Page 83 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

FCC Publishes New Broadband Deployment Report; Continues to Bridge

Digital Divide

The US Federal Communications million at the end of 2019 – a decrease Pai commented: ‘From my first day as
Commission (FCC) has released its annual of more than 20%. Moreover, more than chairman, the FCC’s top priority has been
‘Broadband Deployment Report’, asserting three-quarters of those in newly served closing the digital divide. It’s heartening
that significant progress was made to locations – nearly 3.7 million Americans to see these numbers, which demonstrate
bridge the digital divide in 2019. Since the – are located in rural areas, bringing the that we’ve been delivering results for the
watchdog’s previous report, the number of number of rural Americans in areas served American people. In just three years, the
Americans living in areas without access by at least 25Mbps/3Mbps to nearly 83%. number of American consumers living in
to at least 25Mbps/3Mbps down/upload Since 2016, the number of Americans areas without access to fixed broadband
speeds (i.e., the FCC’s current benchmark) living in rural areas lacking access to a at 25Mbps/3Mbps has been nearly cut in
has dropped from more than 18.1 million 25Mbps/3Mbps service has fallen more half.’
at the end of 2018 to fewer than 14.5 than 46%. Outgoing FCC chairman Ajit

FCC Mulls 12GHz Band for Mobile Use

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) weighed a
move to make more spectrum available for 5G, opening a public
consultation on whether to allow mobile services in the 12GHz
band. In a statement, the agency explained the band is currently
used by satellite service providers and sought input on whether it
would be possible to share the frequency with terrestrial mobile
services without causing harmful interference. The FCC also
asked for comment on approaches to assigning usage rights;
potential sharing mechanisms; and the public interest benefits
of either keeping the existing satellite-focused framework or
accommodating new services. Outgoing FCC chairman Ajit Pai
stated “technical studies will undoubtedly be submitted from
all sides”, adding the agency will “scrutinize the arguments and
data in the record and be guided by the evidence and sound
engineering”. Dish Network and industry group the Competitive
Carriers Association (CCA) backed the move. However, it faced
opposition from satellite communications providers OneWeb and 12GHz frequency and was recently awarded nearly $1 billion in US
SpaceX, which already deployed hundreds of satellites using the government funding to deliver internet connectivity.

FCC Chief Pai Urges Spectrum Policy Overhaul

Outgoing US Federal Communications Information Administration (NTIA) those spectrum more efficiently”, and insisted
Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai used by government bodies. He noted the “we must bring an end to the practice of
called on Congress to reform the nation’s US is one of the only countries to have such each agency having its own” policy. “If
spectrum management framework, a split system. Pai argued the structure the FCC ultimately holds the pen on all
warning the current fragmented approach “doesn’t work”, pointing to efforts by spectrum matters, perhaps agencies will
could hinder future progress. In a speech, federal agencies to “throw up roadblocks” stop throwing up roadblocks by default
Pai explained spectrum in the US is currently in recent years as the FCC worked to free and will recognize that the best way to
managed by two separate agencies, with additional spectrum for commercial use. preserve their interests is to persuade the
the FCC governing commercial airwaves He blasted the government as “arguably Commission with sound engineering and
and the National Telecommunications and the biggest thing hampering efforts to use facts.”

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