The FCC is likely to issue an NPRM on spectrum in the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft system operations in coming months, but rules will have to wait until next year, industry lawyers told us Friday. Drones have been a White House focus, which could help get the FCC to act. An FCC report to Congress said the “unencumbered” 5030-5091 MHz band is likely suitable for UAS operations, but the 960-1164 MHz band isn’t. Last year, the FCC took comment on the possible use of both bands by drones (see 1912270039).
The FCC is likely to issue an NPRM on spectrum in the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft system operations in coming months, but rules will have to wait until next year, industry lawyers told us Friday. Drones have been a White House focus, which could help get the FCC to act. An FCC report to Congress said the “unencumbered” 5030-5091 MHz band is likely suitable for UAS operations, but the 960-1164 MHz band isn’t. Last year, the FCC took comment on the possible use of both bands by drones (see 1912270039).
The FCC is likely to issue an NPRM on spectrum in the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft system operations in coming months, but rules will have to wait until next year, industry lawyers told us Friday. Drones have been a White House focus, which could help get the FCC to act. An FCC report to Congress said the “unencumbered” 5030-5091 MHz band is likely suitable for UAS operations, but the 960-1164 MHz band isn’t. Last year, the FCC took comment on the possible use of both bands by drones (see 1912270039).
House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, is considering all options to restore law enforcement access to ICANN’s Whois database, a spokesperson told us Wednesday. Earlier, FTC Chairman Joe Simons wrote Latta about concerns about the availability of accurate domain name registration information when investigating crimes.
Not including the cost of integrated receivers/decoders (IRD) from the C-band lump sum amount available to earth station operators is contrary to regulatory plain text and common sense, ACA Connects said in a writ of mandamus application Thursday asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stay the Sept. 14 C-band lump sum election deadline. Lawyers involved in the C-band proceeding said ACA's ask faces an uphill challenge at the D.C. Circuit, but the cable group had seemingly no other option given the rapidly approaching deadline. The FCC didn't comment.
President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign appears unlikely to deviate in any substantive way from the administration’s existing stances on 5G and broadband policy, despite questions about whether language in an agenda outline released earlier this week (see 2008240056) was a callback to past nationalization proposals. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden cited broadband and other infrastructure during the party’s convention last week as part of “a new foundation for economic growth" (see 2008210001).
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission sought to retain telecom authority while agreeing Thursday to propose changes to some state rules to reflect changing competition. “We can improve our regulatory construct while continuing to exercise our jurisdiction responsibly,” said Vice Chairman David Sweet before commissioners voted 4-0 for an amended NPRM at the PUC’s teleconferenced meeting. Later in Wyoming, CenturyLink said it’s complying with a 2019 agreement to get landline deregulation in rural areas of that state. California and Texas commissions also mulled telecom matters at Thursday meetings.
House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, is considering all options to restore law enforcement access to ICANN’s Whois database, a spokesperson told us Wednesday. Earlier, FTC Chairman Joe Simons wrote Latta about concerns about the availability of accurate domain name registration information when investigating crimes.
President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign appears unlikely to deviate in any substantive way from the administration’s existing stances on 5G and broadband policy, despite questions about whether language in an agenda outline released earlier this week (see 2008240056) was a callback to past nationalization proposals. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden cited broadband and other infrastructure during the party’s convention last week as part of “a new foundation for economic growth" (see 2008210001).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai sharply criticized Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s partial dissent from an NPRM on adjusting agency fees in accordance with Ray Baum’s Act, in a statement released with the item Wednesday. “One might think that a pro-consumer approach consistent with the law would garner unanimous support. Sigh,” said Pai. Rosenworcel’s dissent, also included with the item, was based on a proposed increase in fees for formal complaints, from $235 to $540, which she said was anti-consumer and “crazy.” Pai said Rosenworcel didn’t inform Pai’s office of the nature of her objection to the item until Aug. 21, though the item was circulated July 2. Pai individually listed every day in between: “On July 2, when the Office of the Managing Director circulated this item, my colleague did not say a thing, much less request any edits. Nor on July 3. Nor on July 4 (with a pass for fireworks, of course). Nor on July 5. Nor on July 6. Nor on July 7. Nor on July 8 ...” Rosenworcel’s office didn’t comment. Consumers don’t use the formal complaint process, Pai said, saying no such complaints were filed in 2019 or so far in 2020. “In contrast, consumers rely on our informal complaint process. ... And what’s the fee we propose for such actual consumer complaints? Zero,” he said. He also said adjustment to the formal fee was a result of the statute. “So how, then, does the dissent suggest that we calculate a new application fee for formal complaints?” asked Pai, using a blank line to indicate Rosenworcel didn’t propose a solution. “Going forward, my staff and I will continue to search for ways to address issues that are never raised with us and that we’re thus unaware of, given this recurring issue,” Pai’s statement concludes. Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks partially dissented from the item, but only Rosenworcel and Pai released statements. Along with the complaint fee, the NPRM seeks comment on consolidating the application fees assessed on licenses for wireless services, streamlining the application fee schedule, and adopting the same cost-based fees for full-power and Class A TV stations. "It's a strange use of time for a Chairman's office that seems more bent on settling scores and protecting its thin skin than on protecting people's rights," said Free Press Vice President-Policy Matt Wood, who called Pai's statement a "tantrum." The formal complaint process isn't often used by individuals "because the process is time-intensive and expensive too," said Wood. "How is making it even more expensive supposed to help?"