TV and radio public service announcements are a good choice for spreading information about the COVID-19 pandemic in the fractured U.S. media landscape, said academics and marketing CEOs asked about the White House and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's focus on PSAs as a virus response (see 2003170068). “Considering how broken up mass media is, the ability to reach a large audience is something they have to take advantage of,” said Joseph Cappella, University of Pennsylvania professor of communication.
The COVID-19 epidemic is clouding the timeline for the Senate to act on Commissioner Mike O’Rielly’s renomination to a second full FCC term. He nonetheless stands a good chance of confirmation, communications sector officials and lobbyists told us last week. President Donald Trump renominated O’Rielly in March to a term ending in 2024 (see 2003180070). O’Rielly’s current term ended in June. He would have to leave in January absent a Senate vote.
The Trump administration should do more to restrict sales of emerging technologies to China, lawmakers said in recent interviews. The administration hasn't issued regulations under authority granted by Congress 19 months ago. Senators commended the administration for increasing foreign direct investment restrictions and going further than previous administrations in confronting China’s unfair trade practices. They will continue pushing for tighter restrictions.
While the Commerce Department had suggested the FCC pause its orbital debris rules update (see 1904080033), there's no time to wait, according to the 119-page draft order the commission released Thursday in advance of the April 23 meeting. The April agenda also has media items on increasing video description requirements and relaxing interference restrictions for low-power FM.
The FCC proposed a $6 million fine against Lifeline prepaid wireless service provider TracFone, in a Thursday notice of apparent liability. The Enforcement Bureau said that in 2018, TracFone obtained federal Lifeline support for hundreds of ineligible subscribers in Florida. The 5-0 NAL came with statements from the two Democratic commissioners, citing in part the coronavirus. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and 21 other Senate Democrats pressed TracFone and 20 other ISPs that receive Lifeline funds to improve service to low-income customers amid the pandemic.
FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly urged leaders from the House and Senate Commerce committees Thursday to ensure states that use 911 fees for other purposes are barred from receiving funding for next-generation 911 projects that might be included in the next legislative package addressing COVID-19. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and 34 other Senate Democrats pressed Capitol Hill leaders to include “at least” $2 billion in additional E-rate funding. Signers include Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and other Democratic leaders want to include infrastructure funding, citing President Donald Trump's interest (see 2004010071).
The state's attorney general isn’t backing off plans to enforce the California Consumer Privacy Act starting July 1 despite a push by business groups to delay it by six months amid COVID-19. Lawyers are advising businesses to expect enforcement that day. The public health crisis must delay some things but shouldn't postpone this, said California Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Hannah-Beth Jackson (D) in an interview.
The FCC will allow indoor operations over the full 1,200 megahertz of 6 GHz, without automated frequency control and at power levels lower than what the cable industry and others sought, said a draft order released Thursday. As expected, the FCC will regulate indoor use on a power-spectral density (PSD) basis (see 2004010065). The draft proposed these devices be limited to 5 dBm/MHz radiated PSD, lower than the 8 dBm/MHz sought by cable and others (see 2003260049). Industry officials said that means less throughput for devices using the wide channels. The draft proposes higher limits for outdoor devices using AFC.
Privacy advocates fear COVID-19 is creating a surveillance state that will outlast the pandemic. Experts during streamed events Wednesday disagreed how much access the U.S. government will have to data, given constitutional protections.
House Democratic leaders said Wednesday they plan to move forward on infrastructure funding legislation as part of the next package addressing COVID-19 when the chamber reconvenes, citing President Donald Trump’s recent interest. Trump said Tuesday he wants the next bill to include $2 trillion in infrastructure spending (see 2003310070). Democrats’ calls for broadband funding to be a part of the next bill have grown since Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (HR-748) last week (see 2003260063).