NAB raised concerns about interference if the FCC makes technical changes to rules for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) band. Other commenters said the FCC should minimize changes to the rules approved three years ago. The FCC approved the initial 3.5 GHz NPRM in 2012 (see 1212130044), setting up an experimental three-tiered access and sharing model made up of federal and nonfederal incumbents, priority access licenses (PALs) and general authorized access users. In October, commissioners agreed to seek comment on revising the rules (see 1710240050).
Signs of genuine progress are bolstering the public boasts that the Music Modernization Act (HR-4706) could be a grand compromise on some music licensing issues, but the bill's supporters and critics told us they believe its prospects are still limited before the start of the 116th Congress in 2019. House IP Subcommittee Vice Chairman Doug Collins, R-Ga., and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., filed HR-4706 before the winter recess as a compromise supported by songwriters, music publishers and digital streaming services to revamp elements of Copyright Act sections 114 and 115. The legislation would affect some rules related to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York's handling of cases related to the DOJ's consent decrees governing the ASCAP and BMI performance rights organizations (PROs) (see 1712210046). Some music licensing stakeholders said last year they were hoping for a compromise on some legislative issues in the 115th Congress, though agreement on more controversial proposals remained elusive (see 1703030059).
Despite 2017 being a particularly active year for retransmission consent negotiations, cable and broadcast experts weren’t expecting a notable wave of new blackouts on Jan. 1 triggered by contracts that expired Dec. 31. The end of 2016 had a slew of retrans disruptions, and there were worries about sizably more at the end of 2017 (see 1701030046). Alaska's GCI emailed customers last week that they might lose local ABC and CW stations from their cable lineups on Jan. 1 and the local Fox station on Jan. 15 due to a retrans impasse with the stations' ownership.
AT&T's bid for Time Warner and Disney's quest for Fox likely will lead to even more video industry mergers and acquisitions in 2018, particularly as mid-sized programmers and distributors look to scale up or get assets that will let them compete in an increasingly direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketplace, experts said. "If you're a Viacom or a Discovery or an AMC, you have to look at [the consolidation trends] and say, 'Wow, we're becoming more fringe than core,'" said Andre James, head of Bain & Co.'s Americas media and entertainment practice.
AT&T shut out FirstNet competitors in all 50 states plus two territories and the District of Columbia. FirstNet and the carrier secured their final state opt-in shortly before Thursday's deadline when California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said yes, though the governor made clear he’s not satisfied with AT&T's state radio-access-network (RAN) plan. New Hampshire, which at first said it would opt out, reversed and accepted AT&T’s plan Thursday (see 1712280033). Three remaining Pacific territories have until March 12 to decide.
Industry observers disagree whether the FCC’s Dec. 14 vote undoing the 2015 net neutrality rules will have long-term negative effects on how the public views FCC. The net neutrality order sparked a huge backlash, including protests outside the FCC as the vote was underway. On social media, tweets by Chairman Ajit Pai are being attacked, even if they have nothing to do with net neutrality. An innocuous tweet Wednesday on FCC approval of a power at a distance wireless charging device brought a torrent of abuse, some of it obscene. “Please Resign. Just resign. You are not helping the American people,” one person said. The FCC didn't comment.
Most commenters urged the FCC to move with care on complete nationwide number portability (NPP) rules, and not impose new rules that would require carriers to invest in legacy systems while the transition to IP-based networks is in progress. In October, commissioners approved an NPRM and notice of inquiry on NPP. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said then that he had concerns about the expense and the FCC should do a cost-benefit analysis before taking any further action.
ISPs have made “an ironclad commitment” to maintain net neutrality protection and will keep their promises, USTelecom President Jonathan Spalter said in an interview on C-SPAN’s The Communicators, set to be telecast this weekend. USTelecom was a leading proponent of the FCC order that largely scrapped the 2015 rules (see 1712140039). But Spalter counseled against hysteria after the FCC’s vote: “We need to take a step back from … fear. We live in a very contentious environment and very contentious political moment.”
New Hampshire changed its mind and opted in to FirstNet even though Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said three weeks ago that the state would opt out. New Hampshire was the only state to say it would opt out and choose a Rivada plan, but Sununu said Thursday he didn’t want to go it alone. Florida, New York and Mississippi also opted in to FirstNet on the final day for states to opt out. California didn’t announce a decision by our deadline, and three Pacific territories have until March 12 to decide.
Shares in wireless charging company Energous soared 168 percent Wednesday, closing at $23.70, after Tuesday’s announcement the company received FCC certification of its first-generation mid-field transmitter that sends focused, RF-based power to devices at distances up to three feet.