TV broadcasters want the FCC to handle ATSC 3.0 with a “light regulatory touch.” MVPDs, wireless entities, consumer groups and NPR urged the agency to protect retransmission negotiations, unlicensed spectrum, radio and the post-incentive auction repacking from the transition to the new television standard, in comments filed Tuesday in docket 16-142 (see 1705090053). The FCC should “expeditiously adopt only those minimal regulations necessary to permit broadcasters to voluntarily implement ATSC 3.0 transmissions,” said Nexstar. The transition to the new standard “threatens to compound disruption in the industry and to the public,” said NCTA.

TV broadcasters want the FCC to handle ATSC 3.0 with a “light regulatory touch.” MVPDs, wireless entities, consumer groups and NPR urged the agency to protect retransmission negotiations, unlicensed spectrum, radio and the post-incentive auction repacking from the transition to the new television standard, in comments filed Tuesday in docket 16-142 (see 1705090053). The FCC should “expeditiously adopt only those minimal regulations necessary to permit broadcasters to voluntarily implement ATSC 3.0 transmissions,” said Nexstar. The transition to the new standard “threatens to compound disruption in the industry and to the public,” said NCTA.

The FCC should hold off on a net neutrality rulemaking until the Supreme Court decides whether to review the 2015 net neutrality order, said Brett Glass, owner of wireless ISP Lariat, in a call with Nick Degani, aide to Chairman Ajit Pai. “I agreed 100 percent with Chairman Pai's desire to reverse the Commission's misclassification of Internet access service,” Glass said. Supreme Court review is “the most likely path to a certain and lasting outcome,” said a filing in docket 17-108. “We further asked that [Pai] specifically publish a statement saying that he preferred the Court to rule on the case before acting, encouraging it to settle some or all of the issues it raised.” Glass said that as a small company, Lariat has had trouble obtaining financing while uncertainty continues over regulation of the internet and ISPs.

The FCC should hold off on a net neutrality rulemaking until the Supreme Court decides whether to review the 2015 net neutrality order, said Brett Glass, owner of wireless ISP Lariat, in a call with Nick Degani, aide to Chairman Ajit Pai. “I agreed 100 percent with Chairman Pai's desire to reverse the Commission's misclassification of Internet access service,” Glass said. Supreme Court review is “the most likely path to a certain and lasting outcome,” said a filing in docket 17-108. “We further asked that [Pai] specifically publish a statement saying that he preferred the Court to rule on the case before acting, encouraging it to settle some or all of the issues it raised.” Glass said that as a small company, Lariat has had trouble obtaining financing while uncertainty continues over regulation of the internet and ISPs.

FARMINGTON, Pa. -- Cable and telco officials and critics disputed privacy and net neutrality at an FCBA seminar Saturday. There were sharp differences over the FCC 2015 open internet and Title II broadband reclassification order and its 2016 broadband privacy order, and over recent Republican moves and proposals to roll them back. There was some agreement that common ground could be found on open internet rules, that much of the fight is over FCC authority under the Communications Act, and that a legislative fix is needed but difficult.

FARMINGTON, Pa. -- The partisan divide on net neutrality and privacy was a chasm at an FCBA panel of congressional staffers Saturday. Republicans want to negotiate workable legislative solutions, but Democrats didn't believe a compromise is possible due to deep disagreements. They voiced more hope for developing bipartisan broadband infrastructure and spectrum legislation.

FARMINGTON, Pa. -- The partisan divide on net neutrality and privacy was a chasm at an FCBA panel of congressional staffers Saturday. Republicans want to negotiate workable legislative solutions, but Democrats didn't believe a compromise is possible due to deep disagreements. They voiced more hope for developing bipartisan broadband infrastructure and spectrum legislation.

FARMINGTON, Pa. -- Cable and telco officials and critics disputed privacy and net neutrality at an FCBA seminar Saturday. There were sharp differences over the FCC 2015 open internet and Title II broadband reclassification order and its 2016 broadband privacy order, and over recent Republican moves and proposals to roll them back. There was some agreement that common ground could be found on open internet rules, that much of the fight is over FCC authority under the Communications Act, and that a legislative fix is needed but difficult.

