FCC Declares School Bus Wi-Fi E-Rate Eligible

Last week the FCC adopted a Declaratory Ruling allowing E-Rate funding to be used for Wi-Fi on school buses beginning in funding year 2024 (Vol. XX, Issue 42).  In its ruling, the Commission clarified that the use of Wi-Fi, or other similar access point technologies, on school buses serves an educational purpose and the provision of such service is therefore eligible for E-Rate funding.  The Commission also seeks additional comment on the specific services and equipment that should be funded.  

Rip-and-Replace Deadline Extensions Granted

The FCC released an Order last week granting extension requests filed by Point Broadband Fiber Holding LLC (“Point Broadband”) and SI Wireless LLC (“SI Wireless”) for their removal, replacement, and disposal terms under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (the “Program”).  Point Broadband and SI Wireless cited delays due to the funding shortfall, ongoing supply chain issues, and issues complying with the Reimbursement Program’s administrative processes.  Accordingly, the Commission extends the term for Point Broadband from October 29, 2023 to April 29, 2024 and for SI Wireless from November 24, 2023 to May 24, 2024.  

FCC Extends 6 GHz AFC System Challenges

Last week, the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology issued an Order extending the deadline to submit challenges to the available frequencies and/or permitted power levels returned by the public test portals of automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems applicants Comsearch and Federated Wireless, Inc.  AFC applicants are required to file a notice on the record at least one week before their public trial test portal became accessible and the deadline for public trial testing would be set 45 days after the date the portal became publicly accessible.  Six AFC applicants filed the required notice and began public testing but because the notices were filed (and each trial began) on different days, the trial end-dates and windows for filing challenges also vary.  In response to an extension request filed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Commission extended the deadline for the Comsearch and Federated Wireless public trial testing by fifteen days.  

C-Band Submission Deadline Proposal Pleading Cycle

The FCC’s Public Notice seeking comment on a proposal to set final deadlines for the submission of reimbursement claims for the C-Band relocation program was published in the Federal Register last week (Vol. XX, issue 42).  The Relocation Payment Clearinghouse LLC (“RPC”) asked the Commission to adopt two claims submission deadlines by which incumbents and other eligible stakeholders would be required to submit any outstanding transition-related claims to the RPC for processing.  Interested parties must file comments by November 8, 2023.  

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