As the FCC considers changes to its national broadband map, states are waiting to see what ramifications those changes have on their own maps. Minnesota's broadband map shares some of the same shortcomings as the FCC's Form 477-centric map, and it's worked with providers on improvements, emailed state Office of Broadband Development Executive Director Danna MacKenzie. "We will gladly give it up if and when the federal map improves and meets our needs."
House Communications Subcommittee Democrats' widely expected airing of grievances against FCC Chairman Ajit Pai at a Wednesday oversight hearing is likely to be tempered by their interest in a range of telecom policy priorities and subcommittee Republicans' bid to deflect some of their colleagues' ire, officials and lobbyists told us. The hearing, which also includes the other four commissioners, will be the subcommittee's first on oversight of the agency since Democrats gained a majority in the chamber after the November elections. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.
The only media item the FCC will tackle at its June 6 commissioners’ meeting concerns cable leased access rules, meaning action on relaxing kidvid rules isn’t likely until at least July, agency and industry officials told us this week. Broadcast industry officials and child advocates expect revamped kidvid regulations this summer. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said last week he hopes “to be concluding” the kidvid proceeding “in the very near future.”
Senate Judiciary Committee leaders expressed alarm during a Tuesday hearing about the rising leadership of Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei and other Chinese government-backed entities over deployments of 5G technology overseas and the U.S.' failure thus far to halt their momentum. 5G security and related policy questions about the technology have repeatedly drawn Capitol Hill interest this year, including at a Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee hearing on the FY 2020 budgets of the FCC and FTC (see 1905070072). It's also expected to come up during the House Communications Subcommittee's Wednesday FCC oversight hearing (see 1905140060).
David Redl's departure as NTIA administrator (see 1905090051) leaves a big hole at the agency as the administration pushes forward on its 5G strategy, as directed by President Donald Trump last year (see 1810250058). Industry experts are concerned about the timing of the departure, announced last week.
The FCC shouldn't go it alone on updating orbital debris regulations but should coordinate with other agencies, numerous satellite interests said in docket 18-313 replies last week. The Commerce Department in initial comments asked the FCC to pause the rulemaking proceeding (see 1904080033). But commenters didn't reach consensus on issues like orbital spacing between large constellations and how best to assess risk.
CLECs want the FCC to protect their access to the business data services market by denying a petition from USTelecom to remove a mandate that incumbent LECs provide transport network services to CLECs as an unbundled network element (UNE). The latest smaller-carrier opposition to USTelecom's petition for forbearance from requiring ILECs unbundle and resell access to some of their networks came in responses posted in docket through Monday 18-141 to an April 15 public notice with supplemental business data services statistics. CLECs contend that BDS data is limited and there was insufficient time to comment.
The House Task Force on Rural Broadband is a positive step toward improving internet connectivity in unserved areas of the U.S., but will need to come up with concrete legislative recommendations to be an effective policy player, communications sector officials and lobbyists told us. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., led formation of the group, which he announced Monday. President Donald Trump in late April agreed with top congressional Democrats to pursue $2 trillion in spending on broadband and other infrastructure projects (see 1904300194). The task force is one of several Capitol Hill pushes on broadband legislation, though some remain skeptical about the prospects for an overarching infrastructure funding bill.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is limiting privacy talks to his working group of six (see 1905010198). That comes amid jockeying from Senate Judiciary Committee and Banking Committee chairmen.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is considering an item addressing the 2.5 GHz band for the June 6 commissioners’ meeting, industry officials said Monday. The agency should hold off further action on the band until a full record is established on the educational broadband service (EBS), the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and others said Monday in a letter to the commission.