Telecom Alert -Title II NPRM; FirstNet Update; 800 MHz Spectrum Leasing; WRC-19 Draft Recommendations - Vol. XIV, Issue 18
FCC Chairman Pai Circulates NPRM to Roll Back Title II Regulation
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced last week that he has circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for vote at the May 18 Open Meeting proposing to roll back the Title II regulation of broadband Internet Access Service as adopted under the 2015 Open Internet Order. The NPRM proposes to re-reclassify broadband Internet access as an information service. If adopted, the NPRM will also eliminate the “Internet conduct standard”. Additionally, the NPRM seeks comment on how to approach bright-line rules, also adopted in the 2015 Order, which prohibit blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. The NPRM is expected to be approved by 2-1 vote during the May meeting. The Chairman’s Office has stated that a draft will be available to the public well ahead of the vote.
FirstNet Update
AT&T Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John Stephens announced last week that the company plans to release draft state plans for review in June. It is the goal of AT&T and FirstNet that all 50 states, five territories, and Washington DC will accept FirstNet/AT&T final plans by the fourth quarter of 2017. Each state or territory will have the option of accepting the final FirstNet/AT&T plan or pursuing an alternative plan for coverage. Among the key issues under review will be rural coverage.
EWA Files Comments on 800MHz Spectrum Leasing
The Enterprise Wireless Alliance suggested in an ex parte filing that M2M Spectrum Networks LLC violated the Commission’s rules by leasing large amounts of 800 MHz spectrum. EWA argues that M2M exceeded the number of trunked and conventional channels permitted for lease under the FCC’s rules through a unique partnership with Smartcomm License Services, LLC, an affiliate of M2M. EWA alleges that M2M obtained leases from licensees who, prior to receiving solicitation from Smartcomm, had no experience in wireless telecom. According to EWA, these licensees explained that Smartcomm offered to prepare and file SMR applications on their behalf and provide the necessary equipment and site leases. In addition, EWA alleges that the licensees were referred to M2M for all “post-licensing assistance,” and that the licensees believe M2M will build the system using its own equipment. For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178).
FCC Requests Comment on Draft Recommendations for WRC-19
The Commission seeks comment on draft recommendations provided by World Radiocommunications Conference Advisory Committee (WAC) to reach consensus on items for the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19). At its last meeting, WAC approved two draft preliminary views and four draft proposals, and returned one draft proposal back for lacking consensus. The returned proposal concerns the coexistence between Wi-Fi and new radar systems in the 5.25 – 5.35 GHz and 5.47 – 5.73 GHz bands. The proposal asserts that “Wi-Fi operations should not be required to protect the radars in a way that would preclude Wi-Fi operations.” The Commission also seeks comment on draft proposals presented by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Comments will assist the FCC in its consultations with the State Department and NTIA in the development of U.S. positions for WRC-19. Comments are due by May 8. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).
Join Us for The Connected Product Intensive
Keller and Heckman LLP will be holding a new seminar, The Connected Product Intensive: A Framework for Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management, on May 2 - 3, 2017, in San Francisco, CA. The seminar will focus on the regulatory and litigation risks affecting connected products, and offer practical tips for compliance, risk avoidance, and risk management. Topics include drafting privacy policies, responding to data breaches, environmental considerations, FCC issues, handling product recalls and product liability litigation, energy efficiency considerations, advertising and marketing, and end-user license agreements.
Broadband Communities 2017 Summit
The Broadband Communities Summit begins today, May 1, 2017, and ends on Thursday, May 4, 2017. The Summit is in Dallas, Texas, and attracts broadband system operators, network builders, and deployers of all kinds. Many of the country’s major property owners and real estate developers attend the Summit each year, along with independent telcos and cable companies, municipal and state officials, community leaders and economic development professionals. KH Partner Doug Jarrett will be speaking at the event.
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Keller and Heckman LLP's Telecom Business Alert is a complimentary weekly electronic update created by the Telecommunications Practice Group of Keller and Heckman LLP. All articles, videos, and quotations are on topics of general interest and do not constitute legal advice for particularized facts. Keller and Heckman LLP's Telecom Business Alert © 2015. All rights reserved. Articles may be copied with attribution. To sign up for our weekly alert, please send us an email at telecomalert@khlaw.com and provide us with your name and email. Please follow us on Twitter at @KHtelecom.