AI Spectrum Notice Headlines FCC's Aug. 3 Agenda

The FCC will tackle three items, starting with the use of AI in spectrum management, at its Aug. 3 meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Thursday. Drafts of the three items are expected later in the day. Rosenworcel also mentioned the notice of inquiry at an FCC workshop Thursday morning.

“Historically, the Commission’s spectrum management policies have relied on outside parties to measure how spectrum is actually being used. Considering this third-party information is made available infrequently and is generally nonpublic, meaning it’s hard to verify, our spectrum management practices could benefit from conducting our own studies of spectrum usage,” Rosenworcel said: “We will vote to launch an inquiry to explore how the Commission might leverage new AI tools and other cutting-edge technologies and data sources to better understand the actual usage of non-federal spectrum bands.”

Also on the agenda is an item that would implement an up to $75 monthly internet subsidy through the affordable connectivity program for qualifying high-cost areas. More than 19 million households are enrolled in the program to date, Rosenworcel noted, and Congress "recognized that building out to rural areas requires support for both network deployments and for affordability" when it directed the commission to establish the enhanced benefit through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Commissioners will also vote on an NPRM seeking comment on changing the way maximum power for digital FM stations is determined and the process for allowing digital transmissions at different power levels on the upper and lower digital sidebands “The goal is to improve digital FM signal quality and coverage while minimizing harmful interference,” said the chairwoman’s post Thursday. The item appears to stem from petitions filed by NAB and Xperi which were widely supported by broadcasters when they were put out for comment. NAB and Xperi have said the proposed changes would improve digital FM coverage and digital FM signal penetration of buildings while minimizing interference.