Following limited waiver of kids' TV programming preemption rescheduling, the FCC could get other requests for broadcast rules waivers or changes in the face of the pandemic, experts told us late last week. The agency got kudos from the children's programming advocacy universe and the White House for Thursday's waiver.
Almost a year after denying China Mobile’s application for certification under Section 214 of the Communications Act, the FCC appears poised to revoke authorization for at least China Telecom as well. Those certifications were left as unfinished business when commissioners denied 5-0 China Mobile’s application at their May meeting (see 1905090039). Executive branch agencies, led by DOJ, recommended last week the FCC revoke China Telecom U.S. authorizations for international telecom services (see 2004090060).
European telcos will provide cellphone location data to help analyze COVID-19's spread, under recommendations unveiled Wednesday by the European Commission. The proposed "toolbox," which is intended to support steps to return to normality and which the EC said will be finalized April 15, includes a common EU approach for modeling and predicting the virus' evolution via aggregated, anonymized mobile location data. The use of telecom metadata has buy-in from mobile operators and EU data protection officials. Some privacy advocates are concerned.
Some seek to upgrade rural internet speeds amid the public health crisis by overhauling the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). Increasing standards could fit into a legislative agenda likely focused on COVID-19, rural officials said in interviews this week. Consumer advocates urged the California Public Utilities Commission to reprioritize CASF. Comments were due Thursday.
Big data could be used to track and curtail COVID-19, Senate Commerce Committee leaders from both parties said Thursday, noting the need to scrutinize pandemic data collection (see 2004080068). Lack of a federal privacy law is undermining efforts, witnesses told the committee during a "paper hearing." Groups highlighted potential data pitfalls that need to be avoided. There was no real-time testimony, but documents were exchanged.
NAB signed on to the push for Congress to include emergency funding for local media and stations in the next stimulus bill addressing COVID-19. Some Democrats and other groups made similar requests in recent days (see 2004080069). Officials from some pro-funding groups are hopeful Congress will provide in the coming measure, perhaps billions of dollars. Lobbyists we spoke with were divided on whether it will be a top priority.
FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly wants President Donald Trump to intervene to force DOD to free up more mid-band spectrum for 5G. O’Rielly has focused on 3.1-3.55 GHz, which he considers prime spectrum (see 2001080035).
The scope of the digital divide exposed during COVID-19 is "an inflection point for action, and we need to seize it," FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said during a Brookings Institution webinar Wednesday. She applauded the ISPs that have taken the Keep Americans Connected pledge but said Americans shouldn't have to rely on industry generosity for internet access: "Having digital justice means getting everyone connected."
Three experts Wednesday lent support to revisiting the growing phenomenon of skepticism about technology. Their view has gained steam in recent weeks as technology companies and their platforms, products and services are being heavily depended upon by those staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all are on board with their view.
Expect the Senate Commerce Committee to scrutinize industry and government data sharing as the two sides collaborate on COVID-19 response, various groups said in advance of Thursday’s paper hearing (see 2004030076). Democrats will want to know what data is shared with government and how people are being tracked, Interactive Advertising Bureau Executive Vice President-Public Policy Dave Grimaldi told us Wednesday. He will testify and expects Republicans to explore public safety, economic and consumer benefits.