Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Waives ETRS Form One Filing Requirement Due To COVID-19, FCC Closes Filing Window, US Congress Broadband Adoption and Opportunity Act

FCC Waives ETRS Form One Filing Requirement Due To COVID-19

The FCC has waived the requirement that Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants file identifying information in the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) this year.

In the past, the FCC in coordination with FEMA, , has conducted nationwide tests of the EAS to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. EAS Participants then provide the FCC with information about their performance in the nationwide test through the (ETRS). This year, due to the ongoing coronavirus public health emergency response, FEMA announced that it will not conduct a nationwide test of the system in 2020. Accordingly, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau found good cause to waive, on its own motion, the requirement that EAS Participants must file identifying information in the ETRS this year. This will allow them to allocate their available resources to respond to the pandemic and other critical aspects as needed. EAS participants include analog radio and television stations, wired and wireless cable television systems, digital broadcast systems, digital television broadcast stations, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service, digital cable and digital audio broadcasting systems, and wireline video systems.

FCC Closes Filing Window

The FCC announced that it permanently closed its filing location at FCC Headquarters: Open Window Counter, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room, TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554 effective July 7, 2020. This change is for security measures, and in anticipation of the upcoming FCC Headquarters move. Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the address identified below will be the only location where hand-carried documents for the FCC will be accepted. At that time, the filing window for hand-carried documents will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The FCC will not accept hand-carried filings outside of those hours, including those for the Commission’s Secretary. The following is the new filing location for paper documents:

Federal Communications Commission

9050 Junction Drive

Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

US Congress Broadband Adoption and Opportunity Act

Representatives Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) and Bill Johnson (OH-06) introduced the Broadband Adoption and Opportunity Act: bipartisan legislation to leverage public-private partnerships to refurbish internet-capable devices for students and underserved families through donation, lending, or low-cost purchasing programs. The public-private partnerships outlined in the bill would participate in a five-year pilot program within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The legislation also directs NTIA to work with states, tribes, and the Federal Communications Commission to develop best practices to increase broadband adoption rates among underserved groups, increase awareness about current low-cost broadband programs, and expand technical training programs for individuals to learn how to use internet-capable devices.

“As we all adjust to a new normal, internet-capable devices have kept us connected to school, work, telehealth, and loved ones, both near and far,” said Rep. O’Halleran, a member of the House Rural Broadband Caucus. “For our students, these devices have become more necessary than ever before. However, this pandemic has laid bare the fact that too many students in rural and tribal communities are not able to access the technology they need to complete their studies. This bill makes critical investments in students that need it most by capitalizing on public-private partnerships that work to connect kids with computers, tablets, and the devices they need to succeed.”

“I’m pleased to co-sponsor this bill with my colleague Rep. Tom O’Halleran of Arizona,” said Rep. Johnson. “This public-private partnership pilot program can play a major role in helping to close the urban-rural broadband divide. It would assist American students in gaining access to refurbished devices they can use to get online – devices they otherwise might not have access to. The Broadband Adoption and Opportunity Act would be a win for rural education, telehealth, and businesses. I urge House Leadership to bring this important legislation before the full House promptly.”

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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.