Gabriella Novello

Industry experts raised concerns Wednesday about the future of the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. Panelists during a Broadband Breakfast webinar urged quicker action from Congress on additional funding (see 2307180079).

Consumer advocates and industry disagreed on whether it's necessary to codify FCC rules to ensure callers may revoke prior express consent through any reasonable means under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 02-278. Some carriers warned it could inhibit certain important information being provided to consumers. Commissioners adopted the item in June (see 2306080043).

Cybersecurity officials and industry experts urged widespread implementation of best practices to improve border gateway protocol (BGP) security, speaking during a hybrid FCC event Monday on securing internet routing (see 2306160050). Many agreed more collaboration between the public and private sector is needed to strengthen BGP security.

NTIA issued its second notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the tribal broadband connectivity program Thursday, making nearly $1 billion available for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. The agency made $980 million available for high-speed infrastructure deployment, telehealth and distance learning, and use and adoption efforts on tribal lands. Eligible entities have until Jan. 23 to apply for the new funding.

Library groups and E-rate participants welcomed a draft FCC order and Further NPRM that would modify program rules for tribal colleges and university libraries and seek additional updates for all participants. Commissioners will consider the item during their open meeting Thursday (see 2306290056). Some sought clarifying language in the draft FNPRM.

Incarcerated people's communications service (IPCS) providers and advocates continued to disagree on how the FCC should implement the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, in reply comments posted Thursday in docket 23-62 (see 2305090066). The issue remained whether the commission should allow for safety measures or site commissions in the final rate caps.

FCC Precision Ag Task Force members met Tuesday to hear updates from working group leadership and to hear from state officials and the FCC broadband data task force on federal funding to expand broadband. The meeting was the first to include an in-person option since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

Support continued in comments from industry groups on the use of third-party caller ID authentication and other efforts to address Stir/Shaken implementation (see 2306060073). Some urged the FCC to clarify which levels of attestation should be allowed for authenticating calls. Reply comments were posted through Thursday in docket 17-97.

A draft FCC order would update several E-rate rules to ensure tribal colleges and university libraries are eligible to receive program support, according to a draft released Thursday (see 2306280064) for consideration during the commissioners' July 20 open meeting. The agency in its draft 988 outage reporting order defended the reporting requirement as requiring nominal action, requiring only clicking on a checkbox in its national outage reporting system (NORS) to indicate if a reported outage potentially affects a 988 facility.

E-rate participants highlighted the need for additional support for schools and libraries to provide their communities access to remote learning and work opportunities as the FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund nears its end during a Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition webinar Wednesday. Panelists cited lessons learned from ECF and debated whether the program should be incorporated into E-rate or established as an independently permanent program.