The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) next open meeting will be held on September 26, 2024, at 10 AM ET on the FCC’s live event page. The Commission has released a tentative agenda for the meeting. The Commission will consider four orders during this meeting. Please contact David Mullis in the Office of Advocacy with your small entity concerns at David.Mullis@sba.gov or call 202-830-2292.
Improving Access to Video Conferencing Services – This rule aims to ensure people with disabilities can fully participate in video conferencing technologies by making requirements for accessibility with telecommunications relay services.
The FCC seeks comments on whether to require automatic sign-language interpretation and user interface control functions and ensure access to video conferencing for people who are blind or have low vision and people with cognitive or mobility disabilities. The Commission is also seeking comment on whether the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund should support team interpreting with video conferences.
Bolstering Protections Against Robocalls and Texts – This rule will consider expanding the Commission’s rules for blocking and robocall mitigation. Included in this rule are increasing requirements to block calls based on reasonable do-not-originate lists and creating new financial penalties for carriers who fail to protect consumers from illegal calls.
This rule would expand requirements not just on the gateway provider to block the call but require all service providers in the call path. It would also require all mobile wireless providers to only offer email-to-text services on an opt-in basis.
Freeing Up Spectrum to Support Satellite Broadband Service – This rule will consider whether to provide 1300 megahertz of spectrum in the 17 GHz band for non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) space stations in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) while also protecting incumbent operations. The Order provides a more cohesive global framework for FSS operators and maximizes the efficient use of the 17 GHz band spectrum.
Improving Digital FM Radio Service – This rule will consider implementing a streamlined process for authorizing digital transmissions at different power levels on the upper and lower digital sideband in order to enhance digital FM radio coverage and prevent interference.