Telecom companies raised concerns about adding state USF goals on service quality and other issues in comments posted Monday at the Nebraska Public Service Commission. And as the PSC considers sweeping Nebraska USF (NUSF) changes, Charter Communications warned that it might be unlawful to support broadband with a fund designed for telecom services. Small rural companies said the fund should support ongoing costs that make networks expensive in remote areas even after they are deployed.
Broadcast attorneys don’t expect seismic shifts in the sports betting and cannabis advertising landscapes soon, according to two virtual sessions convened Monday by the Federal Communications Bar Association. FCC guidance on whether broadcasters can advertise recreational marijuana use “would offer some great clarity,” but the likelihood of the agency issuing it while cannabis is classified as an illegal drug “is absolutely zero,” Wilkinson Barker broadcast attorney David O’Connor said. Orrick attorney Behnam Dayanim said, “It’s looking grim, at least in the immediate future” for shifts toward legalizing sports betting in states that haven’t already done so, such as Texas and California. Dayanim represents sports betting company Draft Kings.
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the company said Monday after it announced subpoenas seeking testimony from Snap, X and Discord about children's online safety. The committee also said it’s in discussions about potential voluntary testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
With the World Radiocommunication Conference starting Monday in Dubai, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and former Chairman Ajit Pai questioned how well the U.S. is positioned to score wins. They spoke during an American Enterprise Institute webinar Friday. Pai was chairman during the previous WRC four years ago.
Nearly six months into a yearlong effort, members of NAB-led, FCC-involved ATSC 3.0 task force on the Future of TV Initiative (FTI) (see 2306090043) told us it will likely shift to delving into specific issues after spending early meetings covering 3.0 basics. Digital rights management (DRM) and encryption for ATSC 3.0 signals have become an early point of disagreement at working group meetings, but participants we spoke with said the process was largely collegial and praised the task force's diversity. “If we don’t have any tough conversations, we’re not doing it right,” said NAB Associate General Counsel Patrick McFadden, who oversees the task force.
Some ISPs tell Wall Street they aren't expecting notable subscriber losses should funding run out for the Affordable Connectivity Program. They expect to keep subs -- though at perhaps lower speed tiers and cheaper service offerings. Advocates say ACP helps make connectivity affordable for current subscribers and ensures accessibility items that the broadband equity, affordability and deployment (BEAD) program addresses translate into adoption.
Carriers are upgrading networks to virtual and open radio access networks, reflecting a gradual evolution, speakers said Thursday during an Informa Tech webinar. But Dell’Oro Group warned that North American investments in the RAN remain on a downward trend, with no uptick in sight.
Broadband items drew some lawmakers’ attention Wednesday night and Thursday as Capitol Hill fully shifted into the week-plus Thanksgiving recess. A trio of non-Commerce Committee-affiliated senators weighed into the debate over expanding the USF contribution base, while leaders of the House and Senate Commerce committees sided along party lines on the FCC’s 3-2 Wednesday vote to adopt rules aimed at curbing digital discrimination (see 2311150040). President Joe Biden, meanwhile, is set to sign off before Friday night on a continuing resolution to fund the FCC, FTC, NTIA and other Commerce Department agencies at FY 2023 levels through Feb. 2 (HR-6363) after the Senate joined the House Wednesday night in passing the measure.
“There is literally zero chance the FCC is going to rule in our favor” and reverse its rejection of LTD Broadband’s long-form application for the Rural Digital Opportunities Fund (RDOF) program, company CEO Corey Hauer said Thursday at a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission meeting. Even so, Hauer said the wireless ISP will continue to defend itself at the PUC and still wants to keep its eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation in the state.
Backers and opponents of changes to the ITU's Ku- and Ka-band equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limit rules on non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites see a U.S.-driven proposal to amend them facing an uphill battle at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference, which begins Monday. A WRC-27 proposed future agenda item (FAI) is the subject of notable advocacy and lobbying activity by both sides.