Communications and Technology Alert: 900 MHz Report and Order; Part 22 Paging Relocation; Reforming Legacy Rules for an All-IP Future NPRM; Lifeline Program Reforms NPRM; NM Broadband Affordability Bill [Vol. XXIII, Issue 8]
Commission Adopts 900 MHz Band Transition Plan
Last week, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O) which permits eligible existing 900 MHz licenses to transition to a paired 5/5 MHz broadband license on a county-by-county basis. The R&O builds upon the Commission’s previous realignments of the 900 MHz band, allowing any given county, in lieu of transitioning to a 5/5 MHz configuration, to either maintain legacy or 3/3 MHz broadband configurations. Any transition to a 5/5 MHz band configuration will be conducted through a voluntary, negotiation-based system to meet the needs of incumbent narrowband systems. For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
Wireless Groups Urge Commission to Relocate Part 22 Paging Licenses to Part 90
Last week, the National Wireless Communications Council ("NWCC," formerly the Land Mobile Communications Council) filed an ex parte letter in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's ("WTB") Docket 14-180 advocating that Part 22 Paging/Radiotelephone licenses be relocated to Part 90 of the Commission's rules, which governs Private Land Mobile Radio Services. NWCC argues that VHF and UHF paging licenses are already used in Part 90 systems and that such a relocation would allow for greater technical and operational flexibility. NWCC closed by arguing that the Commission should reopen Docket 14-180, which has largely remained dormant since a 2014 Public Notice seeking comment on modernizing the Part 22 paging licenses. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
Commission Adopts Intercarrier Compensation NPRM
At the February 18, Open Commission Meeting, the Commission voted to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NRPM”) seeking public comment on eliminating regulations which encourage providers to continue relying on legacy TDM networks as the Commission promotes a transition to IP-based networks. Specifically, the NPRM proposes to reform certain intercarrier compensation regulations, such as transitioning to a “bill-and-keep” framework and eliminating ex ante pricing regulation and tariffing of end-user charges. Additionally, the NPRM seeks comment on phasing out Connect America Fund Intercarrier Compensation (“CAF ICC”) based on the proposed “bill-and-keep” framework. Deadlines for comments and reply comments will be posted sixty days after publication in the Federal Register. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
Commission Adopts Lifeline Program Reform NPRM
At the February 18, Open Commission Meeting, the Commission voted to adopt an NPRM seeking comment on reforms to the federal Lifeline program, which currently supports low-income Americans with discounted voice and internet services. The NPRM’s proposals focus on reducing abuse of the program’s verification processes and seek to narrow eligibility to “U.S. citizens and persons with appropriate qualified status under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996” as well as ensure that Lifeline support is only used to benefit “legal, living, and eligible Americans.” Additional proposals in the NPRM target service provider compliance measures and ensuring states who conduct their own verification programs align with federal guidelines. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).
New Mexico Legislature Passes $10 Million Broadband Affordability Bill
Last week, the New Mexico House and Senate passed the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program Act SB 152. The bill, if signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, would provide $10 million in broadband funding that the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion ("OBAE") estimates will connect as many as 27,000 New Mexicans to high-speed internet in the first year. The bill further provides that $45 million will be available per year in subsequent years, which the OBAE estimates could connect more than 100,000 low-income households. 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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