Whether the FCC even has an October open meeting is anybody’s guess at this point, but for at least one class of FCC licensees, it won’t matter much one way or the others. That would be the broadcast classs, which is not involved in any of the items on the agenda.
The one possible item of interest would be introductions of two new commissioners, including Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Michael O’Rielly. It is entirely within the realm of possibility that both will have received the blessings of the full Senate and will have moved into their offices by the scheduled 10/22/13 date of the meeting.
But the meeting will not be happening unless Congress resolves the issues that have resulted in the federal shutdown.
If the meeting does take place, here’s what they’ll be dealing with:
* Rural Call Completion: The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address problems associated with completion of long distance calls to rural areas.
* Promoting Interoperability in the Lower 700 MHz Band: The Commission will consider a Report and Order that implements an industry solution to provide interoperable service in the lower 700 MHz band.
* Implementing the Public Safety Broadband Provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012: The Commission will consider a Report and Order adopting technical rules for the 700 MHz broadband spectrum licensed to the First Responder Network Authority.
