On December 21, 2022, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking1 (“NPRM”) seeking comment on steps to promote and facilitate equal access to broadband internet service, with the goal of creating a framework of rules to address digital discrimination of access to broadband for historically excluded and marginalized communities. Specifically, the FCC seeks comment […]

The FCC recently released guidance for carriers that have elected to transition to Enhanced A-CAM on January 1, 2024.1 While January 1, 2026 is the start date for Enhanced A-CAM carriers’ pre-testing period, carriers that do not meet their existing A-CAM, A-CAM II, or CAF BLS deployment milestones due by December 31, 2023 will be […]

Every International Section 214 Authorization Holder (“Authorization Holder”) must respond to a One-Time Information Collection in order to update the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) records regarding foreign ownership. The window for filing is open now and responses are due no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on January 22, 2024. Failure to file, to file […]

Wireless service providers (including de minimis wireless service providers) must file their annual Hearing Aid Compatibility Certifications with the FCC for the calendar year 2023 reporting period by January 31, 2024 (by midnight ET). FCC Form 855 will be available for completion and submission starting the first business day after January 1 to January 31 […]

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has made a number of changes to rules and procedures relating to the administration of the Universal Service high-cost fund, specifically (1) annual reporting and certification; (2) process for mergers between rate-of-return (“ROR”) local exchange carriers (“LECs”); (3) allocation of support for exchanges acquired by Broadband Loop Support (“BLS”) recipients; […]

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) granted a Petition for Extension of Waiver, which extends the 2022 waiver of the requirement for Professional Engineer (“PE”) certification of Broadband Data Collection (“BDC”) filings (“2022 Waiver”).1 The extension of the limited 2022 Waiver will apply to the three upcoming BDC filing periods covering data as of December 31, […]

According to the FCC, domestic abuse survivors whose devices and associated telephone numbers are part of a multi-line or shared plan can face difficulties separating lines from such plans, maintaining affordable service, and accessing domestic violence support services. Accordingly, on November 15, 2023, the FCC adopted rules to implement the Safe Connections Act of 2022 […]

Herman & Whiteaker, LLC is pleased to announce that Carrie DeVier is now licensed to practice law in Texas. Carrie can now bring her expertise in complex corporate transactional matters, such as business formation and governance, mergers and acquisitions, financing arrangements, and corporate borrowing, to our clients who need assistance on the state level in […]

The FCC has announced dates by which broadband providers must display newly-enacted label requirements. Broadband providers are required to display at the point of sale (online and in-store) clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of broadband services. For providers with 100,000 or fewer subscriber lines, compliance with the label display requirements1 […]

On October 19, 2023 the FCC voted to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking1 to reinstate classification of broadband internet access service (“BIAS”) as a telecommunications service, pursuant to Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, which opens the door for the reestablishment of net neutrality rules. The Commission’s proposed rules, which if adopted […]