The FCC would look at whether and how to include mobile services in its assessment of the pace at which high-speed broadband is being deployed, under a draft notice of inquiry circulating at the commission (see 1507200069), agency officials told us Thursday. The draft NOI would also propose to keep the FCC’s current 25/3 Mbps (download/upload) broadband data speed definition for fixed service, and ask numerous questions, including on the potential implications of commission determinations, they said. The FCC is statutorily required to release the notice for comment by Aug. 7 and issue a report by early February on its findings, a commission official said.

The FCC would look at whether and how to include mobile services in its assessment of the pace at which high-speed broadband is being deployed, under a draft notice of inquiry circulating at the commission (see 1507200069), agency officials told us Thursday. The draft NOI would also propose to keep the FCC’s current 25/3 Mbps (download/upload) broadband data speed definition for fixed service, and ask numerous questions, including on the potential implications of commission determinations, they said. The FCC is statutorily required to release the notice for comment by Aug. 7 and issue a report by early February on its findings, a commission official said.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is continuing to negotiate with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to lift Cruz's hold on the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters (DOTCOM) Act, he said in an interview Wednesday. “We're not there yet, but I'm hopeful that he will come around to our point of view,” Thune said. Cruz placed a hold on S-1551 because he believes the concerns he raised in a failed amendment to the bill during Senate Commerce's markup that would have required Congress to vote on approving the Internet Assigned Number Authority transition haven't been addressed (see 1507200068 and 1507210070). The House easily passed an identical version of the DOTCOM Act (HR-805) last month. Cruz “believes there are good provisions in the DOTCOM Act that will improve Internet governance,” but “also feels strongly that Congress should at least have a vote on whether to give away the Internet,” a spokesman said.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is continuing to negotiate with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to lift Cruz's hold on the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters (DOTCOM) Act, he said in an interview Wednesday. “We're not there yet, but I'm hopeful that he will come around to our point of view,” Thune said. Cruz placed a hold on S-1551 because he believes the concerns he raised in a failed amendment to the bill during Senate Commerce's markup that would have required Congress to vote on approving the Internet Assigned Number Authority transition haven't been addressed (see 1507200068 and 1507210070). The House easily passed an identical version of the DOTCOM Act (HR-805) last month. Cruz “believes there are good provisions in the DOTCOM Act that will improve Internet governance,” but “also feels strongly that Congress should at least have a vote on whether to give away the Internet,” a spokesman said.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Tuesday that he’s trying to convince Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to withdraw his hold on the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act. Cruz placed a hold on S-1551 because he believes the “important concerns” he raised during Senate Commerce’s markup of the bill about the need for Congress to hold an up-or-down vote on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) transition haven’t been addressed (see 1507200068). Aides to Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said separately that their offices hadn’t also placed holds on S-1551. Fischer and Sullivan were two of the four Senate Commerce members who voted for Cruz’s amendment that would have required a vote on the IANA transition.

Any FCC efforts to claw back Dish Network designated entity (DE) credits face a big hurdle within the halls of the agency itself. "The notion you'll get three votes on the eighth floor is far from certain," said a communications lawyer whose firm has done satellite work: "If you don't get majority approval on the eighth floor, it's nothing more than a staff recommendation."

Any FCC efforts to claw back Dish Network designated entity (DE) credits face a big hurdle within the halls of the agency itself. "The notion you'll get three votes on the eighth floor is far from certain," said a communications lawyer whose firm has done satellite work: "If you don't get majority approval on the eighth floor, it's nothing more than a staff recommendation."

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Tuesday that he’s trying to convince Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to withdraw his hold on the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act. Cruz placed a hold on S-1551 because he believes the “important concerns” he raised during Senate Commerce’s markup of the bill about the need for Congress to hold an up-or-down vote on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) transition haven’t been addressed (see 1507200068). Aides to Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said separately that their offices hadn’t also placed holds on S-1551. Fischer and Sullivan were two of the four Senate Commerce members who voted for Cruz’s amendment that would have required a vote on the IANA transition.

Major telecom policy players endorsed 2016 presidential candidates with their pocketbooks this summer. The lion’s share of top executives leaned toward establishment candidates: Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, and Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor who has polled strongly among GOP contenders. Clinton in particular was flooded with donations from executives from Comcast, Dish and Verizon and from senior aides to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler himself, according to the latest campaign records released to the Federal Election Commission. Several industry observers told us to expect less telecom change if Clinton wins the White House.

Major telecom policy players endorsed 2016 presidential candidates with their pocketbooks this summer. The lion’s share of top executives leaned toward establishment candidates: Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, and Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor who has polled strongly among GOP contenders. Clinton in particular was flooded with donations from executives from Comcast, Dish and Verizon and from senior aides to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler himself, according to the latest campaign records released to the Federal Election Commission. Several industry observers told us to expect less telecom change if Clinton wins the White House.