OneWeb's request to increase the size of its proposed V-band constellation and add spectrum segments outside the V-band (see 1801050002) is facing opposition from multiple rival satellite operators. Meanwhile, pointing to International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) technical problems, OneWeb is asking the FCC to extend until Aug. 27 the comments deadlines on its V-band petition and on a separate request to greatly expand its non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite constellation granted U.S. market access in June (see 1803200002). In its petition for a time extension Tuesday, OneWeb said it has received via U.S. mail filings that aren't reflected in the IBFS. The FCC didn't comment Wednesday.
California state legislators revealed amended net neutrality bills reflecting a deal among Democratic lawmakers (see 1807310038). Sponsor state Sens. Scott Wiener and Kevin de Leon said amendments restored provisions controversially removed in an Assembly committee. Supporters and opposition Wednesday seemed to hold positions they had on the original Senate-passed measure, though ISPs complained about not seeing the revised language sooner. Washington state saw no problems or lawsuits since it became first to enact comprehensive net neutrality rules, said state Rep. Drew Hansen (D) in an interview this week.
LAS VEGAS -- The FCC understands that the wireless location accuracy of 911 calls remains a major issue for 911 call centers, Public Safety Bureau Deputy Chief David Furth told an APCO Conference audience. Other officials at the conference told us repeatedly they're still having difficulty locating wireless callers, years after the FCC started to take on the issue (see 1808070037). The FCC imposed updated requirements in 2015.
Sinclair’s proposed deal with Tribune is expected to break up Thursday, but Sinclair executives didn’t comment on the transaction during an earnings call Wednesday, though Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley said an update would be coming “soon.” Under Tribune’s agreement with Sinclair, passing Wednesday’s deadline allows Tribune to walk away from the deal without suffering a breakup fee, attorneys and analysts told us. Wednesday was also the deadline for parties to file notices of appearance in the administrative law judge proceeding, and those filings could provide a clue to whether Sinclair intends to battle the allegations against it, attorneys said. Tribune announced Wednesday it was set to hold an 8 a.m. conference call Thursday, before the opening of the stock market.
The recently filed Eliminate From Regulators Opportunities to Nationalize The Internet in Every Respect (E-Frontier) Act is unlikely to become law but is again raising questions about why President Donald Trump's administration hasn't definitively said whether it will pursue a proposal for the U.S. to build a national 5G network, lawmakers and communications sector officials told us. S-3255, filed in late July, would formally bar the White House and executive branch agencies from seeking to build a government-owned national 5G network without authorization from Congress (see 1807230059). A leaked National Security Council draft memo proposed 5G nationalization because of concerns China could otherwise build a network.
As wildfires burn large swaths of the northwest, the California Public Utilities Commission plans to vote Thursday on extending the life of consumer protections adopted last year in case of future natural disasters. But in late-July comments released this week, most wireline and wireless carriers rejected the agency’s proposed decision as unnecessary and legally flawed. Telecom providers Friday reported few network issues from wildfires but said they’re lending support (see 1808030031).
An FCC proposal to limit the distance at which full-power FM stations can complain of interference from an FM translator stirred up the most reaction from radio broadcasters, in comments in docket 18-119. Most commenters and large radio groups including iHeartMedia and Beasley object to limiting interference complaints to within a station's 54 dBu contour, but other broadcasters, including Cumulus Media, support the contour limit. Commenters also were divided over a proposed minimum number for listener complaints but widely receptive to relaxing rules on where on the dial translators can relocate if bumped.
LAS VEGAS -- “FirstNet is your network," FirstNet CEO Mike Poth assured APCO attendees Tuesday. FirstNet will have “features and services that stand up to the demands of the job,” he said. “Priority pre-emption, reliability, security.” FirstNet has a huge presence at the conference, with AT&T/FirstNet the event's lead sponsor, even offering free shoe shines. Poth encouraged attendees to take a lap around the show floor to see all the new devices coming online for public safety.
Many parties opposed USTelecom's petition for incumbent telco relief from mandatory wholesale unbundling discounts, resale and other duties under the 1996 Telecom Act. Telco rivals, state regulators and consumer advocates said the petition for nationwide regulatory forbearance would undermine competition and should be rejected as unsubstantiated and overly broad. Verizon was one of the few to support the petition, as comments were posted in docket 18-141, mostly Tuesday, though USTelecom, ILECs and others can file replies due Sept. 5.
The odds are seemingly long on DOJ's appeal of a U.S. District Court decision allowing AT&T's buy of Time Warner, with antitrust experts telling us the agency's arguments -- laid out in its appellant brief this week -- face a high burden of proof and typical appellate court deference to lower courts on their reads of the facts. Since it's the trial court that sees witnesses and can best establish their validity, DOJ's challenging of what it considers faulty findings "is a really uphill battle," said Daniel Lyons, Boston College associate law professor.