Welcome to the Tech & Telecom Weekly, an e-newsletter keeping you apprised of the latest developments in the telecommunications and high-tech industries.
FCC Policy
The next FCC Open Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, February 17, 2021, at 10:30am ET. The Final Agenda contains the same five items previously noticed, including NPRMs regarding the diversion of 911 fees by state and local governments and the recent amendments to the Secure and Trusted Networks Act. The remaining items are presentations on broadband mapping, pandemic relief, and telehealth. The meeting will be live-streamed here. For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.
In the Courts
Cox Communications got the stay it requested to avoid paying a $1 Billion copyright judgment pending appeal. Judge O’Grady of the Eastern District of Virginia granted the stay on February 5, 2021, but ordered Cox to obtain a bond covering the judgment plus more than $2 Million. The stay will be in place pending review in the Fourth Circuit and, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court. Sony Music Ent’mt v. Cox Commun’s, Inc., No. 1:18-cv-00950 (E.D. Va.). For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.
Compliance Alerts
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will hold a webinar to assist E-Rate applicants in the filing of FCC Form 471 and their service provider selections tomorrow, February 17, 2021, at 2:00pm ET. Interested persons should register here.
FCC Form 477, which reports broadband and voice services provided July 1 to December 31, 2020, is due March 1, 2021. This filing is required for wired or fixed wireless local exchange service providers, facilities-based providers of broadband connections to end users, providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to end users, and facilities-based providers of mobile services. The Public Notice regarding the deadline can be found here, and the filing portal is here.
For more information, or assistance in filing FCC Form 477, please contact Katherine Barker Marshall.
Legislative Affairs
The House Subcommittee on Communications will hold a hearingtitled “Connecting America: Broadband Solutions to Pandemic Problems” tomorrow, February 17, 2021, at 11:00am ET. Witnesses, who will testify remotely, include former FCC Commr. Jonathan Adelstein, now President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association, and Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools. For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.
Tribal Nations
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is administering the $1 Billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, held Tribal consultations on February 5, 10 and 12, 2021, to help guide how it structures the Program. The $1 billion TBCP will provide funding for several initiatives, including broadband deployment, distance learning, telehealth, and encouraging broadband adoption. For more information, please contact Doug Bonner.
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