Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Enhanced Wireless Emergency Alerts Available During COVID-19 Pandemic, FCC Extends E-Rate Program Deadlines , President Issues “Team Telecom” Executive Order

FCC Enhanced Wireless Emergency Alerts Available During COVID-19 Pandemic 

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) reminded authorized alert originators, including state and local governments, that the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is available as a tool to provide life-saving information to the public during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that recent enhancements to WEA include: the capability to send more detailed alerts of up to 360 characters for 4G-LTE networks, the option to convey recommended actions for saving lives or property (e.g., a reminder to stay at home due to COVID-19) for use in connection with Imminent Threat Messages, and the ability to send alerts in Spanish language. 

FCC Extends E-Rate Program Deadlines 

The FCC extended key E-Rate service implementation and filing deadlines to provide relief to program participants affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These extensions, will alleviate administrative and compliance burdens on schools and libraries and enable them to focus on transitioning to remote learning during the pandemic.  Specifically, the order waives the so-called service implementation deadline for special construction for all funding year 2019 applicants and extends this deadline by one year, from June 30, 2020 to June 30, 2021.  Under FCC rules, applicants must complete special construction (e.g., deploying fiber) and the network must be “lit” or in use by June 30 of the applicable funding year. With schools and libraries closed for lengthy periods of time, the order recognizes that service providers may not be allowed on the premises and may experience significant challenges in meeting this construction deadline. 

The Order also (1) extends the service delivery deadline for nonrecurring services for funding year 2019 by one year, from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021; (2) grants schools and libraries an automatic 60-day extension to file requests for review or waiver of decisions by the E-Rate program administrator, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC); (3) provides applicants and service providers an automatic 120-day extension of the invoice filing deadline; and (4) gives all program participants an additional 30-day extension to respond to certain information requests from USAC. 

Last month, the FCC directed USAC to extend the deadline for funding year 2020 E-Rate applications to April 29 and the Bureau waived the E-Rate program’s gift rules to make it easier for broadband providers to support remote learning efforts during the pandemic. 

President Issues “Team Telecom” Executive Order

FCC Chairman Pai issued a statement on a recent Executive Order issued by the President that creates the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (Committee).  The Executive Order allows the FCC to continue and conclude its pending rulemaking on reform of the foreign ownership review process from 2016.   

The Executive Order creates the Committee and outlines its primary objective which will be to assist the FCC in its public interest review of national security and law enforcement concerns that may be raised by foreign participation in the United States telecommunications services sector. 

Chairman Pai stated: 

“I applaud the President for formalizing Team Telecom review and establishing a process that will allow the Executive Branch to provide its expert input to the FCC in a timely manner. Now that this Executive Order has been issued, the FCC will move forward to conclude our own pending rulemaking on reform of the foreign ownership review process.  As we demonstrated last year in rejecting the China Mobile application, this FCC will not hesitate to act to protect our networks from foreign threats.  At the same time, we welcome beneficial investment in our networks and believe that this Executive Order will allow us to process such applications more quickly.” 

Commissioner O’Rielly also made a statement saying in part:  

“I am exceptionally pleased by President Trump’s release of an Executive Order setting forth official procedures for administrative agencies to review and comment on FCC applications involving foreign ownership of communications companies, previously referred to as ‘Team Telecom.’ While all of our hearts and minds are properly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, this EO will facilitate acceptable investment of foreign capital in the communications sector to help jump start the industry and our economy, when that time comes.” 

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 7/18/16. 

____________________________

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.