Rethinking how the FAA authorizes rocket launches and staying competitive internationally with nations increasingly becoming space regulation specialists are on the nation’s long to-do list to promote the growing private sector interest in space, regulatory experts said at a Nebraska College of Law space law conference Friday.
The FCC’s expected move to relax AM/FM subcaps, interference proceedings and competition with digital platforms are expected to dominate conversation at the 2018 Radio Show, which begins in Orlando Tuesday, broadcasters, engineers and broadcast attorneys told us. Roughly 2,000 are expected to attend, similar to attendance at 2017’s show in Austin, an NAB spokesman said.
The White House 5G Summit scheduled for Friday (see 1809170049) will feature remarks by high-profile administration officials and four breakout sessions after about an hour of speeches, said industry officials. The White House isn’t commenting and hasn’t released an agenda. Industry observers said it’s not clear whether the administration will lay out additional thinking since a symposium by NTIA (see 1806120056). The focus is expected to be broader than the June summit, with an emphasis on ensuring infrastructure deployment is driven by market forces, not limited by regulation or red tape.
The world faces a major challenge as networks try to keep up with the growing demands for computational power, the FCC Technical Advisory Council was told at its quarterly meeting Thursday. TAC also took on 5G. The computational power working group found a long-term trend of 24 percent annual growth for all data, with wireless data volume growing by 50 percent yearly.
Rural telco groups asked the FCC to postpone and redo broadband testing duties for RLECs and other smaller providers of fixed service receiving high-cost Connect America Fund support. WTA and NTCA made the requests in applications for review by commissioners of a July 6 staff order (see 1807060031). Petitions for reconsideration (and in some cases clarification) were filed jointly by USTelecom, ITTA and the Wireless ISP Association, and individually by ViaSat, Hughes Network Systems and Micronesian Telecommunications. Filings were posted Wednesday and Thursday in docket 10-90.
A draft NPRM on Class A AM station interference rules has two Republican yes votes and could be issued soon, said industry and FCC officials. Pai and Commissioner Brendan Carr are said to have voted for the NPRM, while Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mike O'Rielly haven't voted. O'Rielly is seeking changes, an official said.
State attorneys general are showing interest in T-Mobile’s proposed Sprint buy, though it's too soon to say if it will lead to an antitrust challenge of the $26 billion deal, observers told us. Also expect action at some state commissions, with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission the latest to give itself extra time to do a thorough review, they said. States bring “a unique role and perspective to look at these larger mergers and to tease out the impact ... on their specific constituents and consumers,” particularly vulnerable populations, said Christine Mailloux, managing director-San Diego for The Utility Reform Network (TURN).
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel declined to say Thursday whether she will vote for the pending 5G wireless infrastructure order and declaratory ruling at the Wednesday commissioners' meeting, and she expressed strong reservations. Rosenworcel also said at a Politico 5G discussion that U.S. tariffs against China are going be harmful to 5G. Commissioner Brendan Carr, the architect of the 5G order, defended the action the FCC is poised to take next week.
Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., author of music copyright legislation that passed the Senate Tuesday (see 1809180057), anticipates the bill will get unanimous support in the House, his aide told us Wednesday. “We expect the House to greet the amended bill with the same support that has already seen it through both chambers with unanimous votes.”
The wireless infrastructure declaratory ruling and order, set for a vote Sept. 26, could sail through the FCC 4-0, though Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is still considered a wildcard, industry and FCC officials said. Meanwhile, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly will support the order, but potentially with concerns on whether it goes far enough. New York City and Los Angeles County raised late concerns.