NTIA's letter to the FCC on Ligado's planned broadband terrestrial low-power service seems to point to no consensus among the federal agencies, we were told. Ligado's requested license modifications are back in FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's lap. The letter seemingly ends consideration by the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (see 1910300050).
Tech companies and advertisers made a last stand, raising concerns about the California Consumer Privacy Act before it takes effect Jan. 1. Comments were due Friday on implementing rules Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) proposed in October and that must be finalized by July 1 when enforcement begins (see 1910100042). The AG office didn’t post the most recent comments online. Some sent theirs to us.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., isn't foreclosing the possibility of a deal to advance Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization legislation out of the committee at a coming markup session. Other Senate Commerce members told us they believe it's going to be difficult to reach an agreement soon. Some want to attach short-term renewal language to must-pass legislation in a bid to extend negotiations. Wicker and others are also closely eyeing a pair of House STELA bills that are awaiting formal combination before floor action. The law expires Dec. 31.
States that spent time and money challenging carrier coverage maps submitted for Mobility Fund Phase II are frustrated the FCC said Wednesday it will terminate it (see 1912040027). They asked in interviews last week what a $9 billion replacement for rural 5G will mean for areas that never had any wireless. Small rural carriers that challenged larger national competitors through speed tests on foot, horseback and all-terrain vehicles wonder if there's any way to recoup those funds.
Almost two years after Chairman Ajit Pai announced the media modernization effort, many items taken up under that umbrella have had a small scope, an uncontentious docket, and sometimes don’t even draw formal responses from the opposing party. General agreement and a tight focus aren't bad things, broadcast and MVPD attorneys and FCC officials said of the program. “That the items are often unanimous is a compelling case for getting rid of the rules,” said Matthew Berry, Pai’s chief of staff.
Senate Communications Subcommittee members focused on 5G, need for rural broadband and potential for freed-up federal spectrum during a Thursday hearing on implementing the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless Act. The Mobile Now Act was enacted as part of the FY 2018 omnibus spending bill (see 1803230038). The law requires DOD and other federal agencies identify at least 255 MHz for broadband use by 2022. It requires the FCC and NTIA identify at least 100 MHz for unlicensed use below the 8 GHz band.
There’s skepticism an FCC incentive auction for the C band is viable since it likely would take longer than alternatives, said C-band panelists Thursday at a Capitol Forum event. Other options include a forward auction with the new licensees required to pay incentives to parties like satellite operators, they said. A third option is an overlay auction, but bidders would want to know how much they're paying for spectrum rights while they're bidding, said AT&T Vice President-Federal Regulatory Hank Hultquist. Whatever type of auction is adopted will likely be a clock auction, he said.
House Communications Subcommittee members from both parties grilled FCC commissioners during a Thursday hearing on recent actions, including the commission's long-running investigation into wireless carriers' location tracking practices (see 1805240073), and what some deemed Chairman Ajit Pai's failure to adequately loop legislators in on his plans. Pai was praised on his proposal for a public auction of spectrum in the 3.7-4.2 GHz C band, as expected (see 1912040028). House Communications Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and others drilled in further on C-band plans, with an eye to advancing legislation (see 1911210056).
The FTC “effectively removed” Facebook’s independent privacy assessor (see 1912050065), Chairman Joe Simons wrote recently in a congressional letter. We obtained the document in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Senators reached Thursday were skeptical that the FTC's $5 billion settlement resulted in meaningful structural change at Facebook.
The Technological Advisory Council recommended the FCC drive more spectrum sharing in rural areas, pursue additional repurposing for low- and mid-band spectrum, and improve the agency’s practical understanding of artificial intelligence, at its final meeting of the current charter. TAC’s most contentious discussions were about a recommendation the FCC encourage the use of advanced antenna technology, and a proposal the council tackle the aesthetics of small-cell installations in 2020.