Industry groups urged the FCC to act with caution on rules for secure telecom gear in U.S. networks, in comments posted through Wednesday in docket 21-232 (see 2110190072). “The record shows industry support for a narrow, targeted action based on an extensive factual record to block Covered Entities from U.S. markets,” the Telecommunications Industry Association said. Rules should be based on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act and not Section 302 of the Communications Act, TIA said: “The record further highlights the costs of retroactively revoking existing equipment authorizations from Covered Entities, and while this action may have some benefits, the FCC must be cautious to ensure that the substantial costs do not outweigh the benefits to the public.” CTA also raised concerns. “While the NPRM is rightly aimed at reducing security threats from certain potential threats or bad actors, addressing network security through the equipment authorization process as the FCC has proposed could create implementation and compliance challenges for all participants,” the group said: “This is particularly the case for proposals to revoke existing authorizations and make changes to the Supplier Declaration of Conformity process, which will affect far more than the Covered List entities.” Adding “security requirements to product authorization approvals will create more issues than it will solve,” said the Mobile & Wireless Forum: “The current responsibilities of the FCC Lab are extensive without the addition of cybersecurity responsibility.” Others mostly supported FCC proposals. “Prohibiting the authorization of equipment on the Covered List is an appropriate regulatory response by the Commission following the Congressional determination that such equipment poses an unacceptable risk,” said Motorola Solutions.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is looking to advance the discussion on a measure that would prohibit online platforms from self-preferencing their own products (see 2110140068). He told us he’s in discussions with ranking member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chair Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., about a legislative hearing for the American Innovation and Choice Online Act. “I’m discussing it with both of them,” said Durbin. “We haven’t made a final decision.”

The FCC will hold a hearing on the fitness of a Pennsylvania broadcaster to hold a license after he admitted to using a hidden camera and a cellphone in an attempt to have a woman he knew raped, said a hearing designation order released Tuesday in docket 21-401. Roger Wahl, licensee of WQZS(FM) Meyersdale, pleaded guilty in July 2020 to the felony crime of criminal use of a communications facility and four misdemeanors involving the incident, said the HDO. Wahl’s convictions “raise the question” whether “he possesses the requisite character qualifications to remain a Commission licensee,” the HDO said. Wahl admitted in court to creating a fake dating profile of the woman, using a camera hidden in her bathroom to take and then send nude photos of the victim, and soliciting a man who responded to the profile to have sex with the victim without consent, the HDO said. Reportedly, at least some of these acts were carried out from WQZS facilities. He also deleted the evidence from his phone after learning of the investigation, the HDO said. “Even though Wahl’s attempt to inflict physical harm on the victim failed, he did inflict substantial emotional harm,” the HDO said. Wahl had sought to transfer the station to his daughter Wendy Sipple, which the bureau granted, but in July 2020 the decision was rescinded. Wahl’s application to transfer the station remains pending. Wahl and WQZS didn’t comment.

Better FCC broadband maps, receiver standards -- perhaps from industry -- and scaled-back telehealth restrictions were among telecom items sought Friday at a Free State Foundation event. Commissioner Brendan Carr hoped to find out when updated maps will be available, and Republican colleague Nathan Simington again raised the issue of receiver standards. Ex-Commissioner Mike O'Rielly suggested considering factors other than where a company is headquartered in assessing trustworthiness of foreign-made telecom gear. And former Cable Bureau Chief Deborah Lathen wants stakeholders to consider the virtues of permanently scaling back telehealth restrictions.

Industry groups want the FCC to investigate whether emergency broadband benefit providers or households receiving the monthly internet discount are abusing the program through benefit transfers. Some in recent interviews sought FCC guidance.

The FCC's decision to exempt prerecorded commercial non-telemarketing calls under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act was "reasonable" and "in the public interest," the agency said, asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to deny Vincent Lucas' petition in a brief posted Tuesday in case No. 21-1099. The FCC argued the Traced Act "adopted new limits on the number of exempted calls allowed" and Lucas was the only commenter in favor of a specific and narrowly tailored exemption. The FCC argued Lucas' request to exclude debt collection and broadcaster calls from the exemption was "time-barred." Lucas, a consumer who argued against the exemption in 2020, disagreed, in a reply brief posted Monday, and said the issues raised are "in terms of compliance with the TRACED Act" and therefore not time-barred. The FCC "acted arbitrarily and capriciously in failing to consider specific types of calls within the exemption and issues particular to specific types of calls," Lucas said.

EU governments generally back the European Commission's proposed AI act, said EU Council telecom officials Thursday after a virtual debate on the legislation. Everyone agreed there must be a systematic, unified approach to AI in the single market based on fundamental rights, said Bostjan Koritnik, public administration minister for Slovenia, which holds the current EU presidency. Officials want a horizontal regulatory framework that covers use of AI in all sectors. The vast majority of ministers support the EC's risk-based approach but said many issues need further discussion, such as the scope of the measure, law enforcement aspects and definitions of key terms, the Council said. The debate raised two key questions, said EC Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton: The need for a unified approach that generates trust and the necessity of balancing innovation against citizens' confidence in using AI. EU rules will also have to apply to AI producers outside the EU, he said. Rules must be proportionate, limited to what's necessary, adaptable to emerging risks and respectful of values, and must stimulate investment, he said. Governments must ensure access to the data on which AI depends, Breton added. Discussions will continue in the Council's telecom working party, with a compromise proposal expected in November.

EU governments generally back the European Commission's proposed AI act, said EU Council telecom officials Thursday after a virtual debate on the legislation. Everyone agreed there must be a systematic, unified approach to AI in the single market based on fundamental rights, said Bostjan Koritnik, public administration minister for Slovenia, which holds the current EU presidency. Officials want a horizontal regulatory framework that covers use of AI in all sectors. The vast majority of ministers support the EC's risk-based approach but said many issues need further discussion, such as the scope of the measure, law enforcement aspects and definitions of key terms, the Council said. The debate raised two key questions, said EC Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton: The need for a unified approach that generates trust and the necessity of balancing innovation against citizens' confidence in using AI. EU rules will also have to apply to AI producers outside the EU, he said. Rules must be proportionate, limited to what's necessary, adaptable to emerging risks and respectful of values, and must stimulate investment, he said. Governments must ensure access to the data on which AI depends, Breton added. Discussions will continue in the Council's telecom working party, with a compromise proposal expected in November.

The Biden administration is looking past 5G to 6G, said Evelyn Remaley, NTIA acting administrator, at the Americas Spectrum Management Conference Wednesday. She's “very optimistic” about opening the 3.1-3.45 GHz band for 5G and sees industry support for developing a national spectrum strategy. Others cited the importance of the C band and items that must be addressed after the record-setting auction.

The Biden administration is looking past 5G to 6G, said Evelyn Remaley, NTIA acting administrator, at the Americas Spectrum Management Conference Wednesday. She's “very optimistic” about opening the 3.1-3.45 GHz band for 5G and sees industry support for developing a national spectrum strategy. Others cited the importance of the C-band and issues that must be addressed after the record-setting auction.