The Regulatory Mix - Friday, September 6, 2019

NTIA Report on Spectrum Repurposing

NTIA released the first annual report showing continuing efforts to repurpose parts of the nation’s radiofrequency spectrum to meet the future communications needs of commercial and federal users. The report shows that the United States already leads the world in spectrum available for 5G technology and is working to more-than-double the radio spectrum available for the next generation of wireless network technology.  The report shows that the United States leads the world in spectrum that could be used for 5G, with a total of nearly 5.9 gigahertz (GHz) available for licensed, exclusive use.  An additional 7.25 GHz of potential licensed spectrum is under active study, which could ultimately yield over 13 GHz that could be available for licensed 5G networks.  For unlicensed use, 14.7 GHz has been made available, with more on the way.  

Comprehensive band-by-band spectrum updates in the repurposing report extend from 512 megahertz (MHz) to 246 gigahertz (GHz). The report looks at 24 categories of frequency bands, and lists the status of activities including economic benefits from auctions, and bands under study and targeted for future action. The report also notes past and current regulatory and legislative mandates for the bands.

“Our nation has made significant progress in making spectrum available for 5G wireless usage,” said Douglas Kinkoph, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. “This is one of several actions NTIA is taking to maintain the U.S. as a global leader in deploying 5G wireless systems and innovative satellite and space applications, while supporting critical federal missions.”

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The Regulatory Mix Today: NTIA Report on Spectrum Repurposing, FCC Tentative Agenda for September Open Meeting, US Senate Hearing on Digital Technology Markets

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FCC Tentative Agenda for September Open Meeting

The FCC announced the tentative agenda for its September 26, 2019.  The following items are on the tentative agenda:

• The Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund – A  Report and Order that would allocate $950 million in fixed and mobile high-cost universal service support for Stage 2 of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund to expand, improve, and harden communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FCC will also consider an Order on Reconsideration that would dispose of two petitions related to Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund advance support and Stage 1 support.
• Access Arbitrage – A Report and Order and Modification of Section 214 Authorizations that would adopt reforms to eliminate wasteful access arbitrage schemes and promote the efficient use of the nation’s communications networks.
• 3.5 GHz Auction Procedures –A Public Notice that would seek comment on procedures to be used for Auction 105, the auction of Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the 3550-3650 MHz band.
• Public Notice of the Filing of Broadcast Applications Rules – A Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to modernize and simplify the written and on-air public notices broadcasters must provide upon the filing of certain applications.
• Updating and Streamlining Rules for the Direct Broadcast Satellite Service – A Report and Order that would align the Direct Broadcast Satellite licensing procedures with those of the geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service satellites.

US Senate Hearing on Digital Technology Markets

The Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights announced it will hold a hearing on September 24, 2019, entitled “Competition in Digital Technology Markets: Examining Acquisitions of Nascent or Potential Competitors by Digital Platforms.”  Scheduled witness include: Mr. Bruce Hoffman, Director Of The Bureau Of Competition Federal Trade Commission; Dr. Diana Moss, President, American Antitrust Institute; Professor John Yun,

Director, Economic Education at The Global Antitrust Institute Antonin Scalia Law School George Mason University; and Ms. Patricia Nakache, General Partner, Trinity Ventures.

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s 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 an Inteserra Briefing.