FCC to amend tariffing rules and expedite 800 MHz band reconfiguration

FCC meeting will address wireline competition, public safety & homeland security and media

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an open meeting at the end of this week. The meeting will address a number of issues including wireline competition, public safety & homeland security and media.

Specifically, the FCC will consider an Order on Reconsideration, which, according to the Commission, would ensure that carriers receiving high-cost universal service support to deploy rural broadband are accountable to consumers, taxpayers and the Commission. The order would also provide smaller carriers more flexibility, by making targeted modifications to the testing procedures that carriers must use to show that their networks perform at the Commission’s speed and latency standards.

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on whether the common antenna siting rules for FM and TV broadcaster applicants and licensees are necessary given the current broadcasting marketplace will also be taken into consideration at the meeting.

In addition, the meeting will address public safety concerns including a Declaratory Ruling that clarifies section 6(f)(1) of the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 and ensures regulatory parity in 911 fees between VoIP services and traditional telecommunications services.

With the goal to streamline rules and procedures to expedite the successful completion of the 800 MHz band reconfiguration initiative, the FCC will consider an Order and Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The order should lower program costs and administrative burdens, while also continuing to alleviate interference to public safety licensees.

Lastly, the Commission is looking to amend its tariffing rules, and will consider a Report and Order to better align them with the reality of easy electronic access to tariff filings.

At the last open meeting on Sept. 26^th, the FCC discussed action related to Hurricane Dorian, broadband funding and draft procedures for an auction of the 3.5 GHz band for 5G services.