The Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), the longest-standing federal telecom advisory committee, predating the FCC, is expected to continue to play an important role in developing spectrum policy, though now it will work with the new Interagency Spectrum Advisory Council (ISAC), industry experts said. Some details about how IRAC and ISAC will collaborate remain to be determined, they added. The administration released its long-awaited national spectrum strategy, and a presidential memorandum on modernizing U.S. spectrum policy, two weeks ago (see 2311130048).
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel endorsed the Senate-passed 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement Act (HR-5677/S-2787) and further congressional action to strengthen the FCC’s ability to combat illegal robocalls, according to letters to lawmakers the commission posted online Monday. S-2787 lead sponsor Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., and other backers of the measure have restarted their push for House action on the bill, which would give the FCC authority for 90 days to issue T-Mobile and other winning bidders the licenses they bought in the 2.5 GHz band auction last year (see 2309220057). Senate Communications Subcommittee leaders voiced frustration last month with DOJ’s perceived reluctance to enforce existing anti-robocall statutes (see 2310240065).
Smith Bagley Inc. (SBi), which serves tribal lands in the Four Corners region of the U.S., called for a tribal 5G Fund of at least $2.5 billion. Reply comments as the FCC considers a proposed 5G Fund (see 2310240046) were due Tuesday in docket 20-32. Other comments urged the FCC to move forward on a fund.
Aides to Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, are circulating a draft alternative to the House Commerce Committee-cleared Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act (HR-3565) that directs NTIA to identify within two years at least 1,500 MHz of spectrum for nonfederal and shared use but doesn’t propose using proceeds from sales of those frequencies to pay for other telecom priorities. The draft language we obtained was circulating last week, but there has been chatter for months about Cruz’s plans for a proposal different from HR-3565. Cruz’s opposition to HR-3565 is one of several factors that’s stalled talks on a compromise spectrum legislative package throughout 2023 (see 2308100058). Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., backs HR-3565.
Concerns about a “doom” scenario from AI and risks from generative AI are overstated, Adam Thierer, senior fellow-technology and innovation team at the R Street Institute, said during a Broadband Breakfast webinar Wednesday. “Things have gotten really out of control, and we’re being led around by a lot of people who have Terminatoresque fantasies floating through their heads,” Thierer said. Other speakers said AI poses potential risks but could have widespread benefits. The discussion comes as policymakers explore controls (see 2311150054), with the FCC looking at the technology's benefits and threats (see 2311150042).
Despite warnings that China's BeiDou global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is eclipsing GPS capabilities, a U.S. response isn't expected. The BeiDou ascendency comes as China is also seen making big strides in commercial positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) satellites.
While the FCC wants to end cable and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) early-termination fees and require prorated refunds for canceled MVPD service (see 2311210043), it also would seek state and local input about adopting something less than a total ban and allowing state and local variations, according to the draft NPRM for next month's meeting agenda. Meanwhile, an FCC order takes a big swing at robotexts, with rules that override recent objections filed at the agency. In addition, commissioners will vote on new data breach requirements in light of recent leaks at major wireless providers. The agency released the Dec. 13 open meeting's draft items on Wednesday.
The House Communications Subcommittee plans a Nov. 30 FCC oversight hearing that will scrutinize President Joe Biden’s “Broadband Takeover,” the Commerce Committee said Tuesday. The announcement's tone likely presages a major focus on the FCC’s pursuit of a new net neutrality rulemaking that largely mirrors the commission’s rescinded 2015 rules and a reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 2310190020), lobbyists told us. Meanwhile, two senior House Commerce members -- Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Bill Johnson, R-Ohio -- announced they’re not seeking reelection in 2024.
Early-termination fees for canceling cable or direct broadcast satellite service are joining "all-in" video service pricing in the FCC's cross-hairs for elimination with an NPRM on the agency's December agenda, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Tuesday. Also on tap for the Dec. 13 meeting are further efforts to crack down on robotexts, an area that could prove controversial and an update to data breach notification rules. In her note, Rosenworcel wrote the agenda would also include an NPRM about requiring smartphone compatibility with hearing aides, an order implementing provisions from the 2023 Low Power Protection Act to create a window to allow some LPTV stations to transition to Class A status, rules aimed at streamlining the approval process for pole attachment applications and administrative improvement to the Rural Health Care Program.
The World Radiocommunication Conference opened in Dubai Monday, with remarks by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who insisted global cooperation will benefit the many unserved and make the most of increasingly congested spectrum. The ITU said about 4,000 delegates and others are expected to attend the WRC, which runs through Dec. 15. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Anna Gomez are among those attending the start of the conference this week.