The FCC's order approving Nexstar’s buy of Tribune with a 2-2 party line split could have consequences for advocacy groups seeking to weigh in on future FCC decisions, said dissents from Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Jessica Rosenworcel. Many lawyers agreed.
The FTC is drafting a guidance document for applying antitrust law to tech platforms, Chairman Joe Simons said Friday at Fordham University. Tuesday, Simons testifies with DOJ Antitrust Division Chief Makan Delrahim before the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee.
Additional broadcasting, consumer and tech industry groups urged DOJ not end or change the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees, in comments the department published Friday. Almost 900 entities commented on the consent decree review. They reflected divisions between industries evident in filings we reviewed in August (see 1908120045).
The FCC sought comment Friday on a CTIA petition filed a few days earlier (see 1909090051) seeking clarity on wireless siting rules. The Wireless Infrastructure Association filed a similar petition in August (see 1908230052). Industry lawyers said the public notice likely presages what will be the FCC’s next big wireless infrastructure push. Local government groups are expected to oppose it.
Stakeholders interviewed last week want the FCC to delay further Lifeline changes and promptly answer an industry petition requesting a pause on stricter minimum broadband service standards set for Dec. 1 (see 1906280012). A proposed order and Further NPRM has stirred some concern, as the poor could lose access to mobile broadband if the cost to provide new minimum service levels exceeds incentives from federal reimbursements.
The C-Band Alliance is "aggressively looking" at ways to make more than 200 MHz of 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum available over a three-year span for 5G, Peter Pitsch, head-advocacy and government relations, told us. FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Mike O'Rielly may want more than 200 MHz (see 1903210017 and 1905200006). CBA had said 200 MHz was the best it could do near term (see 1810230025). The Competitive Carriers Association, America's Communications Association and Charter Communications are championing a plan they say would provide at least 370 MHz.
FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter welcomed state antitrust probes of Facebook and Google, during a Thursday Media Institute event. She also reinforced her opposition to the commission's recent settlements with the two tech giants on privacy issues. Slaughter and fellow Democratic Commissioner Rohit Chopra voted against the settlements (see 1907240042 and 1909040066). Slaughter broadly encouraged the FTC to do more on tech sector antitrust, stopping short of supporting a proposal by 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to break up big tech companies (see 1904170046).
Introducing a privacy bill bilaterally with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., separate from the Senate Commerce Committee working group, is a “thought,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., told reporters Thursday. After the group’s apparent fracturing, focus shifted (see 1908010043) to bilateral negotiations between Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. But Moran and Blumenthal are continuing their own talks, though Blumenthal claims the group is moving forward as one.
With one appeal filed of the FCC cable local franchise authority order, multiple other plaintiffs are expected to appeal and intervene by the Oct. 28 deadline, 60 days after the LFA order was in the Federal Register. Coalitions of local communities and states are seen as possible plaintiffs.
The Aerospace Industries Association hopes the FCC acts soon on its longstanding request for technical and operational rules for using the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft systems controls. The FCC reallocated the band in 2017 in an order in docket 15-99 implementing changes from the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference. AIA petitioned in February 2018 asking the FCC to follow up.