Intel representatives told the FCC a market-based approach for the C-band is the best course and would get mid-band spectrum in play more quickly for 5G. “Because it is voluntary, it solves the holdout problem, avoids contentious disputes with the incumbents and harnesses competitive market forces to make the many difficult technical and business tradeoffs that must be addressed in this proceeding,” Intel said. “Compared to the alternatives, it will repurpose and assign this spectrum more efficiently and, most importantly, far more quickly.” Intel met Chief Don Stockdale and officials from his Wireless Bureau, the International Bureau and the Office of Economic Analysis, said a filing posted Monday in docket 17-183. Giving up FCC authorizations and moving to a compressed band "will be painful for all involved," which is the FCC should opt for a distribution and scoring model for however the sale is conducted, said small-satellite operators ABS Global, Hispasat and Embratel Star One, in a posting Monday renewing a push for their distribution model (see 1903110059). That would divvy up some of the proceeds among all satellite operators authorized to transmit in the U.S. C band, not just C-Band Alliance members, they said. They said T-Mobile's band-clearing plan runs afoul of the Communications Act with a reverse auction phase of earth station owners bidding against satellite operators when those parties aren't competing licensees. T-Mobile didn't comment. America's Communications Association said the FCC should determine to what extent the C-band can be refarmed before acting. T-Mobile claims 200 MHz is “insufficient to meet the needs of 5G service providers” and “CTIA has intimated that at least 300 MHz is needed for the U.S. to maintain its global leadership,” ACA said. “Without this information, the figures that are being floated in this proceeding, and that are gradually increasing, are shots in the dark, and any decision as to how much spectrum should, or can, be refarmed would lack foundation,” ACA said. The group said the FCC should also look at the effect in rural markets.

Washington is on the verge of passing the nation's strongest privacy bill, representatives for Microsoft and Internet Association told state House lawmakers Friday, while raising concerns about a private right of action (see 1902280050). Consumer and minority groups called the bill weak, arguing against allowing overly permissive policies for facial recognition technology. House members, who will next meet Tuesday, are amending bill language.

Washington is on the verge of passing the nation's strongest privacy bill, representatives for Microsoft and Internet Association told state House lawmakers Friday, while raising concerns about a private right of action (see 1902280050). Consumer and minority groups called the bill weak, arguing against allowing overly permissive policies for facial recognition technology. House members, who will next meet Tuesday, are amending bill language.

After a "disappointing" outcome from its challenge of AT&T's buy of Time Warner, DOJ will seek court approval to bifurcate some antitrust trials into liability and remedy phases, agency antitrust chief Makan Delrahim said at the annual summit of America's Communication Association -- formerly the American Cable Association (see 1903200021). "It's never fun to lose, but you learn more from losing than from winning," Delrahim said. Separately, FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly criticized Justice for not updating its media market definitions from what he said were antiquated silos.

After a "disappointing" outcome from its challenge of AT&T's buy of Time Warner, DOJ will seek court approval to bifurcate some antitrust trials into liability and remedy phases, agency antitrust chief Makan Delrahim said at the annual summit of America's Communication Association -- formerly the American Cable Association (see 1903200021). "It's never fun to lose, but you learn more from losing than from winning," Delrahim said. Separately, FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly criticized Justice for not updating its media market definitions from what he said were antiquated silos.

There's still a good chance some House Republicans will support the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill (HR-1644), said House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., on an episode of C-SPAN's The Communicators that was set to have been televised over the weekend. HR-1644 and Senate companion S-682, filed earlier this month, would add a new title to the Communications Act that would overturn the FCC order rescinding its 2015 rules, retroactively restoring reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 1903060077). House Communications Republicans railed against the bill during a legislative hearing last week, leading some lobbyists to predict a party-line vote on the measure at markup later this month (see 1903120078).

There's still a good chance some House Republicans will support the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill (HR-1644), said House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., on an episode of C-SPAN's The Communicators that was set to have been televised over the weekend. HR-1644 and Senate companion S-682, filed earlier this month, would add a new title to the Communications Act that would overturn the FCC order rescinding its 2015 rules, retroactively restoring reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 1903060077). House Communications Republicans railed against the bill during a legislative hearing last week, leading some lobbyists to predict a party-line vote on the measure at markup later this month (see 1903120078).

Comedian John Oliver's critique of the FCC for not doing enough to cut illegal robocalls became the latest partisan commissioner dispute over Telephone Consumer Protection Act enforcement and regulation. After commissioners' Friday meeting, there was a war of words over whether the FCC is doing enough, quickly enough, whether wireless and other telecom service providers can do more, and whether the agency has more authority than it has used under Chairman Ajit Pai. Democrats want more agency and industry action, while Republicans said TCPA enforcement is front and center under Pai, and there may not be authority for the crackdown Oliver sought March 10 on Last Week Tonight.

Comedian John Oliver's critique of the FCC for not doing enough to cut illegal robocalls became the latest partisan commissioner dispute over Telephone Consumer Protection Act enforcement and regulation. After commissioners' Friday meeting, there was a war of words over whether the FCC is doing enough, quickly enough, whether wireless and other telecom service providers can do more, and whether the agency has more authority than it has used under Chairman Ajit Pai. Democrats want more agency and industry action, while Republicans said TCPA enforcement is front and center under Pai, and there may not be authority for the crackdown Oliver sought March 10 on Last Week Tonight.

The House Communications Subcommittee appears likely to press forward with a markup of the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill (HR-1644) despite a divide among members during a Tuesday hearing. HR-1644 and Senate companion S-682, filed last week, would add a new title to the Communications Act that says the FCC order rescinding its 2015 rules “shall have no force or effect.” The bill would retroactively restore reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 1903060077).