Local government and real estate groups said the FCC should rethink an NPRM on updating a rule for over-the-air reception devices with an eye toward spurring 5G deployment. Commissioners approved the OTARD NPRM 5-0 in April and comments were due Monday night in docket 19-71. Wireless ISPs in particular sought the rule change.
Few House Communications Subcommittee members took discernible positions on Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization during a Tuesday hearing, amid observations of a clear divide among stakeholders. Three witnesses spoke in favor of some form of renewal, while NAB CEO Gordon Smith argued for expiration, as expected (see 1906030065). The panel was the House Commerce Committee's first review during this Congress on recertification of the statute, to expire Dec. 31 (see 1905280061). The Senate Commerce Committee plans a hearing Wednesday (see 1905290029).
Some USF program allies raised alarms in interviews and statements about Friday's FCC 3-2 NPRM calling for an overall budget cap for the four programs (see 1905310069). Some plan to spread the word about the rulemaking to the public, hoping for a critical response. Advocates for government fiscal discipline had kinder words about the rulemaking.
Apple previewed iOS privacy and security features, independence for Apple Watch, and a first-time dedicated iPad operating system at its Monday Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose. New features are expected to be available this fall.
Though “repairability” is one of the many “competing features” that Microsoft “strives to design” into its products, “consumers also demand features that drive design choices which may have the effect of impacting or impeding repairability,” the company commented to the FTC, posted Friday in docket FTC-2019-0013. It's the first tech company to weigh in on the “Nixing the Fix” inquiry on whether manufacturer “limitations” on third-party repairs can thwart consumer protections in the 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Bidirectional sharing, a top Pentagon policy priority, got some support in comments on an FCC public notice, launched in response to a requirement of Ray Baum's Act (see 1905010205). DOD sees bidirectional sharing as important to its future as it gives up more spectrum (see 1806250049). The department's concept is that under bidirectional sharing, federal agencies could use spectrum in remote areas that otherwise is going unused. Carriers and other wireless groups say any such sharing must be voluntary. Comments were due Friday in docket 19-128 and posted through Monday.
Lack of broadband market competition disempowers consumers, and increased FTC oversight is needed, consumer advocates told the agency. But industry groups argued existing regulations mean the market is more competitive than ever. The agency collected comments through Friday in docket 2018-0113 on broadband competition and consumer protection issues.
The FCC should make rules to stop a repeat of wireless carrier problems during Hurricane Michael recovery that were flagged by the agency, two Florida Panhandle public safety officials and a union told us. In a May report, the FCC Public Safety Bureau recommended wireless providers in hurricane-prone areas make roaming agreements, diversify backhaul technologies and work on best practices for cooperation and coordination with local utilities.
HARRISBURG -- A state broadband report shows wide discrepancies between FCC broadband availability estimates and reality, said lawmakers Monday at the capitol. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bipartisan legislative agency, unanimously approved the report by Pennsylvania State University researchers, at Monday's meeting. FCC estimates about 800,000 Pennsylvanians are without broadband “are downplaying the true state of the digital divide because they rely on self-reported data” by ISPs, the report said. “It appears that official broadband maps are becoming less accurate over time -- particularly those for rural areas.”
Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel said there's strong interest in the 6 GHz and 5.9 GHz band for Wi-Fi, but neither band will come online overnight, a New America conference heard Monday. O’Rielly told reporters later the rules for the 6 GHz band are still taking shape. The New America focus was how a new standard for Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, will support 5G.