December 3, 2021 

NATE and Industry Partners Push Back on FAA 5G

For several years the Federal Aviation Administration has fought with the telecom industry and the Federal Communications Commission over the use of C-band spectrum. NATE is supporting the telecom industry and pushing the White House to move forward with the launch of C-band because further delays could inhibit our ability to leverage economic growth associated with 5G.

Read the coalition letter here.

You can also read former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s blog, “Will 5G mean airplanes falling from the sky?”

Congress Has Approved Hundreds of Billions for Broadband… Will It Be Wasted?

NATE has supported a number of legislative initiatives and regulatory moves to improve federal broadband coverage maps. NATE has been concerned that with the flood of money being poured into broadband, much of this funding – which NATE fought for – could be wasted.

Politico has an interesting article highlighting how the lack of good maps could contribute to significant waste and lack of broadband access to rural, unserved, and underserved areas. One of NATE’s friends in Congress, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), has also expressed concerns about mapping issues. The Congresswoman learned a lot about these issues during a tower climb with NATE members in the summer.

This is one of the reasons that NATE supported Senator Fischer’s (R-NE) amendment to the federal infrastructure package that requires the FCC to provide maps of federally funded broadband projects.

Senate Committee Votes on FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Confirmation

On December 1, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to move forward on the nomination of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel was serving as Acting Chairwoman until President Biden designated her as Chairwoman. However, she must be confirmed by the Senate for another term on the FCC to continue to serve, and NATE is supporting her confirmation.

Now that the Commerce Committee has voted in favor of her nomination, the full Senate will need to vote for her to be confirmed.

Read NATE’s statement on her nomination and letter of endorsement.

NATE Endorses Alan Davidson to lead NTIA After Senate Commerce Committee Hearing

On December 1, the Senate Commerce Committee heard from Alan Davidson, President Biden’s nominee to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and Gigi Sohn, President Biden’s nominee to be the fifth FCC Commissioner.

NATE appreciated Senators’ focus on ensuring that broadband funding is deployed in the most efficient and expeditious manner, and was encouraged by both Davidson’s and Sohn’s commitment to work together to ensure the broadband funds from the federal infrastructure package are deployed properly.

Mr. Davidson made a commitment to Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) that NTIA will be transparent and accountable as it distributes broadband funding. He also committed to Senator Todd Young (R-IN) that NTIA would ensure that the broadband deployment would be technology neutral – meaning that both wireless and fiber would be utilized in closing the digital divide. This was a major issue for NATE as the Senate was debating this legislation, and NATE is pleased with Davidson’s promise.

NATE released a letter of endorsement shortly after the Commerce Committee’s nomination hearing with Mr. Davidson.

You can view the hearing here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2021/12/executive-session-and-nominations-hearing.