After more than three years of consideration, amidst the largest federal and state investment in broadband deployment, and anticipating disputes between broadband providers and utility pole owners concerning the terms and conditions of new attachments particularly in broadband expansion areas, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has released a new pole-attachment order If adopted, the order would dramatically reform the Commission’s rules and policies governing communications attachments to utility poles.Continue Reading FCC To Vote on New Pole Attachments Rules to Promote Broadband Expansion

On November 13, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a National Spectrum Strategy (the Strategy) and Presidential Memorandum on the modernization of U.S. spectrum policy. The Strategy, developed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in close coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other Executive Branch agencies, seeks to “guide decisions about how to allocate limited spectrum resources and ensure these decisions are made through a rigorous, transparent process.” The Strategy represents the Administration’s attempt to chart a “whole-of-Nation” approach to achieve national spectrum policy objectives.Continue Reading The Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Spectrum Strategy

On November 16, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Report & Order (“Order”) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”), adopting measures to address two techniques bad actors frequently use to access victims’ cell phone accounts: (1) SIM swapping and (2) port-out fraud.Continue Reading Shutting Down the Cell Phone Scammers: The FCC Adopts Rules to Crack Down on Fraudulent Practices against Wireless Phone Users

Consistent with the White House’s Executive Order this week laying out a national policy on AI, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a draft Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) that would look into the implications of emerging Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) technologies on the Commission’s efforts to prevent unwanted and illegal calls and texts under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”).Continue Reading FCC Launches Inquiry into the Risks of AI on Unwanted Robocalls and Texts

Recently, the FCC reminded telecom providers that the cost of failing to protect their customers’ privacy is steep. In a July 28, 2023 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, the Federal Communications Commission fined Q Link Wireless LLC and Hello Mobile Telecom LLC, an affiliate of Q Link, $20 million for impermissibly relying upon readily available biographical information and account information to authenticate online customers.[1]Continue Reading ALERT: The FCC Fines Companies $20 Million for Failing to Safeguard Customer Proprietary Network Information

On July 14, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an administrative stay of an order that would prohibit certain federal officials and agencies from communicating with social media companies on content moderation issues.Continue Reading Fifth Circuit Pauses Injunction Restricting Communications Between the Government and Social Media Companies Over Content Removal

Who knew that state sovereignty and urging states’ rights meant prompting federal agencies to bring about change at the local level? That seems to be happening in the field of pole attachment regulation.Continue Reading FCC Assures State Lawmakers of Commitment to Pole Attachment Rules Promoting Broadband Deployment and Competition

The FCC recently adopted two items that underscore the Commission’s growing role in a quickly evolving national security regulatory framework: an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking overhauling the regulatory framework for Section 214 authorization holders and applicants, as well as an “Enforcement Advisory” reminding operators of the risks of not disclosing certain transactions to the Commission.Continue Reading Don’t Look Twice, It’s Alright — The FCC Pulls Back the Curtain on Section 214 Authorizations

Last week, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing a new regulatory framework to address the growing convergence of satellite and terrestrial-based networks, titled the “Single Network Future: Supplementary Coverage from Space” proceeding.Continue Reading FCC Takes the Lead on Satellite/Mobile Convergence in the Single Network Future Proceeding