Spice Month Plus!

This month is Spice Month at the FCC. I've already had several pumpkin spice lattes this season, so I'm particularly excited about this month's agenda.

Wait. Hold on. I'm now being told that it's actually Space Month. Apparently, the person who told me had a bit of an Australian accent. In any event, every month I say we're keeping a rapid pace, and in that spirit we're launching nine items this month.

One of the pillars of the FCC's Build America Agenda is boosting our space economy. That's why, today, I'm in El Segundo, California-or The Gundo as the kids call it-where I'm outlining the space portion of this month's agenda.

First up, we'll vote on a proposal to modernize our licensing processes to match the scale and dynamism of today's space economy. Specifically, we propose replacing our bespoke licensing processes with a "licensing assembly line." We're also looking to simplify our applications, establish clear timelines so companies know what to expect, and increase flexibility for licensed operations.

Next, we will consider a proposal to facilitate more intensive use for upper microwave spectrum or UMFUS. We propose a wide range of reforms to our Earth Station siting rules to more intensively use these spectrum bands and to streamline the Earth Station licensing process.

Pivoting to national security, we're continuing to strengthen the integrity of the FCC's equipment authorization program. Equipment on the FCC's Covered List cannot be authorized for import or sale because they pose unacceptable national security risks. This month, we'll vote on an order to close two loopholes in this prohibition: (1) prohibit authorization of devices that contain component parts where those component parts are themselves on the Covered List and (2) allow the FCC to prohibit, on a targeted basis, the import or sale of previously-authorized Covered List equipment in appropriate cases. We will also tee up a number of questions about how to further improve the process and keep bad gear out of our networks.

Next up is Next Gen. In this case, I'm talking about Next Gen TV. For television, ATSC 3.0 represents the future of broadcasting, which is how many Americans receive their local news. This month we'll vote on a notice that would take steps to accelerate the transition to this Next Gen TV standard.

Since February, we've kept a steady stream of items aimed at accelerating the upgrade from old copper line networks to modern ones. This month is no different, and this time we're tackling interconnection. Hold your excitement, please. Specifically, we'll vote on a notice that examines longstanding interconnection obligations that have flowed from Section 251 and explore if there are ways for the Commission to expedite the successful transition to all-IP interconnection for voice services while considering public safety and consumer protection. It's wonky but good. You will have to trust me on this one.

This month, we're also keeping up our focus on consumer protection. We will do so by considering two proposals focused on empowering consumers. First, we will vote on a notice that would reexamine broadband nutrition labels so that we can separate the wheat from the chaff. We want consumers to get quick and easy access to the information they want and need to compare broadband plans (as Congress has provided) without imposing unnecessary burdens. Second, as part of our comprehensive efforts to combat illegal robocalls, we will vote on a notice that seeks to empower consumers to make more informed choices and give them better tools (including call branding information) for deciding which calls to pick up. As part of this, we're looking closely at calls from foreign countries in order to reduce the number of scams, including seeking comment on deterring the use of U.S. area codes when a call originates overseas.

For many years, the FCC has worked to ensure incarcerated people have access to calling services at reasonable rates. But sometimes, despite the FCC's best intentions, it has struggled to strike the right balance. Most recently, that struggle was evidenced by the FCC's 2024 effort at rate setting. Indeed, back in June, the FCC issued a waiver to address the negative, unintended consequences of the 2024 Order. This month, we'll vote on a notice that would ensure communications are more readily available and that important safety and security protocols are maintained. We want this to be a solution that works and one that is durable.

And as I said last month, it's not an FCC monthly meeting in 2025 without us teeing up regulations for elimination as part of our In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding. We're going Bureau by Bureau and eliminating deadwood. On the chopping block this month are market aggregation limits that sunset more than 20 years ago, rules for obsolete "radioprinter operations" in maritime systems, and requirements for licenses that the FCC hasn't issued in more than a decade.

A busy Fall is in full swing here at the Commission, as promised. We're continuing to deliver wins for the American people in this season of postseason baseball, fantasy football, and new music releases.

Quick question before I go. Do you know what an astronaut's favorite fall treat is? Pumpkin space lattes. See what I did there?