House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, wants to legislate access to personal Whois data, he told us (see 2008270055). Stakeholders concerned with intellectual property, online security, law enforcement and other interests said in interviews that Congress must take control of the debate because ICANN can't resolve the issue.
House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, wants to legislate access to personal Whois data, he told us (see 2008270055). Stakeholders concerned with intellectual property, online security, law enforcement and other interests said in interviews that Congress must take control of the debate because ICANN can't resolve the issue.
The FCC released rules for the $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program Friday. The order adopted several recommendations that commissioners sought, including a uniform start date for participating providers and a streamlined approval process for noneligible telecom carriers (ETCs). Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the rules Thursday (see 2102250066). Commissioner Brendan Carr's statement Friday showed he voted to approve in part and concur in part.
Data portability and interoperability could get early movement as the House Antitrust Subcommittee looks to draft bipartisan bills for its antitrust review, Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., and ranking member Ken Buck, R-Colo., told us. At a hearing earlier Thursday, members of both parties showed support for working on portability and interoperability. Buck highlighted both items for potential subcommittee collaboration.
Data portability and interoperability could get early movement as the House Antitrust Subcommittee looks to draft bipartisan bills for its antitrust review, Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., and ranking member Ken Buck, R-Colo., told us. At a hearing earlier Thursday, members of both parties showed support for working on portability and interoperability. Buck highlighted both items for potential subcommittee collaboration.
Democrats and Republicans appeared to be drawing battle lines before a House Communications Subcommittee hearing Wednesday over whether broadcasters, cable companies and streaming services should continue to carry conservative media outlets that critics claim deliberately disseminate disinformation. Lobbyists expect the hearing to largely be a venue to score political points, rather than a precursor to legislation. The virtual hearing begins at 12:30 p.m. EST.
Verizon dominated the record-setting C-band auction with $45.4 billion in bids, almost twice the $23.4 billion bid by AT&T, the FCC announced. T-Mobile was third at $9.3 billion, as it further buttressed its midband holdings. UScellular bid $1.3 billion. The auction started Dec. 8 and closed Feb. 17 at $81.2 billion after the assignment phase. That doesn’t include roughly $13 billion in accelerated clearing payments. The FCC sold all 5,684 spectrum blocks up for bid.
FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said 5G issues will be a focus at the March 17 commissioners’ meeting, circulating a draft order to start an auction of the 3.45-3.55 GHz band in early October (see 2102230046). She plans a notice of inquiry opening a “formal discussion” on open radio access networks, the FCC said Tuesday. Rosenworcel announced Monday commissioners will vote on rules for the $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program (see 2102220065).
Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier, both of California, led a letter Monday with 31 other House Democratic women urging President Joe Biden to name acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to the permanent spot. Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell of Washington and other Democratic lawmakers have been pressing Biden to move quickly to name a permanent FCC chair and fill a vacant seat to secure a 3-2 commission majority (see 2102050064). Rosenworcel “has spent years raising the important voices and unique needs of women that have been ignored for far too long in technology and telecommunications policy” and “is perfectly qualified” to be the first permanent chairwoman, Eshoo and the other lawmakers wrote White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain. Some Congressional Black Caucus members back Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus wants a Latino commissioner (see 2102110043).
Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier, both of California, led a letter Monday with 31 other House Democratic women urging President Joe Biden to name acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to the permanent spot. Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell of Washington and other Democratic lawmakers have been pressing Biden to move quickly to name a permanent FCC chair and fill a vacant seat to secure a 3-2 commission majority (see 2102050064). Rosenworcel “has spent years raising the important voices and unique needs of women that have been ignored for far too long in technology and telecommunications policy” and “is perfectly qualified” to be the first permanent chairwoman, Eshoo and the other lawmakers wrote White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain. Some Congressional Black Caucus members back Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus wants a Latino commissioner (see 2102110043).