Noting the high use of texting by populations particularly at risk to suicide, such as kids and minorities, the four FCC members on Thursday approved a Further NPRM on a mandate that carriers provide capabilities to text the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (see 2103310030). Also getting unanimous approvals at the commissioners' meeting were an order allocating spectrum for commercial space launches and an NPRM on setting a framework for informing 911 centers of network outages affecting them, as well as an NPRM on wireless mics in the TV and other bands and an order ending the 800 MHz rebranding process (see 2104220056). Commissioners also OK'd a $4.1 million slamming fine.
WTA members are "very skeptical" that Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction winners can meet obligations to deliver 1 Gbps, the group told FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the other commissioners, per docket 19-126 (see 2104090039). Long-form applicants "proposing to construct and operate new stand-alone gigabit fiber-optic networks at 20-to-30 percent of the RDOF reserve price should be required to meet a very detailed and stringent burden of proof," the group said. WTA raised concerns about applicants that plan to deliver gigabit services over fixed wireless and satellite networks, because those bidders have "line-of-sight, weather, foliage, storm damage, useful life, and maintenance vulnerabilities" (see 2104140063). The group asked the FCC to "declare unequivocally" that RDOF Phase I auction rules will be "strictly enforced."
Commenters in docket 15-94 on FCC-proposed changes to wireless emergency alerts, state emergency communications committees (SECCs) and false alert reporting rules largely supported the plans. Some raised concerns about alert fatigue, confidentiality and how future “presidential” alerts should be designated to avoid public backlash. Proposed rule changes in a unanimously approved March NPRM (see 2103170070) stem from the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which gives the FCC until June 30 to implement new rules.
The Senate Commerce Committee expects to vote on advancing Lina Khan’s nomination to the FTC in a “few weeks,” Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told us Wednesday after Khan’s confirmation hearing (see 2103290061). Republicans we interviewed remain neutral. And Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., had worries.
The Senate Commerce Committee expects to vote on advancing Lina Khan’s nomination to the FTC in a “few weeks,” Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told us Wednesday after Khan’s confirmation hearing (see 2103290061). Republicans we interviewed remain neutral. And Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., had worries.
The Michigan Public Service Commission should “take a fresh look” at pole attachment policies for wireline in addition to wireless, said the Telecom Association of Michigan. TAM intervened Monday in docket U-20980 to support ExteNet’s Jan. 25 petition for a proceeding on wireless pole attachment rules. “The issues raised and relief requested in that Petition require the Commission to interpret the scope and reach of the Pole Attachment Act and its application to wireline communications facilities used to provide wireline telecommunications and broadband,” TAM said. The wireline group asked the PSC to consider definitions of attaching party and utility.
A tide of late opposition to the FCC draft order on foreign-sponsored content identification is considered unlikely to shift the item enough to fully assuage broadcasters' concerns (see 2104190044), industry officials told us. A draft item establishing a 10-application cap for the upcoming noncommercial educational (NCE) auction window is viewed as relatively uncontroversial at the FCC and is unlikely to change before Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting, industry and agency officials said.
The NPRM proposing to allow the use of new wireless multichannel audio system (WMAS) technology by wireless mics is expected to be approved 4-0 Thursday, though a few tweaks are possible based on ex parte filings, FCC officials told us. The NPRM hasn’t faced opposition since circulation by acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. A few questions were raised on implications for the 6 GHz band, which the FCC reallocated for Wi-Fi a year ago. An order terminating the 800 MHz rebanding proceeding is also expected to get unanimous approval.
State legislators are proposing bills to rein in social media, amid the federal debate about Communications Decency Act Section 230. Reasons and approaches differ by party. Left- and right-leaning advocacy organization officials told us they see possible constitutional problems and voiced discomfort with states acting. The Florida Senate Appropriations Committee narrowly passed a bill at a Monday hearing despite GOP and Democratic objections.
Senators in both parties continued to emphasize the importance of communications sector interests in an eventual infrastructure spending package Thursday, as talks continued on the scope of such legislation. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said during a Communications Subcommittee hearing that she’s going to push for local media outlets to receive some funding in a final infrastructure bill. Committee ranking member Roger Wicker of Mississippi and other Republicans said they’re committed to including broadband language in a planned counterproposal to President Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure package (see 2104140069).