FCC & Federal Regulatory Actions
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published the following items in the Federal Register:
Open Commission Meeting Agenda
- The FCC announced its Open Commission Meeting for Thursday, August 6, 2026. The agenda includes consideration of the following items (Document No. 2026-15733, published 2026-08-03):
- A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to explore allowing unlicensed wireless devices to communicate directly with satellites, including direct-to-device (D2D) services, under part 15 rules. The NPRM would also propose clarifying that part 15 unlicensed devices are permitted within FCC-authorized spacecraft and seek comment on other scenarios for part 15 device operation in space.
- A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) under WC Docket No. 26-173 to strengthen Universal Service Fund (USF) management and administration by reforming processes, administration structure, operating costs, and the role of USAC’s Board of Directors.
- A Report and Order under MB Docket No. 17-318 to remove barriers impacting broadcast television’s ability to attract capital, generate revenue, and expand audience reach, aiming to increase investment in local programming.
- A Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order under WC Docket No. 17-310 to improve the Rural Health Care Program, reduce administrative burdens, and better administer funding. The accompanying Order would permit the use of previously approved rural rates for funding year 2027.
Spectrum & Wireless Services
- **Upper C-Band Expansion:** A Final Rule was published expanding flexible use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz band by making 160 megahertz of the 3.98-4.2 GHz band (Upper C-band) available for terrestrial wireless flexible use. This action is pursuant to congressional direction to complete a system of competitive bidding by July 4, 2027. The Order creates a single 3.7 GHz Service spanning 3.7-4.14 GHz, adopts competitive bidding procedures, and applies Lower C-band licensing and operating rules with more forward-leaning performance requirements. It also requires new licensees to reimburse incumbent Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) licensees for migration costs and provide rebates for eligible aircraft owners and operators to facilitate radio altimeter retrofits. (Document No. 2026-15598, Final rule, published 2026-07-31).
- **Auction 115 Procedures:** The FCC announced Auction 115 for 3,248 new flexible-use licenses in the 3.98-4.14 GHz band, scheduled for April 27, 2027. The Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) sought comment on the competitive bidding procedures and auction design for this auction. (Document No. 2026-15725, Proposed rule; proposed auction procedures, published 2026-08-03).
National Security & Alerting Systems
- **UAS Importation & Marketing Prohibitions:**
- The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) sought comment on proposing to prohibit the continued importation and marketing of certain military-grade foreign-made Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS critical components for non-U.S. government use, including those with swarming capabilities. This proposal applies to devices on the FCC’s Covered List that pose national security risks. (Document No. 2026-15659, Request for comments, published 2026-08-03).
- PSHSB and OET also sought comment on prohibiting the continued importation and marketing of certain previously authorized foreign-produced UAS, UAS critical components, and communications and video surveillance equipment listed in section 1709 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA), which were added to the Covered List in December 2025. (Document No. 2026-15418, Request for comments, published 2026-07-30).
- **Alerting System Cybersecurity:** A Final Rule was published requiring targeted cybersecurity improvements to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to enhance protection against hijacking by cybercriminals and nation-state adversaries. (Document No. 2026-15601, Final rule, published 2026-07-31).
- **Alerting System Modernization:** A Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was adopted seeking comment on proposed rules to increase the resiliency, flexibility, and utility of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). (Document No. 2026-15600, Proposed rule, published 2026-07-31).
Administrative & Petitions
- **Petitions for Reconsideration:** Petitions were filed in a Commission rulemaking proceeding by Chris Webber on behalf of CRW Consulting LLC and Kristen Corra on behalf of Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition. (Document No. 2026-15677, Petition for reconsideration, published 2026-08-03).
- **Information Collection Requests:** The FCC issued multiple notices inviting public comment on information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. These notices seek comment on the necessity, practical utility, accuracy of burden estimates, and methods to enhance quality and minimize burden, particularly for small business concerns. (Document Nos. 2026-15685, 2026-15678, 2026-15480, 2026-15479, 2026-15478, 2026-15180, 2026-15177, Notices; request for comments, published 2026-07-28 to 2026-08-03).
Congressional Activity
The 111th Congress saw legislative action related to conservation:
- 111th H.R. 2188: Joint Ventures for Bird Habitat Conservation Act of 2009. Latest Action: 2009-12-21, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 248.
- 111th H.R. 3433: To amend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to establish requirements regarding payment of the non-Federal share of the costs of wetlands conservation projects in Canada that are funded under that Act, and for other purposes. Latest Action: 2010-03-25, Became Public Law No: 111-149.
- 111th H.R. 509: Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009. Latest Action: 2010-04-26, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 356.
- 111th H.R. 3537: Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Latest Action: 2010-04-26, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 357.
- 111th S. 373: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal. Latest Action: 2010-05-05, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 365.
- 111th S. 1519: Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2009. Latest Action: 2010-05-05, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 367.
- 111th S. 1214: National Fish Habitat Conservation Act. Latest Action: 2010-05-17, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 378.
- 111th S. 1311: Gulf of Mexico Restoration and Protection Act. Latest Action: 2010-08-02, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 501.
- 111th S. 1816: Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act. Latest Action: 2010-09-28, Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 620.
- 111th S. 1421: Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act. Latest Action: 2010-12-14, Became Public Law No: 111-307.
Market Signals
The following companies filed 8-K reports with the SEC:
- Apple: 2026-07-30, Accession No. 0000320193-26-000018.
- Qualcomm: 2026-07-31, Accession No. 0001104659-26-089234.
- Qualcomm: 2026-07-29, Accession No. 0000804328-26-000085.
- Corning: 2026-07-28, Accession No. 0000024741-26-000253.