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