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Tag: Jessica Rosenworcel

  • President Biden to Nominate Jessica Rosenworcel to FCC Chair

    President Biden to Nominate Jessica Rosenworcel to FCC Chair

    President Biden is preparing to make his nominations for key positions, including nominating Jessica Rosenworcel as FCC Chair.

    Jessica Rosenworcel has been serving as acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission since the outset of the Biden administration. In a somewhat surprising move, the administration had previously made no attempts to permanently fill the role, or nominate someone to the fill the remaining commissioner seat. As a result, the FCC has remained evenly divided, 2-2, an unusual situation when compared with past administrations.

    The White House has revealed its plans to nominate Rosenworcel as Chair, and Gigi Sohn as Commissioner. Sohn previously “served as Counselor to Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler” and was a strong proponent of net neutrality.

    Should the nominations pass the Senate, the FCC will have the voting power necessary to reinstitute net neutrality rules and other changes that many have been advocating for.

  • FCC Wants New Rules to Combat Spam Robotexts

    FCC Wants New Rules to Combat Spam Robotexts

    The FCC is proposing rules that would crack down on spam robotexts, on the heels of similar rules that have targeted spam calls.

    Spam robotexts have been a growing problem, leading to some 14,000 complaints to the FCC in 2020 alone, a 146% increase from 2019. In 2021, the FCC has already received 9,800 complaints, potentially on track to surpass 2020. Similarly, according to the FCC, “RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.”

    The proposed rules would require wireless carriers to block illegal texts, much like they are now required to do for spam robocalls.

    “In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links.  It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”

    It’s a safe bet the FCC’s proposed rules will be a welcome relief for all consumers.

  • FCC Auctioning New Mid-Band 5G Spectrum Auction

    FCC Auctioning New Mid-Band 5G Spectrum Auction

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is auctioning off a new round of mid-band spectrum for 5G.

    Mid-band spectrum is the most coveted type of spectrum for 5G. Low-band — below 1 GHz — offers coverage on par with 4G LTE, but provides only marginally better speeds. High-band mmWave — over 6 GHz — offers speeds measured in gigabits, but has extremely limited range. Repeaters and base stations must be placed every couple of hundred meters to maintain coverage.

    Mid-band, in contrast, offers speeds in excess of 1 Gbps, and provides far better coverage than mmWave. T-Mobile gained a wealth of mid-band spectrum when it purchased Sprint. Verizon and AT&T spent over $68 million at the last mid-band spectrum auction, while T-Mobile only spent $9 billion to round out its existing spectrum.

    The FCC is now auctioning off a new round, specifically 100 MHz of the 3.45 GHz band. Starting Tuesday, October 5, the auction has a reserve price of $14,775,354,330 that must be met. There’s almost no chance the reserve price won’t be met, as Fierce Wireless says the final price is estimated to be $31 billion, with a reasonable chance of reaching $40 billion. Verizon and AT&T are both seen as the most likely big spenders, as both companies still have a ways to go before they catch up to T-Mobile’s spectrum holdings.

    “We are moving with record speed and collaboration to free up more mid-band spectrum for 5G,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “These airwaves are a critical part of unlocking the 5G promise everywhere in the country. I want to thank the FCC staff who have worked so hard to start this auction this year. And I want to thank our partners at NTIA and the Department of Defense for working with us to free up this spectrum for 5G.”

  • Carriers Must Block Other Carriers Not Listed in FCC Robocall Mitigation Database

    Carriers Must Block Other Carriers Not Listed in FCC Robocall Mitigation Database

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now requiring phone carriers to block other carriers that have not implemented anti-robocall features.

    The FCC has been cracking down on robocalls, requiring carriers to implement the STIR/SHAKEN protocol. STIR/SHAKEN is a way for carriers to verify the authenticity of a call, pass that check on to the next carrier for further verification, and then confirming to the recipient that the call is verified or possibly spam.

    The FCC previously set September 28 as the deadline for carriers to have the mitigation efforts in place. Now that the deadline has arrived, carriers will be required block those carriers that have failed to meet the FCC’s deadline.

    “The FCC is using every tool we can to combat malicious robocalls and spoofing – from substantial fines on bad actors to policy changes to technical innovations like STIR/SHAKEN,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “Today’s deadline establishes a very powerful tool for blocking unlawful robocalls. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect consumers against scammers who flood our homes and businesses with spoofed robocalls.”

