Telecommunications Alert for April 15, 2024
Telecom Alert: Broadband Consumer Labels Program; ACP May Reimbursement; Digital Equity State Capacity Grant; 5 GHz Rules for UAS [Vol. XXI, Issue 16]
Broadband Consumer Labels Program Launch
Last week, the FCC launched the Broadband Consumer Labels program, which requires Internet service providers to display consumer-friendly labels with information about their broadband service offerings at the point of sale. The labels, which resemble nutrition labels that appear on food products, must display information about prices, speeds, fees, data allowances, and other critical information. Broadband consumer labels are required for all standalone home or fixed internet service or mobile broadband plans, and must be displayed near an associated plan’s advertisement.
Affordable Connectivity Program May Reimbursement
The Wireline Competition Bureau announced the maximum partial reimbursement amounts for the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) benefits for May 2024. The maximum reimbursement amounts will be $14, $35, and $47 for non-tribal service, tribal lands service, and ACP connected device benefits, respectively. April is the last month for which ACP households can receive the full ACP benefit, absent additional funding from Congress. The FCC continues to encourage providers to offer low-cost Internet service plans to alleviate the financial burden associated with the ACP program’s lapse.
Digital Equity State Capacity Grant Program
All 50 States, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have submitted Digital Equity Plans as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”). With these plans submitted, the 50 States, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico may now apply for the Digital Equity State Capacity grant program, under which $800 million will be dispersed. The money is to be used to implement digital equity plans designed to identify barriers to accessing and using digital resources and establish measurable objectives for promoting access to and meaningful use of broadband technology.
5 GHz Rules for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Last week, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated proposed rules to enable wireless communications for uncrewed aircraft systems (“UAS”) in the 5 GHz band. The rules would allow operators to obtain direct frequency assignments in a portion of the 5030-5091 MHz band for non-networked operations. UAS would rely on dynamic frequency management systems (DFMSs) to manage and coordinate access to the spectrum. The proposed rules reflect goals outlined in the National Spectrum Strategy released last year.
Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Sean A. Stokes, and Wesley K. Wright contributed to this article.
