Rep. Max Rose, D-N.Y., introduced legislation Thursday that would create a program in which experts flag terrorist content for social media companies. The Raising the Bar Act would establish a program modeled after a similar EU one and “would hold social media companies accountable to their own written standards and encourage the kind of partnerships that are needed to properly stop the spread of terrorist content online,” Rose said. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., co-sponsored the bill.
DOD has been raising issues behind the scenes with the FCC to avoid technical or legal review of its arguments against Ligado's license modification applications, and its opposition isn't grounded in data in the docket, said the company in a docket 11-109 filing Thursday to be posted. It includes a June 7 letter to the FCC from then-acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Nov. 18 letter from now-Secretary Mark Esper. DOD opposition "appears to be an attempt to grab spectrum" not allocated to it, Ligado said, saying the lack of public communication on its views "means the DOD lacks any legitimate basis" for opposition.
As in initial comments, industry and local governments divided in replies on CTIA and Wireless Infrastructure Association proposals seeking more changes to wireless infrastructure rules designed to accelerate siting of towers and other 5G facilities (see 1910300027). Industry and FCC officials told us it’s unclear when the agency might consider changes. WIA told us talks with municipalities' allies continue.
As in initial comments, industry and local governments divided in replies on CTIA and Wireless Infrastructure Association proposals seeking more changes to wireless infrastructure rules designed to accelerate siting of towers and other 5G facilities (see 1910300027). Industry and FCC officials told us it’s unclear when the agency might consider changes. WIA told us talks with municipalities' allies continue.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's Monday decision to pursue a public auction of spectrum on the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (see 1911180026) has shifted some lawmakers' attention from forcing the commission's hand to ensuring proceeds from the sale are allocated for rural broadband deployments and other telecom priorities. Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman John Kennedy, R-La., and House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., are aiming to continue advancing the Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment (C-Band) Act (HR-4855/S-2921) as a potential proceeds allocation mechanism. Kennedy discussed potential pay-for options for C-band proceeds during a Thursday Senate Appropriations Financial Services hearing.
FCC commissioners are seeking various changes to the national security supply chain rules set for a vote Friday. FCC officials said the email chain has been active this week, with all the commissioners seeking edits from Chairman Ajit Pai and staff. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel laid out in detail the changes she wants in the order in a Wednesday speech at the 5G Securing Rural Engagement Initiative in Flowood, Mississippi.
House legislation to reauthorize parts of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act advanced Wednesday out of the chamber's Commerce Committee, and the Judiciary Committee was expected to clear its related bill after our deadline that evening. Commerce advanced the Television Viewer Protection Act (HR-5035) on a voice vote after Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and committee ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., reached a deal on a compromise manager's amendment.
The path forward on House work on Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization remained murky Monday, before a Tuesday Commerce Committee markup of its Television Viewer Protection Act (HR-5035) and the Judiciary Committee's circulation of the related Satellite Television Community Protection and Promotion Act (see 1911180014). The House Communications Subcommittee advanced HR-5035 last week on a voice vote, though House Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and others raised concerns (see 1911140056). The Senate Commerce Committee postponed consideration (see 1911130055) of the similar Satellite Television Access Reauthorization Act (S-2789) amid committee members' revolt.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will circulate an order seeking approval of a public auction of 280 MHz of C-band spectrum in 2020, for a vote early in the new year, FCC officials said Monday. The order won't be on the agenda for the Dec. 12 commissioners’ meeting. The decision is considered a huge loss for the C-Band Alliance, which pressed for a private auction (see 1911150046). President Donald Trump called Pai Oct. 30 to find out more about the C band but didn’t express a view the FCC should hold a public auction, FCC officials said. Pai unveiled the decision in a letter Monday to leaders in Congress.
Increased Section 232 duties on steel products from Turkey may be invalid or even unconstitutional, the Court of International Trade said in a Nov. 15 decision. Denying the government’s motion to dismiss an importer's challenge of the 50 percent duty, which was dropped back to 25 percent in May (see 1905170004), the court said Transpacific Steel raises arguments that may lead to a refund of the additional duties in the CIT’s final decision.