Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Emergency Communications

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

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Wed, 09/27/2023

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Daily Digest 9/26/2023

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Tue, 09/26/2023

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Speech

Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare

Upcoming policy issue

Communications Act of 1934

Legislation

https://www.benton.org/blog/fcc-wants-hear-more-about-net-neutrality

The FCC Wants to Hear More About Net Neutrality

benton — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 16:36:08 +0000

In early October 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued its ruling in Mozilla Corporation vs Federal Communications Commission, the case that challenged the Federal Communications Commission's repeal of network neutrality rules (the Restoring Internet Freedom Order) and reclassification of broadband internet access service as an "information service" rather than a "telecommunications service." The mixed decision generally upheld the repeal -- but with caveats. The court remanded the net neutrality order back to the FCC on three discrete issues: public safety, pole attachments, and Lifeline. Earlier this month, the court also declined to rehear the case so in a public notice released this week, the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau seeks to refresh the record regarding the issues remanded to the FCC by the District of Columbia Circuit Court. Here are the questions the FCC is asking.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

Much of what is at issue in the remand returns us to the fundamental debate about whether broadband is a Title I "information service" or a Title II "telecommunications service."

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

Kevin Taglang

Send date:

Mon, 02/24/2020

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 2/21/2020

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Publish Date:

Fri, 02/21/2020

Coverage Type:

Analysis

Lifeline/Low-Income Consumers

Network Neutrality

Universal Service Fund

US Court of Appeals Issues Net Neutrality Decision

benton — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:38:36 +0000

We uphold the 2018 Order, with two exceptions. First, the Court concludes that the Federal Communications Commission has not shown legal authority to issue its Preemption Directive, which would have barred states from imposing any rule or requirement that the FCC “repealed or decided to refrain from imposing” in the Order or that is “more stringent” than the Order. 2018 Order ¶ 195. The Court accordingly vacates that portion of the Order. Second, we remand the Order to the agency on three discrete issues: (1) The Order failed to examine the implications of its decisions for public safety; (2) the Order does not sufficiently explain what reclassification will mean for regulation of pole attachments; and (3) the agency did not adequately address Petitioners’ concerns about the effects of broadband reclassification on the Lifeline Program. Despite the Commission’s failure to adequately consider the 2018 Order’s impact on public safety, pole-attachment regulation, and the Lifeline Program and despite our vacatur of the Preemption Directive, we decline to vacate the 2018 Order in its entirety...

Coverage of decision:

Federal Court Upholds Most of FCC 'Net Dereg (Multichannel News)
Ajit Pai wins (and loses) in court as net neutrality repeal is mostly upheld (ars technica)
FCC Rollback of Net Neutrality Rules Is Partly Upheld by Appeals Court (Wall Street Journal)
Appeals court upholds FCC’s canceling of net neutrality rules (Washington Post)
U.S. court says FCC cannot bar states from setting net neutrality rules (Reuters)
Appeals court upholds net neutrality repeal but rules FCC can't block state laws (The Hill)
FCC’s Gutting of Obama-Era Net Neutrality Rules Upheld by Court (Bloomberg)
State Net Neutrality Laws Get Green Light in Court Ruling (Bloomberg Law)
Appeals court upholds net neutrality rules but provides path for states to push back (CNN)
Court mostly OKs FCC's net neutrality repeal but lets states craft their own rules (Politico)
Appeals Court Upholds Most of Restoring Internet Freedom Order (telecompetitor)
Courts Mostly Back FCC Assault on Net Neutrality (Vice)
Court Upholds Net Neutrality Repeal, With Some Caveats (New York Times)
Net neutrality court ruling: States can set own rules (C|Net)

Benton Content:

https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/FA43C305E2B9A35485258486004F…

Teaser:

Mixed decision

Source:

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Send date:

Tue, 10/01/2019

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 10/1/2019

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Publish Date:

