911 Reliability Certification System Open

In August, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau announced that the Commission’s 911 Reliability Certification System is open for filing annual reliability certifications. Under FCC rules, covered 911 services providers must take reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring. Providers must certify as to their compliance with each of these requirements or to their implementation of reasonable alternative measures. Annual reliability certifications are due on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. 

FCC October Open Meeting

The FCC will hold its October Open Meeting on Thursday, October 17. The Commission will consider a Report and Order adopting a 100% hearing aid compatibility requirement for all wireless handset models offered for sale or use in the United States. It will also consider a Third Report and Order to adopt rules requiring wireless providers to geo-route 988 calls to ensure that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can connect callers to geographically appropriate crisis centers. 

USF Waivers for Hurricane Milton

The FCC waived certain Lifeline, E-Rate, Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Rural Health Care (RHC), and High Cost rules and deadlines for participants and service providers, including Universal Service Fund (USF) contributors, in areas affected by Hurricane Milton. Among specific waivers for requirements in each of these programs, the FCC generally waived filing deadlines and late fees for Form 499-Q. It also waived a requirement that action be withheld on applications or requests for benefits from an entity that is delinquent on payments owed to the FCC. Delinquent debts owed by providers in the affected disaster areas will not be transferred to the Treasury Department for collection until January 2, 2025.

FCC Releases R&O for Satellite Spectrum Sharing

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced a proposed second report and order which would update spectrum sharing rules for non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite systems. This order builds upon a 2023 order by supporting new broadband satellite operations and implementing new interference protection criteria in the absence of coordination agreements. Specifically, the proposed report and order will clarify the degraded throughput methodology used in analysis by NGSO FSS systems to ensure compatibility with incumbents. 

Additonal Authors: Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Sean A. Stokes, and Wesley K. Wright.