The FTC’s upcoming study of ISP data collection practices is the right step (see 1903260072), lawmakers told us. Some want big tech companies also under the microscope. An FTC spokesperson confirmed the study is related to Chairman Joe Simons’ response to Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., (see 1903200073).
NTIA Administrator David Redl said it’s too early to tell whether uncertainty over spectrum rights in the 24 GHz band could mean lower prices in the ongoing auction, as some suggest (see 1903220055). The FCC is similarly looking at selling spectrum licenses that would have to provide protections for DOD incumbents in the 37 GHz band. Gross proceeds were $1.59 billion Wednesday in the 24 GHz auction.
A draft NPRM on the USF budget asks some questions that concern stakeholders inside and outside the FCC. Others welcomed a look at the program's spending, since it has been some time since this area was examined through such a proceeding. The NPRM circulated Tuesday to commissioners asks many questions, isn't overly long and doesn't draw tentative or other conclusions, agency officials told us Wednesday. Some saw signals of where an eventual order might go in the NPRM's questions. They fear the potential for eventual spending curbs via what could be the first-of-a-kind-cap.
Compromise legislation updating EU copyright law cleared the European Parliament Tuesday and goes to the European Council (governments) for final adoption. The 348-274 vote culminated years of debate and fierce lobbying, especially over articles 11 and 13. The former would grant news publishers a new right covering digital use of their content; the latter would require online platforms to obtain licenses for copyright-protected works uploaded by their users and monitor for infringements (see 1902130059). The vote brought cheers from content owners, jeers from consumer groups, the tech sector and digital rights activists.
Wireless small-cells bills could soon be law in Georgia and West Virginia, possibly increasing the number of states with such 5G laws to 23. Several other states aren’t far behind with bills meant to streamline wireless infrastructure deployment by pre-empting local governments in the right of way. In Arkansas, where two small-cells hearings were scheduled this week, some lawmakers asked about benefits for rural areas.
The Technological Advisory Council urged the FCC to take a deep dive into the new generation of dynamic antennas and the future of sharing spectrum. The group also heard an update on 5G and the IoT Tuesday, as it held its long-delayed final meeting for 2018. The meeting originally was scheduled for December and then twice postponed. No reports approved Tuesday were immediately available. TAC, launched when 2G was transitioning to 3G, celebrated its 20th birthday.
The hope is that the Senate Commerce Committee’s working group can begin negotiating privacy bill specifics (see 1903050074) in the next several days or week, Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan., told reporters after a Tuesday hearing. The differences aren’t “insurmountable,” and the goal will be to draft a bill that’s strong enough for Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Democrats to support federal pre-emption of state laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act, Moran said.
ISP blocking, throttling or paid prioritization policies aren't necessarily violations of FTC antitrust rules, said Chairman Joe Simons at a Free State Foundation conference Tuesday. Such conduct would need to have involved consumer harm or deception to trigger FTC enforcement actions, Simons said. “We would take action against ISPs if they block applications without adequately disclosing those practices or if they mislead consumers.” Under FCC Communications Act Title I net neutrality rules, the FTC has such authority, which some backing Title II want returned to the FCC. A bill to do that was marked up Tuesday (see 1903260064).
The House Communications Subcommittee advanced the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill (HR-1644) Tuesday on a party-line 18-11 vote, clearing the way for a likely full House Commerce Committee vote on the bill next week. HR-1644 and Senate companion S-682, filed earlier this month, would add a new title to the Communications Act that says the FCC order rescinding its 2015 rules "shall have no force or effect." The bill retroactively would restore reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 1903060077).
Apple unveiled subscription streaming video and news services at a Monday event in Cupertino, a venue traditionally known for the company’s splashy hardware debuts. It reversed course this month, launching next-gen iPads, AirPods and an iMac last week in low-key fashion (see 1903210028), saving the glitz for Monday’s highly anticipated service announcement at the Steve Jobs Theater.