The five FCC commissioners will appear together in public, perhaps for the last time, next week. Two are known to be departing, with the ETD as yet unknown. What we do know is that of the three items on the agenda, none are of interest to broadcasters.
The meeting is on the calendar for Thursday 4/18/13 at 10AM eastern.
Perhaps the exiting officials, Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Robert McDowell, will use the meeting as a bon voyage event. No announcements have been made to that effect, and to the contrary, we’ve heard that Genachowski may have been asked to delay his departure until a replacement is named.
Here, from the FCC, is what’s on the agenda:
INTERNATIONAL
TITLE: Review of Foreign Ownership Policies for Common Carrier and Aeronautical Radio Licensees under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as Amended (IB Docket No. 11-133).
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order to streamline the foreign ownership policies and procedures that apply to common carrier radio licensees and certain aeronautical radio licensees under section 310(b) of the Act, significantly reducing regulatory burdens while ensuring the Commission continues to receive the necessary information to protect the public interest.
WIRELINE COMPETITION
TITLE: IP-Enabled Services (WC Docket No. 04-36); Telephone Number Requirements for IP-Enable Services Providers (WC Docket No. 07-243); Telephone Number Portability (CC Docket No. 95-116); Development a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime (CC Docket No. 01-92); Connect America Fund (WC Docket No. 10-90); Numbering Resource Optimization (CC Docket No. 99-200); Petition of Vonage Holdings Corp. for Limited Waiver of Section 52.15(g)(2)(i) of the Commission’s Rules Regarding Access to Numbering Resources; Petition of TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. and HBF Group, Inc. for Waiver of Part 52 of the Commission’s Rules; and Numbering Policies for Modern Communications.
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry on expanding direct access to telephone numbers to promote competition and innovation by IP-based providers, while protecting consumers and the reliability of phone calls. It will also consider an Order to allow a limited trial of direct access to numbers for VoIP providers.
CONSUMBER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
TITLE: Presentation on the Status of Alerts to Prevent Bill Shock.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to CTIA’s revision to its Code of Conduct for Wireless Service, April 17, 2013 is the deadline by which the participating CTIA member wireless carriers must provide their subscribers with four specified types of alerts to allow consumers to avoid unexpected charges for wireless usage exceeding their plan limits, and for additional charges for international roaming. The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau will provide a status report of the participating carriers’ compliance with this requirement.
