Defense
Wireless Internet Providers Excited About Multiple Spectrum Sharing Opportunities, Including FCC Priority Access
The Citizens' Broadband Radio Service pioneered a new model for shared spectrum.
Spectrum
The use of radio frequency spectrum enables the delivery of high-speed wireless Internet access. Whether licensed, unlicensed or shared, radio frequency spectrum is the critical resource for wireless communication. The Communications Act of 1934 gave the FCC authority to auction spectrum, but that auction authority expired in March 2023.
Senate Appropriations
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Tackles Question of Public Versus Private Auction of C-Band Spectrum
WASHINGTON, October 17, 2019 – A Senate Appropriations subcommittee focused questions at a Thursday hearing on the Federal Communication Commission’s spectrum auctions on the dynamics of a public versus private auction of the C-Band. Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman John Kennedy, R-La., expr
Telehealth
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Touts Work on Enhancing Telehealth and Flexible Spectrum
ARLINGTON, Virginia, October 17, 2019 – Federal Communication Commissioner Brendan Carr highlighted his work at the agency on promoting telehealth, enhancing more flexible use of radio frequency spectrum and “making sure that the U.S. is in the lead” in the race for 5G. Speaking at the annual confer
FCC
FCC Commissioner Starks Charges Malfeasance by Sprint, Spectrum Sharing Bill, Facebook’s Rules for Pols
The Federal Communications Commission announced on Tuesday that Chairman Ajit Pai is issuing an investigation into Sprint’s alleged misappropriation of Lifeline support for 885,000 ineligible accounts. Lifeline is part of the Commission’s Universal Service Fund, helping low-income Americans pay for
FCC
Many Facets of Wireless Industry Join to Celebrate Launch of OnGo Using Mid-Band Spectrum
WASHINGTON, September 18, 2019 – Leaders from the telecom industry gathered on Wednesday for the commercial service launch of OnGo, the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service. OnGo officials touted their offering as a new type of spectrum sharing that will bring more Americans online. Officials fr
Broadband Mapping and Data
Broadband Roundup: CBRS on a Roll, Innovation Fund in Rural California, Another Verizon 5G Announcement
The CBRS Alliance announced on Monday that the Federal Communications Commission has approved commercial deployment in the 3.5 GHz CBRS Band. Known as the “Innovation Band,” it is valued at $15.6 billion and opens the door to a huge market opportunity for operators, enterprises, industrial players,
FAA
Speaking at Commerce Department Symposium, Federal Agencies Doubt Benefits of Spectrum Plan
WASHINGTON, September 10, 2019- Federal agencies speaking at radiofrequency symposium hosted on Tuesday by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Symposium expressed doubts that any kind of a national spectrum strategy would be useful. Addressing speculation that the Commerce
EU
Broadband Roundup: House Energy and Commerce to Focus on Broadband Maps, Rural Digital Divide Woes, C-Band Sharing
Adding congressional oversight to the growing mix of interest in the broadband mapping debate, the House Energy and Commerce committee announced that the Communications Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Improving the Nation’s Broadband Maps” on Wednesday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 2322
Antitrust Division
Justice Department Settles with T-Mobile/Sprint, with Dish Market Entry; Siri Eavesdropping
The Department of Justice announced Friday that it and the Attorneys General for five states reached a settlement with T-Mobile and Sprint regarding their proposed merger. The settlement requires a substantial divestiture package in order to enable a viable facilities-based competitor to enter the m
Broadband Mapping and Data
Broadband DATA Act Clears Senate Committee and Dish Network Purchases $5 Billion Wireless Assets
The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously passed the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act on Wednesday, Broadcasting and Cable reports. The bill was introduced in June by Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Gary Peters, D-Mich., John Thune, R-S.D. and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. The
Education Department
On Spectrum Policy, Congress May Step Between the FCC and Commerce Department’s NTIA
WASHINGTON, July 16, 2019 — Differences between the Federal Communications Commission and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration have gotten to the point that Congress may need to get more involved in the spectrum allocation process, legislators said Tue
Education Department
FCC Blasted Over Party-Line Decision to Take Education Out of Educational Broadband Spectrum
WASHINGTON, July 11, 2019 — Ignoring recommendations from the Department of Education, several members of Congress, and various broadband advocates, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Wednesday to hold commercial auctions for unused portions of the 2.5 Gigahertz spectrum band. The de
FCC
It’s Wireless Day at the Broadband Roundup: C-Band, Microsoft Airband, and WISPA Elections
Twenty-two rural, education and public interest groups sent a letter on Tuesday urging Congress to ensure that the Federal Communications Commission’s plan to reallocate C-Band spectrum benefits rural and low-income Americans who currently do not have broadband access. Congress has “a unique opportu
Spectrum
Amie Stepanovich at Silicon Flatirons, Amazon Stores Voice Recordings, and Dish Network’s Spectrum Assets
Silicon Flatirons announced Amie Stepanovich as the new executive director of the technology policy think tank based at the University of Colorado Law School. A noted cybersecurity and privacy law and policy expert, she plans to build upon Silicon Flatirons’ legacy of interdisciplinary conferences a
FCC
Techies Tout Plan to Share the C-Band and Bring High-Speed Wireless Access to Millions
About 80 million Americans in unserved or underserved locations could receive gigabit broadband access through spectrum sharing.
FCC
On Educational Broadband, Critics Say FCC’s ‘Unfathomable’ Proposal Will Widen Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2019 — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposed order to permit auction of portions of the 2.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band has drawn criticism from many outside the agency, including several members of Congress and even the U.S. Department of Education in
