Critics of a satellite repurposing and secondary-market airwaves sale plan used replies on opening the C band to buttress the case for the FCC taking a different approach. The earliest replies last week in docket 18-122 featured big satellite companies pushing for their market plan to clear up to 200 MHz for other use (see 1812070041) while attacking T-Mobile asking the commission to hold an auction and possibly sell even more. Now, more recent but still early replies posted this week through Tuesday afternoon suggest sharing satellite's spectrum with broadband services, possibly across the entire band's 500 MHz swath.
Google algorithms have no political slant, and the company has no current plans to launch a Chinese version of Search, CEO Sundar Pichai told the House Judiciary Committee. He played down fears other Google products carry the same security risks as Google-Plus (see 1812100054).
Much attention during Tuesday's House Communications Subcommittee hearing on implementation of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization and spectrum statute focused on language to aid the broadcast incentive auction repacking process, as expected (see 1812070040). Industry witnesses praised the act and highlighted areas where additional Capitol Hill action may be needed to improve implementation, also as expected (see 1812100049). The FCC also got implementation comments (see 1812110025).
The FCC appears close to inserting an industry safe harbor into a draft order on the agenda for commissioners' meeting Wednesday to create a reassigned number database, officials told us Tuesday. "I expect it to happen," said an agency official, who hadn't seen actual language. Commissioner Brendan Carr's office asked that such a safe harbor be added, said another, who's hopeful the change would occur.
The 2018 draft quadrennial review NPRM remained in flux Tuesday after a host of changes to tone and language suggested mainly by the offices of Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mike O’Rielly, FCC officials told us. Both offices sought changes intended to make the draft more “neutral” but differed on specific edits, officials said. Though one said the final item likely won’t include many changes proposed by Rosenworcel’s office, it wasn’t clear Tuesday how she will vote. “We’re combing through the changes and the commissioner is still considering it,” said an aide to Rosenworcel.
Concerns are growing DOD is considering use of what some consider an overly conservative emissions standard to protect GPS: 1 dB. If the Pentagon moves in that direction, it could potentially render some bands unusable for commercial operations, particularly 1.3 GHz, targeted for reallocation by NTIA. Industry officials told us the 1 dB criteria was never intended for broad use when it first put forward years ago to protect GPS inside its bands.
Debate continues whether the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act means the FCC can bar use of USF money to buy equipment or services from companies that “pose a national security threat” to U.S. communications networks or the communications supply chain (see 1811190033). Replies largely followed the same lines as initial comments. Most said the NDAA clearly doesn’t apply here.
The California Public Utilities Commission aims to decide by Q2 on T-Mobile’s $26 billion buy of Sprint, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said at a Monday workshop. The CPUC plans at least three public workshops around the state before then, he said. The New York Public Service Commission is also closely scrutinizing the deal. Other states have given OKs more quickly (see 1812030029).
Industry witnesses at a Tuesday House Communications Subcommittee hearing will laud the passage and ongoing implementation of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization and spectrum statute, in written testimony. They will outline additional legislative measures for consideration in the 116th Congress. The House Communications hearing is expected to emphasize the statute's language to aid the broadcast incentive auction repacking process. Lawmakers are likely to again raise concerns about the FCC's broadband coverage data mapping practices (see 1812070040). The hearing begins at 2 p.m. in Rayburn 2322.
Supporters and opponents of a Congressional Review Act resolution to undo FCC rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules are disputing whether Monday was the last legislative day to get the minimum of 218 signatures on a discharge petition to force a House floor vote on the CRA measure. Democrats who favored the CRA push, meanwhile, lauded reports the FBI launched an investigation into the alleged fake comments submitted in the lead-up to commissioner's vote on the rescission order. New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood (D) is also conducting a probe (see 1810160071).