Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., 22 other Senate Democrats and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., jointly criticized FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's handling of media ownership rules, saying in a Friday letter he has taken “actions to weaken or eliminate” the limits, particularly in ways that favor Sinclair's proposed purchase of Tribune. They voiced concerns the FCC is seeking to change media ownership rules without “detailed” and “substantive” evaluation. House Commerce Democratic leaders sought further information from Pai Friday on their concerns about Sinclair/Tribune (see 1709290063). The senators' letter to Pai came a day after Nelson and others blasted Pai on the Senate floor ahead of and after a vote to invoke cloture on Pai's reconfirmation to another five-year term (see 1709280056). FCC restoration of the UHF discount “directly contradicts Congress’ intent in adopting a statutory national media ownership cap,” the lawmakers wrote: “This action has facilitated” Sinclair/Tribune. “Many find the timing of your media ownership actions troubling and question whether they were essential to the business plans of a single company,” the senators said. “It is obvious that without your change to the UHF discount, this proposed merger would not have been initiated. Whether or not one believes your reinstatement of the discount to be suspect, that action raises serious doubts about whether the FCC is acting impartially in these matters.” The FCC didn't comment.

The timeline for House and Senate Commerce committees to act on legislation to provide additional funding for post-incentive auction repacking appears to hinge on when the FCC can provide more concrete estimates of how much repacking costs will exceed the $1.75 billion allocated in the Broadcaster Relocation Fund, lawmakers and lobbyists told us. House Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., are circulating a letter that could heat up the debate over whether Congress should grant the FCC more authority to not penalize broadcasters that can't meet the existing 39-month repacking timeline, lobbyists said.

The FCC 2015 net neutrality and broadband reclassification order came under attack from critics asking the Supreme Court to review the decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the order, as expected (see 1709280029). The American Cable Association, AT&T, Daniel Berninger, CenturyLink with USTelecom, CTIA and NCTA filed cert petitions challenging the commission's order and appealing D.C. Circuit affirmations. TechFreedom said it also expected to file Thursday, the deadline.

The FCC 2015 net neutrality and broadband reclassification order came under attack from critics asking the Supreme Court to review the decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the order, as expected (see 1709280029). The American Cable Association, AT&T, Daniel Berninger, CenturyLink with USTelecom, CTIA and NCTA filed cert petitions challenging the commission's order and appealing D.C. Circuit affirmations. TechFreedom said it also expected to file Thursday, the deadline.

Teams from the U.S. and EU concluded the first annual review of the Privacy Shield agreement Wednesday, with a report expected in October that may influence changes though overall experts still see mostly smooth sailing. "Discussions over the past days were fruitful," European Justice Commissioner Vera Jourová said in a Thursday statement. "The Privacy Shield can be a win-win for the EU and the US, if implemented correctly." She said the U.S. administration showed its commitment to the framework and European concerns. The two-day joint review meetings ended with a phone call between her and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, a spokeswoman said.

Teams from the U.S. and EU concluded the first annual review of the Privacy Shield agreement Wednesday, with a report expected in October that may influence changes though overall experts still see mostly smooth sailing. "Discussions over the past days were fruitful," European Justice Commissioner Vera Jourová said in a Thursday statement. "The Privacy Shield can be a win-win for the EU and the US, if implemented correctly." She said the U.S. administration showed its commitment to the framework and European concerns. The two-day joint review meetings ended with a phone call between her and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, a spokeswoman said.

Sharp’s Aug. 29 Tariff Act Section 337 patent infringement complaint at the International Trade Commission seeking an import ban on Hisense smart TVs (see 1709050045) is part of a “scorched-earth campaign of litigation” alleging “anything and everything” in an attempt to “undo” the 2015 license agreement that gave Hisense rights to sell Sharp-branded TVs in the U.S., Hisense said in comments (login required) posted in ITC docket 337-TA-3246. Foxconn bought a majority of Sharp in March 2016, months after a financially ailing Sharp licensed its TV brand to Hisense for the U.S. market in a deal that runs out in 2019 (see 1608240031).

Telecom-focused Democratic senators confirmed to us they intend to make their simmering concerns about net neutrality the centerpiece of a to-be-scheduled floor debate on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's renomination to a new five-year term, cementing expectations they would focus on controversial policy issues rather than the nominee himself. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reached a deal in August to confirm now-Commissioners Brendan Carr and Jessica Rosenworcel under unanimous consent but to hold over a vote on Pai and consideration of Carr's nomination to a second full term through 2023. Democrats opposed confirming Pai without invoking cloture because they want time for a floor debate (see 1708030060). Senate Republicans are hoping to bring Pai up for a floor vote before Columbus Day recess (see 1709130054).

Telecom-focused Democratic senators confirmed to us they intend to make their simmering concerns about net neutrality the centerpiece of a to-be-scheduled floor debate on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's renomination to a new five-year term, cementing expectations they would focus on controversial policy issues rather than the nominee himself. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reached a deal in August to confirm now-Commissioners Brendan Carr and Jessica Rosenworcel under unanimous consent but to hold over a vote on Pai and consideration of Carr's nomination to a second full term through 2023. Democrats opposed confirming Pai without invoking cloture because they want time for a floor debate (see 1708030060). Senate Republicans are hoping to bring Pai up for a floor vote before Columbus Day recess (see 1709130054).

Industry urged the FCC to tread lightly in bolstering slamming and cramming rules targeting providers making unauthorized changes to consumers' preferred telecom providers or inserting unauthorized charges on phone bills. Major telco, cable and billing interests expressed concerns about potential new regulations teed up in a July NPRM (see 1707130054), while consumer groups were more supportive. Comments were posted in docket 17-169 Wednesday and Thursday. Replies those days in docket 17-97 on a July notice of inquiry (see 1707130054) also saw the telco industry and consumer groups at odds on whether the FCC should mandate a call authentication standards framework.