  • FCC Investigating If Tenants Are Paying Too Much for Broadband

    FCC Investigating If Tenants Are Paying Too Much for Broadband

    The Federal Communications Commission is investigating if apartment and office tenants are paying too much for broadband.

    With a large portion of the US population living in Multiple Tenant Environment (MTE) buildings, there’s an increased risk of diminished competition. In many cases, MTE owners work out a profit-sharing agreement with a service provider, potentially limiting the choice for any of the building’s tenants. Similarly, some MTE owners have exclusive wiring arrangements, or exclusive marketing arrangements.

    These factors may lead to tenants paying more, or having subpar service, compared to what is generally available in their market.

    “Across the country throughout the pandemic, the need for more and better broadband access has never been clearer,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “With more than one-third of the U.S. population living in condos and apartment buildings, it’s time to take a fresh look at how exclusive agreements between carriers and building owners could lock out broadband competition and consumer choice.  I look forward to reviewing the record.”

    The FCC “is inviting a new round of comments in a proceeding” to better understand the scope of the problem, and what measures may need to be taken.

  • FCC Announces Start Date for Emergency Broadband Program

    FCC Announces Start Date for Emergency Broadband Program

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the start date of its emergency broadband program.

    The FCC proposed emergency broadband measures to help low-income families have reliable internet access. The global pandemic has shone a spotlight on the need for high-speed access, although the cost associated with it can be a challenge.

    To combat this problem, Congress authorized the creation of a $3.2 billion initiative in 2020. The program will provide up to $50 for low-income households, and up to $75 for those on Tribal lands. The FCC has announced the program will begin on May 12.

    “Families in every corner of the country have been struggling to get online throughout this pandemic,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “For those families, we now say help is around the corner. In less than two weeks, we will have a new way for disconnected Americans to access the internet to carry out their day- to-day life, so they can reach the virtual classroom, take advantage of telehealth, and seek new employment opportunities. I’m proud of the work we’ve done as an agency to get this program off the ground in record time.”

  • FCC Asks For Consumer Input On Their Internet

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants feedback on people’s broadband internet as the agency works to close the digital divide.

    The US has had a digital divide for years, with there being a chasm between the quality of internet in cities vs rural areas. The FCC is now asking users to provide feedback on their broadband experience.

    “Far too many Americans are left behind in access to jobs, education, and healthcare if they do not have access to broadband,” said Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Collecting data from consumers who are directly affected by the lack of access to broadband will help inform the FCC’s mapping efforts and future decisions about where service is needed.”

    The agency has set up a new webpage, www.fcc.gov/BroadbandDatato provide consumers with information regarding the work of the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force. Consumers can also submit their experience via the form.

    The global pandemic, and the unprecedented reliance on the internet for remote work and learning, has emphasized how large the digital divide really is. Hopefully the FCC’s efforts will help close it, and ensure all households have access to high-speed internet.

  • FCC Votes to Free Military Spectrum for 5G

    FCC Votes to Free Military Spectrum for 5G

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to free up additional mid-band spectrum, once reserved for the military, for 5G.

    Mid-band spectrum is the holy grail for 5G, offering the best combination of speed and building penetration. The FCC’s recent $81 billion auction was for spectrum in the 3.7 Ghz to 4.2 Ghz range.

    The FCC has now voted to free up the 3.45 Ghz to 3.55 Ghz spectrum, spectrum the military has used for radar applications.

    “Back to the here and now. Most of the country has yet to experience the benefits of a true 5G network,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. “The out-there innovations it can deliver are still a ways off because so many of them are not about connectivity delivered via phones. Plus, for so many consumers, the present is confusing, with carriers providing different versions of 5G, which can sometimes feel a lot like the 4G they already have. In part, this is due to the fact that carriers don’t always have the airwaves they need to provide consistent and widespread coverage at this time.

    “Today we take action to change that. We take action that will move us closer to 5G service that is fast, secure, resilient, and—most importantly—available everywhere in the country. We accomplish that by adopting rules and auction procedures that will make available 100 megahertz of prime mid-band spectrum in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band available for 5G this year. This offers real opportunity because during the past few years the United States was slow, relative to other countries, to recognize the importance of mid-band spectrum for 5G. This meant we were late to bring these airwaves to market. So mid-band spectrum has been the critical component that is missing and our action here helps fix that.”

    Freeing up the additional spectrum will be a major boon for carriers as they continue to roll out 5G networks.

  • FCC Issues Record-Breaking $225 Million Robocall Fine

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a whopping $225 million fine to two telemarketing firms in Texas.

