On March 3, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released its Report and Order and Order of Proposed Modification (FCC 20-22) (respectively, the “C-Band Order” and the “Proposed License...more
On March 25, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission announced a one-month postponement of the 3.5 GHz auction (3550-3650 GHz) in the Citizen’s Broadband Radio Service (“CBRS”), a.k.a. Auction 105. The Commission cited...more
On February 28, 2020, at its Open Meeting, the FCC voted to commence a rulemaking to examine the rebalancing of many technical rules governing the deployment of fixed and certain mobile, unlicensed white space devices in the...more
COMMENTARY -
We were tempted to title this edition “RDOF Takes Off,” as this is the biggest USF news of the month. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is the latest in the FCC’s attempts to revamp the High Cost program to...more
On Thursday, February 6, in a speech at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai outlined his proposal for the realignment of 3.7-4.2 GHz, the so-called C-Band. Later in...more
COMMENTARY -
Our first USF Tracker of 2020 follows an uptick in FCC activity affecting the Universal Service Fund. In the last quarter of 2019, the FCC released major orders affecting three of the four programs (E-rate,...more
COMMENTARY -
For this month, we want to spotlight the significant new oversight tasks assigned to USAC by the FCC. True, there is plenty under the ordinary administrative function of reviewing and approving applications...more
On October 7, the Enforcement Bureau (“EB” or “Bureau”) of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) took action to enhance the method by which public safety and enterprise wireless providers file...more
COMMENTARY -
Now comes the hard part. We’ve noted that the FCC has been setting the table for changes to all of its beneficiary programs, while contributions reform looms. But now, the FCC needs to start deciding the...more
At its Open Meeting on Thursday (September 26), the FCC will be set to adopt a Public Notice that seeks comment on bidding procedures for Auction 105 – the long-anticipated auction of Priority Access Licenses (“PALs”) in the...more
COMMENTARY -
If you took a long holiday this summer and, upon your return, asked, “What did I miss?” the answer in USF would be, “quite a lot.” It has been a busy summer and is setting up for a busy finish to the year. ...more
RECENT NEWS -
Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) -
On July 9, 2019, the FCC released an NPRM that proposes to make the Category Two budget approach permanent, and seeks comment on potential modifications that could simplify...more
KELLEY DRYE COMMENTARY -
Much of the activity this month focused on the FCC’s controversial proposal to establish an overall cap to the Universal Service Fund. Stakeholders aligned to oppose the proposal, while...more
KELLEY DRYE COMMENTARY -
In a month with only one minor Commission-level USF item, one of the most significant things to watch may be Commissioner O’Rielly’s questioning of USAC over possible use of USF money to overbuild...more
By unanimous vote, the FCC launched a rulemaking this past week to consider allocating the 1675-1680 MHz band for co-primary use by flexible commercial terrestrial fixed and mobile operators with incumbent federal operators....more
At its April Open Meeting, the FCC approved a Fifth Report and Order (“R&O”) in the Spectrum Frontiers Proceeding that adopted sharing rules in two settings. The new rules will allow the federal government to deploy, in...more
The FCC is requiring fixed-satellite service (“FSS”) operators to provide the Commission with information about their current use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (“C-Band”) by May 28, 2019, according to a Public Notice released...more
Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Lifeline High Cost/Connect America Fund (CAF) Rural Health Care This list covers appeals filed on or after January 1, 2016. Pending appeals filed before January 2016 are not included....more
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), at its April 12, 2019 Open Meeting, voted to adopt a Public Notice that proposes application and bidding procedures for the single, simultaneous auction of three mmW spectrum...more
Kelley Drye Commentary -
Welcome to the premier issue of the Kelley Drye Communications Group’s newest publication, the USF Tracker. The Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) is a sprawling $8 billion per year set of...more
Following on its 2017 Notice of Inquiry and proposals by several entities going back at least five years, the FCC is poised to consider establishment of a wireless broadband service in the 900 MHz band (896-901/935-940 MHz),...more
At its March 15 Open Meeting, the FCC intends to vote on a Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) in its Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements proceeding that would consider adoption of a vertical, or...more
The FCC’s Spectrum Frontiers proceeding, which is focused on making millimeter wave (“mmW”) spectrum available for flexible commercial mobile and fixed use, seems poised to move into a new phase even as the current phase is...more
The Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC’s” or “Commission’s”) vote at its open meeting on October 23, 2018 on a Report and Order regarding the 3550-3700 MHz band (“3.5 GHz Band”) was split along party lines. This was...more
Although FCC actions concerning commercial mobile radio and unlicensed spectrum grab the big headlines, the Commission is addressing the needs of other radio users, too. On October 23, 2018, the Commissioners will vote on...more