Amazon's proposed Kuiper satellite mega constellation is facing pushback from satellite operators that took part in the 2017 non-geostationary orbit processing round, with arguments that it be considered part of a new non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) processing round. The FCC is considered unlikely to act quickly. Satellite experts told us more U.S. mega constellation applications, such as by tech companies, aren't likely. Amazon looks "forward to continued engagement with the FCC regarding our application." The company's "focused on innovating on behalf of our customers," it emailed us Wednesday. "We are committed to realizing our vision for Project Kuiper.” There's "no big rush" for the agency to act, such as if Amazon were saying Kuiper's on a tight deadline for launches, said satellite consultant Tim Farrar. The FCC is likely to see how the NGSO environment shakes out in coming months, since proposed constellations may fall by the wayside, he said. Satellite Industry Association President Tom Stroup doesn't anticipate other NGSO constellation plans from U.S. operators. Amazon's ignoring or misreading FCC precedent when it argues rules make processing rounds moot for the frequencies it wants to share and it should have the same coordination rights and spectrum sharing abilities as the processing round participants, Telesat said this week in a petition to dismiss or hold in abeyance Kuiper's application. A new processing round would give the FCC a better record for issues that NGSO systems are raising, SpaceX said. Backing Amazon were the Video Game Bar Association and the eSports Bar Association. They said spectrum sharing Amazon proposes would help create a competitive market in satellite broadband.

The Senate voted 84-9 Thursday to pass an amended version of the House-passed minibus FY 2020 budget bill (HR-3055) that includes funding for NTIA, other Commerce Department agencies and the Agriculture Department. An amendment approved Wednesday replaced the text of HR-3055 with similar Senate Appropriations Committee-cleared measures S-2522 and S-2584 (see 1910300054). Both bills allocate $42.4 million to NTIA and $3.45 billion to the Patent and Trademark Office. The Senate bill would allocate $753 million to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, $2 million more than in HR-3055 and $353 million above what the administration sought. The Senate adopted en bloc Thursday a set of 45 amendments, including one from Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., that increases the amount of funding for USDA's distance learning and telemedicine grant program $1 million to $35 million. That's $40 million less than the $75 million the House allocated to DLT in HR-3055, an issue that Reps. Greg Pence, R-Ind., and Anthony Brindisi, D-N.Y., are raising with House and Senate Appropriations leaders (see 1910300056). An amendment from Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., would direct the attorney general to report to Congress on implementation of the 2018 Ashanti Alert Act to create a nationwide alert system for missing adults on the model of the Amber Alert system for children (see 1901020054). An amendment from Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., would direct the NOAA to report to Congress on its supercomputing capacity and how weather forecasting would be improved by “significant investment” in more capacity. The Senate, meanwhile, failed on a 51-41 vote to invoke cloture on the House-passed FY 2020 minibus budget bill (HR-2740) that aimed to increase CPB annual funding to $495 million. Senate leaders have been eyeing replacing the House-passed legislative language with a Senate Appropriations substitute that would maintain annual funding at $445 million, despite the increase sought by America’s Public Television Stations (see 1909180058). The Senate version also includes $20 million for upgrades to the public broadcasting interconnection system.

The Senate Commerce Committee will consider multiple privacy proposals at a hearing expected after Thanksgiving, Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told reporters this week. Wicker continues to negotiate with ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on one: “I think we’re close. We’re working hard.” Divulging the exact proposals to be considered at the hearing would be “a bridge too far,” he said.

The Senate voted 84-9 Thursday to pass an amended version of the House-passed minibus FY 2020 budget bill (HR-3055) that includes funding for NTIA, other Commerce Department agencies and the Agriculture Department. An amendment approved Wednesday replaced the text of HR-3055 with similar Senate Appropriations Committee-cleared measures S-2522 and S-2584 (see 1910300054). Both bills allocate $42.4 million to NTIA and $3.45 billion to the Patent and Trademark Office. The Senate bill would allocate $753 million to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, $2 million more than in HR-3055 and $353 million above what the administration sought. The Senate adopted en bloc Thursday a set of 45 amendments, including one from Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., that increases the amount of funding for USDA's distance learning and telemedicine grant program $1 million to $35 million. That's $40 million less than the $75 million the House allocated to DLT in HR-3055, an issue that Reps. Greg Pence, R-Ind., and Anthony Brindisi, D-N.Y., are raising with House and Senate Appropriations leaders (see 1910300056). An amendment from Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., would direct the attorney general to report to Congress on implementation of the 2018 Ashanti Alert Act to create a nationwide alert system for missing adults on the model of the Amber Alert system for children (see 1901020054). An amendment from Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., would direct the NOAA to report to Congress on its supercomputing capacity and how weather forecasting would be improved by “significant investment” in more capacity. The Senate, meanwhile, failed on a 51-41 vote to invoke cloture on the House-passed FY 2020 minibus budget bill (HR-2740) that aimed to increase CPB annual funding to $495 million. Senate leaders have been eyeing replacing the House-passed legislative language with a Senate Appropriations substitute that would maintain annual funding at $445 million, despite the increase sought by America’s Public Television Stations (see 1909180058). The Senate version also includes $20 million for upgrades to the public broadcasting interconnection system.

Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., believes President Donald Trump's administration and the FCC are finally unified on 5G strategy and related spectrum issues. That's despite misgivings ranking member Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel voiced during a Thursday committee hearing. The FCC released a draft proposal Tuesday to bar USF funding for the purchase of telecom equipment from companies “posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain.” The order is seen as targeted at Chinese equipment manufacturers Huawei and ZTE (see 1910300036).

The Senate Commerce Committee will consider multiple privacy proposals at a hearing expected after Thanksgiving, Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told reporters this week. Wicker continues to negotiate with ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on one: “I think we’re close. We’re working hard.” Divulging the exact proposals to be considered at the hearing would be “a bridge too far,” he said.

Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., believes President Donald Trump's administration and the FCC are finally unified on 5G strategy and related spectrum issues. That's despite misgivings ranking member Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel voiced during a Thursday committee hearing. The FCC released a draft proposal Tuesday to bar USF funding for the purchase of telecom equipment from companies “posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain.” The order is seen as targeted at Chinese equipment manufacturers Huawei and ZTE (see 1910300036).

Amazon's proposed Kuiper satellite mega constellation (see 1904040034) is facing pushback from satellite operators that took part in the 2017 non-geostationary orbit processing round, with arguments that it be considered part of a new non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) processing round. The FCC is considered unlikely to act quickly on Kuiper's application. Satellite experts told us other U.S. mega constellation applications, such as by tech companies, aren't likely in the wings.

Four Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee praised the Treasury Department’s proposed regulations for the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act but also criticized several key areas, according to comments released Oct. 29. The comments were signed by Reps. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., Andy Barr, R-Ky., French Hill, R-Ark., and Steve Stivers, R-Ohio.

Adopting a proposal by CTIA and the Wireless Infrastructure Association to mandate new rules or clarify existing rules for Section 6409(a) of 2012's Spectrum Act could harm public safety, the Communications Workers of America said Tuesday in docket 19-250. The FCC sought comment in September (see 1909130062). “Applying the proposed Section 6409(a) shot clock and deemed granted remedies to all authorizations would endanger public and worker safety,” CWA said: “Modifications to wireless equipment and infrastructure often involve complex and technical work. While Section 6409(a) may describe the physical dimensions of eligible modifications as insubstantial, the safety concerns implicated in these modifications are considerable. Work done without appropriate procedures and with inadequate oversight can lead to dangerous conditions.”