Communications and Technology Alert: July Open Meeting Tentative Agenda; WCB Extends Waiver of Lifeline Support for Voice-Only Services; C-Band Auction NPRM; T-Mobile-Grain Spectrum Deal [Vol. XXIII, Issue 27]

Commission Announces Tentative Agenda for July Open Meeting

Last Wednesday, the Commission announced the tentative agenda for the July Open Commission Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, July 22nd. The agenda includes consideration of a Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration that open 160 megahertz of Upper C-band spectrum to competitive bidding for next-generation terrestrial wireless services. Additionally, the Commission may tentatively consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking overhauling the Commission’s licensing rules for space and earth stations, including creating a new Part 100 for processing applications. Other items on the agenda include a Report and Order improving broadband label rules, a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on streamlining the Robocall Mitigation Database, and a Third Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking to close “component part loopholes” in the equipment authorization process, among other national security measures. For more information, please contact Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271) or Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).  

Commission Releases Draft C-Band Auction Item

Last week, the Commission released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that lays out its reconfiguration plan for the Upper C-band and the competitive bidding procedures for auctioning the spectrum off in the form of flexible use licenses. The NPRM proposes to reconfigure 160 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.98–4.14 GHz portion of the Upper C-band for terrestrial wireless use, relocate incumbent satellite operators from affected frequencies, and harmonize the Upper and Lower C-band under a unified 3.7 GHz Service framework. It also establishes auction procedures, transition mechanisms for incumbent Fixed Satellite Service operators, and technical protections designed to ensure coexistence with aviation radio altimeters in adjacent spectrum bands. If adopted, the Commission would proceed with the spectrum transition and auction process, with new terrestrial wireless operations expected to begin on a coordinated timeline starting in December 2030 alongside planned FAA radio altimeter modernization efforts. For more information, please contact Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271) or Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).  

WCB Extends Voice-Only Services Phase-Out Deadline to 2027 

Last Wednesday, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released an Order issuing a waiver of the phase-out of Lifeline program support for voice-only services. The waiver extends the phase-out and increase in Lifeline minimum service standards for one year, until December 1, 2027, finding good cause to extend the deadlines in light of the developing record in the 2026 Lifeline Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The 2026 Lifeline NPRM seeks comment on updating the minimum service standards as it relates to access to public safety resources, subscriber plan costs, and impacts on service providers. The WCB has repeatedly waived the phase-out for voice-only services, with the most recent waiver ending on December 1, 2026. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).

Commission Approves T-Mobile Grain Management Spectrum Deal

Last Wednesday, the Commission issued an order approving T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Grain Management, LLC's March 2025 application to exchange spectrum under which T Mobile would transfer certain 800 MHz licenses to Grain in exchange for Grain’s 600 MHz licenses and approximately $2.9 billion in cash consideration. The Commission found that the deal is unlikely to cause competitive harm because it does not trigger the Commission’s spectrum aggregation screens and will allow T Mobile to enhance its 5G network through the acquired 600 MHz spectrum. The Commission also granted related waiver requests for the 800 MHz licenses but imposed stricter conditions than the applicants proposed, including three year and eight year buildout deadlines, license by license performance requirements, and measures intended to prevent spectrum warehousing and encourage rapid deployment of terrestrial and direct to device services. For more information, please contact Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271) or Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239). 

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