On January 16, 2025, the FCC closed out Jessica Rosenworcel’s term as Chairwoman by releasing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking to expand the use of the 896-901/935-940 MHz (“900 MHz”) band for broadband use. The NPRM builds on the Commission’s 2019 rulemaking, which created a 3/3 MHz broadband allocation at 897.5-900.5/936.5-939.5 MHz and
FCC Approves Automated Frequency Coordination Systems
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) announced the approval of seven 6 GHz band Automated Frequency Coordination (“AFC”) systems. The approved systems include offerings from Qualcomm Incorporated, Federated Wireless, Inc., Sony Group Corporation, Comsearch, the Wi-Fi Alliance Services Corporation, the Wireless Broadband Alliance, Inc., and Broadcom Inc.
Background
In 2020, the FCC
FCC Proposes New NG911 Rules
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to help facilitate the nationwide transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911). The Commission will vote on this NPRM at its Open Meeting on June 8th.
Background
In October 2021, the National Association of State 911 Administrators
RDOF Phase 1 Auction (Auction 904): A Once in a Decade Opportunity
Introduction
On February 7, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order which established the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) under which up to $20.4 billion will be made available at auction to help bring high-speed broadband to the Nation’s unserved rural areas. $16 billion will be made available through the Phase
FCC Shutdown Aftermath: Deadline Extensions
Last week, the government shutdown ended. Shuttered government agencies re-opened on Monday morning. The FCC announced yesterday that it has further extended the deadlines for filings that were due during the shutdown. This new announcement supersedes all of the FCC’s previous extension announcements.
Accordingly, the FCC has established the following general deadline extensions for filings
CAF II Auction Closes
The FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase II Auction concluded last week. The auction allocated nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding over the next decade to support broadband deployments in unserved areas of 45 different states. This aggregate amount was almost $50M per year ($500M for ten years) short of the available CAF II funds.
2016 E-Rate Filing Window Closing Soon
Time is running short for schools and libraries to seek funding for eligible products and services in the 2016 E-Rate funding season. E-Rate provides funding for high speed Internet access, dedicated services, and dark fiber to schools and libraries, as well as premises-based WiFi deployments. The filing process is driven largely by schools and libraries