Cloud and platform companies are rushing to develop security patches to protect against recently discovered security flaws in chips that run most cellphones and computers. The problem could grow in severity if companies and consumers don’t quickly implement patches and software updates, but some solutions are ready and more are in development, cybersecurity experts told us. What’s significant is the breadth and scale of the vulnerability, and that it affects hardware that isn’t easily repairable.
LAS VEGAS -- As a pre-CES media advisory Friday said heads of ATSC, CTA and NAB will convene in a “milestone ceremony” on the show's opening morning to commemorate completion of the last of the suite of ATSC 3.0 standards, broadcast consortium Pearl TV announced a “collaborative project” with Sony Electronics to develop a “channel navigation tool” to be deployed and tested in the Phoenix “model market” of 10 TV stations (see 1711140053).
The wireless industry is urging more states to pass small-cells bills in 2018, with at least 10 legislatures preparing bills. Laws to streamline 5G wireless infrastructure deployment by pre-empting local authority over siting in the right of way were enacted in 13 states in the past two years. An Illinois-passed small-cells bill thought to be headed to the governor’s desk will undergo more legislative negotiations due to cable industry objections, said industry and local government representatives.
DOJ and AT&T have big motivations for settling the agency's lawsuit to stop the takeover of Time Warner, and doing so could depend on Justice flexibility, antitrust experts told us. Whether the sides are still discussing a settlement isn't clear as neither commented, with no consensus among antitrust experts about the likelihood. Meanwhile, the Brookings Institution Friday recommended antitrust enforcement reforms.
The FCC's net neutrality deregulation ruling and orders closely track expectations, while clarifying the agency's view on the timetable for looming court challenges, according to our initial review of the 539-page item released Thursday evening (see 1801040059). The final "internet freedom" declaratory ruling, report and order, and order text appears mostly the same as a draft (see 1711220026). Several changes -- on transparency decisions and the item's effective date -- were announced when commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines Dec. 14 to scrap Communications Act Title II broadband classification and net neutrality rules (see 1712140039). Tech heavyweights said they will join the inevitable court challenge to the regulations.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is expected to leave before the end of February, with an announcement possible after Clyburn goes to Las Vegas for CES this week, informed people said. If Clyburn leaves, Republicans would have a 3-1 majority on the commission, with Jessica Rosenworcel the remaining Democrat.
Powermat, supplier of public wireless charging stations, announced Thursday it joined the Wireless Power Consortium. The company said it will contribute its technology and expertise to advance inductive wireless charging capabilities, while remaining backward-compatible with the WPC’s Qi ecosystem.
The focus of the net neutrality debate could move to app or possibly device neutrality, said Andrea Glorioso, counselor at the Delegation to the European Union to the U.S., and the FCC released its order hours later. “Should an app store get to decide, or how should an app store get to decide what apps are provided over the app store?” Glorioso asked at an FCBA event Thursday. “I see that we’re moving in that direction, that really goes beyond the core net neutrality debate.” The text of the U.S. regulation is now on the FCC's website (see 1801040059), as expected (see 1801030040).
Momentum is building for floor consideration of legislation to curb online sex trafficking, but conflicting House and Senate approaches could stymie compromise if a bill passes one or both chambers, said lobbyists, victims’ advocates and committee aides. S-1693 passed by the Senate Commerce Committee (see 1711080042) appears to have a head start, with 60 co-sponsors, dozens of advocacy groups and the National Association of Attorneys General supporting the bill. The groups announced plans for a briefing and rally next Thursday to draw attention to the bill, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act.
As elimination of FCC main studio requirements takes effect Monday, broadcasters, attorneys and a union official told us they don’t expect immediate office shutterings or layoffs. The change won’t matter greatly for many broadcasters and is seen as more likely to shape long-term plans. “It won’t be a bloodbath Monday,” said International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Representative-Broadcasting and Telecommunications Neil Ambrosio. However, IBEW believes the rule change eventually will shrink staff, he said.