The President has signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which among other things, provides emergency paid sick leave for some American workers.
FCC Releases Preliminary List Of Areas Eligible For Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Support; Challenges Due April 10th
The FCC has released a preliminary list of census blocks that have been deemed initially eligible for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. The announcement begins a limited challenge process which gives parties an opportunity to identify by April 10, 2020, any of the listed census blocks that should not be eligible for support.
News Update - February 2020
An update on news from February 2020.
USDA ReConnect Program – Broadband Awards Update
An update on USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program broadband funding awards.
Congress Passes Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019; Creates Program To Fund The Rip-And-Replace Of Huawei & ZTE Equipment
The U.S. Senate has passed the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, sending it to the President for his signature. Among other things, the Act requires the FCC to establish a “Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program” to reimbursement communications service providers that rip-and-replace covered communications equipment or services from their networks.
FCC Begins Information Collection On Use Of Huawei & ZTE Equipment And Services In U.S. Communications Networks; All ETCs Must Respond By April 22, 2020
The FCC has commenced an information collection on the use of Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation equipment and services in U.S. communications networks. On or before April 22, 2020, all ETCs must report the extent to which their networks contain or use potentially prohibited equipment or services provided by Huawei, ZTE, or their subsidiaries.
FCC Seeking Comment On Three Net Neutrality Remand Issues
The FCC is seeking comment on three net neutrality related issues: Public Safety, Pole Attachments, and the Lifeline Program. The action is being taken in response to a remand order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in its decision on the legal challenge to the FCC’s 2018 Restoring Internet Freedom Order.
Connect America Fund Phase II Auction – News Update
An update on the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase II Auction.
T-Mobile Files Motion To Dismiss Rural Carriers’ Call Completion Class Action Lawsuit
T-Mobile USA, Inc. has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed against it by Craigville Telephone Co. d and Consolidated Telephone Co. related to T-Mobile’s past violations of the FCC’s rural call completion rules. In general, T-Mobile argues every claim in the complaint should be dismissed because the “Plaintiffs have failed to plead a plausible theory of injury.”
January 2020 News Update
An update on news from January 2020.