Industry and consumer advocates sought additional guidance and clarity on the FCC's proposed requirements to implement the Safe Connections Act, in reply comments posted Monday in docket 22-238 (see 2304140057). Commenters also showed widespread support for sufficient time to comply with the commission's final rules and additional guidance on potential privacy concerns. The act requires availability of safe access to communications services for survivors of domestic violence.
Gabriella Novello
Gabriella Novello, Assistant Editor, is a journalist for Communications Daily covering telecommunications and the Federal Communications Commission. She joined the Warren Communications News staff in 2020, after covering election integrity and the 2020 presidential election at WhoWhatWhy. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in health promotion at American University. You can follow Novello on Twitter: @NOVELLOGAB.
Incarcerated people's communications service providers and advocates disagree on how the FCC should implement the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act. Commissioners adopted the item in March, seeking comment on permanent rates for IPCS services and how to address accessibility concerns for incarcerated individuals with disabilities (see 2303160009). Comments were posted Tuesday in docket 23-62.
Rural healthcare program participants and advocates welcomed FCC proposals on the program's rate determination rules, whether to reinstate the support cap for satellite services, and how providers can receive funding as soon as they become eligible. Comments were posted through Tuesday in docket 17-310. Commissioners adopted the NPRM in January, which also sought comments on how to revise the FCC’s Form 466 to improve data collection efforts (see 2301260041).
Disagreement continued between industry groups and consumer advocacy organizations on how the FCC should implement rules to curb digital discrimination as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in reply comments posted through Friday in docket 22-69 (see 2302220045). Commenters disagreed on how to define digital discrimination and the technical or economic limitations providers may have for broadband deployment.
Industry welcomed a draft FCC order that would modify access stimulation rules to close a loophole exploited by extending the rules to include IP-enabled service providers (IPES). Commissioners will consider the item during their open meeting Thursday (see 2303300070). Some sought clarifying language to ensure no additional loopholes may arise.
Federal officials highlighted the need for continued stakeholder engagement and strategic investments to ensure broadband deployment efforts funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are implemented efficiently, during an NTCA event Monday. USDA Rural Development Deputy Undersecretary Farah Ahmad also announced the launch of a $20 million broadband technical assistance program to assist rural development projects.
Industry and advocacy organizations sought time and flexibility to comply with new rules for the FCC's implementation of the Safe Connections Act and improving access to communications services for survivors of domestic violence. Comments on the NPRM posted Thursday in docket 22-238 showed broad support for the commission's proposals and sought minor clarifications (see 2303130007).
Broadband officials and providers stressed the urgency of preparing for NTIA's broadband, equity, access and deployment program. State officials noted their offices are considering affordability when evaluating providers' grant applications and emphasized stakeholder engagement, during a Thursday USTelecom event on broadband connectivity.
Industry urged the FCC to move with caution as it considers additional steps to further clamp down on gear from companies on the FCC's covered list, in comments posted Monday in docket 21-232 (see 2304070050). Several commenters raised concerns about the potential complexity of including components and revoking previous authorizations of covered equipment.
Consumer advocates and local broadband officials emphasized the need for states to engage community stakeholders as they prepare their digital equity plans funded by the Digital Equity Act, during a Broadband Breakfast webinar Wednesday (see 2211020082). Some urged additional funding for the FCC's affordable connectivity program to ensure low-income households can adopt broadband once NTIA's grant programs are implemented.