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.
Low expectations for the 11 series of iPhones, sans 5G (see report, Sept. 11), carried over to carrier and retailer advertising Wednesday. Apple launched new phones, smartwatches, an iPad and $5 monthly game and video services Tuesday. Preorders begin Friday for the three new iPhones, with Sept. 20 availability.
Tech industry representatives and experts disagreed about the wisdom of legislation from Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., to “strengthen” the U.S. patent system. Introduced in July, the Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience (Stronger) Patents Act (S-2082) would alter the Patent and Trademark Office inter partes review system and partially reverse the Supreme Court’s 2016 eBay decision.
The FCC needs to move forward on its stalled look at the 5.9 GHz band, a Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) event was told Tuesday. Chairman Ajit Pai was expected to circulate a Further NPRM on the band in May, but pulled it after Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao objected (see 1906180072). Among the options is sharing with Wi-Fi.
House Communications Subcommittee members voiced near-universal interest in legislation to improve the federal government's collection of broadband coverage data, as expected (see 1909100064). Subcommittee members' support likely sets the stage for a swift potential markup of a combined bill soon. Witnesses backed a package that includes all or part of the five bills House Communications examined, including the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (Data) Act (HR-4229).