In January 2017, newly inaugurated President Trump appointed Commissioner Ajit Pai as the Chairman of the FCC. With a Republican majority, Chairman Pai appointed new FCC leadership and began to make policy changes on issues previously decided by a majority Democratic FCC under Chairman Thomas Wheeler. Given the many issues were decided on party lines
Communications and Technology Practice Group
Keller and Heckman’s Communications and Technology practice represents major domestic and multinational companies, start-ups, associations, cooperatives, municipalities, and other government entities on a wide range of regulatory, administrative, legislative, and judicial matters involving wireless communications, broadband and telecommunication services, and infrastructure. Working regularly with engineering, financial, and other specialists, we help our clients formulate and implement comprehensive telecommunications plans, develop advanced communications systems, deploy new technologies, and comply with all pertinent federal, state, and local legal requirements.
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The Making – and Unmaking – of an FCC Commissioner
Posted in FCC
On Monday, August 3rd, the White House withdrew its (re)nomination of FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly for another term. This unusual White House action has sparked discussion about the process and rationale for the withdrawal.
FCC Composition. The full slate of FCC leadership includes five Commissioners. The Chair and two Commissioners are of…
COVID-19 Broadband Funding
Posted in Broadband
As policymakers work to help Americans cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these efforts are rightfully directed at broadband funding. Congress and the Agencies continue to build on the programs described in our blog post, “The Increasing Importance of Broadband and Federal Funding in Uniting the Country,” with a focus on distance…
Old Limits and New Procedures for FCC RF Exposure Rules
Posted in FCC
In December 2019, the FCC finally took action in its open docket on radiofrequency (RF) exposure (RFE), adopting a Resolution of Notice of Inquiry, Second Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Memorandum Opinion and Order. Therein, the FCC addressed many issues which had been pending since 2013 when the FCC issued a First…
WRC-19 and the Process for International Spectrum Decisions
Posted in Services Agreements, Telecom Policy
Roughly every four years, representatives of most of the 190+ member countries of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meet for four weeks at a World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to consider changes to the allocations and regulations governing the international use of spectrum. The ITU is the United Nations (UN) specialized agency for information and communications…
Four States Legislate to Streamline Small Cell Deployment Bringing Total to 28 States – Part III: Maine and Connecticut
Here is the final entry of a three-part series of articles outlining the key provisions of new state legislation regarding the deployment of wireless small cell equipment in public right-of-way (ROW). Each of the three-part series addresses newly enacted legislation. The first two articles in the series featured Nebraska and Wisconsin. Today’s article features…
Four States Legislate to Streamline Small Cell Deployment Bringing Total to 28 States– Part II: Wisconsin
Here is the second of a three-part series of articles outlining the key provisions of new state legislation regarding the deployment of wireless small cell equipment in public right-of-way (ROW). Each of the three-part series addresses newly enacted legislation. The first part of the series featured Nebraska. Today’s article features Wisconsin and the final…
Four States Legislate to Streamline Small Cell Deployment Bringing Total to 28 States – Part I: Nebraska
Here is the first of a three-part series of articles outlining the key provisions of new state legislation regarding the deployment of wireless small cell equipment in public right-of-way (ROW). Each of the three-part series addresses newly enacted legislation. Today’s article features Nebraska, the next article will feature Wisconsin, and the final article in…
U.S. Regains an Elected Leadership Position at the ITU After 25-year Hiatus
Posted in FCC
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized organization of the United Nations which addresses international communications and information technology, regulatory, and policy issues. Its origins date back to the formation of its predecessor in 1865, the International Telegraph Union. It plays a crucial role in promoting efficient sharing of spectrum and compatibility of communications…
Effect of Partial Government Shutdown on FCC
Posted in FCC
Funding for a portion of the federal government expired on December 21, 2018, beginning a partial federal government shutdown. The agencies affected by the lapse in funding include the FCC. While the FCC managed to hang on longer than some of the other agencies affected, the Commission suspended operations starting mid-day on January 3, 2019.…