With SpaceX and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) partnering to explore ways to reduce the reflectivity of the StarLink satellite constellation, some told us other low earth orbit operators also will have to take into account reflectivity, a concern among astronomers. It's considered unlikely agencies or Congress will get involved soon.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks sent letters to 14 providers seeking details on their plans to offer free, default call blocking services to consumers aimed at curbing “disruptive and dangerous robocalls.” For Starks and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, cost has been a major issue. Starks voted for the declaratory order and Further NPRM last week (see 1906060056). Also Monday, USTelecom said there are calls for robocall tools to be provided free, but that could lead to every carrier opting for the same, cheapest solution instead of employing a variety of them (see 1906100038).
It's expected there needs to be significant changes to the text of the recently refiled Streamlining the Rapid Evolution and Modernization of Leading-edge Infrastructure Necessary to Enhance (Streamline) Small Cell Deployment Act before S-1699 goes further in either chamber, lawmakers and lobbyists said in interviews. The bill, first filed last Congress, aims to implement a “reasonable process and timeframe guidelines” for state and local small-cell consideration (see 1906030068).
Antitrust law shouldn’t be used to address political and policy concerns, NetChoice Vice President Carl Szabo and Public Knowledge President Gene Kimmelman agreed on C-SPAN’s The Communicators. Szabo and Kimmelman, however, disagreed through most of the discussion, to have been televised this weekend. The industry representative defended what he sees as “robust” tech industry competition, while Kimmelman welcomed increased antitrust scrutiny from enforcers and Congress (see 1906060032).
The wireless industry should be responsible for notifying residents about small cells deployed near their homes, local government officials told us last week. AT&T pledged to enhance notification after new wireless infrastructure surprised citizens in Baton Rouge. Some local officials said state and FCC pre-emption makes it tough for cities to notify citizens or respond meaningfully to their concerns. Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) said Friday she signed the 26th state small-cells bill pre-empting local governments.
The FCC is widely seen to be starting from behind in Tuesday’s oral argument in Prometheus IV. That doesn’t mean anyone is certain how the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will react to an incubator program, standing challenges against petitioners, and broadcaster arguments for further deregulation (see 1905220074), said many academics and broadcast attorneys in interviews last week.
Chairman Ajit Pai will likely seek a vote at the July 10 FCC meeting on an order approving T-Mobile’s buy of Sprint, industry and agency officials said. Pai likely will first ask commissioners to vote electronically and then put the order on the agenda if he needs to force a vote, officials said. Other agency officials said they have heard nothing definitive on timing. Pai said Thursday (see 1906060056) he will circulate an order on the deal “in the coming weeks.” Friday, the agency declined comment.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is open to launching an investigation into tech industry competition, mirroring the House Judiciary Committee’s probe announced this week, Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told us Tuesday. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and John Kennedy, R-La., told reporters they would welcome parallel efforts in the Senate. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., argued such matters are best handled by DOJ and the FTC.
The argument that changing technology has left FCC leased access rules at odds with the First Amendment rights of cable operators is seemingly a step toward axing those and other content carriage requirements, said the public, educational and government channel community and Democratic commissioners Thursday. Commissioners adopted the leased access item on their meeting agenda.
Regulators approved a declaratory ruling Thursday allowing carriers to block unwanted robocalls by default. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mike O’Rielly, who had signaled concerns (see 1906030008 and 1905310061), partially dissented. A Further NPRM asks about additional steps and was strengthened last week to add a proposal that the FCC mandate secure handling of asserted information using tokens and secure telephone identity revisited technology if major voice providers don’t comply with demands Shaken Stir be implemented by year-end.