Concerns about the partial government closure's impact on FCC device approvals (see 1901040008) mounted Friday, a day before the impasse reached a record length (see 1901100020). Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel also expanded on her concerns about the hiatus' impact on device authorizations (see 1901080023), seeking an end to the shuttering. A wireless charger maker also complained of the delay (see 1901110023).
LAS VEGAS -- The partial federal shutdown hung like a dense cloud over CES, with almost all federal officials staying home. Attendees, most of whom are focused on business rather than federal policy, told us they heard few complaints. Lawyers here mostly seemed to focus on business meetings, staying away from the policy discussions with no regulators.
LAS VEGAS -- The 8K Association (8KA) nonprofit formed to address concerns of the 8K ecosystem (see 1901090026) is banking on over-the-top video as its content source, said Executive Director Chris Chinnock at a CES news conference. “OTT will drive the adoption of 8K, so we’re going to be reaching out to those key players to see what they’re going to need to see,” said Chinnock Wednesday, “and see what we can do to encourage the development of all the components.”
The Commerce Department shouldn’t support overly strict export controls on new technology like artificial intelligence that could harm tech innovation and bolster bad actors like China, industry groups commented. The Bureau of Industry and Security published an advance NPRM in November, seeking comment by Thursday on potentially tighter export controls in docket 2018-25221. The department is exploring technology for conventional weapons, intelligence collection and weapons of mass destruction, including AI and machine learning (ML), microprocessors, advanced computers, data analytics, quantum computing, robotics and advanced surveillance.
LAS VEGAS -- The drone industry is moving forward at an accelerated pace, panelists said Thursday at CES, with 5G expected to help their deployment. Two Trump administration officials were expected to speak on the panel, but canceled because of the government shutdown (see 1901100048). As in recent years, a large number of drones were on display at CES.
Experts on space and orbital debris said no particular orbital plane is too crowded for further use now, but that day is coming. The FCC's orbital debris NPRM adopted in November (see 1811150028) is laudable but needs to focus also on convincing other nations to adopt similar guidelines since debris is inherently a borderless problem, said Ram Jakhu, McGill University associate professor. The FCC should have looked at tighter orbital debris rules years ago, he said.
Top House Commerce Committee Democrats said they're still deciding which direction they want to take on net neutrality as they settle into control of that chamber. Lobbyists told us one discussed option is legislation that would put into statute broad contours of FCC now-rescinded 2015 rules. The close last week of the previous Congress signaled the end of Democrats' preferred avenue, a Congressional Review Act resolution to undo the FCC's action (see 1901020046).
LAS VEGAS -- Federal privacy legislation appears increasingly likely, though Congress first needs to work through some hard issues, officials said at CES. Maureen Ohlhausen, former acting FTC chairman, said the agency is paying close attention to protecting data regardless of what Congress does. Much of the discussion at CES focused on the EU general data protection regulation and the new California privacy law. New House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., is interested in a bill (see 1901090038).
LAS VEGAS -- Samsung “wants to see the 8K market evolve and grow,” and its new brainchild, the 8K Association (see 1901080038), is “a special-interest group that’s just narrowly focused on 8K,” Dan Schinasi, Samsung director-product planning, told us Tuesday at CES. “The 8K ecosystem for all intents and purposes is virtually nonexistent, except in Japan, where there’s some distribution.”
LAS VEGAS -- CES speakers warned against “techlash,” a growing backlash against increasingly pervasive technology. Panelists said more scrutiny is inevitable as almost every company in the U.S. focuses on tech. Techlash is real, said Michael Petricone, CTA senior vice president-government and regulatory affairs. “Any new technology brings benefits, and it challenges,” he said.