More than 100 small radio broadcasters want the FCC to create a new C4 class of full-power FM stations, which NAB and some larger groups oppose. C4 will "increase congestion on the already crowded FM band and escalate the risk of interference to other FM services, especially FM translators,” NAB commented in docket 18-184 in response to a notice of inquiry. “There is no chance of increased interference as a result of the proposal,” said SSR Communications, the petitioner behind the C4 proposal. The plan would consume only “previously-unused, available bandwidth,” SSR said.
The Department of Homeland Security’s new National Risk Management Center (see 1808070032) will test the willingness of industry and the federal government to collaborate on cybersecurity defense, experts said this week. The U.S. government is hesitant to share classified information with national security implications, and the private sector is reticent for fear of reputational damage or increased scrutiny from regulators, they said.
APCO conference attendees agreed numerous questions remain on FirstNet, in interviews there last week. APCO featured FirstNet and partner AT&T (see 1808090002). Many predicted FirstNet’s growth will be relatively slow and a large number of agencies will stick with their current providers. FirstNet is in the first year of its five-year buildout plan. The network is growing since it launched last year, with 110,000 subscribers at the most recent count, and board members expressed optimism during their meeting Monday (see 1808130063).
Parties urged the FCC to ensure a Lifeline national verifier has electronic interfaces that will ease verification of consumer low-income eligibility. State regulators and consumer advocates were supportive, and the National Lifeline Association (NaLA), Sage Telecom, Sprint and TracFone Wireless expressly backed Q Link Wireless' emergency petition to direct Universal Service Administrative Co. to implement machine-to-machine application programming interfaces for the national verifier (see 1807050046). No opposition was filed in comments posted Friday and Monday in docket 17-287. The FCC and USAC declined comment Monday.
The FirstNet board unanimously approved an $81 million operating budget for FY 2019 and decided to explore investing money in network enhancements and innovation. It reserves $81 million and allocates $78 million to network reinvestment, for a total budget of $240 million. The board held its quarterly meeting by conference call Monday. It was the last to be led by Sue Swenson, who must step down as chair after two two-year terms. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross is expected to name at least three new members and a new chair in coming weeks.
The FCC wants to dispose of NTCH petitions for reconsideration dealing with the agency allowing Dish Network to convert satellite spectrum for terrestrial wireless use, according to insiders and court documents. Related drafts were included in an array of items circulated at the agency last week (see here). NTCH had sought a writ of mandamus from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit over what it said were petitions trapped "in administrative limbo."
Widespread removal of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from social media was a flash point for companies feeling pressure to police platforms judiciously, but it could fuel arguments that Silicon Valley is biased against conservatives (see 1807170043), said industry observers, warning the GOP against siding with extremists.
The Intelsat/SES/Intel plan for clearing a portion of the C-band could very well face disagreements among satellite operators, cable companies and wireless interests and their industry groups when comments start coming in on an order and NPRM approved 4-0 in July (see 1807120037), experts and insiders told us. The texts haven't been in the Federal Register. Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler told us the coalition expects to gain support from incumbent C-band end users over time: "It will be recognition the approach we have made avoids the possibility of the worst outcome" of spectrum sharing.
The Wi-Fi Alliance and several major tech companies, including Apple and Microsoft, are pressing the FCC to create a special class of indoor-only devices that can be safely used in the 6 GHz band, with an NPRM expected later this year. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said after the August FCC meeting the NPRM will likely get a vote in one of the four remaining 2018 meetings, though he wasn't more specific.
The FCC tweaked details but is moving ahead with one-touch, make-ready (OTMR) and other pole-attachment policies in an order and declaratory ruling aimed at streamlining processes and speeding broadband deployment. Although edits addressed some of the many concerns electric-utility pole owners and communications industry attachers had about a draft item, they didn't fundamentally change the agency's direction, according to stakeholders and our basic review of the 120-page final text in docket 17-84 issued Aug. 3. It was adopted the previous day, with Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel partially dissenting (see 1808020034).