Federal Communications Commission to Vote on designating Boston and Raleigh as Newest FCC Innovation Zones

Federal Communications Commission to Vote on designating Boston and Raleigh as Newest FCC Innovation Zones | site |



Boston and Raleigh Would Join New York City and Salt Lake City as Innovation and Research Test Beds for Advanced Wireless Technologies Like 5G and Open RAN


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) press release dated: July 14, 2021) Washington, July 14, 2021—FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today proposed establishing Raleigh, North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts as innovation zones to allow for advanced wireless communications and network innovation and research. These designations would, among other positive impacts, help spur the development and integration of 5G network technologies and open radio access networks, or Open RAN. Innovation zones are FCC-designated, city-scale test beds managed by the National Science Foundation’s Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research. If a...

Federal Communications Commission offers Guidance on Connected Care Pilot Program; Announces 36 newly approved Projects | site |




$100 Million Program Will Support Connected Care Service Across Country, Focus on Low-Income and Veteran Patients


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 17, 2021) Washington, June 17, 2021 - - Today the Federal Communications Commission approved a Report and Order offering further guidance on the administration of its $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program, including guidance on eligible services, competitive bidding, invoicing, and data reporting for selected participants, which will enable applicants selected for the Pilot Program to begin their projects. Additionally, the FCC this week voted to approve 36 additional pilot projects for a total of over $31 million in funding. The newly selected Pilot projects join an initial set of 23 p...

The Federal Communications Commission further strengthens Emergency Alerting | site |



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 17, 2021) Washington, June 17, 2021 - - The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. The nation’s Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts help keep the public safe and informed and are of ever-increasing importance given the emergencies and disasters Americans have faced in recent years. In 2018, however, a false emergency alert in Hawaii mistakenly warned of an incoming ballistic missile and highlighted the need to improve these systems. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 subsequently directed the Commission, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to adopt rules to strengthen emergency...

Federal Communications Commission announces Emergency Connectivity Fund Application Window will Open on June 29 | site |



FCC says Schools and Libraries Will Have 45 Days to Apply for Support to Aid Students Who Fall into the Homework Gap


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 15, 2021) Washington, June 15, 2021 - - Today, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced schools and libraries can begin to file applications on June 29 for the newly established $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund. Schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons. During this 45-day application filing window, which will run from June 29 to August 13, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase el...

Federal Communications Commission announces 3.45 GHz Band Auction Procedures | site |



5G Auction of Mid-Band Spectrum Set for October 2021


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 9, 2021)

Washington, June 9, 2021—FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced the latest step in making mid-band spectrum available for next generation wireless services, including 5G. In a Public Notice, the FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau established the application and bidding procedures for Auction 110, the auction of spectrum in the 3.45 GHz band. Bidding is scheduled to start on October 5, 2021. “This is a critical step toward delivering on the promise of 5G,” said Rosenworcel. “This auction will bring us closer to 5G service that is fast, secure, resilient, and most importantly, available across the country. I want to t...

Federal Communications Commission secures Life-saving Commitments from Wireless Carriers to deliver 911 Vertical Location Information Nationwide within seven Days | site |




FCC Reached Enforceable Settlements with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 3, 2021) Washington, June 3, 2021 - - FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced breakthrough agreements with America’s three largest mobile phone providers to start delivering vertical location information in connection with 911 calls nationwide in the coming days. This information will help first responders quickly locate 911 callers in multi-story buildings, which will reduce response times and ultimately save lives. The FCC adopted rules to improve location information for 911 wireless calls back in 2015. Those rules required nationwide wireless providers to deploy dispatchable location o...

Federal Communications Commission says Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrolls 2.3 Million Households in first 3 Weeks of Program | site |



Releases EBB public data tracking dashboard


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 7, 2021) Washington, June 7, 2021 - - Today FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrolled over 2.3 million households into the subsidy program initiated by Congress. Since mid-May, households in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and American Samoa were approved to receive a discount on their monthly internet bills and have selected a participating EBB provider to receive internet service at home. “I am thrilled to see that the great need for affordable broadband support is being met with over 2 million households enrolled in three short weeks. I’ve also said we nee...

Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel announces Members of 911 Strike Force | site |


Advisory Committee Will Examine 911 Fee Diversion


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: May 21, 2021)

Washington, May 21, 2021 - - FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced the appointment of 17 members to the Commission’s newly created 911 Strike Force, which will meet for the first time on June 3, 2021. Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the creation of the Strike Force on February 17, 2021, and charged the group with studying the problem of 911 fee diversion—that is, the practice by some states and jurisdictions of using the 911 fees consumers pay on their phone bills for non-911 purposes—and reporting to Congress on how the Federal government can end this practice. “America’s 911 system needs an update for the digital age...

