Tech & Telecom Weekly - October 4, 2021

Welcome to the Tech & Telecom Weekly, an e-newsletter keeping you apprised of the latest developments in the telecommunications and high-tech industries.

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Compliance Alerts

The FCC announced the application filing window for participating in the Commission’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. The application window runs from October 29, 2021, to January 14, 2022. The replacement, removal, and disposal of services and equipment obtained on or before June 30, 2020, from Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation are eligible for reimbursement. The agency has released a Frequently Asked Questions pamphlet to assist potential applicants. 

The FCC’s Reassigned Number Database (RND) is expected to be available for use on November 1, 2021. Access to the RND is available to callers and calling agents to determine whether a telephone number is reassigned from the consumer they intend to reach. The interim RND usage charges can be found in this Public Notice.

For more information about compliance matters, please contact Katherine Barker Marshall.

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Legislative Affairs

The Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow, October 5, 2021, at 10:00am ET titled “Protecting Kids Online: Testimony from a Facebook Whistleblower.” That person will be present for testimony and questions.

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on October 6, 2021, at 10:00am ET titled “Enhancing Data Security.” Scheduled witnesses include Edward Felten, Professor of Computer Science and Public Affairs at Princeton University, and Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine.

The House Communications Subcommittee will hold a hearing on October 6, 2021, at 12:00pm ET titled “Strengthening Our Communications Networks to Meet the Needs of Consumers.” Up for discussion will be 12 network-related bills that are presently pending in the House.

All of these hearings are the hybrid model: limited attendance with live streaming on the Committee’s page or via Webex. For more information, please contact Stephanie Joyce.  

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Tribal Nations

The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has granted Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation (TDN) a waiver of the definition of “Tribal lands” in order that it may obtain a license in the 2.5 GHz band under the Rural Tribal Priority Window. TDN, which is already approved to receive a license to serve reservation land in Del Norte County, CA, aims to serve two parcels of land immediately adjacent to its reservation. The Bureau found that TDN had shown that “treating these rural lands as eligible Tribal lands … would be consistent with the Tribal Window’s purpose.” For more information about FCC matters, please contact Stephanie Joyce.

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