Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., hailed Armed Services for including language from their Spectrum IT Modernization Act (S-3717) in the chamber’s version of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. S-3717 would require NTIA to develop a plan for modernizing its IT systems, including “ways to improve the management of" DOD and other "covered agencies’ use of Federal spectrum through that infrastructure." It would require NTIA to develop “a time-based automated mechanism” to “share Federal spectrum between covered agencies.” Senate Commerce advanced S-3717 in late May, though Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., raised concerns (see 2005200037). Armed Services advanced its NDAA text last week (see 2006110026). “I am pleased that this bipartisan work with my colleagues” on Armed Services and Commerce “would establish a whole-of-government approach to spectrum management,” Wicker said Friday. Inhofe said the bill “highlights how, working together," NTIA "can meet the needs of the public and private sector through thoughtful management of spectrum.”

Reps. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., and Chris Stewart, R-Utah, urged the FCC Monday to "halt any increases to annual regulatory fees" for 2020 (see 2005130057). Kuster and Stewart wrote Chairman Ajit Pai that this "does not require an act of Congress." Uncertainty about "when state and local economies will fully reopen and how consumer behavior will be impacted" means "it is nearly impossible for broadcasters to predict when, or if, operating revenues may return to normal," the lawmakers said. "What is certain for these broadcasters is that expenses will continue to be incurred for the duration of the year," including regulatory fees. "Immediately notify Congress of any statutory change necessary to allow payment of regulatory fees after September 30," the lawmakers said. The agency "will review [the letter] once we receive it," a spokesperson emailed.

The FCC approved clarity on wireless siting rules to speed the collocation of wireless infrastructure on existing cell towers 3-2, over dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. They objected, as some expected (see 2006030057), after the agency declined to delay a vote to give state and local governments more time to respond due to the demands because of the COVID-19 pandemic and protests. Republicans said change is needed as companies struggle to build out 5G networks. The ruling takes effect upon release.

USTelecom and its members urged the FCC to launch an order soon on a February consensus proposal on toll-free access rates. Rural and competitive LECs want to make sure they don't lose revenue in the process or face added costs. Activity in docket 18-156 heated up in recent weeks as stakeholders lobby Wireline Bureau staff and commissioner offices. The commission issued a Further NPRM two years ago (see 1807020040). At issue is who pays to move toll-free traffic and who gets revenue for it.

Businesses dissatisfied by final California privacy rules might sue the state, but an expected November ballot vote on another privacy proposal and other factors could discourage them, business privacy attorneys said this week. The Software & Information Industry Association raised constitutional concerns with the California Consumer Privacy Act and regulations released Tuesday. SIIA General Counsel Chris Mohr told us Thursday it’s “not in a litigation posture at this time.” Rumored suits probably would be a long, uphill fight, said Perkins Coie’s Dominique Shelton Leipzig on an Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) webinar Wednesday.

Businesses dissatisfied by final California privacy rules might sue the state, but an expected November ballot vote on another privacy proposal and other factors could discourage them, business privacy attorneys said this week. The Software & Information Industry Association raised constitutional concerns with the California Consumer Privacy Act and regulations released Tuesday. SIIA General Counsel Chris Mohr told us Thursday it’s “not in a litigation posture at this time.” Rumored suits probably would be a long, uphill fight, said Perkins Coie’s Dominique Shelton Leipzig on an Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) webinar Wednesday.

The FCC may wait a bit before taking up any NTIA petition for rulemaking to clarify the scope of the tech industry’s liability shield (see 2005290058), observers predicted in interviews this week. The Association of National Advertisers said it’s ready to defend marketers’ interests if threatened. A tech industry representative and academics told us President Donald Trump’s executive order last week sets a dangerous precedent and could compromise independent agencies.

The FCC may wait a bit before taking up any NTIA petition for rulemaking to clarify the scope of the tech industry’s liability shield (see 2005290058), observers predicted in interviews this week. The Association of National Advertisers said it’s ready to defend marketers’ interests if threatened. A tech industry representative and academics told us President Donald Trump’s executive order last week sets a dangerous precedent and could compromise independent agencies.

