Trade associations led by CTA offered a set of principles on a cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices, saying it should be voluntary and based on existing National Institute of Standards and Technology guidance. That message is consistent with industry responses in initial comments on an August NPRM (see 2310100034). “While significant operational details must still be determined before a program can launch, we are encouraged by the Commission’s intention to work collaboratively with industry in a way that helps consumers make more informed buying choices while encouraging device makers to meet established cybersecurity standards,” the groups said in a filing posted Thursday in docket 23-239. The groups also said the program “must be distinct from equipment authorization processes, including no requirement to complete the certification or authorization process before qualifying for the Mark.” Achieving certification “should indicate that a product is equipped with ‘reasonable security’ for purposes of liability protection,” the filing said. Manufacturers should be allowed to “self-attest with appropriate trust mechanisms that are based on meeting” NIST’s core baseline for consumer IoT products. The FCC should also “encourage international alignment of cybersecurity labeling practices and mutual recognition agreements” and the U.S. government should launch “a robust consumer education campaign … to drive awareness and understanding of the Mark,” said the filing. It was signed by groups including the Connectivity Standards Alliance, CTIA, the Information Technology Industry Council, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the Security Industry Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and USTelecom.

USTelecom welcomed the FCC's draft order implementing the Safe Connections Act in separate meetings with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks and Nathan Simington. Commissioners will consider the order, which would provide survivors of domestic violence with access to safe and affordable communications services, during a Nov. 15 agency meeting (see 2310250070). The group sought greater flexibility in the deadlines for providers to update their copies of the hotline database, per an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 22-238. "Providers will need the additional time to perform the monthly updates if the process is technically complex," USTelecom said. The group also asked that survivors self-certify their eligibility for Lifeline to do so in the national verifier and that they can receive the benefit only for voice-only mobile wireless service.

America’s Public Television Stations names Michelle Shanahan, ex-NPR, general counsel … USTelecom names Mariah Wollweber, ex-National Association of Wheat Growers, as senior director-communications … NAB hires Karen Chupka, ex-Consumer Technology Association, to succeed Chris Brown (see 2307100054) as managing director-executive vice president, global connections and events, effective Jan. 1.

Broadband providers and allies are heavily lobbying the 10th floor regarding the pending digital discrimination order on the FCC's November agenda (see 2310240008), raising red flags and pushing for changes, per docket 22-69 filings Monday. Fans of the draft order are also calling for changes.

Officials affiliated with NATOA and other local government groups called on their supporters during a Monday webinar to lobby or otherwise communicate with House members in a bid to oppose the Commerce Committee-cleared American Broadband Deployment Act (HR-3557) ahead of what they view as chamber leaders’ impending bid to ram through passage of the measure without adequately consulting them. The measure, which House Commerce advanced in May without any Democratic support (see 2305240069), packages multiple GOP-led connectivity permitting revamp measures.

The U.S. shouldn’t implement new cyber regulations until the Office of National Cyber Director has completed its formal process for harmonizing regulations across the government, industry groups told the White House in comments posted last week. The ONCD requested comments to “understand existing challenges with regulatory overlap” and harmonize regulations across agencies. USTelecom urged the administration to halt the issuance of new cyber regulations until the review is completed, except for regulations already subject to statutory deadlines. “This temporary pause prevents the introduction of additional, potentially conflicting regulations,” said USTelecom. CTIA suggested the ONCD coordinate with agencies and hold off on any new regulations until the harmonization work is “mature.” Promulgating new requirements may hinder ONCD’s “efforts to harmonize the already vast cybersecurity regulatory landscape,” said CTIA. BSA | The Software Alliance noted the Biden administration’s national cyber strategy “prioritizes regulatory harmonization,” but agencies continue to add more cyber regulations. “To be clear, this is not a call to end the regulation of cybersecurity but to pause new regulations as the US Government gains a wholistic understanding of the regulatory landscape,” said BSA. NCTA suggested the administration can look to NIST’s cybersecurity framework “to achieve design, implementation, operational, and compliance-related efficiencies.”

NTIA released a conditional waiver of the broadband, equity, access and deployment program's letter of credit requirement Wednesday. More than 300 groups in September urged the agency to remove the requirement, citing potential limitations on small providers' participation (see 2309060022).

President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order directing the Commerce Department, the FCC, the FTC and other federal agencies to establish new “rigorous” standards for how and when companies can deploy AI systems (see 2310040063).

The Biden administration’s Wednesday request for Congress to appropriate an additional $6 billion to fully fund the FCC’s affordable connectivity program (ACP) through the end of 2024 (see 2310250075) is drawing initial skepticism from top telecom-focused Republicans amid their push for the commission to be more transparent about how it has been spending the program’s existing $14.2 billion allocation. Congressional Democrats enthusiastically backed the White House’s request, noting it would give Capitol Hill more breathing room to examine whether and how to tie in changes to a longer-term ACP with a push for broader USF revamp legislation. Current estimates peg ACP as likely to exhaust its funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act during the first half of 2024 (see 2309210060).

The House's election Wednesday of Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as speaker drew praise from broadcasters and other communications sector stakeholders. The chamber voted 220-209 along party lines for Johnson over Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Johnson was the Republicans' fourth nominee after Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota (see 2310240039). Johnson, a former conservative radio host, is a past Republican Study Committee chairman. His “leadership will be vital as the House returns to work to confront the numerous challenges we face as a country,” said NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt in a statement. Johnson “has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the vital role broadcasters play in our communities. We look forward to continuing to work together to advance policies that support the lifeline service and trusted journalism broadcasters provide to the public.” Broadband “providers congratulate” Johnson “as we continue our work together to eliminate roadblocks to deployment so we can connect all communities as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. Johnson participated in a June amicus brief from Republican lawmakers in support of the petitioners in Loper Bright v. Raimondo urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the contemporary Chevron deference doctrine (see 2307240050).