The FCC Office of the Inspector General found “no evidence or suggestion of impropriety, unscrupulous behavior, or favoritism” in FCC actions toward Sinclair, said a statement issued Monday by Chairman Ajit Pai that was later confirmed by the original document. An investigation of Pai’s relationship to Sinclair was requested last fall by Democratic lawmakers (see 1802150031) and critics of Sinclair’s buy of Tribune -- including Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Opponents of the Sinclair/Tribune have said the Pai FCC’s moves on ownership deregulation appeared to give Sinclair special treatment, before he advanced the hearing designation order (HDO) that killed the deal.
Geopolitics could be a big hurdle for Doreen Bogdan-Martin's candidacy to be director of ITU's Development Sector, watchers and even supporters say. Since a representative of a developing nation, usually from Africa, always has held the seat, the odds of her being elected "are somewhere between zero and none," emailed Tony Rutkowski, who previously worked in the ITU secretariat. He said that history is one reason the U.S. and other developed nations generally haven't fielded candidates.
The FCC did all it needed to when it decided in June (see 1806070021) that toll-free numbers can be text-enabled only with the subscriber’s prior authorization, AT&T, CTIA and other commenters told the FCC last week in filings in docket 18-28. There's no need for further action in response to an NPRM the FCC approved with the declaratory ruling, those commenters said. Registry database manager Somos and its supporters instead backed a national registry for text-enabled toll-free numbers.
The Internet Association is committed to working with Congress as Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., looks to introduce privacy legislation (see 1808230046), Senior Vice President-Global Government Affairs Melika Carroll said Friday. The committee has been in discussions with Twitter, a member of IA, which also represents Google and Facebook, about testifying at a hearing in late September on the topic.
Two former Democratic commissioners stepped up criticism of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, slamming him on a range of issues including consolidation, net neutrality and transparency. The ex-FCC members, Mignon Clyburn and Gloria Tristani, laid into Sinclair for appearing not to be truthful with the agency during regulatory consideration of its now-dead plan to buy Tribune. They lamented administration involvement in FCC proceedings via President Donald Trump's tweets and in White House Counsel Don McGahn’s call to the agency about Sinclair/Tribune. But Clyburn said she might support or might not oppose T-Mobile/Sprint, which Tristani didn't support.
Verizon is revising its service plan for first responders and removed all speed cap restrictions for West Coast and Hawaii responders dealing with wildfires and Hurricane Lane, the carrier said Friday amid increasing criticism of the carrier for throttling traffic to Santa Clara County firefighters battling California’s largest-ever wildfire (see 1808230034). Verizon and the county firefighters testified Friday before California state lawmakers, who are weighing state net neutrality legislation and may introduce another bill on disaster throttling. Both sides of the net neutrality debate said the controversy is bad news for Verizon as it tries to fight the California bill and compete with FirstNet for public safety customers.
Facebook and Twitter removal of nearly 1,000 suspicious accounts this week signals social media platforms are making progress combating malicious content (see 1808220032), Senate Intelligence Committee leadership told us Wednesday. Ranking member Mark Warner, D-Va., said the committee’s Sept. 5 hearing with Facebook, Twitter and Google will let lawmakers determine what additional “guardrails” are needed from Congress.
The FCC, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Hawaii broadcasters and carriers were gearing up Thursday for landfall of Category 4 Hurricane Lane, we found. Though the storm isn’t expected to cause the same level of damage as Maria and Irma did last year to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, broadcasters and emergency alert officials are making extensive preparations, said Hawaii Association of Broadcasters President Chris Leonard in an interview. “We don’t take any of these things lightly.” Lane "will bring life threatening conditions across Hawaii through Saturday with damaging winds, dangerous surf, coastal storm surge and INTENSE FLOODING RAINS,” tweeted the National Weather Service.
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee Kelvin Droegemeier outlined his vision for the office to maintain a leadership role on spectrum policy, cybersecurity and emerging tech issues during President Donald Trump's administration. He said during a Thursday Senate Commerce Committee hearing he aims to ensure “continued American leadership in science and technology.” Members' questioned Droegemeier on OSTP's future role in the administration, as expected (see 1808220036). Most of the interest was on the office's function in science policymaking.
California state lawmakers plan to probe Verizon slowing Santa Clara County firefighters’ service, at a hearing Friday, State Capitol offices said Thursday. At a Wednesday hearing, Assembly Communications Committee members advanced two net neutrality bills after discussing the throttling of public-safety service during the state's largest wildfire (see 1808220059). A lobbyist repeated the carrier’s defense that it was a customer service mistake that has nothing to do with net neutrality.