Telcos backed and critics opposed FCC proposals for further wireline deregulation the agency believes would encourage broadband deployment. Cable interests and others supported a proposal to codify existing FCC precedent promoting "overlashing" of pole attachments, while electric utilities said they must have advanced notice and oversight to ensure system reliability and safety. Comments were posted Wednesday and Thursday in docket 17-84 on a Further NPRM. The notice was combined with an order that streamlined rules for copper retirements and service discontinuances, and that took steps to facilitate pole attachments (see 1711160032).
Telcos backed and critics opposed FCC proposals for further wireline deregulation the agency believes would encourage broadband deployment. Cable interests and others supported a proposal to codify existing FCC precedent promoting "overlashing" of pole attachments, while electric utilities said they must have advanced notice and oversight to ensure system reliability and safety. Comments were posted Wednesday and Thursday in docket 17-84 on a Further NPRM. The notice was combined with an order that streamlined rules for copper retirements and service discontinuances, and that took steps to facilitate pole attachments (see 1711160032).
Tech company efforts to combat online terrorism faced skepticism at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Wednesday, with some senators pressing for fuller explanations of technologies for identifying and removing extremist content. Chairman John Thune, R-N.D., told reporters the hearing was a “really good first step” and Facebook, YouTube and Twitter witnesses “were pretty responsive.” The committee will keep tracking the issue but doesn’t plan further action at the moment, Thune said: “We know how important these platforms are to extremist groups to recruit and radicalize folks that will commit violent acts against Americans, and we just want to make sure we’re staying on top of that issue.”
Tech company efforts to combat online terrorism faced skepticism at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Wednesday, with some senators pressing for fuller explanations of technologies for identifying and removing extremist content. Chairman John Thune, R-N.D., told reporters the hearing was a “really good first step” and Facebook, YouTube and Twitter witnesses “were pretty responsive.” The committee will keep tracking the issue but doesn’t plan further action at the moment, Thune said: “We know how important these platforms are to extremist groups to recruit and radicalize folks that will commit violent acts against Americans, and we just want to make sure we’re staying on top of that issue.”
Tech company efforts to combat online terrorism faced skepticism at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Wednesday, with some senators pressing for fuller explanations of technologies for identifying and removing extremist content. Chairman John Thune, R-N.D., told reporters the hearing was a “really good first step” and Facebook, YouTube and Twitter witnesses “were pretty responsive.” The committee will keep tracking the issue but doesn’t plan further action at the moment, Thune said: “We know how important these platforms are to extremist groups to recruit and radicalize folks that will commit violent acts against Americans, and we just want to make sure we’re staying on top of that issue.”
Wireless industry lawyers see no wiggle room on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's position that the agency won’t hold any spectrum auctions until Congress approves legislative language that would allow auction deposits to be sent directly to the Treasury Department (see 1710240065 and 1710250026). The stance raises questions about when the FCC will hold the first auction of high-frequency spectrum, which is a key building block of 5G. AT&T and other industry players want an auction of the 28 GHz and 37-40 GHz bands by December (see 1711150022).
The House passed a bill Thursday to reauthorize Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702 through 2023 despite a series of mixed messages from President Donald Trump's administration and opposition from backers of alternate legislation that included stricter privacy protections (see 1801100056). The Rapid DNA Act (S-139), which was a legislative vehicle for a revised version of the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act (HR-4478), is seen to have a strong chance of passing the Senate. The measure also has critics in the Senate, who may filibuster it absent the inclusion of additional privacy protections. Congress included a short-term extension of Section 702 authority in its most recent continuing resolution to fund the federal government, which expires Jan. 19 (see 1712210054).
The nine Senate Finance Committee Democrats asked President Donald Trump to direct agency leaders to disclose more information on trade negotiations in Jan. 12 letter. "Recent decisions by the Administration to begin trade negotiations with Korea without complying with basic transparency requirements set out in U.S. law and the failure of the Administration to release several trade-related reports raise serious questions regarding the Administration's commitment to openness with the American public when it comes to trade policy," said the group. There's been a lack of consultations "with Congress regarding how sensitive products will be addressed in the negotiations (including sensitive agricultural products and textiles)," the Senators said. The public "has been kept in the dark as to the Administration's specific intentions regarding the renegotiation of a free trade agreement that is second only to NAFTA in size."
The nonprofit Sports Fans Coalition (SFC) launched an over-the-top translator service in the New York area Thursday that aims to allow watching live streams of local broadcasters online. But broadcast experts see the Locast.org service raising copyright, retransmission consent and programming contract questions. "We are kind of in uncharted territory," said SFC founder David Goodfriend, a lobbyist and lawyer. "I'm not naive enough to think" there won't possibly be legal challenges, he said.
The nonprofit Sports Fans Coalition (SFC) launched an over-the-top translator service in the New York area Thursday that aims to allow watching live streams of local broadcasters online. But broadcast experts see the Locast.org service raising copyright, retransmission consent and programming contract questions. "We are kind of in uncharted territory," said SFC founder David Goodfriend, a lobbyist and lawyer. "I'm not naive enough to think" there won't possibly be legal challenges, he said.