The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) plans to suspend most of its operations midday today, January 3, 2019, due to the partial shutdown of the federal government.  Employees will have four hours to complete “an orderly shutdown.”  The partial shutdown began on December 22, 2018 and in a Public Notice released on Wednesday, January 2, […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced new rules for how it will award up to $600 million in broadband loans, grants and loan/grant combinations through its “ReConnect Program” to help build broadband infrastructure throughout rural America. Projects eligible to receive funds from the program must serve rural communities with a population […]

The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC” or “Commission”) has released a Report and Order, FCC 18-167 (“Order”), revising the reporting, web site disclosure, and record retention requirements relating to Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets. The FCC took steps to improve the information that consumers and the FCC receive about wireless hearing aid compatibility (“HAC”) by strengthening […]

Docket 18-353 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a Public Notice requesting comments on a request filed by the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) and Utilities Technology Council (UTC) for waiver of FCC rules which limit the duration of protection afforded grandfathered 3650 licenses until April 17, 2020 or the expiration of their […]

Report and Order (GN Docket No. 17-258) On October 24, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (the “Commission” or “FCC”) released a Report and Order (“Order“) modifying licensing and technical rules governing the Priority Access Licenses (“PALs”) in the 3.5 GHz band.  With the goals of advancing the public interest and promoting development and deployment of mobile […]

Report and Order (MB Docket Nos. 17-290, 17-105)   On September 26, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order eliminating the Form 325, Annual Report of Cable Television Systems, filing requirement.  First developed over 50 years ago, Form 325 collects operational information from cable television systems with 20,000 or more subscribers and randomly selected small cable […]

FCC Reminds Earth Station Operators to Register by October 17, 2018; Seeks Comment on Flexible Use in the 3.7-4.2 GHz Band (GN Docket No. 18-122; GN Docket No. 17-183; RM-11791; RM-11778)   The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has adopted an Order (“Order“) collecting information on satellite usage of the 3.7 to 4.2 […]

FY 2018 REGULATORY FEES DUE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 Payment of all FY 2018 annual regulatory fees is due Tuesday, September 25, 2018 by 11:59 PM (ET). Payments must be made electronically by the payment due date, or a twenty-five percent (25%) late payment penalty will be imposed. The FCC may also impose penalties for any data omissions, […]

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has adopted a Notice of Inquiry (“NOI“) seeking comments on its proposal to create a “Connected Care Pilot Program,” a Universal Service Fund (“USF”) program to promote the use of telehealth services among low-income consumers, particularly veterans and those in rural parts of the United States.  Broadband-enabled telehealth […]

Join Us to Discuss The Upcoming 28 GHz and 24 GHz Band Auctions Join Herman & Whiteaker, LLC on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 11 AM EDT for a free webinar to hear from Dee Herman, Principal, Greg Whiteaker, Principal, and Molly O’Conor, Associate with Herman & Whiteaker, LLC and David Fritz, Senior Consulting Engineer with […]