No reply opposed by comment deadline a startup nonprofit’s request that the FCC issue a notice of inquiry on making a transition to HD voice as part of the IP transition, docket 13-5 shows (http://bit.ly/1w2bIXZ). Supporters of VoIP, which commenter and NARUC General Counsel Brad Ramsay told us hasn’t been definitively classified as a telecom or information service, continued backing the NOI request. States should have a role in any transition from circuit-switched phone service that could also include HD voice, said NTCA Senior Vice President-Policy Michael Romano.

USTelecom opposed an American Cable Association FCC application for review of a Wireline Bureau April decision on the Connect America Fund cost model order that calculated costs of serving census blocks in price-cap telco areas. “USTelecom stands by its cost of capital calculation which resulted in a zone of reasonableness above 8.48% and below 9.52%, resulting in a point estimate of 9.00%” and other figures, said that association in an opposition filing to ACA’s request posted Monday in docket 10-90 (http://bit.ly/U1g5GM). “ACA presents no new information to contradict it. Yet ACA rejects the Bureau’s considered conclusion which adopted a cost of capital 50 basis points below the recommendation of the ABC Coalition.” The association said an FCC model used data from the coalition, a USF reform group of telcos that has included USTelecom members (http://bit.ly/1pXdWuo). ACA’s June 20 application for review said the bureau’s model, “for the key input of the cost of money ... adopted a cost significantly in excess of forward-looking market rates” and would mean price-cap LECs get more support than required (http://bit.ly/1vWPFSK). ACA plans to respond to USTelecom’s opposition, in reply comments, said ACA Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Ross Lieberman. He declined further comment.

The FCC should revise its protective order in the local number portability administrator (LNPA] proceeding to give small carriers access to the proposal, said a letter (http://bit.ly/1jOQyXx) submitted Monday by associations representing the carriers. The carriers also responded to CTIA, NCTA and USTelecom filings that urged a quick selection of the LNPA vendor (CD June 24 p11), saying, “While we are not opposed to the Commission moving quickly, we believe that the Commission should only act after all entities that depend on the LNP, not just the largest carriers, have an opportunity to review and understand the implications of the LNP selection and provide comments to the Commission.” The letter, posted Tuesday in docket 09-109, came from FISPA, Michigan Internet & Telecommunications Alliance, North West Telecommunications Association and Texaltel. The FCC’s definition of information considered to be ‘highly confidential’ in the protective order is overly broad, Neustar told agency general counsel’s staff June 20, an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/TxjFYM) posted Wednesday. “Neustar expressed further that the FCC’s default position for information submitted by vendors in this proceeding should be to favor disclosure rather than restricting disclosure.” A unit of Ericsson, which an FCC committee recommended get the LNPA job now held by Neustar, recently sought other changes to the protective order (CD June 24 p12).

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., “has been the epitome of a leader during his time in the Congress,” the American Television Alliance said, congratulating Scalise on his ascension to GOP whip Thursday (CD June 20 p11), replacing Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was elected majority leader. “We have seen up close how he puts policy knowledge and political skill to use for the benefit of functioning markets that help consumers.” ATVA mentioned how Scalise introduced the Next Generation Television Marketplace Act (HR-3720), “a comprehensive video reform bill that repeals many outdated laws that currently govern the video marketplace” and that has the backing of ATVA. The group’s members include the American Cable Association, DirecTV, Dish, the New America Foundation, NTCA, Time Warner Cable and USTelecom. It has aggressively lobbied Congress to revamp retransmission consent rules this year as part of Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization, an effort that broadcasters have consistently opposed. Scalise is a member of the Communications Subcommittee and had campaigned against a clean STELA bill.

TechNet lauded the election of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as Republican House Majority Leader Thursday, replacing Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va. McCarthy has served as whip. “Few members of Congress have as deep an understanding and appreciation for the economic impact and social change created by technology as Leader McCarthy,” CEO Linda Moore said in a statement, citing his “longstanding relationships inside the technology community.” His Federal Election Commission records also show significant donations from telecom and media players such as AT&T, Comcast, CEA, NAB, NCTA, USTelecom, Verizon and Viacom. Republicans also selected Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., as the next whip, replacing McCarthy. Scalise is a member of the Communications Subcommittee and is actively focused on video issues, urging overhaul of old rules and criticizing parts of the current retransmission consent regime. Scalise was one of the most vocal voices on the subcommittee this year in trying to convince his colleagues to overhaul video market rules as part of Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization. Capitol Hill staffers have suggested in recent days that Scalise’s rise to GOP leadership would be good for the House Commerce Committee overall, potentially giving its issues greater prominence and attention. The Communications Subcommittee will have to advance a STELA bill as well as, potentially, within the coming years, an overhaul of the Communications Act, as committee leaders have said they intend to do.

The FCC further ramped up pressure on its Communications Security, Reliability & Interoperability Council Wednesday to take the lead on cybersecurity. David Simpson, chief of the Public Safety Bureau, led off the meeting, amplifying remarks FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler made last week at the American Enterprise Institute, warning that if a private-sector-based initiative doesn’t work the FCC stands ready to impose regulation (CD June 13 p1).

Keep the FCC from reviewing and imposing conditions on mergers and acquisitions, AT&T told Congress Friday. House Commerce Committee leadership solicited comments on competition policy in a white paper issued last month, with a deadline of Friday. AT&T has proposed buying DirecTV, a deal currently under review by the FCC and Justice Department, as is Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable.

The FCC wants the private sector to lead the communications sector’s “new paradigm” on cybersecurity risk management but “must be ready” with regulatory “alternatives” if that work fails, Chairman Tom Wheeler said Thursday. Wheeler’s remarks at an American Enterprise Institute event, billed as his first major cybersecurity policy speech as chairman, expanded on the FCC’s existing message within the sector this year that it preferred a voluntary industry-led effort to a regulatory approach (CD May 19 p4). The FCC released a prepared version of Wheeler’s speech after the AEI event (http://bit.ly/1oUaNIT).

The Senate Judiciary Committee will mark up its clean Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act bill (CD June 9 p1) later this month, said Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. Leahy and ranking member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced the short piece of legislation Tuesday, as expected (CD June 10 p11), receiving praise from NAB. Broadcasters have long advocated for a clean reauthorization of STELA, which expires at the year’s end.

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to release bipartisan Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization legislation as soon as this week, a Judiciary aide told us. Ranking member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa “hopes that a bipartisan, clean reauthorization can be introduced next week,” his spokeswoman also confirmed Friday.