The Senate Homeland Security Investigations Subcommittee said Tuesday it believes further action from Congress is needed to define the role of the “Team Telecom” federal agencies to strengthen their ability to assist the FCC in reviewing foreign takeovers of U.S. communications assets. The committee believes more action is warranted because Team Telecom’s limited authority allowed the departments to do only “minimal oversight” of the potential national security risks a trio of Chinese telecom companies posed to U.S. networks. The team is DOD, the Department of Homeland Security and DOJ.
The FCC approved clarity on wireless siting rules to speed the collocation of wireless infrastructure on existing cell towers 3-2, over dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. They objected, as some expected (see 2006030057), after the agency declined to delay a vote to give state and local governments more time to respond due to the demands because of the COVID-19 pandemic and protests. Republicans said change is needed as companies struggle to build out 5G networks. The ruling takes effect upon release.
News media freedom organizations asked local and state governments to curb attacks and arrests on journalists, which have reached an unprecedented height, those groups said. The challenges police face during the recent wave of protests “in no way justifies police violence toward the press and others who enact their protected rights to document and record these protests,” said a letter to the city of Philadelphia Friday from Free Press, public broadcaster WHYY, Common Cause and many press freedom and local news organizations. “This is not a question of a few isolated missteps,” said the Committee to Protect Journalists in a letter to U.S. mayors, governors and police chiefs Friday. “These reports have come from 53 different communities across 33 states.”
USTelecom and its members urged the FCC to launch an order soon on a February consensus proposal on toll-free access rates. Rural and competitive LECs want to make sure they don't lose revenue in the process or face added costs. Activity in docket 18-156 heated up in recent weeks as stakeholders lobby Wireline Bureau staff and commissioner offices. The commission issued a Further NPRM two years ago (see 1807020040). At issue is who pays to move toll-free traffic and who gets revenue for it.
All signs are the citizens broadband radio service auction will start July 23 as planned, especially with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai concerned about a December C-band auction, industry and FCC officials said in recent interviews. The auction of priority access licenses was delayed once from June 25, because of COVID-19 concerns (see 2003250052). The agency announced Monday that 348 companies or individuals filed short forms to participate; 106 were deemed complete while others require additional work.
At least two FTC employees working at the agency's Constitution Center reported potential COVID-19 symptoms in March, and another employee tested positive for the virus in Atlanta, according to emails we obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
A draft FCC NPRM seeking comment on the future use of the 70, 80 and 90 GHz bands is expected to be approved Tuesday with unanimous support of commissioners, FCC officials said. Two satellite companies weighed in on protecting satellite operations. The NPRM contemplates using the spectrum for wireless backhaul for 5G and to provide broadband to aircraft and ships. Satellite industry officials said they haven’t heard anything definitive but hope for tweaks to the NPRM.
The FCC is expected to approve a draft declaratory ruling and NPRM on rules for ATSC 3.0 “broadcast internet” (see 2005180066) at Tuesday’s meeting with few changes. Commissioners already voted to approve a separate order that largely won't allow broadcasters to use vacant TV bands for the 3.0 transition but permits waivers of simulcast rules.
Working remotely will remain mandatory for FCC employees at least through June, and a voluntary option at least through the end of August, Chief of Staff Matthew Berry told us last week. Since results of mandatory telework during the pandemic have been generally favorable, longer-term the commission "almost certainly" will be more liberal in telework policies, he said.
COVID-19 is slowing development of 5G standards by all standard-setting groups, and the problem is getting worse, Technological Advisory Council members said at the group’s quarterly meeting Thursday, held virtually by the FCC. TAC heard from other working groups, in the early stages of preparing reports to the commission.