The halt in regular FCC operations isn't having a large impact on communications law firms and most clients yet, said attorneys who continue to draft pleadings, provide advice, handle litigation and do other work. But if the shuttering lasts an extended period, it will cause delays and backlogs that increasingly have negative fallout on matters large and small, rippling through industry, they said this week.
LAS VEGAS -- Building smart cities, with their emphasis on sophisticated communications networks, is a major theme at CES. Panelists said Tuesday many challenges remain, though some cities have momentum. They warned every city is unique, with its own politics and challenges.
LAS VEGAS -- Speakers at CES warned of the cybersecurity dangers posed by the growing IoT, during a panel Monday. For years, one of the biggest trends here has been expansion of the IoT, and thousands of IoT devices are on display. The discussion also played into the FCC focus on security threats from China and elsewhere (see 1812210032).
Incoming Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., hired Joe Keeley, an intellectual property veteran on Capitol Hill who handled IP issues for ex-House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., said lobbyists and others. Keeley, who was House Internet Subcommittee chief counsel and helped negotiate the Music Modernization Act (MMA) (see 1810110038), will be Senate Judiciary Committee deputy staff director and chief IP counsel. Graham’s office and the Senate Judiciary Committee didn’t comment.
The Arizona Corporation Commission plans to revisit its ethics code next week under a new chairman who brought scrutiny to last year’s efforts and with an added Democratic commissioner who pledged to end ACC corruption. The membership bodes well for making significant revisions, said Chairman Bob Burns (R) in an interview Tuesday. They “are very promising developments for freeing the commission from undue influence by the regulated utilities,” Public Citizen Government Affairs Lobbyist Craig Holman told us.
With advocates pushing different N11 options for a nationwide, three-digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crises calls (see 1812110033), there may not be consensus or compromise. Some told us that the FCC may ultimately have to choose. Some may lobby Congress, where legislators are monitoring the situation.
LAS VEGAS -- CES kicked off Monday with lots of talk about 5G, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence and even flying vehicles. A recurring theme was many unknowns remain. As usual, CES is providing many more questions than answers. With the federal government shut down, officials won't be on hand to offer guidance from the administration.
As wireless providers plan to roll out their 5G networks, cable ISPs are aiming to do similarly with 10-gigabit networks or 10G. Monday at CES, the cable industry said the first deployments could come as soon as late 2021. Participants include Charter Communications, Comcast and Cox Communications.
Georgia and West Virginia lawmakers appeared poised to move 5G wireless bills as state legislative sessions begin in 2019. Look for bills in those and other states that didn't succeed in passing measures last year, wireless industry officials told us. Local governments opposing state pre-emption see no slowdown ahead on state bills, even though the FCC ruled in September, said NATOA General Counsel Nancy Werner.
The new year won't see a major decline in uncertainty for radio and TV station owners considering big mergers and acquisitions, at least right away. Questions about the final disposition of FCC rules on M&A, divestitures that haven't been finalized and other issues remain pending, an array of experts agreed in interviews last week.