Consumer and public interest groups said the FCC should deny a petition by the P2P Alliance asking to clarify peer-to-peer text messages to cellphones aren't subject to Telephone Consumer Protection Act restrictions (see 1805040028). It's late in the game. Industry and agency officials said Chairman Ajit Pai supports acting on the P2P petition, likely with the support of the other Republicans. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks haven't staked out a position.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated Monday an order banning malicious caller ID spoofing of text messages and international calls for a vote at the Aug. 1 commissioners’ meeting. In February, commissioners voted 5-0 to launch a rulemaking on curbing spoofed robocalls (see 1902140039), implementing part of Ray Baum's Act.
The intensifying 2020 presidential race could affect FCC policymaking as the election gets much closer, industry and former officials told us, though they don’t all agree on what the effect will be. Some expect the agency and Chairman Ajit Pai to seek to avoid headline-grabbing rulemakings that create ammunition for President Donald Trump’s opponents. Others expect Pai to push his agenda to get policies approved while Republican control of the agency is certain.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated Monday an order banning malicious caller ID spoofing of text messages and international calls for a vote at the Aug. 1 commissioners’ meeting. In February, commissioners voted 5-0 to launch a rulemaking on curbing spoofed robocalls (see 1902140039), implementing part of Ray Baum's Act.
Amazon's plan now before the FCC for a 3,236-satellite non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellation is increasing the pressure on the agency to act on its orbital debris proceeding, especially since the e-tailer's resources make its constellation plan less speculative than others, satellite experts told us. Amazon's International Bureau application filed Thursday also could raise red flags from other satellite operators about its trying to bypass the processing round process, said satellite lawyer Steve Goodman of Butzel Long.
Amazon's plan now before the FCC for a 3,236-satellite non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellation is increasing the pressure on the agency to act on its orbital debris proceeding, especially since Amazon's resources make its constellation plan less speculative than others, satellite experts told us Friday. Amazon's International Bureau application filed Thursday also could raise red flags from other satellite operators about its trying to bypass the processing round process, said satellite lawyer Steve Goodman of Butzel Long. The FCC didn't comment Friday. Amazon's Kuiper Systems would orbit between 590 and 630 kilometers, providing broadband service in the Ka band, it said, saying its goal is "broadband communications services to tens of millions of unserved and underserved consumers and businesses in the United States and around the globe." It said it has at least part of the necessary global terrestrial networking infrastructure in the form of its intercontinental fiber links and global data centers. Processing rounds aren't necessary any longer to ensure competitive entry given the NGSO fixed satellite service spectrum sharing framework, the e-tailer said, seeking a waiver of the requirement the Kuiper application trigger a processing round. The company asked for a waiver of agency geographic coverage rules since its system wouldn't cover most of Alaska. A satellite lawyer said it's inevitable Kuiper will get pushback from other constellation operators on the processing round issue.
Amazon's plan now before the FCC for a 3,236-satellite non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellation is increasing the pressure on the agency to act on its orbital debris proceeding, especially since Amazon's resources make its constellation plan less speculative than others, satellite experts told us Friday. Amazon's International Bureau application filed Thursday also could raise red flags from other satellite operators about its trying to bypass the processing round process, said satellite lawyer Steve Goodman of Butzel Long. The FCC didn't comment Friday. Amazon's Kuiper Systems would orbit between 590 and 630 kilometers, providing broadband service in the Ka band, it said, saying its goal is "broadband communications services to tens of millions of unserved and underserved consumers and businesses in the United States and around the globe." It said it has at least part of the necessary global terrestrial networking infrastructure in the form of its intercontinental fiber links and global data centers. Processing rounds aren't necessary any longer to ensure competitive entry given the NGSO fixed satellite service spectrum sharing framework, the e-tailer said, seeking a waiver of the requirement the Kuiper application trigger a processing round. The company asked for a waiver of agency geographic coverage rules since its system wouldn't cover most of Alaska. A satellite lawyer said it's inevitable Kuiper will get pushback from other constellation operators on the processing round issue.
5G rollout and a fully digital single market are top priorities for Europe's tech sector as the European Commission and Parliament begin a new five-year term, stakeholders said in interviews and statements. Other items on their wish-lists include fair competition rules and a push for faster deployment of fiber networks. The new EU term could also bring a bruising battle over internet intermediary liability.
5G rollout and a fully digital single market are top priorities for Europe's tech sector as the European Commission and Parliament begin a new five-year term, stakeholders said in interviews and statements. Other items on their wish-lists include fair competition rules and a push for faster deployment of fiber networks. The new EU term could also bring a bruising battle over internet intermediary liability.
The Wireless ISP Association, backed up by Google, made a case for sharing with repacked satellite earth stations C band spectrum that's not reallocated for licensed use The two unveiled a new study at an event Tuesday by Virginia Tech professor Jeff Reed on a methodology for sharing the band while protecting earth stations. FCC officials told us the sharing plan may not get much traction there, where a C-band plan is taking shape.