRS requirements by February 20th, 2025. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202-434-4271).

FCC Items on Circulation List Emptied

Prior to any monthly Open Meeting, proposals shared with the Commissioners for review are typically listed on the “Items on Circulation” page found on the Commission’s website. As of January 24th, this list has been emptied, which previously contained proposals for eliminating bulk billing in multiple tenant environments (or MDUs for residences), emergency alert systems, and a new auction proposed by former Chairwoman Rosenworcel to 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).

To sign up for our weekly alert, please send us an email at telecomalert@khlaw.com and provide us with your name and email.