Today: FCC Announces Final Agenda for August Open Meeting, West Virginia Joins FirstNet 

FCC Final Agenda For August Open Meeting

The FCC released the final agenda for its August 3, 2017, Open Meeting.  As expected, it includes the following:

• Connect America Fund Phase II Auction (Auction 903) –A Public Notice to initiate the pre-auction process for the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II auction which will award up to $198 million annually for 10 years to service providers that commit to offer voice and broadband services to fixed locations in unserved high-cost areas.
• Mobility Fund Phase II Challenge Process –An Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order that lays out a robust challenge process that will enable the Commission to direct Mobility Fund Phase II support to primarily rural areas that lack unsubsidized 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) service.
• Form 477 - A Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that takes a focused look at the Commission’s Form 477 to improve the value of the data it continues to collect.
• Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 GHz and 24 GHz – A Notice of Inquiry that explores opportunities for next generation services – particularly for wireless broadband – in the 3.7 GHz to 24 GHz spectrum range and asks about how the FCC can increase efficient and effective use of this spectrum for the benefit of all services and users. 
• Wireless License Renewal and Service Continuity Reform –A Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would adopt unified construction, renewal, and service continuity rules for the Wireless Radio Services, while seeking comment on a range of additional possible actions to increase the number of Americans with access to wireless communications services.
• Transmitter Identification Requirements for Satellite Digital Video Uplink Transmissions – A Memorandum Opinion and Order that waives the requirement that satellite news trucks, and other temporary-fixed satellite earth stations transmitting digital video, comply with the Digital Video Broadcasting-Carrier Identification (DVB-CID) standard if the earth station uses a modulator that cannot meet the DVB-CID standard through a software.

The FCC will also consider a Media Bureau Hearing Designation Order and two enforcement actions (no details provided).  Audio/Video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live at www.fcc.gov/live.

West Virginia Joins FirstNet

West Virginia is the latest state to opt-in to FirstNet.  The FirstNet solution that will be built in West Virginia was designed with direct input from the State’s public safety community and is designed to address their unique communication needs. This includes: (1) extending coverage to first responders in rural areas – particularly those prone to emergencies like the many coal mines throughout the State; and (2) understanding how to handle the sensitive interference issues surrounding the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank.  Governor Jim Justice said, in part:  “Our people will be safer because of this incredible initiative and it gives our state a launch pad for new jobs.  I applaud AT&T for their commitment to a service area footprint that enhances coverage in West  Virginia. Competitive pricing and the opportunities this will bring for future investment are limitless.  The FirstNet network is a step toward putting West Virginia’s first responders on the leading edge.”

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The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.