Parties interested in the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund debated how auction procedures should measure satellite providers' performance, in comments posted through Monday in docket 20-34. The Wireline Bureau sought feedback on whether newer low earth orbit satellite technologies like SpaceX should be offered a special carve-out (see 2003020075).
At the direction of intelligence officials, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board refused to release its deep dive report on a key intelligence-related executive order, according to a Freedom of Information Act response. The Cato Institute filed the FOIA request seeking PCLOB reports on executive order No. 12333 to determine if agencies are abusing their authority. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., said earlier this month the president can use 12333 to exercise surveillance authorities without congressional approval, including controversial authority central to the USA Freedom Act debate (see 2003180042).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated telehealth items Monday. One would allocate the $200 million in emergency COVID-19 funding Congress appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2003270058). Another would direct $100 million in USF spending for a three-year Connected Care pilot (see 1906190013).
Advocates want the FCC to use emergency authority to mandate free inmate calling service phone calls and videos, for at least 60 days, they said in a petition to the agency. COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders and suspended visits make access to ICS more important, they told us. ICS providers said they're responding to inmates' needs.
OneWeb's Chapter 11 filing could result in fundraising challenges for other broadband non-geostationary orbit constellation plans, NGSO experts told us. Some said it could stoke doubts about the mega-constellation-delivered broadband business model. The company said it's using bankruptcy as a way to buy time until global markets rebound from the COVID-19 slowdown so it can then sell itself.
Media items slated for Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting -- on distributed transmission systems (DTS) for ATSC 3.0, the definition of significantly viewed, and revised program carriage rules -- are expected to be approved unanimously, FCC and industry officials told us. The agency’s COVID-19 meeting procedures include voting the meeting items on circulation (see 2003240057) by the meeting’s 10:30 a.m. start time. An official said eighth-floor offices were entering votes Monday on items that had completed the editing process. A spokesperson said deletion notices will be issued for any items adopted before the meeting -- “as we have said we expect them to be.” No media items are considered controversial.
Chairman Ajit Pai is expected to announce Wednesday he will seek a vote at the April 23 commissioners’ meeting on an order that would open 6 GHz to sharing with Wi-Fi, industry and FCC officials said in interviews. The issue has seen heavy lobbying in recent weeks. Much recent debate involved when the FCC will require automatic frequency coordination (AFC) or allow low-level use without. The agency is expected to post the draft item Thursday.
COVID-19 could reprioritize two California telecom funds. The California Public Utilities Commission sought comment Thursday on how it can respond to the pandemic using the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). In prehearing statements due that day on a possible overhaul to California LifeLine that could shift support to broadband, some urged focus on increasing participation of especially vulnerable low-income residents.
The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee ended on a note of concern Friday. BDAC met online, as have other groups since the FCC closed headquarters and sent staff home.
COVID-19 is having a negative impact on radio advertising, which could worsen once ratings start showing drops in listenership due to less telecommuting and rising unemployment, said analysts, broadcasters and company news releases late last week. iHeart Radio, Salem Media and Urban One rescinded projections for 2020, citing uncertainty caused by the pandemic.