FCC comes back to full strength with new commissioners

News General United States 4 AUG 2017
FCC comes back to full strength with new commissioners
The US Federal Communications Commission has named Brendan Carr and Jessica Rosenworcel to the position of FCC commissioners.  FCC chairman Ajit Pai said the appointments bring the commission back to full strength. The FCC had been operating with just three commissioners for over half a year.

LightReading noted that the appointments were approved unanimously by the Senate on 3 August. Carr will serve one term. A former lawyer for telecom companies, he previously served as general counsel to the FCC under current Pai. Rosenworcel served for four years under former President Barack Obama, departing at the end of last year when her first term expired. 

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has nominated Pai for another five-year term on the commission. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the nomination on 2 August but the full Senate did not vote on his renewal before adjourning for its summer recess.

Separately, the FCC said it will be moving ahead with plans for an auction in 2018 of funds to expand broadband access to rural and underserved areas. Nearly USD 2 billion over ten years will be available to operators. The commission also opened a public consultation on opening up new bands of spectrum above 3.7 GHz and below 24 GHz for 5G mobile services

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