Tue, 10/01/2019

Coverage Type:

Public Notice

Court case

Lifeline/Low-Income Consumers

Network Neutrality

Universal Service Fund

House Commerce Democrats Propose $40 Billion for Broadband Buildout In Newest Version of Infrastructure Bill

benton — Fri, 17 May 2019 11:37:33 +0000

The week was jam-packed with broadband news [Seriously, see the Quick Bits and Weekend Readsbelow]. There was an oversight hearing of the Federal Communications Commission, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) launched the House Task Force on Rural Broadband, and we saw the FCC approvethe first wave of funding from the Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Lost in the whirlwind of news, perhaps, was an important announcement: All the Democrats on the House Commerce Committee unveiled the newest version of a comprehensive infrastructure package -- and it includes billions for broadband network buildout.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

https://www.benton.org/blog/house-commerce-democrats-propose-40-billion-broadban…

Teaser:

Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s (LIFT) America Act

Source:

Benton Foundation

Author:

Robbie McBeath

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Fri, 05/17/2019

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 5/16/2019

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Fri, 05/17/2019

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Analysis

https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/blog/2017/11/22/time-give-thanks

Universal Broadband

A Time to Give Thanks

Robbie McBeath — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 21:11:34 +0000

Rounding out our December meeting will be two matters that were previewed yesterday.

First, the Federal Communications Commission will consider an order that would restore Internet freedom and return to the bipartisan, light-touch framework that helped America's Internet economy become the envy of the world. And unlike the previous Administration, which pushed through its Internet regulations without letting the public see what was being proposed, anyone can read my plan. It's on the Commission's website —more than three weeks before our scheduled vote.

Second, consistent with my commitment earlier this year, the FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that kicks off a comprehensive review of the national television ownership cap, including the UHF discount. In 2016, the Commission (including the current minority) concluded that "[it] has the authority to modify the national audience reach cap, including the authority to revise or eliminate the UHF discount." We'll take a fresh look at this issue. A comprehensive review of the national cap and the UHF discount is warranted in light of considerable marketplace and technological changes since the national cap was last modified in 2004.

Suffice it to say that the FCC will end 2017 not with a whimper but a bang. And we've been busy pretty much every month of 2017. That we've been so productive is due to the tireless work of the FCC's talented staff. And that brings us back to tomorrow. As the nation pauses to give thanks tomorrow, I would like to offer my deepest gratitude to the public servants of the FCC. Every day, they help us strive to serve the public interest.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Rounding out our December meeting will be two matters that were previewed Nov 21.

Source:

Author:

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

Priority:

High

Send date:

Mon, 11/27/2017

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 11/22/2017

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Wed, 11/22/2017

Coverage Type:

Digital Divide

Lifeline/Low-Income Consumers

Network Neutrality

Universal Service Fund

Wireless Telecommunications

FCC Proposes Improvements for Wireless Call Routing to 988 Lifeline

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:57:20 +0000

The Federal Communications Commission proposed improvements for wireless call routing to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that would connect callers in crisis to behavioral health resources in their state or county while protecting their privacy. Calls to 988, the three-digit number designated in 2020 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, are currently routed based on the caller’s area code and exchange, which presents some obstacles to callers whose area code does not correspond to their location. Reliable, timely access to the 988 Lifeline is crucial to linking people experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis with immediate support. This proposal would require a georouting solution to be implemented for all wireless calls to the 988 Lifeline. In July 2023, the FCC adopted rules that require providers to report outages that may potentially impact 988 service similar to the existing requirement for 911. This requirement affects all providers with a role in delivering the calls, including cable, satellite, wireless, wireline, interconnected VoIP providers. The Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking reflects coordinated efforts by the FCC and the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to make it easier for those in crisis to get help.