Now that the comment cycle is complete, move on proposals to allow TV white spaces (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas, Microsoft and other commenters asked the FCC. Others continue to raise concerns (see 2005050033). Replies were posted through Wednesday in docket 20-36 on an NPRM that commissioners approved 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). Make the changes discussed in the NPRM but address other changes in future items, Microsoft replied. There's broad support for TVWS changes from service providers, tech companies, businesses and schools in rural areas and public interest organizations, the company said: “The record also demonstrates that the proposed rule changes will accelerate the pace of TVWS deployments and significantly improve the ability of TVWS technology to narrow the digital divide.” There's broad agreement “more robust rules” here “would improve connectivity in rural, tribal, and other unserved and underserved areas,” the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition said. New America’s Open Technology Institute, Public Knowledge, Consumer Reports, Access Humboldt, Next Century Cities, Common Cause, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and Benton Institute for Broadband and Society were among those on the filing. “Limit this proceeding to the narrow set of proposals set forth in the NPRM” and don't “consider extraneous requests that would dramatically expand those proposals or effectively rewrite Part 15 of the Commission’s rules,” NAB said. Some would expand the proceeding to consider “areas that have already been fully debated and where there have been no new developments that would warrant changes,” the group said. The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council endorsed the changes in general for rural areas, seeking companion tweaks for private land mobile radio operations on TV channels 14-20. NPSTC is “simply seeking to maintain an equivalent level of protection to that offered today,” the group said: “The proposed doubling of the allowed TVWS antenna height will have a significant effect on the separation distance needed to maintain an equivalent level of protection” to public land mobile radio operations. Wireless mic makers kept up their concerns. “Refine the movable platforms proposal by narrowing the scope of eligible vehicles and accounting for antenna height and directionality in the design of the rules,” Shure said: “Retain the less congested areas framework while rejecting impractical/computationally intensive alternative proposals centered around population density and/or terrain-based modeling.”

Now that the comment cycle is complete, move on proposals to allow TV white spaces (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas, Microsoft and other commenters asked the FCC. Others continue to raise concerns (see 2005050033). Replies were posted through Wednesday in docket 20-36 on an NPRM that commissioners approved 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). Make the changes discussed in the NPRM but address other changes in future items, Microsoft replied. There's broad support for TVWS changes from service providers, tech companies, businesses and schools in rural areas and public interest organizations, the company said: “The record also demonstrates that the proposed rule changes will accelerate the pace of TVWS deployments and significantly improve the ability of TVWS technology to narrow the digital divide.” There's broad agreement “more robust rules” here “would improve connectivity in rural, tribal, and other unserved and underserved areas,” the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition said. New America’s Open Technology Institute, Public Knowledge, Consumer Reports, Access Humboldt, Next Century Cities, Common Cause, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and Benton Institute for Broadband and Society were among those on the filing. “Limit this proceeding to the narrow set of proposals set forth in the NPRM” and don't “consider extraneous requests that would dramatically expand those proposals or effectively rewrite Part 15 of the Commission’s rules,” NAB said. Some would expand the proceeding to consider “areas that have already been fully debated and where there have been no new developments that would warrant changes,” the group said. The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council endorsed the changes in general for rural areas, seeking companion tweaks for private land mobile radio operations on TV channels 14-20. NPSTC is “simply seeking to maintain an equivalent level of protection to that offered today,” the group said: “The proposed doubling of the allowed TVWS antenna height will have a significant effect on the separation distance needed to maintain an equivalent level of protection” to public land mobile radio operations. Wireless mic makers kept up their concerns. “Refine the movable platforms proposal by narrowing the scope of eligible vehicles and accounting for antenna height and directionality in the design of the rules,” Shure said: “Retain the less congested areas framework while rejecting impractical/computationally intensive alternative proposals centered around population density and/or terrain-based modeling.”