WiFi Capable Mobile Devices Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1591
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2017-03-16
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Educational facilities and institutions

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Libraries and archives

Telecommunication rates and fees

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-03-16
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>WiFi Capable Mobile Devices Act of 2017</b></p> <p>This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue rules to ensure that providers of mobile broadband Internet access service supported through the Lifeline Assistance Program offer mobile devices that are capable of: (1) receiving WiFi or other wireless broadband signals using unlicensed spectrum, and (2) sharing a mobile service connection (commonly referred to as &quot;tethering&quot;) with other compatible hardware or devices. (The Lifeline program provides discounts on telephone service to qualifying low-income consumers.)</p> <p>The FCC must also provide incentives to such providers to work with schools and libraries to conduct outreach to those eligible for Lifeline assistance.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1591 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 16, 2017 Mr. Welch introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Federal Communications Commission to adopt rules and conduct outreach to offer recipients of assistance under the Lifeline Assistance Program mobile devices that are capable of receiving a WiFi signal and are capable of tethering with other WiFi compatible hardware or devices, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the WiFi Capable Mobile Devices Act of 2017 . 2. WiFi for Lifeline Assistance Program recipients (a) Rulemaking and outreach program Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall— (1) issue rules to ensure that providers of mobile broadband Internet access service that is supported through the Lifeline Assistance Program offer to subscribers of such service, mobile devices that are capable of receiving a WiFi or other wireless broadband signal using unlicensed spectrum and are capable of tethering with other compatible hardware or devices; and (2) provide incentives to such providers to work with schools and libraries to conduct outreach to those eligible for assistance under such program. (b) Definitions As used in this Act— (1) the term mobile broadband Internet access service has the meaning given such term in section 8.2 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations; (2) the term tethering used with respect to mobile devices means connecting such mobile devices to another device whereby one device connects to the Internet by sharing the mobile broadband Internet access service connection of the other device; and (3) the term WiFi means wireless communications using the standard designated as 802.11 or any variant thereof.