October 2023 Open Commission Meeting

Oct
19
2023

October 2023 Open Commission Meeting

10:30 am - 1:30 pm EDT
Commission Meeting Room, FCC Headquarters, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554

The FCC held this Open Meeting on the subjects listed below:

Public Drafts of Meeting Items – The FCC is publicly releasing the draft text of each item expected to be considered at this Open Commission Meeting with the exception of items involving specific, enforcement-related matters including restricted proceedings and hearing designation orders. One-page cover sheets are included in the public drafts to help summarize each item. Links to these materials are provided below.

  • Open Internet NPRM
    The Commission considered a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to reestablish the Commission’s authority over broadband Internet access service by classifying it as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act, which would allow the Commission to protect consumers by issuing straightforward, clear rules to prevent Internet service providers from engaging in practices harmful to consumers, competition, and public safety; establish a uniform, national regulatory approach rather than disparate requirements that vary state-by-state; strengthen the Commission’s ability to secure communications networks and critical infrastructure against national security threats; and enable the Commission to protect public safety during natural disasters and other emergencies. (WC Docket No. 23-320)
  • School Bus Wi-Fi Declaratory Ruling
    The Commission considered a Declaratory Ruling that would clarify that the use of Wi-Fi on school buses is an educational purpose and the provision of such service is therefore eligible for E-Rate funding. (WC Docket No. 13-184)
  • Broadband Connectivity and Maternal Health; Updating the Mapping Platform
    The Commission considered a Notice of Inquiry that will seek comment on its proposed plan to improve and enhance maternal health data in the Mapping Broadband Health in America platform, in order to ensure that future updates to the platform reflect input from stakeholders and other interested parties and improves the user experience. The platform was updated in June 2023 to incorporate publicly available data on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity pursuant to the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act. (GN Docket No. 23-309)
  • Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band
    The Commission considered a Second Report and Order that would expand unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band by permitting very low power devices to operate in two sub-bands, a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to expand very low power device operations to the remainder of the band, and a Memorandum Opinion and Order that would address a remand from a court challenge of a previous decision in the docket. (ET Docket No. 18-295; GN Docket No. 17-183)
  • Support for Alaska Connectivity
    The Commission considered a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on the use of high-cost program funding to continue supporting fixed and mobile services in Alaska. The accompanying Report and Order makes administrative changes to streamline high-cost program rules. (WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 16-271, WT Docket No. 10-208)
  • Improving Wireless Emergency Alerts
    The Commission considered a Report and Order that would improve Wireless Emergency Alerts by making WEA messages available in additional languages, including American Sign Language (ASL); supporting maps that show the location of an emergency; making it easier to conduct public-facing WEA performance and public awareness tests; and providing alert originators and members of the public with access to information about where and how WEA is available within their communities. (PS Docket Nos. 15-91, 15-94)
  • Accessible Video Programming*
    The Commission considered a Second Report and Order that enhances support for individuals who are blind or visually impaired by expanding audio description requirements to additional market areas. This Order helps ensure that a greater number of individuals who are blind or visually impaired can be connected, informed, and entertained by television programming. (MB Docket No. 11-43)
  • Ayora Forfeiture Order*
    The Commission adopted a Forfeiture Order issuing the maximum fine allowable, $2,316,034, against César Ayora and Luis Angel Ayora for pirate radio broadcasting in Queens, New York.
  • Barnes Forfeiture Order*
    The Commission adopted a Forfeiture Order fining Thomas Barnes $80,000 for pirate radio broadcasting in La Grande, Oregon.

*NOTE: These items were adopted prior to the Open Meeting and thus deleted from the agenda of the meeting itself.

Meeting Documents

FCC to Start Proceeding on Reestablishing Open Internet Protections

FCC Announces E-Rate Funding Can Support Wi-Fi on School Buses

FCC Launches Inquiry Into Broadband Connectivity for Maternal Health

FCC Permits Very Low Power Device Operations in 6 GHz Band

FCC Kicks Off Rulemaking on Alaska’s Unique Connectivity Challenges

FCC Adds Additional Languages & Features to Wireless Emergency Alerts

Related Materials