Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (Searchlight), a leading global private investment firm, announced the appointment of Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission as its 13th partner and a prospective board member of a number of Searchlight’s existing investments in the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. Searchlight’s U.S.-based TMT investment companies include Consolidated Communications, Global Eagle, Hemisphere Media …
FCC knows the check won’t be in the mail after fining Tele Circuit $4.1M for cramming and slamming
The Federal Communications Commission has fined Norcross, GA-based Tele Circuit Network Corporation $4,145,000 for switching consumers from their preferred carrier to Tele Circuit without permission and adding unauthorized charges to consumers’ bills. Their actions specifically harmed elderly and infirm consumers who, in some cases, were left without telephone service for extended periods while the company refused to reinstate service until …
The FCC needs you to test your internet speeds with its app that will let you assess your carrier’s claims
As part of the Commission’s Broadband Data Collection effort to collect comprehensive data on broadband availability across the United States, the FCC is encouraging the public to download the FCC’s Speed Test app, which is currently used to collect speed test data as part of the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America program. The app provides a way for consumers to test …
Contractors say rip and replace funding is profitable, but will be shaved at their level
The Federal Communications Commission has released a new report with an in-depth look at the costs for telecoms to rip and replace eligible Huawei and ZTE equipment, which will aid in the development of a new reimbursement program and its administration. The agency commissioned consulting firm Widelity to “produce a report detailing the anticipated steps in removing, replacing, and disposing …
Third strike against small Colorado telco requires it to reimburse the U.S. $6.75 million
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled March 15, 2021 that a rural telecommunications carrier based in Alamosa, Colorado owes the FCC $6.75 million for improperly claimed Universal Service Funds (USF) it received between 2005 and 2010. In 2016, the FCC demanded that Blanca repay the $6,748,280 in funds it received which it was not entitled. Blanca …
FCC initiates proceeding to revoke authority of telecom carriers controlled by Communist China
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday took the next step in its efforts to ensure the security of U.S. telecom networks. After issuing show cause orders last year to three telecom companies with ties to the communist regime in China, the FCC determined that those carriers’ responses failed to address the serious national security threats posed by their continued operation in the …
OSHA, NATE and the FCC ink long-sought strategic safety partnership
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a national strategic partnership with NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve worker safety in the communications tower erection industry. The goal of the three-year partnership is to eliminate worker injuries and fatalities while performing wireless and telecommunications, tower erection …
CenturyLink skates with a questionably low $500K fine for its 2018 outage
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has fined CenturyLink Inc. a half-million dollars for their December 27-28, 2018 multi-state outage caused by one of the company’s transport networks which, affected delivery of some 911 calls. In August, 2019, the bureau in cooperation with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released a scathing report detailing the cause and impact of the nationwide network outage …
It’s now officially FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington
Nathan Simington officially became an FCC Commissioner yesterday after he was sworn in by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The ceremony was a virtual event since the FCC continues to work remotely due to COVID-19 concerns. His five year term was back-dated to July 1, 2019 when Commissioner Michael O’Rielly’s term was scheduled to end. O’Reilly was nominated for another five …
New FCC review team member’s telecom policy assets for the position: zippo
President-elect Joseph Biden’s transition committee added another member to its experienced FCC Review Team last week, Christiana Ho, who appears to lack any experience in telecom policy. Ho graduated from Scripps College with a B.A. in creative writing and dance and found her political calling working for the Hillary for America campaign in 2015, later transitioning to the Colorado Democratic …
Senate confirms Simington as FCC Commissioner over strong objections from Democrats
Yesterday, the Senate voted 49-46 to confirm the contentious nomination of Republican Nathan Simington to the FCC, despite appeals from Democrats and advocacy groups to hold off on a vote until early next year. The confirmation handed the Biden administration a possible deadlocked FCC since FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is stepping down from the agency on inauguration day, January 20, …
The gavel is likely to go to Rosenworcel following FCC chief Pai’s departure next month
FCC chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he’s leaving the Commission as of January 20, 2021, when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. It was widely expected since appointees often resign as a new administration takes over such as in 2017 when former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler left his position when the Trump administration took over. His announcement implies that …
Navajo Nation celebrates move to provide more towers, broadband access
Navajo leaders met in Chinle, Arizona last week at a new tower site to celebrate the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority’s plans to build more than a hundred broadband towers across the tribal nation. The projects were funded with a $32 million CARES Act allocation approved by the 24th Navajo Nation Council and signed into law by President Johnathan Nez and Vice President …
FCC’s launch of a $9 billion fund will benefit broadband poor rural areas and contractors
The FCC voted unanimously today to establish a fund for up to $9 billion in federal support for rural 5G buildouts and precision agriculture, but Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks each registered their concerns over progress on new wireless coverage maps. The Report and Order adopted sets up the 5G Fund for Rural America that includes up to $8 …
Climbing Congressman Curtis captures first hand the critical role contractors provide
U.S. Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) yesterday conducted a site visit and climbing experience at a communications tower located in Moab, Utah. The tour was facilitated by representatives from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and member companies Triple M Enterprises and VIKOR. The site visit was held at a Royce Electronics owned monopole site that is located in the Sand …
IG provides sane and compelling reasons for going postal to deploy America’s 5G networks
The United States Postal Service currently leases space at 62 locations to telecom providers for their wireless towers that provides $1.4 million in annual revenue, but according to a report from the U.S. Postal Service Inspector General, there’s no reason that can’t be easily expanded to many of their 8,000 facilities that they own nationwide. The report also promotes their …
Carr’s tower compound additions plan would allow for a streamlined review process
Update: September 6, 2020 — The FCC has released its 40-page draft of its plan to streamline review of requests to add limited space at the bottom of existing towers for backup power, low-latency computing, and multiple providers to be housed at one site. September 5, 2020 — FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced this afternoon the next step in the FCC’s …
Smaller carriers issued small fines for 911 service filing infractions
The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau today announced settlements with seven smaller telecommunications providers that did not file timely 911 service reliability certifications last year. Each provider agreed to pay a civil penalty and abide by a compliance plan to ensure it meets its filing responsibilities going forward. The penalties of $21,600 range from $2,400 to $4,000 per company. The …
AM station totals are still declining as FM educational broadcasters continue to soar
At the end of the third quarter, according to statistics just released by the FCC, AM and FM commercial stations continued to close their doors with 41 AM stations going out of business and 24 FM stations going silent in the past 12 months. FM educational stations, however, boosted declining radio stations with a gain of 74. In its heyday …
LBA reaches milestone with 100% technician CBRS certification
Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc., the RF consulting services unit of LBA Group, Inc. (LBA), is ready to provide the FCC required installation certification for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) deployments across the country. The company’s technical team consisting of both field and office personnel has completed the course work and obtained the Certified Professional Installer (CPI) credentials required to set up and …
