Once again, the expiration of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) ability to auction spectrum is on the chopping block come Dec. 16, and it’s a looming deadline that Congress needs to pay attention to. Fortunately, Congress has a long history of bipartisan support in reauthorizing auction authority and now is the time for action. To […]
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FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee Issues a Report on Illegal and Unwanted Text Messages
Last April, the Federal Communications Commission requested, in a Charge Letter, that its Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC), Chaired by ACI’s Steve Pociask, examine the problem of illegal and unwanted text messages (pertaining to CGB Docket 02-278) and submit its findings in a Report to the Commission by August 31, 2022. After months of work, the […]
ACI Files Comments with FCC Regarding Broadcast Merger
Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554 Applications of TEGNA Inc., for Transfer of Control to Standard General, L.P. MB Docket 22-162 Comments of the American Consumer Institute The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research (ACI) is a nonprofit (501c3) educational and research institute with the mission to identify, analyze and project the […]
The FAA Delays More Than Flights
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last month that Verizon and AT&T have agreed to delay some C-Band 5G usage until July 2023, as air carriers work to ensure they will not face interference. Licensed spectrum forms the core of mobile networks, whose applications in fields like national security, education, health care and business offer technological […]
The FCC Should Auction the 12 GHz Spectrum
In recent months, efforts to reauthorize the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) auction authority have generated a number of media headlines due to the tremendous role these auctions play in the commercial licensing of spectrum. However, a still significant, and no less important issue that has flown under the radar is the debate over whether the […]
Statement on Reauthorizing the FCC’s Auction Authority
Earlier this month, the House Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology marked up H.R. 7783, the Extending America’s Auction Leadership Act. The bill would grant the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the ability to conduct spectrum auctions for an additional 18 months. The agency’s auction authority expires on September 30th and must […]
ACI Files Re FCC Rulemaking to Prevent Digital Discrimination
ACI filed comments with FCC regarding requirements encompassed in section 60506 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with the intent of informing a forthcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on preventing and eliminating digital discrimination. ACI comments are available here.
Congress Must Act Quickly to Ensure the FCC’s Spectrum Authority is Reauthorized
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC), which is tasked with hosting annual auctions for commercial wireless providers, may soon lose the ability to license radio frequency bands if its spectrum authority expires on September 30th. The FCC’s current authority only lasts for 10 years and must be renewed by Congress. Should Congress fail to act in […]
FCC Consumer Advisory Committee Recommendation
Today, the FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee filed its recommendation to the FCC in regard to Docket CGB 22-2 — Consumer Broadband Labels. The recommendation is available here.
Coalition Raises Questions Regarding FCC Nominee
Today, a broad coalition of organizations expressed strong opposition to the nomination of Gigi Sohn for the post of Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission. The coalition letter — sent the leadership at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation — expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest, lack of […]