Communications and Technology Alert: 4 GHz Band Auction Proposal; Foreign Robocall Elimination Act; Section 214 Authorization Revoked; BEAD Final Proposal Update [Vol. XXII, Issue 42]
NTIA Head Highlights 4 GHz Band for Auction
Last week, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) head Arielle Roth stated that the 4 GHz band could provide up to 400 MHz of spectrum, currently used by the federal government, for future auction. Roth's remarks, which were prerecorded for the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Las Vegas, indicate the direction NTIA is planning to take in implementing the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" requirement that 500 MHz of federal spectrum be identified for auction before July 4, 2029, and auctioned by 2032. Roth also identified the 7 GHz and 2.7 GHz bands for clearing and auction. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
Senate to Consider Foreign Robocall Mitigation Bill
Last week, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released the schedule for their October 21st executive session, in which they will consider Senator Budd's (R-NC) Foreign Robocall Elimination Act. If passed, this bill would require the FCC and FTC to develop a task force to investigate how relevant US agencies can better combat robocalls originating from outside of the United States. The bill proposes the task force investigate a number of actions aimed at encouraging foreign counterparts to implement robocall mitigation strategies. Additionally, it would require the task force to assess whether STIR/SHAKEN regulations adequately protect against foreign robocalls and whether there are additional actions that US providers should be taking to mitigate such robocalls. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
Commission Revokes HKT Limited’s Section 214 Authorizations
Last Wednesday, the Commission announced the revocation of HKT (International) Limited’s Section 214 authority to provide services to and within the United States, and sent an Order to Show Cause requesting an explanation on why the Commission should not move forward with proceedings to formally revoke their authorization. The Commission, on the recommendations of the Executive Branch and other agencies, can deny or revoke Section 214 authorizations and place their equipment and services on the Commission’s Covered List due to national security concerns. In addition to HKT, the Commission also directed its wholly owned subsidiaries to similarly show cause to prevent further proceedings. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
NTIA BEAD Proposal Update
As of October 17th, the NTIA BEAD Progress Dashboard reports that 51 of the 56 eligible states and territories met their deadlines to submit Final Proposals for review under the NTIA’s new policy guidance implementing the “Benefit of the Bargain” selection process. NTIA stated that the remaining entities have been granted short-term extensions to submit their Final Proposals. NTIA has set a 90-day timeline for completing their review of the Final Proposals. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193
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