FCC's Updated Minimum Lifeline Service Standards to Take Effect Next Month

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced updated minimum service standard levels for speed and usage allowances for Lifeline-supported fixed broadband and mobile voice services. The new standards will take effect on December 1, 2019.  The Bureau also announced that the budget for federal universal service support for the Lifeline program for calendar year 2020 will be $2,385,292,106.   

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The Regulatory Mix Today: FCC Updates Minimum Lifeline Service Standards, FCC Rural Tribal Mapping Tool, FCC Issues Advisory Committee Public Safety and Telehealth Reports

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FCC Rural Tribal Mapping Tool 

The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau announced the launch of a website providing information about the Rural Tribal Priority Window. The website provides access to a mapping tool that can be used by Tribal entities to help them assess whether and to what extent there is unassigned 2.5 GHz spectrum available over their eligible Tribal lands. The mapping tool provides a high-level view of spectrum availability and allows users to link to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) to confirm the exact amount of eligible spectrum available.  

The FCC is also planning to host a workshop tentatively scheduled for mid-December, to provide additional information. Further information about the Rural Tribal Window, including the dates and specifics about the application filing process, and the upcoming workshop, will be announced and posted to the Rural Tribal Window website as such information becomes available. 

FCC Issues Advisory Committee Public Safety and Telehealth Reports

The Federal Communications Commission announced the release four reports from its Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.  The reports seek to assist state, local, Tribal and territorial officials, and other stakeholders by offering recommendations and best practices to improve emergency alerting, bolster communications reliability during disasters, and promote the use of telemedicine.

“The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee’s reports offer valuable insights and recommendations that will help inform the work of the FCC and that of our state, local, Tribal, and territorial government partners,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “We welcome the input and perspective of these officials as we work to enhance public safety, disaster preparedness, and access to telemedicine.  I thank the Committee’s members for lending their time and expertise to this important effort.”

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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.