Communications and Technology Alert: Section 706 Report; NG911 Interoperability and DVC FNPRM Comments; Covered List Order of Revocation; Texas Bead Funding Paused [Vol. XXIII, Issue 33]
Commission Releases 2026 Section 706 Report
Last Friday, the Commission released a Report concluding their annual inquiry under Section 706, which requires the Commission to determine “whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.” The key findings of the Report included identifying that 96.9% of Americans have access to a fixed terrestrial broadband service at 100/20 Mbps, while the percentage of rural Americans lacking access to such service decreased by 44% over a two-year reporting period. Additionally, the Report found that 5G accessibility is increasing, with almost 95% of homes and businesses achieving service at 35/3 Mbps speeds. The Report also focused on compiling results on broadband speeds, pricing, market competition, and other metrics attributed to the Commission’s Build America agenda. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).
Commentors Debate NG911 Interoperability Testing and DVC Accessibility
On August 10th, comments were due in the Commission’s adopted Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on interoperability testing and direct video calling (DVC) frameworks for next-generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) environments. On interoperability, commentor viewpoints ranged from adopting a request-based interoperability framework which mirrors the provisions of the NG 9-1-1 transition process to deferring to commonly accepted standards developed by industry bodies. On DVC adoption, commentors highlighted the benefits of improving accessibility for American Sign Language (ASL), and recommended readiness measures ranging from pilot programs to specific technical metrics to ensure DVC calls could be transmitted, routed, and received. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).
OET Revokes Equipment Authorizations from UAS Manufacturer
Last Tuesday, the Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) released an Order of Revocation revoking the UAS and remote controller equipment authorizations held by Odyssey Robot LLC. According to the Order, Odyssey provided false statement and representations in its applications and supporting materials, specifically misrepresenting that its equipment was produced in California, assembled in Texas, and therefore was not covered communications equipment listed on the Covered List. The Commission’s Enforcement Bureau opened an investigation and requested Odyssey provide information related to its equipment, manufacturers, and corporate structure, but Odyssey failed to respond to the Bureau’s Letter of Inquiry, Deficiency Letter, and Order of Show Cause, leading to the revocations of its authorizations. For more information, please contact Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271) or Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).
Texas Pauses BEAD Disbursements
Last Tuesday, the Texas Broadband Development Office placed a temporary hold on all disbursements from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, pausing billions of dollars in funding “until further notice.” The pause follows growing scrutiny from state lawmakers and an ongoing audit tied to allegations that the office altered grant rules in ways that favored low-Earth-orbit satellite providers, particularly Starlink. Lawmakers have questioned the transparency and fairness of the BEAD award process, including changes that reportedly allowed satellite providers to receive a larger share of funding upfront than other broadband providers. State leaders have ordered reviews of the program, and the funding freeze is expected to remain in place while investigations and oversight efforts continue. 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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