The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) published the tentative agenda for its February 2021 Open Meeting. The meeting schedule for Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. EDT and will be livestreamed at www.fcc.gov/live and on the FCC’s YouTube channel. The agenda includes the following items:
Presentation on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – The Commission will hear a presentation on the creation of an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Congress charged the FCC with developing a new $3.2 billion program to help Americans who are struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic.
Presentation on COVID-19 Telehealth Program – The Commission will hear a presentation about the next steps for the agency’s COVID-19 Telehealth program. Congress recently provided an additional $249.95 million to support the FCC’s efforts to expand connected care throughout the country and help more patients receive health care safely.
Presentation on Improving Broadband Mapping Data – The Commission will hear a presentation on the work the agency is doing to improve its broadband maps. Congress directly appropriated $65 million to help the agency develop better data for improved maps.
Addressing 911 Fee Diversion (PS Docket Nos. 20-291, 09-14) – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would implement section 902 of the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020, which requires the Commission to take action to help address the diversion of 911 fees by states and other jurisdictions for purposes unrelated to 911.
Implementing the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (WC Docket No. 18-89) – The Commission will consider a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to modify FCC rules consistent with changes that were made to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
