The FCC’s newly reconstituted Technology Advisory Council met for the first time Monday, with a new focus on 6G, directed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. New TAC Chairman Dean Brenner, a former Qualcomm executive, said TAC’s work is more important than ever due to the reliance on broadband since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago. The first meeting was initially expected in October (see 2107230039).
U.S. export controls on quantum computing and communication technologies would slow scientific progress and fail to target the most “defense-relevant applications,” the nonprofit Rand Corp. said in a recent report. The think tank said the U.S. should “not impose export controls on quantum computers or quantum communications systems at this time” or risk stifling American quantum innovation.
Broadcasters, ham radio operators and trade groups opposed a U.S. Forest Service proposal to charge an additional administrative fee to communications facilities on USFS land (see 2202180051), by Tuesday's deadline in USFS rulemaking docket 2021-27681. “The proposal is unlawful, inequitable, and undermines the public interest,” said NAB. The rule will undermine access to broadcasts in rural areas because it disproportionally affects rural TV translator stations, NAB said, saying “there is no statutory justification” for the USFS to apply the fee to existing users. If the proposal moves forward, it should allow for a “phase-in” period so existing users can make adjustments, NAB said. NAB also suggested an alternative fee that would assess fees based on market size and higher value uses. The rule would affect numerous public broadcasters that have prioritized universal access, said NPR, America’s Public Television Stations and PBS in joint comments. The USFS should revise the rule to include a discretionary waiver for nonprofit and governmental organizations, the public broadcasters said. The vast bulk of the over 700 comments in the docket came from amateur radio operators and related organizations and almost universally opposed the fees. Amateur radio operators provide “valuable communications services for the government and citizens during major emergencies” in areas that have little cellular service, said the Staunton, Virginia-based Valley Amateur Radio Association.Since amateur radio operators are prevented by law from charging for their services, the repeaters and other facilities they use are privately owned, the group said. “The only recourse the owners of the radio repeater resource have to cover any additional expense levied on them is directly out of pocket or additional donations.” The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association said the fee should be one time instead of annual. Georgia-based Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation said the fee would jeopardize the private radio network its employees use to communicate while restoring electrical and broadband services during weather events. “If we can't afford to break even on these services we will likely be forced to discontinue them, which will impair both BRMEMC services as well as the USFS.” CTIA said the fee appears to overlap with other fees already charged by the agency, and the USFS should revise the fee to prevent redundant charges. CTIA also argued the fees should lead to a streamlining of the broadband deployment process on USFS lands: “CTIA urges the FS to endeavor to reduce its current timeframes to act on communications use applications, particularly those proposing modifications to existing facilities.”
Public interest and consumer groups proposed that the FCC allocate revenue from future auctions to endow a Digital Equity Foundation to help close the digital divide. The groups announced the initiative on a webcast Wednesday, the day after FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urged that some auction proceeds be used to pay for improved 911 (see 2202220057).
Public interest and consumer groups proposed that the FCC allocate revenue from future auctions to endow a Digital Equity Foundation to help close the digital divide. The groups announced the initiative on a webcast Wednesday, the day after FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urged that some auction proceeds be used to pay for improved 911 (see 2202220057).
Some 42 markets have access to ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, under 10% of the viewing public in the U.S., and just 3 million 3.0-capable TVs were shipped in the U.S. last year, said Digital Tech Consulting President Myra Moore, moderator on a Streaming Media Connect panel last week.
Some 42 markets have access to ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, under 10% of the viewing public in the U.S., and just 3 million 3.0-capable TVs were shipped in the U.S. last year, said Digital Tech Consulting President Myra Moore, moderator on a Streaming Media Connect panel last week.
President Joe Biden announced in a speech Feb. 22 that the U.S. will impose a series of sanctions on Russia for its continued aggression against Ukraine. Biden promised sanctions "far beyond what was implemented in 2014," in response to Russian recognition of the Luhansk and Donetsk republics on Feb. 21, which he called a "flagrant violation of international law." According to a Feb. 21 press call, the White House anticipated the possibility and was prepared to respond immediately. A senior administration official noted the measures were in response to "Russia’s recognition gambit" and that they are distinct from "swift and severe economic measures" prepared should Russia "further invade Ukraine."
A U.S. Forest Service proposal to charge communications facilities on National Forest System (NFS) lands an annual administrative fee could be an existential threat to smaller broadcasters but is seen by wireless groups as a route to faster approvals, according to interviews. The deadline for comments is Tuesday, but docket 2021-27681 already listed 591 submissions Friday. “I get that they have to cover the administrative costs of what they do, but some of these stations have been there for 30 years,” said National Translator Association President Jack Mills.
Commenters on the Universal Service Fund generally agreed its funding system is unsustainable and in need of changes but disagreed on the solution, in comments posted Friday in docket 21-476 (see 2112220051) as the FCC prepares its report to Congress on the future of USF.