Kennedy Grills Pai Again on FCC's Accelerated C-Band Relocation Payments

摘要

Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee's financial services and general government subcommittee, grilled FCC Chairman Ajit Pai again on June 16 over the FCC's decision to approve up to $9.7 billion in accelerated relocation payments to satellite operators to clear the C-band early so 300 megahertz can be repurposed for 5G terrestrial services. Mr. Pai also faced a range of questions on other topics, including broadband mapping, contraband cellphones in correctional facilities, the E-rate program, and funding for a rip-and-replace equipment program. The hearing offered a replay of sorts of a hearing that Sen. Kennedy's subcommittee held in March, shortly after the Commission approved its C-band order, which authorized the clearing of 300 MHz of C-band spectrum, 280 MHz of which will be auctioned for terrestrial services at a sale to begin on Dec. 8 (TR, March 20).