The FCC approved 4-0 a notice of inquiry asking questions about standards for receivers. As expected (see 2204190053), the main change from what Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated were questions on encouraging innovation for both receivers and transmitters, added at Commissioner Geoffrey Starks' request. Commissioner Nathan Simington has made the issue one of his top focuses since he joined the FCC.
The FCC approved 4-0 a notice of inquiry asking questions about standards for receivers. As expected (see 2204190053), the main change from what Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated were questions on encouraging innovation for both receivers and transmitters, added at Commissioner Geoffrey Starks' request. Commissioner Nathan Simington has made the issue one of his top focuses since he joined the FCC.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is eyeing a markup for the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (S-673) during the upcoming work period, industry officials told us Wednesday (see 2202280066). New bipartisan language under consideration for S-673 would ensure print and broadcast journalism outlets aren’t discriminated against based on viewpoints expressed in content.
Nontraditional providers are key to expanding broadband and making it affordable, said Commissioner Darcie Houck at a California Public Utilities Commission event Tuesday. At the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) virtual workshop, a municipal broadband panel urged the commission to dismiss industry naysayers.
As NTIA and the states work through the details of the more than $48 billion in connectivity money that will be awarded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the wireless industry is making a concerted push to make sure wireless remains part of the equation. Some state officials remain skeptical of how big of a role wireless will play, and remain focused on fiber. Industry officials are watching closely for NTIA rules due out in May.
The U.S. was granted a voluntary remand in an antidumping duty and countervailing duty evasion case at the Court of International Trade. In its motion requesting the remand, CBP told the court that a remand is needed in light of arguments by the plaintiffs that the evasion finding is based on insufficient evidence. In particular, DOJ said that CBP needed to address logistical gaps in the feasibility of an alleged transshipment scheme and criticism of perceived inconsistencies in the materials submitted by the importers and the company accused of transshipping. Each of the three plaintiffs' counsel consented to the move (Global Aluminum Distributor LLC v. United States, CIT #21-00198).
The Colorado House voted 59-5 Wednesday for a broadband bill (HB-1306) to update rules for awarding grant money under the American Rescue Plan Act to comply with finalized federal regulations. It goes next to the Senate. Missouri Senate Commerce Committee members cleared a measure (SB-1074) Wednesday to ban local governments from using federal funds for broadband construction in areas deemed served by the state broadband office. The cable industry supported, but a local government official raised concerns about, the proposed municipal broadband limit at a hearing last week (see 2204060011).
Digital equity advocates and lawmakers want bigger efforts to bridge the digital divide, they said Tuesday. Some at the Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership’s virtual digital inclusion summit said digital discrimination is a top priority. Others encouraged local leaders to promote the FCC’s affordable connectivity program.
Competitors raised concerns with Delaware limiting eligibility for $56 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to big ISPs with existing cable franchises. Competitive telecom groups said they hoped for open and technology-neutral bidding processes there and in other states. A Delaware official defended the state program’s eligibility restriction, which excluded a Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) winner, as an “edge-out” strategy to extend broadband more quickly.
Roger Ng, former managing director of The Goldman Sachs Group, was convicted by a federal jury in the Eastern District of New York for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in a scheme with Malaysia's state-owned investment and development fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, DOJ announced. Ng was found guilty of conspiring to bribe a dozen foreign officials in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to obtain business for Goldman Sachs from 1MDB.