    John C. Spiller and Jakob A. Mears used a number of business names in their operation, including Rising Eagle and JSquared Telecom, spoofing robocalls during the first four and a half months of 2019. They falsely claimed to offer health insurance from well-known providers. To make matters worse, the telemarketers intentionally broke the law in an effort to be more profitable.

    Mr. Spiller admitted to the USTelecom Industry Traceback Group that he made millions of spoofed calls per day and knowingly called consumers on the Do Not Call list as he believed that it was more profitable to target these consumers.

    The companies made some 23.6 million robocalls per day, across the nation’s four largest wireless carriers (since the calls happened before T-Mobile and Sprint’s merger).

    “This isn’t just frustrating—it’s dangerous,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “When we can’t trust that the number we see is the number that is truly calling, we’re less likely to pick up the phone and more likely to miss important calls from those we really care about.”

    Rosenworcel also announce the creation of a dedicated Robocall Response Team at the FCC, consisting “of over 50 attorneys, economists, engineers, and analysts from the agency, including the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, the International Bureau, the Wireline Competition Bureau, the Office of Economics and Analytics, and the Office of General Counsel.”

    Hopefully the FCC’s record-breaking fine will discourage other telemarketers from engaging in such behavior.

  • FCC Proposes Emergency Broadband Rules to Assist Low-Income Households

    FCC Proposes Emergency Broadband Rules to Assist Low-Income Households

    FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed rules to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) to assist low-income households.

    Late in 2020, Congress authorized the creation of a $3.2 billion federal initiative to help low-income households stay connected via discounts to their internet bills. Qualifying households may also receive a discount on a computer or tablet. The initiative is especially important during the pandemic, when record numbers are working from home or engaging in remote learning.

    The EBBP allows for households to received up to $50 per month off of their broadband bill, while those on Tribal lands may receive up to $75 per month.

    “As we work our way through a pandemic that has upended so much in our day-to-day life, we have been asked to migrate so many of the things we do online. From work to healthcare to education, this crisis has made it clear that without an internet connection too many households are locked out of modern life. It’s more apparent than ever that broadband is no longer nice-to- have. It’s need-to-have,” said Rosenworcel. “But too many of us are struggling to afford this critical service. Late last year Congress directed the FCC to establish a new Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to assist families struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. Today I’m proud to advance a proposal to my colleagues to implement this program so we can help as many eligible households as possible. No one should have to choose between paying their internet bill or paying to put food on the table. With the help of the Emergency Broadband Benefit, we have a new way for households to access virtual learning, for patients to connect to telehealth providers, and for those struggling in this pandemic to learn new online skills and seek their next job.”

  • FCC Establishes Task Force to Address Broadband Access

    FCC Establishes Task Force to Address Broadband Access

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a task force to revamp the agency’s broadband mapping tools.

    The FCC is responsible for mapping broadband access to provide a complete picture of broadband availability. The data is important to help the FCC close the “digital divide” between those who have quality internet access and those that don’t. In the age of the pandemic and remote work, this data is more important than ever. Unfortunately, the FCC’s current mapping is out-of-date and, in many cases, not accurate.

    The Broadband Data Task Force will be chaired by Jean Kiddoo, and will work to modernize the FCC’s tools.

    “The Broadband Data Task Force will lead a cross-agency effort to collect detailed data and develop more precise maps about broadband availability,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “I thank Jean and her team for their willingness to take on this vitally important project.”

    “I am honored that Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel has asked me to lead this momentous and multifaceted Commission initiative,” remarked Ms. Kiddoo, who will also continue to serve as Chair of the Incentive Auction Task Force.

    Updated mapping tools and information will help the FCC direct the necessary resources and efforts where they are needed most.

  • DOJ Halts Net Neutrality Lawsuit Against California

    DOJ Halts Net Neutrality Lawsuit Against California

    The Department of Justice (DOJ) has withdrawn a lawsuit challenging California’s net neutrality rules.

    Net neutrality rules were passed during the Obama administration, with widespread support from companies, tech advocates and citizens. In short, net neutrality ensures a company can’t discriminate against a certain type of internet traffic just because it may have a financial motivation to do so. For example, Comcast would not be allowed to charge more for access to Netflix, just because Netflix competes against Comcast’s media properties.

    Under the Trump administration, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted along party lines to repeal net neutrality. A coalition of companies sued to overturn the ruling, but the court upheld the FCC’s right to repeal. At the same time, however, the courts also ruled that the FCC could not prevent individual states from establishing their own net neutrality legislation.

