Lawyers and judges said widespread use of video and telephone conferences for civil hearings and oral arguments is causing relatively few problems and is a decent replacement for meeting in-person during the pandemic. Many told us they hope or expect such tech to be incorporated more into court proceedings even post-pandemic.
The threat of large fines in European and California privacy law focused the tech industry’s attention on compliance, FTC Chairman Joe Simons said Friday. His remarks to the American Bar Association came the day after U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly approved the agency’s $5 billion privacy settlement with Facebook (see 1912050061).
The FCC issued show cause orders Friday against four companies “ultimately subject to the ownership and control of the Chinese government.” China Telecom Americas, China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and ComNet were ordered to explain why the FCC shouldn't begin the process of revoking their domestic and international authorizations allowing them to operate in the U.S. The companies have 30 days to respond.
More than 85% of Americans have access to fixed terrestrial broadband at speeds of 250/25 Mbps, said an FCC 2020 broadband deployment report Friday. The number of rural Americans with that access more than tripled from 2016 to 2018, it said. But Democratic commissioners and some consumer advocates question the findings that broadband is deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, saying the COVID-19 pandemic put the digital divide in stark relief.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr is getting a mix of criticism and defense for recent comments on Twitter and elsewhere about China and other topics. He has also drawn notice in recent months for his criticisms of Free Press’ emergency petition for inquiry into broadcasters airing allegedly false information about COVID-19 (see 2004060073) and the House Intelligence Committee’s subpoenas of call records during its inquiry on impeaching President Donald Trump. Some critics believe Carr is wading into political controversies in a bid to be appointed FCC chairman after current head Ajit Pai steps down, if Trump wins re-election.
Industry, policymakers and consumer advocates are seeking new ways to expand Lifeline enrollment and benefits in response to the public health and economic crisis, we're told. Some advocates are pursuing emergency funding to provide a more robust residential broadband Lifeline benefit to meet the demands of working and learning at home. Stay-at-home orders put restraints on Lifeline promotion and enrollment.
CBRS Alliance President David Wright and telecom lawyers said Thursday they are hopeful the COVID-19 pandemic won't further affect the citizens broadband radio service auction. The FCC last month delayed it to July 23 (see 2003250052). Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel had noted concerns about further pandemic-related effects on the CBRS sale and other spectrum auctions (see 2003310049).
COVID-19 demonstrates why flexibility is important for enforcers while also showing the benefits of contact tracing, FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips said Tuesday. An industry representative and privacy attorney in interviews debated recent contact tracing-related testimony to the Senate Commerce Committee.
Changes to the FCC orbital debris order, as expected (see 2004170011), netted 5-0 commissioner adoption Thursday at the agency's April meeting. Some commissioners said they approved after several items were moved from the draft order to the accompanying Further NPRM.
Commissioners approved an order 5-0 Thursday allocating 1,200 MHz for sharing with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band. The unanimous vote was expected (see 2004170057), as was the approval of a number of tweaks sought by FCC members. Commissioners said they had no worries that allowing very low-power (VLP) devices without automated frequency control throughout the band will be harmful to incumbents. A Further NPRM now seeks comment on the portable use of standard-power devices. NAB, AT&T and others raised concerns.