Following President Barack Obama’s backing Monday of reclassification, (see 1411100033) it was unclear how Chairman Tom Wheeler would proceed. In at least two meetings Monday with those involved in the net neutrality debate, Wheeler focused on some difficult issues involved in a Title II Communications Act approach, officials involved in the meetings told us. One said Wheeler said the agency was grappling with how to deal with the issues. But he “seems dug in” with his focus on Title II’s problems “as opposed to the obvious benefits,” said a public interest official involved in one of the meetings.
Following President Barack Obama’s backing Monday of reclassification, (see 1411100033) it was unclear how Chairman Tom Wheeler would proceed. In at least two meetings Monday with those involved in the net neutrality debate, Wheeler focused on some difficult issues involved in a Title II Communications Act approach, officials involved in the meetings told us. One said Wheeler said the agency was grappling with how to deal with the issues. But he “seems dug in” with his focus on Title II’s problems “as opposed to the obvious benefits,” said a public interest official involved in one of the meetings.
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau sought comment an October petition from the American Bankers Association asking the agency to exempt certain time-sensitive informational calls, which are placed with no charge to the called parties, from the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s restrictions on automated calls to mobile devices (see 1410140162). Comments are due Dec. 8, replies Dec. 22, the bureau said Thursday: “We seek comment on the issues raised in the Petition, including whether the exemptions requested in the Petition allow the financial services industry to reduce privacy and security risks proactively so that fraud, data security breaches, and identity theft are less likely to occur in the first place.”
Questions FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is raising to lay out a clearer procedure for retiring copper -- in the draft NPRM he’s circulating -- probably won’t be opposed in concept by carriers, said industry and public interest officials. Details of how stringent the agency should be in determining whether there’s a sufficient alternative in place before approving retirement likely will be controversial, they said.
Democrats lost control of the Senate and several seats in the House turned over to Republicans, while partisan issues such as net neutrality heat up and debate takes hold over overhauling the Communications Act. Democrats had enjoyed a Senate majority of 55-45, and Republicans gained more than the six seats necessary to seize the chamber, winning at least seven.
Democrats lost control of the Senate and several seats in the House turned over to Republicans, while partisan issues such as net neutrality heat up and debate takes hold over overhauling the Communications Act. Democrats had enjoyed a Senate majority of 55-45, and Republicans gained more than the six seats necessary to seize the chamber, winning at least seven.
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., no longer stands alone in his Senate fight against the repeal of the set-top box integration ban. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also put a hold on any unanimous consent consideration of the Senate proposal to reauthorize the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act. It expires Dec. 31 and is considered one of the few crucial must-pass items that Congress must tackle in the lame-duck session.
While dozens of FCC staffers are working on various parts of pending net neutrality rules, a few insiders, most with long ties to Chairman Tom Wheeler, are considered to be the key go-to officials as the agency moves forward. Two names that came up the most in interviews about key insiders at the FCC are Jon Sallet, FCC general counsel, and Philip Verveer, senior adviser to the chairman. One longtime wireline lawyer described the two as “first among equals” as rules are taking shape.
While dozens of FCC staffers are working on various parts of pending net neutrality rules, a few insiders, most with long ties to Chairman Tom Wheeler, are considered to be the key go-to officials as the agency moves forward. Two names that came up the most in interviews about key insiders at the FCC are Jon Sallet, FCC general counsel, and Philip Verveer, senior adviser to the chairman. One longtime wireline lawyer described the two as “first among equals” as rules are taking shape.
Broadband deployment has gained traction this year as a campaign issue for gubernatorial candidates, government and industry observers told us in interviews, but it still isn’t viewed as a marquee component for most campaigns. Broadband has been a campaign issue in multiple contests this election cycle, taking a special prominence in Iowa and New York. Incumbent governors in the two states -- Terry Branstad, R-Iowa, and Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y. -- have both issued plans to encourage broadband development as part of their re-election bids. Recent polls have shown both Branstad and Cuomo leading their opponents by double digits.