2.5 GHz Band Auction to start in July

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain last week, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the FCC’s 2.5 GHz band auction (“Auction 108”) (Vol. XVIII, Issue 3) will commence in July.  Auction 108 will offer approximately 8,300 geographic overlay licenses in the band across three blocks of spectrum – 49.5 MHz, 50.5 MHz, and 16.5 MHz blocks.  The Commission has already issued over 270 licenses in the 2.5 GHz band to Tribal communities during the Tribal Priority window.  

Groups Advocate VoIP Common Carrier Designation

Last week, Public Knowledge and several other groups filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with the FCC urging the Commission to designate Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) service a Title II common carrier telecommunications service.  The Petition argues that interconnected VoIP services are virtually indistinguishable from other forms of telephone service and the lack of classification may lead to technical and legal authority issues.  The groups joining Public Knowledge are the Communications Workers of America, the Center for Rural Strategies, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, Next Century Cities, the Public Utility Law Project of New York, and the Utility Reform Network. 

Broadband Data Collection Specifications

Last week, the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force (“Task Force”) released a Public Notice announcing the publication of data specifications related to the biannual submission of subscription, availability, and supporting data for the Broadband Data Collection (Vol. XVI, Issue 28).  The specifications provide guidance to filers on how to prepare and format availability and other, related data for submission.  Broadband service providers required to file in the BDC system should review the specifications closely prior to the opening of the filing window on June 30, 2022. 

IIJA Broadband Programs Webinars

Last week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) announced that it will host a pre-Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) technical assistance webinar series from March to May 2022 in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) (check out Keller and Heckman’s in depth analysis on these programs here).  The webinars are designed to help prospective applicants understand the programs and assist in preparing grant applications.  The first webinar will be held on March 9, 2022, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. EST. 

$16K Forfeiture for Unauthorized Transfers

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a Notice of Apparent Liability last week finding Alliance Global Networks, LLC (“Alliance”) in violation of the Commission’s rules regarding transfer of ownership.  In January 2020, 100% of the ownership interest in Alliance, including its domestic and international FCC licenses, was transferred to Velocity, A Managed Services Company, Inc. (“Velocity”) without obtaining prior FCC approval.  Alliance and Velocity filed a joint application for the transfer of control in March 2021.  The Enforcement Bureau proposes a $16,000 forfeiture against Alliance for its violations.