FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is proposing to jettison almost all net neutrality regulation along with Title II broadband classification under the Communications Act, as expected (see 1711170028). A draft order would "stop micromanaging" the internet and return to a "light-touch" approach that would stimulate infrastructure investment and service innovation, still requiring broadband providers to disclose network practices and empowering the FTC to "police" ISP behavior, Pai said Tuesday. He circulated the draft to commissioners for a vote at their Dec. 14 meeting and said the item will be released Wednesday (see 1711210015).
Negotiations on a treaty updating broadcasting protections against signal piracy inched forward at the Nov. 13-17 World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), participants said Monday. Despite expectations of "business as usual" (see 1710240009), the meeting saw "incremental changes" with resolution of some long-pending questions, said WIPO Copyright Law Division Director Michele Woods, in an interview. European Broadcasting Union Head-Intellectual Property Heijo Ruijsenaars told us earlier he hoped key issues such as scope, objectives and rights had been resolved. Woods said there's forward movement, but work remains.
After last week's 3-2 FCC vote authorizing voluntary deployment of ATSC 3.0 (see 1711160060), the Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN) Alliance is “finalizing our work plan for 2018, which includes a technical development component” for 3.0-capable emergency alerts, alliance Executive Director John Lawson told us. The goal is to have an AWARN “beta solution” in place by early 2019 so it can be available for stations that launch 3.0 broadcasts beginning in 2019, said Lawson.
FCC Democratic commissioners urged net neutrality advocates to rise up in defense of open internet regulation that appears to be in the crosshairs of Chairman Ajit Pai and fellow Republicans. "Time to call foul. Time to raise a ruckus. Time to save #NetNeutrality," tweeted Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Friday, linking to a Slate article in which she called for FCC hearings across the country to allow Americans to comment on Pai's plans.
DOJ is suing to stop AT&T's takeover of Time Warner (see 1711200062). There had been speculation about such litigation in recent days (see 1711130006). Justice didn't comment, though in the evening, it released a statement saying it had sued along with the court complaint.
Strong privacy and transparency protections must be included in legislation renewing Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702 authority, said privacy and global cloud-based business groups Friday at a TechFreedom/Engine event. With new European privacy protections coming next year that U.S. global companies must meet, it’s time for Congress to ensure that 702 authority adds privacy protections that can build confidence among overseas business partners, said Christian Dawson, co-founder of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition. Many global clients are deeply concerned about data privacy in U.S.-based cloud services, he said, and will closely watch how Congress updates 702 authority expiring Dec. 31.
NTIA should look into whether federal agencies with compatible missions and using similar technologies could move into frequency sharing and consolidation. That and other Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee recommendations are heading to NTIA for consideration. CSMAC members Friday adopted subcommittee findings on 5G, band key characteristics, enforcement and spectrum efficiency. Along with recommendations for more emphasis on receiver standards and NTIA opening notices of inquiry on bands that could be considered for sharing (see 1711150019), members recommended NTIA look for ways to make federal procurement processes more responsive to market-based incentives to invest in new technology.
An Intelsat/Intel plan for freeing up some C-band downlink spectrum in metropolitan areas nationwide (see 1710020047) is getting mixed responses. Meanwhile, wireless interests continue to push for opening up the 6 GHz band for unlicensed operations, raising red flags with public safety. Wednesday was the deadline for replies in the mid-band notice of inquiry docket 17-183 that already had disagreements among industries and saw many comments posted through Friday (see 1710030052).
A local official on the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee said he may support the group’s final recommendations even though local government representatives are greatly outnumbered by those from industry. Andy Huckaba, city councilmember from Lenexa, Kansas, said in an interview that local governments won’t get everything they want, but the committee has worked hard to compromise. Other local officials said this month’s BDAC meeting validated their fears about low representation.
Thursday’s FCC vote to relax broadcast ownership rules is likely to spur TV dealmaking (see 1711160054) when it becomes clearer how the rules will fare in court, analysts and attorneys said in interviews. Uncertainty about how the FCC will apply its new standard for top-four duopolies and DOJ's views on big combinations in the same market are seen affecting deals. Transactions likely will wait at least until it becomes clear whether courts will stay the effectiveness of the changes, said BIA/Kelsey Chief Economist Mark Fratrik.