CTIA and other key wireless players asked the FCC to extend by 30 days the deadline for filing comments on two rulemaking notices before the commission as the agency devises rules for the TV incentive auction. The NPRMs cover unlicensed operations in TV spectrum post-auction and rules for wireless mics. Without an extension, comments are due Jan. 5, replies Jan. 26. Aerospace & Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council, CEA, 4G Americas and the Telecommunications Industry Association signed the filing, posted by the FCC in docket 12-268 Monday. Last week, wireless mic maker Shure asked for a 45-day extension (see 1412040007).
The success of the AWS-3 auction shows there's a demand for mid-band spectrum, and highlights an FCC error in establishing an enhanced review process for low-band spectrum as part of mobile spectrum holdings item, Commissioner Ajit Pai said in a Q&A session on the second day of the Practising Law Institute’s Institute on Telecommunications Policy and Regulation. Pai described the reaction to the success of the AWS-3 auction as “pleasantly shocked” and cited the FCC decision to have open eligibility for the auction as “greatly increasing participation” and one of the reasons it generated total provisional winning bids of $41 billion so far (see 1412050052). Pai and members of panels of privacy experts and consumer electronics industry officials also discussed net neutrality, the Internet of Things and possible ways the Communications Act could be updated to improve the FCC.
The success of the AWS-3 auction shows there's a demand for mid-band spectrum, and highlights an FCC error in establishing an enhanced review process for low-band spectrum as part of mobile spectrum holdings item, Commissioner Ajit Pai said in a Q&A session on the second day of the Practising Law Institute’s Institute on Telecommunications Policy and Regulation. Pai described the reaction to the success of the AWS-3 auction as “pleasantly shocked” and cited the FCC decision to have open eligibility for the auction as “greatly increasing participation” and one of the reasons it generated total provisional winning bids of $41 billion so far (see 1412050052). Pai and members of panels of privacy experts and consumer electronics industry officials also discussed net neutrality, the Internet of Things and possible ways the Communications Act could be updated to improve the FCC.
The FCC is moving “very carefully” and being “as diligent and thoughtful as possible” as it tries to figure out a path forward on net neutrality, said Daniel Alvarez, aide to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. Wheeler, as he did earlier this month in saying the “big dogs” (see 1411210040) may sue the agency over net neutrality, wants to “stop the back and forth between the FCC and the courts. We need to come up with something thoughtful and sustainable,” Alvarez said, relating Wheeler’s thoughts at a Practising Law Institute seminar Thursday.
While NCTA and Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott joined those arguing that a Title II Communications Act net neutrality approach could lead to billions of dollars in state and local tax and fee increases on consumers, telecom attorneys and other advocates differed whether that would actually happen. That is partly because broadband may be considered an interstate service not subject to state and local tax, they said in interviews.
While NCTA and Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott joined those arguing that a Title II Communications Act net neutrality approach could lead to billions of dollars in state and local tax and fee increases on consumers, telecom attorneys and other advocates differed whether that would actually happen. That is partly because broadband may be considered an interstate service not subject to state and local tax, they said in interviews.
In a move industry officials considered unusual for a lone FCC commissioner, Ajit Pai wrote Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Tuesday asking for a response to a number of issues, including that the company has been “working to effectively secure ‘fast lanes’ for its own content on ISPs’ networks at the expense of its competitors,” said a letter released by Pai’s office. Pai asked for a response by Dec. 16. Netflix declined comment.
In a move industry officials considered unusual for a lone FCC commissioner, Ajit Pai wrote Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Tuesday asking for a response to a number of issues, including that the company has been “working to effectively secure ‘fast lanes’ for its own content on ISPs’ networks at the expense of its competitors,” said a letter released by Pai’s office. Pai asked for a response by Dec. 16. Netflix declined comment.
Communications Act Title II opponents seized on a Progressive Policy Institute study’s estimate Monday that reclassifying broadband would create $15 billion nationally in new federal, state and local taxes and fees, and predicted it would dampen public enthusiasm for basing net neutrality rules on Title II. The “sleeping giant has been awakened, and once the size of the fee increases becomes more widely understood, I think consumers will react,” said Free State Foundation President Randolph May.
Communications Act Title II opponents seized on a Progressive Policy Institute study’s estimate Monday that reclassifying broadband would create $15 billion nationally in new federal, state and local taxes and fees, and predicted it would dampen public enthusiasm for basing net neutrality rules on Title II. The “sleeping giant has been awakened, and once the size of the fee increases becomes more widely understood, I think consumers will react,” said Free State Foundation President Randolph May.