Satellite operators and WTA suggested a variety of changes to rules the FCC adopted between 2001 and 2004, in filings (see here, here and here) posted Friday in docket 16-251. The comments deadline in the Regulatory Flexibility Act rules review is May 15. Intelsat recommended eliminating Section 25.170's requirement for satellite operators to annually report satellites and spectrum unavailable for service, contact information for interference resolution and construction process and expected launch dates of authorized replacement satellites. It said the Section 25 requirement is largely redundant given other filings and notices, and requires something of satellite operators that terrestrial operators don't need to do. It also recommended modification of Section 25.119 rules requiring prior approval of pro forma transfers of control of non-common carrier satellite and earth station licenses, calling it "illogical" non-common carrier licenses holders "must undergo the labor- and time-intensive process of submitting an application for FCC approval" even though the agency recognizes pro forma transfer applications don't raise public interest issues. It recommended discontinuation of Form Schedule S, which contains technical information regarding proposed space station operations -- information that could be provided in spreadsheets and narratives "without having to use the burdensome Schedule S software." EchoStar and its Hughes Network Systems listed six Part 25 rules and two Part 2 rules they said should be eliminated or revised as "duplicative, unduly burdensome and no longer in the public interest." They include 25.111(e), requiring submission of a paper copy of an application to the International Bureau; 25.112 (a)(3), (b), not allowing applications for satellite use of spectrum prior to international allocations for such use; and 25.114, requiring separate space and earth station applications operating in the same network. WTA suggested eliminating or revising several Section 54 reporting requirements. One regulation it singled out for deleting was the Section 54.305 rule that provides high-cost support to a carrier acquiring exchanges from an unaffiliated carrier, with WTA saying it has created "orphan" exchanges that require separate accounting and come with high costs while getting little USF support. WTA also said Form 477 filing requirements should be annually, calling the current, twice-a-year requirement "very time consuming and expensive" for RLECs.

USTelecom asked the FCC to ensure "greater efficiencies" in the video relay service program for the deaf and hard of hearing, and to shore up "the overall sustainability" of the broader telecom relay service fund. In replies on a Further NPRM (see 1703230055), it lauded commission efforts to encourage VRS efficiencies and innovation to address cost issues, but said the agency recognized structural changes were "slow to arrive." Even with FCC 2013-2017 reductions in VRS provider compensation rates, overall TRS funding continues to increase as a "shrinking group of rate-payers" shoulder the costs, leading to a recent TRS administrator proposal to increase the industry contribution rate by 12 percent (see 1705030034), said the group Thursday in docket No. 10-51. Parties filed initial comments last month (see 1704250057). USTelecom said the FCC should reject Sorenson Communication's proposal that VRS become a "mandatory" service for common carriers. ASL Service Holdings (GlobalVRS) said it wasn't surprising Sorenson opposed rivals' VRS compensation proposal to achieve "provider diversity" and TRS stability. (The proposal would raise most rates while cutting further the traffic tier rate affecting Sorenson.) "The dominant provider seeks to solidify its virtual monopolization of the Program," replied ASL Service. "The dominant provider can trace its 'success' not to innovation, superior service, or efficiency, but rather to years of over compensation." Sorensen has concerns on the FNPRM, it replied and told Office of General Counsel officials including acting General Counsel Brendan Carr. In the meeting, it sought "equal treatment to VRS providers that provide more than 500,000 minutes per month." The path in the FNPRM would set Tier III "rates below costs," it replied, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. "If the Commission does not adopt one of Sorenson’s proposals for market-determined rates, the only rate in the record that meets ADA requirements is a $4.19 unitary per minute rate. Even if the Commission intends to push all costs of end user devices onto deaf consumers in violation of the ADA, the only justifiable rate in the record for VRS, without necessary equipment, is $3.73 per minute."