    California was quick to pass its own rules and, despite the court’s initial ruling, the FCC sued to try to block California’s efforts. With a change of administration, however, the DOJ has withdrawn its suit against California.

    In a statement, acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel praised the DOJ’s decision:

    I am pleased that the Department of Justice has withdrawn this lawsuit. When the FCC, over my objection, rolled back its net neutrality policies, states like California sought to fill the void with their own laws. By taking this step, Washington is listening to the American people, who overwhelmingly support an open internet, and is charting a course to once again make net neutrality the law of the land.

    Many are expecting federal net neutrality rules to be re-established, now that the White House is once again under Democratic control. The DOJ dropping its lawsuit seems like a first step in that direction.

  • FCC Will Investigate East Coast Internet Outage

    FCC Will Investigate East Coast Internet Outage

    A large portion of the East Coast, from D.C. to Boston, was hit with an outage Tuesday and the FCC plans to find out why.

    Around 11:00 AM Tuesday, users of multiple companies began reporting outages along the East Coast. Verizon soon announced a fiber line had been cut in Brooklyn. While the company did not say that was responsible for the widespread outage, it no doubt played a significant role. Unfortunately, however, details are still hard to come by.

    Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wants the FCC to get to the bottom of the issue, especially given the widespread impact on remote workers.

    We will continue monitoring and provide updates as more information becomes available.

  • Wireless Carriers Reneging On Promise Not to Disconnect Users

    Wireless Carriers Reneging On Promise Not to Disconnect Users

    Individuals experiencing pandemic-related financial hardship are receiving threatening letters and being disconnected by their wireless providers.

    Last month the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unveiled the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge,” aimed at preventing individuals and small businesses from being disconnected from internet and wireless services during the pandemic. The pledge also called for providers to waive late fees. As countless individuals are working from home, as well as sheltering in place, the internet and wireless services are vital lifelines, providing a way for people to work, shop, study and keep in touch with loved ones. For unemployed individuals, internet access is a critical component to finding new work, or being able to take advantage of unemployment benefits.

    In spite of taking the pledge, however, NBC News is reporting that companies are disconnecting unemployed individuals. Verizon and T-Mobile have both stated that customers must be proactive in alerting them to their financial situation and inability to pay. Despite those statements, NBC cites multiple instances of individuals who attempted to do just that—and were reassured their service would remain intact—only to be disconnected anyway. In at least one instance, a Verizon customer was told it would cost $360 to reconnect service.

    The FCC acknowledged it has been receiving complaints of service shut-offs, with FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel calling the shut-offs “unacceptable.” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy took things a step further, banning internet and phone companies from disconnecting customers during the pandemic.

    It’s truly disappointing that companies are reneging on their promise, especially during a time when phone and internet access could literally be the difference between life and death.

  • FCC Approves T-Mobile and Sprint Merger But Opposition Remains

    FCC Approves T-Mobile and Sprint Merger But Opposition Remains

    CNBC is reporting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to approve the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. While the deal had earlier received approval from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FCC’s approval is one of the final steps needed before the merger is finalized.

    The FCC’s commissioners voted along party lines to approve the deal. Chairman Ajit Pai voted with the two Republican commissioners in favor of the deal, with the two Democratic commissioners voting against.

    Jessica Rosenworcel, one of the Democratic commissioners, released a statement voicing her objections.

    “We’ve all seen what happens when markets become more concentrated after a merger like this one,” Rosenworcel said, using airline baggage fees and pharmaceutical drug prices as a point of comparison. “There’s no reason to think this time will be different. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates that the T-Mobile-Sprint merger will reduce competition, raise prices, lower quality, and slow innovation.”

    Despite the two agencies signing off on the deal, there is still substantial opposition. Nearly 20 states joined in filing a lawsuit to prevent the deal from going forward, arguing that consolidating the wireless industry around three main players will result in higher prices and less choices for consumers. T-Mobile, on the other hand, has said that combining with Sprint will give it a much better chance of competing with Verizon and AT&T, each of whom have nearly double the number of subscribers as T-Mobile. The combined company would be much closer in size, and have significantly more bandwidth to use for 5G rollout.

    T-Mobile has already made substantial concessions in order to gain support for the merger, resulting in Mississippi withdrawing from the lawsuit once their concerns were met. If T-Mobile is able to continue addressing concerns, there’s a real possibility that remaining opposition may melt away in the wake of the FCC’s decision.