Wireless Roundup (January 2022)

Key Wireless Deadlines
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Key Wireless Deadlines

FCC Seeks Comment on Expanding Commercial Use of the 70/80/90 GHz Bands: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) requests reply comments, via Public Notice, by January 3 to supplement the record in a proceeding that aims to expand commercial uses of the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, 92-94 GHz, and 94.1-95 GHz frequency bands (70/80/90 GHz bands). The FCC is seeking information on the potential use of the 70/80/90 GHz bands to provide broadband Internet access to consumers and communities that may otherwise lack consistent connectivity. Specifically, the FCC requests comment on: (1) whether High Altitude Platform Stations or other stratospheric-based platform services could be deployed for this purpose in the 70/80/90 GHz bands; and (2) the potential use of these bands to provide broadband Internet access to customers on airplanes and aboard ships. The initial comment period closed on December 2.

FCC Requests Comment on Foreign-Originated Illegal Robocalls: The FCC seeks reply comments on a Fifth and a Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking intended to address foreign-based robocallers by requiring gateway providers to apply STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication to, and perform robocall mitigation on, foreign-originated calls with U.S. numbers. The Commission also proposes to implement: (1) additional robocall mitigation requirements; (2) revisions to the information that filers must submit to the Robocall Mitigation Database; and (3) clarifications of the obligations of voice service providers and intermediate providers with respect to calls to and from Public Safety Answer Points and other emergency services providers. The FCC released an Order on November 5 that extended the reply comment deadline to January 10.

FCC Seeks Comment on Reliability and Resiliency of Communications Networks During Emergencies: The FCC requests reply comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) intended to improve the reliability and resilience of communications networks during emergencies. Among other topics, the FCC requests comment on: (1) whether elements of the voluntary Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework (Framework) could be improved to enhance the reliability of communications networks, including whether to make some or all of the Framework mandatory; and (2) potential changes to the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) and Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), including whether to require reporting of broadband service outages as part of NORS and whether the FCC can encourage broader voluntary participation in DIRS during disasters. The FCC released an Order on November 30 that extended the reply comment deadline to January 14.

NIST Requests Information on Eight Emerging Technology Areas: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks information by January 31 about the public and private sector marketplace trends, supply chain risks, and legislative, policy, and future investment needs of eight emerging technology areas: (1) artificial intelligence; (2) Internet of Things (IoT) in manufacturing; (3) quantum computing: (4) blockchain technology; (5) new and advanced materials; (6) unmanned delivery services; (7) IoT; and (8) three-dimensional printing. This information request was issued pursuant to Section 1501 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission and other federal agencies, to complete a study of and issue a report on these eight emerging technology areas.

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