Thread by @EvanS_FCC

And we're live! Follow the discussion on Twitter w/ #FCCLive.

https://twitter.com/EvanS_FCC/status/1349367937648484356

Wireless Bureau Chief Don Stockdale outlines the FCC's work to free up low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum under @AjitPaiFCC's tenure:

📶Low: 600, 800, and 900 MHz
📶Mid: 2.5, 3.5, 3.7-4.2 GHz
📶High: 24, 28, 37, 39, and 47 GHz

#FCCLive

The #CBand (3.7-4.2 GHz) posed an unprecedented challenge for the FCC, but the Bureau overcame a number of obstacles and made 280 MHz available for 5G use while protecting incumbent satellite users.

And the ongoing auction has generated over $80 billion, a new record. #FCCLive

During the challenges of #COVID19, the Wireless Bureau acted swiftly to meet the needs of consumers.

The Bureau granted hundreds of applications for temporary access to spectrum to help providers meet increased demand for bandwidth. #FCCLive

International Bureau Chief Tom Sullivan discusses how the FCC has promoted next-gen satellite technology over the past four years.

The FCC has approved 11 non-geostationary constellations, incentivizing private sector investment that can help bridge the #DigitalDivide #FCCLive.

The Bureau has streamlined and updated regulations governing small satellites, which is particularly important for next-gen constellations. #FCCLive

And the Bureau developed robust rules to mitigate orbital debris to ensure peaceful coexistence of space operations as American space innovation flourishes. #FCCLive

The Bureau also acted to protect national security by scrutinizing applications and authorizations by companies owned and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, including:

- China Mobile
- China Telecom
- China Unicom,
- Pacific Networks, and
- ComNet

#FCCLive

And the FCC has been a key player in international efforts to promote 5G security and supply chain security, including adoption of the Prague proposals. #FCCLive

Office of Engineering and Technology Chief Ron Repasi outlines the work OET has done to unleash an unprecedented amount of spectrum into the marketplace.

#FCCLive

As the spectrum chart becomes more crowded, and innovation accelerated, OET's work becomes ever more important.

These talented engineers apply their expertise so that American consumers can benefit from spectrum use.

#FCCLive

Like all FCC Bureaus, OET worked to respond to #COVID19, including by authorizing the importation of medical devices and enabling wireless Internet Service Providers to operate at higher power levels. #FCCLive

OET helped create the FCC's Honors Engineering Program, which will ensure a robust pipeline of new talent for cutting-edge engineering at the FCC. #FCCLive

Next up, the FCC's Office of Economics and Analytics, established at the direction of @AjitPaiFCC to focus and integrate the agency's economic expertise into a single, independent office.

The establishment of this office is a signature accomplishment of this FCC.

#FCCLive

OEA ensures that the FCC's work is consistently informed by sound economics and data, including:

⚖️Objective, independent economic analysis
📈Data collections, management, and best practices
💵Auction design and implementation
🔎Long-term policy research

#FCCLive

OEA has made a real impact on the FCC's work—from establishing 988 as the three-digit code for the national suicide hotline to the 5G adjustment factor. #FCCLive

OEA's auction division accomplishments include assigning 26,000+ mid-band and 20,000+ high-band licenses for 5G. #FCCLive

And now, to the Wireline Competition Bureau. This Bureau tackles some of the most challenging, complex issues facing the country, including closing the #DigitalDivide.

To paraphrase @AjitPaiFCC, "There are those who wireline, and those who cannot." #FCCLive

WCB works to ensure that all Americans have access to robust, affordable broadband and voice services. The Bureau also works to protect consumers and foster competition. #FCCLive

WCB has helped expand broadband to over 2.5 million homes and businesses between 2016 and 2019, and they've secured commitments to deploy broadband to over 8 million additional homes and small businesses in the years to come. #FCCLive

WCB has also implemented performance metrics to make sure that Universal Service programs deliver the services promised to the American people. #FCCLive

WCB worked to protect America's national security by ending USF support to companies posing a threat to supply chain security, specifically Huawei and ZTE.

The Bureau also began requiring companies to remove and replace equipment and services from those companies. #FCCLive

The Bureau designated 988 as the three-digit code to access the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, effective July 2022.

Having an easier-to-remember number will help Americans in crisis. #FCCLive

WCB worked in record time to establish the #COVID19 Telehealth program, which has helped healthcare providers use technology to respond to the pandemic.

Due to the success of this groundbreaking program, it was just granted an additional $250 million by Congress. #FCCLive

The Bureau began implementation of the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, established recently by Congress.

This will help low-income Americans pay for broadband during the economic stresses caused by the #COVID19 pandemic. #FCCLive

Next up, the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force.

