Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Announces Upcoming Forum on 5G Open Radio Access Networks, NTIA Internet Use Survey, NTIA Broadband USA Webinars

FCC Announces Upcoming Forum on 5G Open Radio Access Networks

In a news release, the FCC announced that the Forum on 5G Open Radio Access Networks will take place on September 14, 2020.  The forum, previously scheduled for March but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place by videoconference and stream online.

Chairman Pai will host experts at the forefront of the development and deployment of open, interoperable, standards-based, virtualized radio access networks to discuss this innovative new

approach to 5G network architecture. Open Radio Access Networks offer an alternative to traditional cellular network architecture and could enable a diversity in suppliers, better network security, and lower costs.

“Open and virtualized radio access networks may help operators deploy more secure, cost effective 5G networks,” said Chairman Pai.  “As part of the FCC’s 5G FAST Plan, the agency has taken many actions to promote American leadership in next generation wireless services.  To that end, we want the United States to lead the way in researching and developing innovative approaches to mobile network deployment. I am pleased the FCC will convene these experts for a productive discussion about the current state of ORAN-related technologies and the path ahead.”

NTIA Internet Use Survey

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking comments and recommendations for possible revisions to questions asked on the NTIA internet Use Survey.  This long-running survey of individuals and households covers a range of topics related to digital inclusion and other internet policy issues, including the adoption of different types of devices and internet access technologies, locations of internet use, online activities, and challenges preventing some Americans from taking full advantage of the internet.  The most recent Survey went into the field in November 2019, with more than 50 questions administered to approximately 50,000 households across the United States.  In anticipation of conducting future surveys, NTIA is seeking recommendations about how it can improve our survey and make it as relevant as possible. This includes whether there are questions previously asked that should be changed or deleted?  Comments are due September 17, 2020.

NTIA offered the following as a nonexhaustive guide to some of the survey design issues commenters may wish to address:

1. NTIA be aShould ware of any past or future planned uses of data from the NTIA internet Use Survey? If so, which survey questions or topics were or would be most important to accomplishing this work?
2. What questions, if any, should NTIA propose adding to the NTIA internet Use Survey? New questions could either expand on an existing topic, e.g., an additional type of computing device or online activity not currently tracked, or address an entirely new topic in computer or internet use. Commenters may wish to discuss the desired response format (yes or no, multiple choice, etc.), unit of measurement (individuals, households, or a subset of either), and other details of the data to be collected. Further, parties proposing new questions may consider commenting on how NTIA should address any resulting increase in respondent burden, including time needed to administer the survey.
3. Which existing questions, if any, should NTIA consider modifying for future editions of the NTIA internet Use Survey? NTIA may modify the text of an existing survey question in a range of situations, including when recent developments suggest a need for new terminology or answer choices, or when a different question structure may reduce respondent burden or improve the resulting data. Commenters may suggest changes in general terms or by proposing specific question text. If desired, parties may also comment on any potential impacts to time-series comparisons.
4. Which existing questions, if any, should NTIA consider removing from the NTIA internet Use Survey? Reasons NTIA may consider removing a question include, but are not limited to, lack of practical utility (or lesser utility compared with potential new questions), challenges to collecting accurate data through a household survey, or events obviating the continued need for a previously important question. Please comment on any challenges that may result from question removal, including the loss of time-series comparisons.
5. In addition to questions discussed above, are there any questions or general issues related to the NTIA internet Use Survey that should be of particular focus during the cognitive testing process? The Census Bureau will test the entire draft survey instrument, creating an opportunity to assess the performance of all questions individually and collectively.

NTIA Broadband USA Webinars

NTIA's BroadbandUSA program announced it will host a series of webinars on a monthly basis to engage the public and stakeholders with information to accelerate broadband connectivity, improve digital inclusion, strengthen policies and support local priorities. The Practical Broadband Conversations webinar series will provide an ongoing source of information on a range of topics being addressed by BroadbandUSA, including, but not limited to, best practices for improving broadband deployment, digital inclusion, workforce skills, smart communities, and economic development.  The webinars will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the third Wednesday of every month, beginning October 21, 2020 and continuing through September 15, 2021, with the exception of December 2020 and August 2021.

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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.