FCC NOI Seeks to Understand AI's Impact on Robocalls, Robotexts |
The FCC will begin a formal inquiry to take a closer look at how artificial intelligence (AI) technology impacts illegal and unwanted robocalls and robotexts. The agency will assess AI’s potential to positively and negatively affect consumers.
As AI becomes more prevalent, it presents opportunities to protect consumers, but it can also pose privacy and safety challenges. In the case of robocalls and robotexts, AI could improve analytics tools used to block unwanted calls and texts, and restore trust in our networks. But AI could also permit bad actors to more easily defraud consumers through calls and text messages, such as by using technology to mimic voices of public officials or other trusted sources.
The Notice of Inquiry adopted on last week seeks to gather information and prepare for changes in calling and texting practices that may result from AI-influenced technology. For example, the FCC seeks comment on how to define AI in the robocall and robotext context, the current state of AI use in calling and texting, the impact of emerging AI technologies on consumer privacy rights under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and what, if any, next steps the FCC should take to address these issues.
This inquiry is part of the FCC's broader exploration of opportunities and challenges that AI and machine learning pose to communications networks.
To that end, the FCC and the National Science Foundation co-hosted a workshop entitled “The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Communications Networks and Consumers.” The FCC's Technological Advisory Council is studying these issues in order to advise the agency through its working group on AI/machine learning. And the FCC launched a spectrum sharing proceeding to explore how leveraging technologies such as AI to understand non-federal spectrum usage and draw insights from large and complex datasets can help facilitate more efficient spectrum use.
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Governors Advocate for ACP Funding |
Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) is continuing his efforts to urge Congress to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Last week, the Governor sent a letter in partnership with Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) and co-signed by 24 other governors from across the nation, calling on Congress to continue funding this essential program. Gov. Cooper also traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a broadband event hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts focused on the role of states in achieving universal, affordable broadband access.
“High-speed internet is a necessity for economic and educational success and the Affordable Connectivity Program is helping nearly a million of North Carolinians access the internet at reduced cost. The enormous response from people across the country shows this is a vital need and Congress should take action to extend it,” said Gov. Cooper.
Read the letter to Congress and Gov. Cooper’s previous letter sent to members of North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation.
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NTIA Submits Progress Report for CESA |
The NTIA submitted a report to Congress pursuant to Section 207 of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act (CSEA), As authorized by the CSEA, the Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF) provides a centralized and streamlined funding mechanism through which federal agencies can recover the costs associated with relocating their radio communications systems or sharing spectrum reallocated and authorized to be auctioned for commercial purposes.
This report describes the progress the federal agencies have made in adhering to timelines for transition of their spectrum and also details, on a system-by-system basis, the costs estimated, funds transferred, and costs paid from the SRF. This report is based on data submitted by the federal agencies to NTIA and covers the period from January through December 2022 for the following auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission: Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)-1 involving federal spectrum in the 1710-1755 megahertz (MHz) band; AWS-3 involving the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands; the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) auction of Priority Access Licenses in the 3550-3650 MHz band; and the 3.45 GHz Service in the 3450-3550 MHz band.
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USDA Invests More Than $1.2 Billion in Rural Co-Ops to Increase Economic Opportunity and Advance Equity in Rural America |
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that the USDA is investing more than $1.2 billion in loans and grants to spur economic development, catalyze rural prosperity and advance equity through rural cooperatives in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Last month, USDA celebrated its 59th annual National Cooperative Month and the vital role cooperatives play in helping people build bright futures in rural America.
Secretary Vilsack made last Thursday’s announcement during a roundtable with rural community and small business leaders in Colorado, as officials from the Administration are traveling the country as part of the Investing in Rural America Event Series to highlight how the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments are bringing new revenue to farms, increased economic development in rural towns and communities, and more opportunity throughout the country.
The USDA’s announcement includes a total of $1.2 billion in awards that will support 112 projects in diverse communities and industries in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
View the full list of projects.
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Sens. Mullin, Kelly, Crapo Author Bill on USF Contribution Reform |
Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2023 to direct the FCC to require contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF) from edge providers and broadband providers.
Specifically, the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act would:
- Direct the FCC to reform the USF by expanding the base so that edge providers and broadband providers contribute on an equitable and nondiscriminatory basis to preserve and advance universal service.
- Limit assessments of edge providers to only those with more than 3% of the estimated quantity of broadband data transmitted in the United States and more than $5 billion in annual revenue.
- Direct the FCC to adopt a new mechanism under the current USF high-cost program to provide specific, predictable, and sufficient support for expenses incurred by broadband providers that are not otherwise recovered.
- Limit the FCC’s authority over edge providers and broadband providers only to requiring contributions to the USF.
While the bill aims to reduce broadband costs, it misses the mark by peddling a false notion that expanding the base to the edge will have no consequences. In our recent economic study with the Brattle Group, it clearly showed that expanding the contribution base to the edge would drastically harm competition, skew the marketplace and raise costs on consumers. The report concluded that expanding the base to include broadband internet access service revenues is the most economically efficient way to stabilize the fund without skewing the marketplace.
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