Newsletter March 31, 2023

Wireless Roundup (April 2023)

March 31, 2023

Key Wireless Deadlines
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Cyber Corner
Did You Know?
Recent Wiley Client Alerts, IoT Blog Posts, and Podcasts

Key Wireless Deadlines

FCC Seeks Comment on Secure Equipment Act R&O and FNPRM: The FCC is seeking comment on the Secure Equipment Act (SEA) Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). The FNPRM requests input on how to address component parts, modules, and composite systems; revocations of existing authorizations for covered equipment; and competitive bidding certifications, among other issues. Comments are due April 7 and reply comments are due May 8.

FCC Seeks Comment on Rules to Enable Wireless Communications for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems: In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requests comment on proposed rules to enable wireless communications for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) use of the 5030-5091 MHz band (the C-band), alongside other UAS-related spectrum issues. The Commission proposes to accommodate both networked (beyond line-of-sight) and non-networked (line-of-sight) UAS command and control communications in the C-band, to utilize a dynamic frequency management system for the non-networked spectrum, and to enable non-networked operations to be licensed by rule. Reply Comments are due April 10. Read more here.

NTIA Seeks Comment on National Spectrum Strategy: In this Request for Comment (RFC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) seeks comment on the development and implementation of a National Spectrum Strategy for the United States. NTIA—in collaboration with the FCC—seeks to identify 1,500 megahertz of spectrum for “in-depth” study for potential repurposing to meet non-federal and federal users’ spectrum needs over the course of the next decade. The RFC offers a critical opportunity for interested stakeholders to provide input as NTIA plans to develop the Strategy by the end of this year based on the feedback it receives in response to the RFC. Comments are due April 17. Read more here.

FCC Seeks Comment on C-band Phase II Certification Procedures: In this Public Notice, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau proposes to adopt filing procedures modeled after those previously adopted for Phase I to allow eligible space station operators to submit Certifications of Accelerated Relocation (Certifications) and stakeholders to file related challenges with respect to the Phase II migration of incumbent services in the band. The FCC seeks comment on potential adjustments to the Phase I procedures such as requiring a specific level of detail in incumbent earth station operators’ Certifications and/or requiring such information to be provided in a standardized format. Comments are due April 20.

FCC Seeks Comment on Implementing New Leasing Model for the 4.9 GHz Band: In this FNPRM, the Commission requests comment on implementation of its new Band Manager model for the 4.9 GHz band to preserve the public safety applications in the band, while expanding use to secondary non-public safety operations. Specifically, the Commission asks how to facilitate leasing to non-public safety users, how to manage the revenues that arise from it, and how to ensure preemption rights for public safety operations in the 4.9 GHz band. The FNPRM also seeks comment on implementing its selection process for and oversight of the Band Manager. Reply comments are due May 1.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

NTIA National Spectrum Strategy Public Listening Session: The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) is hosting its second public listening session to assist in its preparation of a National Spectrum Strategy on April 11. More information and details can be found here.
FCC Open Meeting: The next FCC Open Meeting is scheduled for April 20. Meeting details are available here. The agenda includes:
- Promoting Efficient Use of Spectrum and Opportunities for New Services Policy Statement
- Reviewing International Section 214 Authorizations Order and NPRM
- Facilitating Satellite Broadband Competition R&O and FNPRM
- Updating the Frequency Allocation Table Order and NPRM
- Improving Wireless Emergency Alerts FNPRM
- Updating Intercarrier Compensation to Eliminate Access Arbitrage R&O
- Removing Obsolete Provisions from Part 74 Rules R&O

Cyber Corner

NIST Seeks Comment on Draft SP 800-63 Rev. 4, Digital Identity Guidelines: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is requesting comments on Draft SP 800-63 Rev. 4, Digital Identity Guidelines. With this revision, NIST intends to respond to “the changing digital landscape that has emerged since the last major revision” of this publication in 2017. Comments are due April 14, pursuant to an extension.
CISA Webinar: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is hosting a “Preventing Web and Email Server Attacks Cyber Range Training” Webinar on April 12. More information and registration details can be found here.

Did You Know?

April 12: Eve Klindera Reed will be speaking at the 3rd National Forum on Team Telecom.

Megan L. Brown was named a top author for Cybersecurity in the JD Supra 2023 Readers' Choice Awards.

Wiley created a Sanctions and Export Controls Resource Center, which hosts our latest insights related to sanctions, export controls, digital currency, cybersecurity and privacy, and other issues surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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