3.5 GHz Band SAS Approved

Last week, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued a Public Notice announcing the approval of the Spectrum Access System (“SAS”) operated by RED Technologies SAS (“RED”) to begin its initial commercial deployment in the 3.5 GHz band.  RED’s laboratory test of its system satisfied the Commission’s initial requirements and will now undergo testing in real-world environments.  The Commission will assess and test RED’s SAS in coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Defense. 

911 Location-Based Routing NPRM Pleading Cycle

The FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to require wireless carriers and covered text providers to implement location-based routing for wireless 911 calls was published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2023 (Vol. XX, Issue 1).  Providers would have to deploy technology that supports location-based routing on their IP-based networks and use location-based routing on all 911 voice calls and texts originating on their networks.  Comments and reply comments are due on February 16, 2023, and March 20, 2023, respectively. 

FCC Establishes Space Bureau

Last week, the FCC adopted an Order establishing a Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs at the Commission (Vol. XIX, Issue 45).  Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced last year that the FCC planned to eliminate the current International Bureau and incorporate that team into the new bureau and office to promote the Commission’s Space Innovation agenda.  As part of that plan, the FCC has taken action to increase the satellite division by 38 percent and speed up the regulatory review processes.

RDOF Support Authorized

The FCC issued a Public Notice last week authorizing support for 1,764 winning bids through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) (Vol. XIX, Issue 51).  The winning bids were from Hughes Network Systems LLC for 3,590 locations in Rhode Island and Resound Network LLC for locations in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.  These winners must submit the appropriate location data to the Commission by March 1, 2024.