Comment Sought on BDC Challenge Process

The Broadband Data Task Force is seeking comment on its Broadband Data Collection (“BDC”) challenge processes. The challenge process allows stakeholders to challenge the status of a location labeled as either served or unserved by broadband based on information collected through the BDC. The Task Force requests information on the extent to which stakeholders participate in the challenge process, whether the process is “user-friendly,” and what improvements can be made to increase participation and ease of use of the challenge process. Comments are due by February 19 and reply comments are due by March 5, 2024. 

CTIA SIM Swap and Port-Out Fraud Petition for Partial Reconsideration

The FCC is seeking comment on a petition for partial reconsideration submitted by CTIA in response to the Commission’s rules aimed at safeguarding cell phone consumers from SIM swap and port-out fraud. CTIA seeks an extended deadline for wireless providers to comply with the new rules by adding an additional 12 months to the current six-month compliance deadline. The FCC’s rules mandate secure authentication methods before redirection of a customer’s phone number to a new device or provider, as well as notification to consumers about any SIM changes or port-out requests made on their accounts. Oppositions to the petition are due within 15 days of publication in the Federal Register and replies to oppositions within 10 days of the oppositions filing deadline. 

EEI Pole Attachment Petition for Reconsideration

The Edison Electric Institute (“EEI”) petitioned the FCC to reconsider the declaratory ruling it made in December 2023, which established a process for review of pole attachment disputes and outlined pole owners’ responsibility to share easement information. EEI has asked the FCC to define the circumstances in which a utility pole owner must share a copy of its easement to an attacher and remove or clarify its ruling that pole replacements are not necessitated solely by attachment requests. Oppositions to the petition are due within 15 days of publication in the Federal Register and replies to oppositions within 10 days of the oppositions filing deadline. 

Section 214 Foreign Ownership Filing Deadline

The deadline for holders of FCC international Section 214 Authorizations to submit foreign ownership information is today, January 22, 2024. In April 2023, the Commission adopted rules that, among other things, required international Section 214 authorization holders to respond to a one-time collection to update the Commission’s records regarding foreign ownership of such authorization holders. Submissions are due through the Commission’s filing portal and failure to submit timely responses could result in loss of authorization, or other forfeitures. 

Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Sean A. Stokes, and Wesley K. Wright also contributed to this article.