On May 11, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on "strengthening the cybersecurity of federal networks and critical infrastructure," which directs agencies to adopt specific security practices and launches reviews of the federal government's digital vulnerabilities.

The executive order noted that "to ensure that the internet remains valuable for future generations, it is the policy of the executive branch to promote an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet that fosters efficiency, innovation, communication and economic prosperity, while respecting privacy and guarding against disruption, fraud and theft. Further, the United States seeks to support the growth and sustainment of a workforce that is skilled in cybersecurity and related fields as the foundation for achieving our objectives in cyberspace."

It also ordered two reports: one within 90 days on the "nation's strategic options for deterring adversaries and better protecting the American people from cyber threats" and another within 45 days a report on "international cybersecurity priorities, including those concerning investigation, attribution, cyber threat information sharing, response, capacity building and cooperation."

Last week, the FCC issued the agenda for its May 18 Open Meeting. The FCC will consider:

• An NPRM and Order that proposes to eliminate the local service rate floor rule for USF purposes and freeze the current rate floor at $18 until the Commission takes further action in this proceeding
• An NPRM that proposes to return internet broadband access service to the classification of Title I information service, and seeks comment on the existing rules governing ISPs' practices
• An NPRM that would facilitate the deployment of and reduce regulatory burdens on fixed-satellite service earth stations authorized to transmit while in motion
• A Report and Order that would amend provisions of the Personal Radio Services located in Part 95 to update and modernize various rules
• A Public Notice that would launch a review of the Commission's rules applicable to media entities
• An NPRM that would propose to eliminate the Commission's main studio rule.

The FCC also will receive a report from the Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau on its investigation into the VoLTE 911 outage AT&T Mobility experienced on March 8, 2017, and will consider a media-related item as consent agenda.

The FCC appointed members to serve on two Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) working groups: Model Code for Municipalities and Model Code for States. The full list of members of these working groups can be found on the FCC's website. The selection of members for other BDAC working groups is in progress, and final selections for these groups will be announced at a later date. 

The BDAC is organized under, and operates in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The BDAC's mission is to provide advice and recommendations to the Commission on how to accelerate the deployment of high-speed Internet access. The BDAC held its first meeting on April 21.

This week there will be two telecom-related events on Capitol Hill. 

On Wednesday, May 17, at 10 a.m., the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), will hold a hearing on the " Future of Emergency Alerting."

Then, on Friday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m., the Senate Broadband Caucus will host a telehealth-focused event. The caucus will convene industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss the increasing importance of telehealth and telemedicine.

INCOMPAS is seeking sponsors for its Competitors' Reception on Saturday, July 15, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

The event will take place prior to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Summer Meetings in San Diego on July 16-19. Please note that the Competitors' Reception is not sponsored by NARUC, nor is it a part of the meeting agenda.

If you are interested in sponsoring, please email Karen Reidy.