Archive for the ‘News’ Category

REMINDER: Emergency Connectivity Fund Application Window Opens Tomorrow

The initial application window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF”), a $7.17 billion fund set up for schools and libraries to purchase educational equipment, opens on June 29, 2021 and will remain open until August 13, 2021. Schools and libraries can submit applications through the Universal Service Administrative Company to receive money to purchase laptops […]

FCC Seeks Comment on “Rip and Replace” Application Process

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) has released a Public Notice seeking comment on the application filing process for the Secure and Trusted Communications Network’s Reimbursement Program (“Reimbursement Program”). The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau is also seeking comment on proposed information fields to be collected on the forms eligible providers of advanced communications services […]

REMINDER: Robocall Mitigation Program Implementation and Certifications Due June 30, 2021

Voice service providers with an extension to implement STIR/SHAKEN must implement a Robocall Mitigation Program (RMP) by June 30, 2021, and all voice service providers must file a certification and related information in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) via https://fccprod.servicenowservices.com/rmd. Beginning September 28, 2021, intermediate providers and terminating service providers will be prohibited from […]

FCC Adopts Rules for 3.45 GHz Auction Set to Start October 5, 2021

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released a Public Notice establishing the application and bidding procedures for Auction 110. There will be 4,060 new flexible-use licenses to be auctioned in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band which are divided into ten 10-megahertz blocks by Partial Economic Areas (“PEAs”). The Short-Form Application window will open on July […]

NTIA Releases Two Notice of Funding Opportunities

The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) has released two Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), one for its Broadband Infrastructure Program and one for its Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. The Broadband Infrastructure Program is a $300 million grant program that will award grants to public-private partnerships for the deployment of fixed broadband services to eligible service […]

FCC Establishes Rules for $7B Emergency Connectivity Fund to Help Bridge the Homework Gap

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) has adopted a Report and Order (Order)1 implementing rules for the $7 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program. The ECF provides funding for schools and libraries to purchase connected devices and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff and, library patrons who lacked access to adequate […]

Common Carrier Annual Employment Report FCC Form 395 Due May 31, 2021

Common carrier licensees or permittees with sixteen (16) or more full-time employees must file an annual employment report (FCC Form 395, April 2021 Version) with the Federal Communications Commission by May 31st, 2021.[1] If the filing concerns a licensee that had fewer than sixteen (16) full-time employees during the selected payroll period, no Form 395 […]

Robocall Mitigation Program Implementation and Certifications Due June 30, 2021 Certain Other Illegal Robocall Prevention Requirements Effective May 6, 2021

The Wireline Competition Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened the Robocall Mitigation Database (Database) and established June 30, 2021 as the deadline for voice service providers to submit required certifications and related information in the Database.[1] In addition, the FCC has imposed other affirmative robocall mitigation obligations on all voice service providers […]

FCC Announces Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Start Date

The FCC has announced that May 12, 2021 will be the date by which participating providers can begin enrolling households into the Emergency Broadband Benefit (“EBB”) Program to receive EBB-supported services. On that date, households will also be able to begin checking their eligibility directly using the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier available at www.GetEmergencyBroadband.org. If […]

Reminder: Mobile ETCs Must Begin Using a Portion of their Legacy High-Cost Support For 5G

Please be reminded that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers receiving legacy high-cost support for mobile wireless service (“Legacy CETCs”) must begin using a percentage of their support toward 5G service. Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) requires Legacy CETCs to use at least one-third of their legacy support received in 2021, at least two-thirds […]