FCC Overview Indigenous Connectivity Summit Training - PowerPoint Presentation

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FCC Overview

Indigenous Connectivity Summit Training

September 29, 2020

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AGENDA

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Organization

Agency mission, governance, and structure

Regulatory authority and rulemaking processPublic input – written filings and meetingsUniversal Service Fund SupportTribal Engagement and InitiativesOffice of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP)Native Nations Communications Task ForceProceedings of interestTribal-specific broadband initiatives

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FCC ORGANIZATION

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THE FCC’S MISSION

The Federal Communications Commission is an independent government agency overseen by Congress

Its mission includes:

Implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations Regulating interstate and international communications by wire and radio in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territoriesCovering wireline and wireless services, satellite, broadcast TV and radio, and cable TV4

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FCC GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE

Five Commissioners

President nominates; Senate confirms

Appointed to fill five-year termsNo more than three from the same political party; President selects one Commissioner to be ChairDivided into Bureaus and Offices7 Bureaus: Wireless, Wireline, International, Enforcement, Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Media, Public Safety11 Offices: e.g., General Counsel, Legislative Affairs, Managing Director, Engineering and Technology

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FCC REGULATORY AUTHORITY

FCC establishes and enforces rules based on the substantive areas outlined in the Communications Act

The structure of the Act broadly mirrors the agency’s Bureau organization,

e.g., wireline, wireless, media and internationalThe Enforcement Bureau ensures the compliance of licensees, permitees, and other regulated entitiesThe FCC also adopts rules and policies administered by certain outside entitiesThe FCC adopts the rules and policies governing the Universal Service Fund (USF), as authorized by CongressThe Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the USF programs and funding6

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FCC RULEMAKING PROCESS

Rulemaking is a process for developing and issuing rules and regulations

Once adopted, these rules and regulations establish the framework governing providers, including wireline and wireless services

A top priority of FCC rulemaking activity is closing the digital divide and promoting broadband deployment nationwide7

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PUBLIC INPUT

Notice and comment rulemaking process

The FCC depends on public comment to evaluate proposals and provide record support for rules

The record is public to promote transparency FCC wants widespread input and different perspectivesHow to provide inputWritten comments: share perspectives and help shape policies and rules; formal comments preserve appeal rightsIn-person meetings: meetings with Commissioners and staff can supplement formal comments; substance must be summarized in writing in public ex parte filingsComments and ex parte filings can be made and accessed online at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/

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UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT

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USF BASICS

“Universal service” – the availability of affordable, reliable telecommunications service nationwide – is a fundamental goal of federal telecom law

USF established in 1997 to subsidize telecom services for low-income consumers, rural health care providers, schools and libraries, and consumers in high-cost areas

Congressional authority in section 254(b) of the Communications Act10

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TRIBAL INITIATIVES AND ENGAGEMENT

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OFFICE OF NATIVE AFFAIRS AND POLICY

ONAP created by the Commission in 2010

Part of Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s oversight of inter-governmental affairs

Charged with bringing the benefits of modern communications infrastructure to all Native communities12

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ONAP’S MISSION

Ensuring robust government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Tribal governments

Working within the Commission, as well as with other government agencies and private organizations, to develop and implement policies for assisting Native communities

Ensuring Native concerns and voices are considered in all relevant Commission proceedings and initiativesRepresenting the Commission’s positions on matters of interest to Tribal entities13

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NATIVE NATIONS COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE

Latest version formed in November 2018

3-year term with meetings twice annually plus regular conference calls

24 Tribal and 8 FCC members represent a diversity of views and expertiseTasked with providing guidance, expertise, and recommendations on issues affecting Tribal governments and peopleInput intended to inform and advance the Commission’s efforts to close the digital divide affecting Indian country14

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NATIVE NATIONS COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE

A report from the Tribal members of the Native Nations Communications Task Force entitled

Improving and Increasing Broadband Deployment on Tribal Lands

, was adopted in November 2019 and posted in December.The report addresses how to close the persistent digital divide between Indian country and the rest of America. It highlights Tribal success stories and provides potential solutions for policymakers that could benefit residents of Indian Country.15

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PROCEEDINGS OF TRIBAL INTEREST

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2.5 GHZ Rural Tribal Priority Window

First-of-its-kind opportunity for federally recognized Tribes to obtain licenses to unassigned mid-band spectrum over their rural Tribal lands

Window scheduled to run from February 3, 2020 to August 3, 2020 was extended to September 2, 2020 to provide more time to Tribes impacted by the pandemic

FCC staff fielded over 1,000 inquiries and provided one-on-one assistance to interested Tribal applicants throughout the pandemicCommission received more than 400 applications which are now being evaluated and processed; 157 have already been accepted for filing17

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Special Temporary Authority

Special Temporary Authority (or STA)

Allows temporary use of spectrum in unique circumstances, such as natural disasters and pandemics

Spectrum provides additional capacity to meet increased demand for limited periods of timeTribal STAsTo date, six Tribal entities have received 2.5 GHz STAs (A:shiwi College & Career Readiness Center, Pueblo of Zuni; Navajo Nation; Makah Tribe; Lower Brule Sioux Tribe; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation; Santa Clara Pueblo) STAs have been granted in other bands (700 MHz and 5.9 GHz) to providers serving Tribal lands (NTUA Wireless and Wind River Internet)18

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Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)

$20 billion investment in high-speed broadband networks in rural America in two phases over 10 years under Universal Service Fund (USF) high-cost program

Funding through reverse auctions to service providers that deploy up to gigabit-speed networks

- Phase 1 Auction 904 scheduled for October 2020- Several Tribal entities have applied to participateIncludes provisions that lower the cost threshold to make more Tribal lands eligible for bidding and increase the amount of support that can be made available for these areas

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5G FUND NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

In April, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to establish the 5G Fund for Rural America.

5G Fund would make up to $9 billion available to bring 5G mobile broadband services to rural areas that would otherwise be unlikely to see 5G deployments.

As proposed, Phase I of the 5G Fund auction would reserve $680 million for providers that commit to serving eligible Tribal lands.20

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COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM

In March, the Commission created a new $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program to support healthcare providers responding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic within a week of Congress appropriating the funds as part of the CARES Act.

By early July, the Commission had awarded the full $200 million to 539 recipients, including several providers serving Tribal communities.

The Navajo Nation Department of Health was awarded just over $950,000 in May to provide home-health care and remote monitoring services throughout the Navajo Nation to patients who are isolated and under shelter-in-place orders, including low-income, elderly, and vulnerable, high-risk patients.21

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Connected Care Pilot

In April, the Commission created the “Connected Care” program, a three-year Pilot Program to provide up to $100 million of support from the Universal Service Fund to help defray health care providers’ costs of providing connected care services and to help assess how the USF can be used in the long-term to support telehealth.

The program is open to Tribal and other healthcare providers that provide services to Tribal communities. On September 3, the Commission issued guidance for all applicants. 22

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LIFELINE PROGRAM WAIVERSIn June 2020, the FCC streamlined the enrollment documentation required from Lifeline subscribers residing on Tribal lands to allow for immediate activation of services while the subscriber submitted the required materials.

This step helped Tribal lifeline subscribers immediately access needed connectivity during the pandemic.

In August, in addition to several generally applicable waivers governing recertification, reverification, general de-enrollment, subscriber usage, and income documentation, the Commission extended the existing waivers to help subscribers residing in rural areas on Tribal lands to begin receiving Lifeline services more quickly.

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QUESTIONS?

sayuri.rajapakse@fcc.go

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native@fcc.gov 24