Federal Communications Commission demands two more Companies immediately stop facilitating allegedly Illegal Robocall Campaigns | site |


These Are the Third Tranche of Enforcement Bureau Cease and Desist Letters


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: May 18, 2021) Washington, May 18, 2021 - - FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced the latest FCC action to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing campaigns that target and defraud consumers. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau sent cease and desist letters to VaultTel Solutions and Prestige DR VoIP demanding that they immediately cease carrying illegal robocall campaigns on their networks and report to the Commission the concrete steps they implemented to prevent a recurrence of these operations. “We need to use every tool we have to get these junk calls off of our networks,” said Rosenworcel. “From these new cease-and-desist letter...

Federal Trade Commission Sues Frontier Communications for Misrepresenting Internet Speeds | site |


FTC says Company failed to deliver DSL Internet speeds for which consumers paid and were promised


(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: May 19, 2021)

The Federal Trade Commission, along with law enforcement agencies from six states, sued Internet service provider Frontier Communications, alleging that the company did not provide many consumers with Internet service at the speeds it promised them, and charged many of them for more expensive and higher-speed service than Frontier actually provided.

In a complaint, the FTC and its state partners allege that Frontier advertised and sold Internet service in several plans, or tiers, based on download speed. Frontier has touted these tiers using a variety of methods, including mail and online ads, and has sold them to consumers over...

Federal Communications Commission to hold Open Commission Meeting Thursday, May 20, 2021 | site |


The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to hold an Open Meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

The Public Notice containing the Commission Meeting Agenda may be viewed at the following link location:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme...C-372424A1.pdf

or

Press HERE...

Federal Communications Commission to launch $7.17 Billion Connectivity Program | site |


New Program Provides Funding to Schools and Libraries Critical to Closing the Homework Gap


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: May 11, 2021) Washington, May 10, 2021 - - The Federal Communications Commission today unanimously adopted final rules to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. This $7.17 billion program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, will enable schools and libraries to purchase laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and broadband connectivity for students, school staff, and library patrons in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Far too often, students, teachers, and library patrons lack the access they need to broadband and connected devices. This need has become even more apparent during these unprecedented times,” said Jessica Rosenworce...

Federal Communications Commission Grants additional Rural Tribal Spectrum Licenses | site |



Mid-Band Spectrum Licenses Granted to Facilitate Providing Advanced Wireless Communications Like 5G to 40 Native Communities


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: May 13, 2021) Washington, May 13, 2021 - - The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has granted an additional 40 spectrum licenses in the 2.5 GHz band to help connect rural Tribal communities. This valuable mid-band spectrum can be used for 5G and other advanced wireless services. “Wireless spectrum in the hands of the unserved and underserved is a powerful tool,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “This is especially true for Tribes, which should have the opportunity to offer their communities the broadband access that is so critical for participation in the digital age. I am committed to continuing our efforts to make tha...

Federal Communications Commission announces Winning Bidders in C-Band Action | site |




FCC says "Auction of 3.7 GHz Service Licenses Yields Over $81 Billion in Gross Bids and Provides Much-Needed Mid-Band Spectrum for 5G Services"


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: February 24, 2021) Washington, February 24, 2021 - - The Federal Communications Commission today announced the winning bidders and the final bid totals in Auction 107—commonly referred to as the C-band auction. As detailed in today’s Public Notice, Auction 107 net winning bids totaled $81,114,481,921 and gross winning bids totaled $81,168,677,645. Twenty-one bidders won all of the available 5,684 licenses. “It is essential to America’s economic recovery that we deliver on the promise of next-generation wireless services for everyone, everywhere,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “This au...

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Starks announces Future of Work Panel on Black-owned Businesses and the Digital Divide| site |


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: February 8, 2021)

Washington, February 8, 2021 - - On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will virtually host Future of Work: Black Owned Businesses and the Digital Divide. The continued fight for social justice and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us an unparalleled opportunity to focus our efforts on the fundamental values of fairness and equity as we rebuild our economy and workforce for the future. This unprecedented crisis has also demonstrated that economic opportunity and access to affordable, reliable broadband are inextricably tied. The policies necessary to bridge the digital divide must center the most marginalized, including Black-owned businesses and Black workers who...