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).
Lead GOP Endless Frontier Act sponsor Sen. Todd Young of Indiana indicated after a Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee hearing that fellow Republicans are unlikely to support a floor vote on the bill by the end of the month, as hoped by lead Democratic sponsor Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Senate Commerce Republicans raised a litany of concerns Wednesday about a to-be-filed revised version of the measure (see 2104130068), but most committee members appeared interested in some increase in science and tech research funding.
Lead GOP Endless Frontier Act sponsor Sen. Todd Young of Indiana indicated after a Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee hearing that fellow Republicans are unlikely to support a floor vote on the bill by the end of the month, as hoped by lead Democratic sponsor Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Senate Commerce Republicans raised a litany of concerns Wednesday about a to-be-filed revised version of the measure (see 2104130068), but most committee members appeared interested in some increase in science and tech research funding.
Telecom and technology are finally converging, but the FCC has been slow to keep up with the change, Commissioner Brendan Carr said Tuesday at FCBA's first “all chapter” virtual event, with members watching from across the U.S.
Telecom and technology are finally converging, but the FCC has been slow to keep up with the change, Commissioner Brendan Carr said Tuesday at FCBA's first “all chapter” virtual event, with members watching from across the U.S.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ views on Communications Decency Act Section 230 contradict his prior positions and threaten free speech, conservative and libertarian tech observers said in interviews. The Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit last week claiming President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment in 2017 when he blocked users from his Twitter account (see 2003230060). The high court remanded the case to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals with instructions to dismiss as moot (20-197) because the former president is no longer in office.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ views on Communications Decency Act Section 230 contradict his prior positions and threaten free speech, conservative and libertarian tech observers said in interviews. The Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit last week claiming President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment in 2017 when he blocked users from his Twitter account (see 2003230060). The high court remanded the case to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals with instructions to dismiss as moot (20-197) because the former president is no longer in office.
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington said ensuring "the highest and best" intense use of spectrum and easing the path to infrastructure investment are among his top policy priorities. During a virtual AGL event Thursday, he said shrinking guard bands could be a potentially viable route. Simington said he's "skeptical" that a nationwide fiber buildout could be accomplished at $80 billion and cautioned that a Title II regulatory approach to broadband could raise the threshold for what constitutes a viable community for a broadband provider to offer connectivity. The FCC has done "quite well" in making low- and high-band spectrum available for commercial wireless, but midband needs remain, and that spectrum has a strong ability to drive 5G updates, Simington said: The FCC has the tools to make more spectrum available for terrestrial wireless, but the most effective way to use those tools is clear and open communication with federal users. "Often it's important to not let things get too far down the road before engagement." Simington said he hasn't heard any discussions about a twilight towers agenda item, though the issue could be under study at the staff level. Asked about Communications Decency Act Section 230 action at the FCC, he said it seems clear the agency has authority to take action, but whether it should is less clear. Congress might take up Section 230 without the FCC, he said, and the agency isn't likely to move any item forward before it has a fifth commissioner. He was largely critical of municipal broadband, saying systems frequently require ongoing taxpayer subsidization. Muni broadband "has on occasion filled gaps in some areas," but it's not an effective systemic solution to unserved areas, he said. Asked who will be permanent FCC chair, Simington said he has no insider knowledge, but acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel “has been doing a fantastic job. We are transacting business at a nice brisk clip.” Aurora Insight CEO Jennifer Alvarez said this fall's 3.45-3.55 GHz band auction won't be "quite as high-priced" as the C-band auction because while both represent midband spectrum, 3.45-3.55 GHz has to be shared with incumbent users. Localities lawyer Jonathan Kramer of Telecom Law Firm said small-cell deployments are varying widely in density, with two to three per square mile in some jurisdictions and 30-plus in others. He said local governments have pressing interests in knowing the numbers, locations and designs, because they are "the ones who will live with these things the next 30, 40 years."
NAB President-CEO Gordon Smith will step down at the end of 2021 and be replaced by current NAB Chief Operating Officer Curtis LeGeyt, the group announced Wednesday. Broadcasters and broadcast attorneys told us LeGeyt is seen as having extensive contacts among Capitol Hill Democrats.
NAB President-CEO Gordon Smith will step down at the end of 2021 and be replaced by current NAB Chief Operating Officer Curtis LeGeyt, the group announced Wednesday. Broadcasters and broadcast attorneys told us LeGeyt is seen as having extensive contacts among Capitol Hill Democrats.