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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a new matching program with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Tennessee Department of Human Services. This program aims to verify the eligibility of people applying for or subscribed to the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) by checking if they receive SNAP benefits in Tennessee. The initiative is expected to help confirm qualifications for these benefits, reduce fraud, and improve service to low-income consumers who rely on discounted broadband and voice services. Written comments about this program are due by March 27, 2025, and the program will last for 18 months starting from that date.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public and federal agency comments on its information collection efforts as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The FCC wants feedback on the necessity and utility of the information collected, its accuracy in estimating the paperwork burden, and suggestions for improving quality and reducing burden, particularly for small businesses. The current information collection involves 2,925 respondents and requires 244,477 hours annually to complete. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure that telecom services remain fair and reasonable, particularly following changes in rules for toll-free service charges.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning an auction for licenses in the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-3) bands, specifically in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz ranges, referred to as Auction 113. This auction will include 200 licenses and will follow a clock auction format where bidders indicate demand for specific licenses. The proceeds from the auction will fund the Commission’s Supply Chain Reimbursement Program, which aids in replacing certain telecommunications equipment. The FCC is also seeking the public's input on procedures including bidding rules, credit caps, and requirements related to interference from Federal systems.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a new computer matching program in collaboration with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Missouri Department of Social Services. This program aims to verify the eligibility of participants in the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) by checking if they receive benefits from programs like SNAP or Medicaid. These benefits help individuals and families access discounts for broadband and voice services. The matching process involves sharing certain personal details, such as parts of a Social Security Number, to confirm eligibility.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has suspended Q Link Wireless LLC from the federal Lifeline program and all universal service support mechanisms following its conviction for defrauding the government. Q Link was found guilty of fraudulent activities, including wire fraud, theft of government funds, and submitting false claims to the Lifeline program. The suspension is effective immediately, and debarment proceedings are also being initiated, which may prevent the company from participating in these federal programs for at least three years. Q Link and any related parties can contest this decision within 30 days by providing supporting documents.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is inviting public comments on information collection, as part of efforts to reduce paperwork burdens under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The collection concerns requests by AM, FM, and TV broadcast stations for experimental authorizations to improve technical operations. Comments should focus on the necessity, utility, accuracy, burden, and quality of the information collected. Public input should be submitted by April 28, 2025, to the FCC’s Cathy Williams via email.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented new rules to manage the use of certain frequency bands for commercial space launches. This is part of the Launch Communications Act, which requires the FCC to regulate spectrum usage for space operations, ensuring cooperation between various users to avoid interference. The 2360-2395 MHz band has now been allocated for space launch operations, with specific technical and licensing rules to ensure the protection of existing users. These new rules aim to streamline the licensing and coordination process for space launches, making it simpler and more efficient for new and existing space launch providers.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection effort as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are particularly interested in ways to reduce the paperwork burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This effort involves digital audio broadcasting and requires comments to be submitted by March 12, 2021. The FCC aims to improve AM radio service by adopting new rules to allow AM stations to operate digitally, which is intended to enhance signal quality and coverage.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking for public comments on how to evaluate applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, a program designed to help healthcare providers connect with patients during the pandemic. The FCC is looking to provide more funding for telehealth services, using funds allocated by Congress, and they want input on how to prioritize applications, especially for areas and providers that were heavily impacted by COVID-19. They plan to ensure that every state and the District of Columbia has at least one applicant that receives funding. Additionally, they propose changes to the application process and are considering prioritizing applicants who did not get funding in the first round. The goal is to improve the program while making funds available to those who need it most.

The Federal Communications Commission has decided to use adjustment factor values in the 5G Fund auctions to direct more support to areas that are harder to serve due to challenges like varying terrain and lower household income. These adjustment factors will also be applied to the method for distributing legacy high-cost support, meaning that regions with different costs of deployment will receive appropriately adjusted funding. While some concerns were raised about these factors not accounting for all possible costs, the Commission believes that their use will help ensure that funding is allocated more fairly and efficiently, particularly to less profitable areas. These decisions aim to encourage bids for serving tough-to-reach locations, thereby boosting the deployment of 5G services across the United States.