The RBATF was established in early 2017 to move forward the highly innovative reverse auctions to leverage competitive bidding to bring high-speed Internet to unserved and underserved areas. #FCCLive

The Connect America Fund Phase II Auction awarded $1.48 billion to 103 winning bidders to serve over 700,000 homes and small businesses across 45 states. As of January 2021, 99% of that support has been authorized. #FCCLive

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Auction built on the success of CAF-II.

It awarded $9.23 billion to 180 winning bidders to serve 5.2 million unserved homes and small businesses in 49 states and one territory. 99.7% will see 100/20 mbps speed or higher. #FCCLive

The RBATF worked to establish the $9 billion 5G Fund for Rural America, which will bring mobile connectivity to areas unlikely to see deployment without FCC support. #FCCLive

Next up: the Media Bureau. The Bureau has enabled the transition to ATSC 3.0 or "Next-Gen TV." This new standard will enable TV stations to provide 4K video over the air, targeted emergency alerts, and other IP-based innovations. #FCCLive

The Bureau worked to modernize radio regulations to support the revitalization of both AM and FM radio. The Bureau authorized 2,800 stations for FM translators, which help AM stations mitigate the technical challenges of the AM band and improve listenability. #FCCLive

The Bureau also authorized AM stations to move to an all-digital signal, which will improve audio quality and enable them to offer ancillary data services. #FCCLive

The Bureau adopted 26 orders to update media regulations for the digital age.

Before the Media Regulation Modernization Initiative, these regulations were woefully out of date.

#FCCLive

Next up: The FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force.

Many doubted that the FCC would pull off the Post-Auction Transition Plan due to resource constraints or the risk of interference.

But the FCC proved critics wrong. #FCCLive

All 84 MHz of spectrum was delivered on time, and the 600 MHz band is already being used to provide 5G in large part of the country.

Reimbursement to TV stations flowed smoothly, and disruption to consumers was minimal. #FCCLive

The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau has done yeoman's work to crack down on #robocalls—from requiring the implementation of STIR/SHAKEN call authentication to limiting non-telemarketing calls to home phones to restrictions on calls from government contractors. #FCCLive

Thanks to the efforts of CGB, the number of #robocalls in the U.S. in 2020 dropped by 20%, the first such decline in American history. #FCCLive

CGB has also advanced the interests of Americans with disabilities by making technology more accessible, including promoting automatic speech recognition captioned telephone services. #FCCLive

The Office of Native Affairs and Policy has conducted key outreach to Native nations, hosting 43 events and holding 20 Tribal consultations.

This outreach helped Native nations secure licenses to provide rural broadband in the 2.5 GHz band. #FCCLive

Next up: The Enforcement Bureau, which has taken over 1300 enforcement actions over the past four years.

The Bureau issued ~$311 million in forfeiture orders, ~$840 million in proposed liabilities, and !$375 million in consent decrees. #FCCLive

The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has:

📵Imposed record fines on illegal robocallers
🏴‍☠️📻Taken aggressive action against pirate radio operators
📜Adopted new rules to improve enforcement against pirate radio, including direct action against landlords

#FCCLive

EB has also prioritized combatting waste fraud and abuse in Universal Service Fund programs, including entering into consent decrees for violations of Rural Health Care Program and E-Rate Program rules. #FCCLive

Next up, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

PSHSB has:

📲Strengthened America's 911 system
🚨Enhanced emergency alerting
🔒Reduced security threats to comms networks, and
🌪️Responded to natural disasters

#FCCLive

FCC has worked to support network resiliency and restoration in the wake of disasters, like the outage caused by the Nashville Christmas Day bombing. #FCCLive

PSHSB engages in regular network monitoring and investigated outages to promote best practices and lessons learned that can prevent and mitigate future outages. #FCCLive

FCC's Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO) ensures that FCC's actions are taken in consideration of how they may impact small businesses. #FCCLive

OCBO also works with the FCC's Diversity Committee to promote diversity in the tech/telecom sectors. #FCCLive

The Office of Managing Director did critical work to keep FCC employees and contractors safe during #COVID19, including:

✅Implementing rapid shift to mandatory telework
✅Holding remote auctions and virtual FCC meetings
✅Maintaining only core functions on site

#FCCLive

OMD also oversaw the safe and successful move of the FCC's headquarters in the middle of the #COVID19 pandemic, having to quickly rethink plans that had been drafted over a decade. #FCCLive

Last but not least, the Office of General Counsel presented by @TomMJohnsonJr, who will share some of OGC's great accomplishments over the past four years to defend against legal challenges to all the FCC's work during this time. #FCCLive

Over four years, OGC has:

✅Provided legal review of over 650 Commission-level orders
✅Litigated and managed over 120 bankruptcies, recovering over $5.1 million for U.S. Treasury
✅Won 28/31 appeals that proceeded to final judgment

#FCCLive

Thanks to OGC's defense, the Courts upheld:

✅Restoring Internet Freedom order
✅5G wireless infrastructure reforms
✅C Band auction

#FCCLive