Benton Content:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-improvements-wireless-call-routing-988…

Teaser:

Proposal aims to implement georouting requirement to connect callers in crisis to local resources

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Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

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Thu, 04/25/2024

Coverage Type:

Health and Media

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/fcc-chair-roundtable-net-neutrality-campbe…

FCC chair holds roundtable on net neutrality in Campbell (CA) ahead of agency vote

benton — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:29:24 +0000

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel held a roundtable discussion about the vote on net neutrality with community leaders and agencies at the Santa Clara County Fire Department in Campbell, California. She chose the site to focus on how restoring net neutrality would benefit public safety, pointing to how that very fire department had had its internet access throttled—or cut off—automatically when it hit its internet use cap during the 2018 Mendocino Fire. Chairwoman Rosenworcel heard from the department’s assistant fire chief, Brian Glass, who said fire agencies suddenly couldn’t coordinate resources out in the field. “The firefighters banded together using personal devices from different carriers that maybe weren’t being throttled or hadn’t reached the cap in order to get the job done,” Glass said.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Discussion with community leaders and agencies at the Santa Clara County Fire Department

Source:

KNTV

Send date:

Tue, 04/09/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/8/2024

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Tue, 04/09/2024

Coverage Type:

Reporting

Report on past event

Communications Act of 1934

Legislation

Telecommunications Act of 1996

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Calls for Improved Wireless Calls Routing to 988 Lifeline

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:59:32 +0000

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared with her colleagues a proposal that would improve how wireless calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) are routed to ensure that callers in crisis have access to behavioral health resources in the state or territory they are calling from while protecting their privacy. Calls to the 988 Lifeline are currently routed based on the caller’s area code and exchange, which presents some obstacles to callers whose area code does not correspond the caller’s location when in crisis. For instance, under current practices if a wireless caller with a 703 Virginia area code dials the 988 Lifeline, that call will be routed to a Virginia crisis center, regardless of where the caller is located. Under the FCC’s proposal, if that caller dials the 988 Lifeline while located in California, that call would be routed to a local crisis center in California, near the caller’s physical location.

Benton Content:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/chairwoman-calls-improved-wireless-calls-routing-98…

Teaser:

Proposal would examine how best to implement georouting requirement to connect callers in personal distress with nearby crisis centers

Source:

Send date:

Fri, 03/22/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 3/21/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

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Publish Date:

Thu, 03/21/2024

Coverage Type:

Wireless Telecommunications

Update on February 22 Network Outage

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:39:20 +0000

On February 22, 2024, our network partner, AT&T, experienced a broad outage that impacted public safety users of FirstNet. Based on initial reviews, the network outage occurred in the early hours of the morning on Thursday. The FirstNet network was restored by around 5:00 a.m. CST — about 3 hours since service was initially affected for some FirstNet subscribers across the country. AT&T says the outage was due to the application and execution of an incorrect process used while expanding its network; AT&T stated it was not the result of a cyberattack. As the network operator for FirstNet, AT&T took immediate action to prioritize the restoration of public safety services. The FirstNet Authority recognizes that AT&T put public safety first during the outage. Resilience is crucial in the face of adversity, and AT&T stepped up and prioritized the restoration of FirstNet. We are committed to identifying the circumstances that led to the outage and working with AT&T to implement strategies and corrective actions to help prevent FirstNet from experiencing an outage like this in the future. I am meeting with AT&T leaders to discuss this outage in depth. Further, I have established a FirstNet Authority After-Action Task Force comprised of public safety, technical, and emergency management experts from our team. The task force will help us strengthen our preparedness and emergency communications processes, so that in the event of any future outages the FirstNet Authority, together with AT&T, can understand the impact faster and surge to communicate with the public safety community.

Benton Content:

https://www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/blog/update-february-22-network-outage

Teaser:

FirstNet Authority will always put the public safety community first in everything we do

Source:

First Net Authority

Author:

Joe Wassel

Send date:

Fri, 03/01/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 2/29/2024

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Thu, 02/29/2024

Coverage Type:

Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare