Federal Communications Commission Approves Seventh Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications

Federal Communications Commission Approves Seventh Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications | site |


Commission Continues Approving Telehealth Funding During Coronavirus Pandemic, Surpasses $50 Million in Total Funding


(May 20, 2020) - - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following information: WASHINGTON, May 20, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau today approved an additional 43 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $16.87 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. To date, the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was authorized by the CARES Act, has approved funding for 132 health care providers in 33 states plus Washington, DC for a total of just over $50 million in funding. Below is a list of health care providers that wer...

Federal Communications Commission Announces Preventive Measures Related To Coronavirus| site |



(March 4, 2020) - - On March 4, 2020 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice titled, "FCC Announces Preventive Measures Related To Coronavirus".

The Public Notice may be viewed at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme...C-362836A1.pdf

or

Press here: | Docx | pdf | txt |...

Federal Communications Commission announces tentative Agenda for February Open Meeting | site |




(February 7, 2020) - - Today (February 7, 2020), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the following information:

WASHINGTON, February 7, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the February Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2020:

Expanding Flexible Use of the C-band – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Proposed Order of Modification that would reform the use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band, also known as the C-band, to promote U.S. leadership in the next generation of wireless services, including fifth-generation (5G) wireless and other advanced spectrum-based services, and close the digital divide. (GN Docket No. 18-122)

C-band Auction Bidding Procedures – The Commission will consider a...

Federal Communications Commission launches $20 Billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to expand Rural Broadband Deployment | site |



FCC says this Represents FCC’s Largest Investment Ever to Close Digital Divide


(February 7, 2020) - - Today (February 7, 2020), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the following information: WASHINGTON, January 30, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission today took its single biggest step to date to close the digital divide by establishing the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to efficiently fund the deployment of high-speed broadband networks in rural America. Through a two-phase reverse auction mechanism, the FCC will direct up to $20.4 billion over ten years to finance up to gigabit speed broadband networks in unserved rural areas, connecting millions more American homes and businesses to digital opportunity. Without access to broadband, rural Americans cannot participate in the digi...

Federal Communications Commission reaches $1.13 Million Settlement with Scripps on Monitoring of TV Tower Lighting| site |



(January 13, 2020) - - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided the following information: WASHINGTON, January 13, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau today announced an agreement with Scripps Broadcasting Holdings to settle an investigation into the monitoring practices of lights on television towers it acquired earlier this year from Cordillera Communications. Scripps has agreed to resolve the Bureau’s investigation by paying a $1,130,000 penalty and abiding by a compliance plan to prevent further violations. Consistent monitoring of tower lighting systems is an important aviation safety issue and potentially a life-saving measure, as it ensures that owners quickly learn of—and can correct—malfunctioning obstruction lights. The Bureau began its investigation when, on August 31, 201...

Federal Communications Commission Announces Tentative Agenda for January Open Meeting| site |



(January 9, 2020) - - Today (January 9, 2020), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following information:

WASHINGTON, January 9, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the January Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 30, 2020:

Establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund – The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would adopt a two-phase reverse auction framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, committing $20.4 billion in high-cost universal service support to bring high-speed broadband service to millions of unserved Americans. (WC Docket Nos. 19-126, 10-90).

Hearing Aid-Compatible Handset Rules – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to incorporate...

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Pai Appoints New Chief Technology Officer| site |



(December 20, 2019) - - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following information: WASHINGTON, December 20, 2019—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today announced his appointment of Dr. Monisha Ghosh to serve as the agency’s Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Ghosh will advise Chairman Pai and the agency on technology and engineering issues, and will work closely with the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology. “As the FCC moves aggressively to advance American leadership in 5G, Dr. Ghosh’s deep technical knowledge of wireless technologies will be invaluable,” said Chairman Pai. “Dr. Ghosh has both conducted and overseen research into cutting-edge wireless issues in academia and industry. Her expertise is also broad, ranging from the Internet of Things, medical telemetry, and broadcast standards. And it bears...

Federal Communications Commission proposes a nearly $10 Million Fine for Spoofed Robocalls during California State Election| site |



FCC says San Diego-Area Telemarketer Apparently Spoofed Competitor’s Phone Number to Spread False Allegation Against State Assembly Candidate

(December 13, 2019) - - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the following information:

WASHINGTON, December 12, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today proposed to impose a $9,997,750 fine on Kenneth Moser and his telemarketing company Marketing Support Systems for apparently making more than 47,000 unlawful spoofed robocalls over a two-day period. Moser apparently unlawfully spoofed the telephone number assigned to another telemarketing company when transmitting prerecorded voice calls containing false accusations against a political candidate shortly before California’s 2018 primary election. Moser was in the busines...

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Carr Testimony to House Energy and Commerce Committee | site |



(December 6, 2019) - - Today (December 6, 2019), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the following information under the title Commissioner Carr, FCC, Before The Subcommittee On Communications And Technology Of The United States House Of Representatives, Committee On Energy And Commerce, Accountability And Oversight Of The Federal Communications Commission, December 5, 2019:

TESTIMONY OF BRENDAN CARR
COMMISSIONER, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE

“ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT OF
THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION”

DECEMBER 5, 2019

Chairman Doyle, Ranking Member Latta, and distinguished Members of...

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Pai Statement on the Forthcoming Retirement of FCC Chief Engineer Julius Knapp | site |



(November 27, 2019) - - Today (November 27, 2019), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the following information: WASHINGTON, November 27, 2019—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today announced that Julius Knapp, Chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology, plans to retire from public service on January 3, 2020, after 45 years at the Commission and more than 13 years as Chief of OET. Chairman Pai issued the following statement about Mr. Knapp’s retirement: “Julie Knapp is an FCC institution, and I will miss him for his expertise, his leadership, and his friendship. He’s delivered incalculable value for American consumers over the years. As just one example, if you have a device that uses the airwaves, the chances are that you’re benefiting from Julie’s efforts. He’s played ...

Federal Communications Commission Proposes new Rules to Remove Bad Actors from Commission Programs | site |



Agency Would Have Improved Tools to Protect Its Universal Service & Accessible Communications Funds


(November 25, 2019) - - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the following information:

WASHINGTON, November 22, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today began a rulemaking which would adopt new procedures to protect federal funds from misuse. The proposed rules would provide the agency with broader and more flexible authority to promptly remove bad actors from participation in the Universal Service Fund (USF), the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund, and the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. The proposal would align FCC rules with the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidelines to Agencies on Government Debarment and Suspension. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ...

Remarks of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai at the National Union Building | site |



(November 20, 2019) - - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following:

REMARKS OF FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI AT THE NATIONAL UNION BUILDING

WASHINGTON, DC

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

Good afternoon. Thanks to everyone for coming out for a lunch-time discussion on mid-band spectrum. This crowd knows where the real action is in Washington today. I also want to thank the cosponsors of this discussion: Citizens Against Government Waste, New America’s Open Technology Institute, and WifiForward. And thank you to the FCC staff who are working hard to ensure that spectrum is put to its highest-value use—most notably, the legendary head of our Office of Engineering and Technology, Julie Knapp. I’d like to begin my remarks by talking about the one thing in Washington...

Federal Communications Commission to Hold Open Commission Meeting Friday, November 22, 2019| site |


Washington, DC - - (November 18, 2019) - - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has scheduled an Open Commission Meeting to be held Friday, November 22, 2019. The meeting agenda may be seen at the following location: FCC Meeting Agenda or https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme...C-360841A1.pdf .








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Federal Communications Commission Announces Tentative Agenda for November Open Meeting| Site |


(October 29, 2019) - - Today (October 29, 2019), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following information:

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2019—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the November Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2019:

Protecting National Security Through FCC Programs – The Commission will consider a Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order that would ensure that Universal Service Fund support is not used to purchase equipment or services from companies posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain, propose additional actions to address national security threats to USF-funded networks, and collect information to help assess...

Federal Communications Commission says that it has Learned that Sprint Received Tens of Millions in Lifeline Subsidies - - but Provided no Service| site |


FCC says company "Got Paid for Consumers Who Used No Minutes, No Data"


(September 24, 2019) - - Today (September 24, 2019), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following information: WASHINGTON, September 24, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission has learned that Sprint Corp. claimed monthly subsidies for serving approximately 885,000 Lifeline subscribers, even though those subscribers were not using the service. That would be a violation of a key rule—the “non-usage” rule—designed to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. The 885,000 subscribers represent nearly 30% of Sprint’s Lifeline subscriber base and nearly 10% of the entire Lifeline program’s subscriber base. “Lifeline is an important component of our efforts to bring digita...