Communications and Technology Alert: DIRS FNPRM Comment Deadline; Undersea Cable Control Act; Declaratory Ruling on E-Rate Wi-Fi Hotspot Funding; CCA Request for USF Expansion [Volume XXII, Issue 36]
DIRS FNPRM Comment Deadline Released
Last week, the Commission announced that comments would be due on or before October 2 and reply comments are due on or before November 3 in its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) on outage reporting requirements under the FCC's Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) and Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). In the FNPRM, which was approved at the August 6th Open Meeting, the FCC seeks comment on proposals to streamline a variety of outage reporting requirements under both NORS and DIRS, as well as expanding the pool of emergency management agencies that are eligible to view the filings. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
House Passes Undersea Cable Control Act
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would require the Secretary of Commerce to identify equipment required for supporting undersea cables and to develop a strategy to eliminate foreign adversaries ability to obtain such equipment. The bill, introduced by Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ), requires the President to seek international agreements that would further block adversaries access to the equipment. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239) or Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
Chairman Circulates Vote to Overturn Wi-Fi Hot Spot E-Rate Support Decisions
In a press release issued on September 3rd, Chairman Brendan Carr announced he circulated a vote to the Commission for a declaratory ruling to overturn two decisions under former Chairwoman Rosenworcel which authorized the use of E-rate support for off-campus and at-home Wi-Fi connections via hotspots. Specifically, the draft declaratory ruling would reverse a 2023 ruling on providing funding for Wi-Fi on school buses and a 2024 report and order which detailed hotspot funding for students. Chairman Carr stated that the two prior decisions exceeded the FCC’s authority, which expressly limited E-rate funding opportunities to schools and libraries. In a separate press release, Commissioner Gomez disagreed with the action, emphasizing the need to provide students and seniors with Wi-Fi-enabled educational and telehealth services. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).
CCA Requests Expansion of USF to Support Small Businesses
In a letter sent on September 3rd to the House Committee on Small Business, the Competitive Carriers Association (“CCA”) requested Congress explore expanding Universal Service Fund support for rural and underserved communities, particularly small businesses who face technical and geographic constraints in accessing high-speed mobile broadband and wireless services. CCA specifically noted that the FCC’s coverage maps for mobile service, and other broadband mapping tools were “inaccurate or unreliable,” making it difficult to assess gaps in deployment. Furthermore, CCA noted that broadband deployments are often saddled with long runways for local, state, and federal permitting processes, further delaying delivery of services. 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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