Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Releases Final Agenda for June 2020 Open Meeting, FCC C-Brand Spectrum Will Be Available for 5G Services on an Accelerated Basis, US Congress COVID-19 Privacy Legislation
The FCC announced the final agenda for its June 9, 2020, Open Meeting. The FCC will consider the following telecom-related items:
The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau announced that Eutelsat S.A. (Eutelsat), Intelsat US LLC (Intelsat), SES Americom Inc. (SES), Claro S.A. f/k/a Star One S.A. (Claro), and Telesat Canada (Telesat) have committed to clear the 3.7-4.0 GHz band on the accelerated timeline described in the FCC’s March 2020, C-band order. In that Order, the FCC adopted new rules to make 280 megahertz of mid-band spectrum available for flexible use through an FCC-administered public auction of overlay licenses, plus a 20 megahertz guard band, throughout the contiguous United States by transitioning existing services out of the lower portion and into the upper 200 megahertz of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (C-band). The Order required eligible space station operators committing to accelerated clearing to make their election by May 29, 2020 to provide potential bidders with adequate certainty regarding the clearing date and payment obligations associated with each license should they become overlay licensees.
In response to the announcement, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai issued a statement saying: “This is a big day for American leadership in 5G and for American consumers and businesses The acceptance of accelerated relocation by all eligible satellite operators vindicates the FCC’s approach for making C-band spectrum available for 5G more quickly. Our initiative will enable this critical mid-band spectrum to be used for new and innovative wireless services that will be delivered to American consumers years ahead of schedule. The FCC’s work on the C-band is an important part of its 5G FAST plan, a comprehensive strategy to promote American leadership in 5G. This is a national priority because it means millions of jobs, billions of dollars in investment, innovation on our shores, and stronger economic growth. I’m grateful to my fellow Commissioners, the agency’s excellent staff, and external stakeholders for helping us reach this major milestone."
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect consumer privacy and promote public health in the development of these COVID-19 notification apps. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will also cosponsor the legislation. The legislation makes participation in commercial online exposure notification systems voluntary and gives consumers strong controls over their personal data, limits the types of data that can be collected and how it can be used, and contains strong enforcement provisions. The bill will give Americans confidence that the apps they are using are from legitimate sources, will protect their privacy, and that public health officials will be the ones determining what tools are necessary to give the public the information they need to make smart decisions regarding their health.
Specifically, the Act will:
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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.