FCC Issues Draft Wireline and Wireless Infrastructure Orders and Further Wireline Rulemaking Notice ahead of November Meeting

On October 26, 2017, the FCC released drafts of a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the wireline broadband deployment docket (the “Draft Wireline Order” and “Draft Wireline FNPRM”) and a Report and Order in the wireless broadband deployment docket (the “Draft Wireless Order”). The release of these two items suggests that Chairman Pai will push broadband acceleration on an issue by issue basis – even while the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (“BDAC”) is still considering related issues – rather than in one broader order in each rulemaking. The motivations and efficacy of this approach can be debated, but one concrete impact of this approach, if the Commission pursues it, will be to split potential reconsideration requests and appeals on each item’s issues. These items are scheduled to be considered at the Commission’s November 16th open meeting.

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