The FCC approved 4-0 an NPRM proposing revised rules for a program to pay for the replacement of equipment from Huawei and ZTE in U.S. networks, as expected (see 2102110053), at the commissioners' meeting Wednesday. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stressed that even more than the previous administration, she's emphasizing coordination with other parts of the federal government in her approach to supply chain risks. Commissioner Brendan Carr said the U.S. must stay tough on China.
Although national security lawyers aren’t expecting many changes to the goals of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. under the Biden administration (see 2101220034), they are expecting more of an effort by CFIUS to keep its transactions and actions out of the spotlight. “We do expect to see a return to a normal course of business for CFIUS, for the deliberations to take place behind closed doors,” said Caroline Brown, a trade lawyer with Crowell & Moring, speaking during a Feb. 17 event hosted by the law firm.
Kroger teamed with Gauss to sell what they call the first smartphone-enabled COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits to patients nationally, they said Tuesday: The at-home test awaits Food and Drug Administration emergency use OK.
Kroger teamed with Gauss to sell what they call the first smartphone-enabled COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits to patients nationally, they said Tuesday: The at-home test awaits Food and Drug Administration emergency use OK.
Kroger teamed with Gauss to sell what they call the first smartphone-enabled COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits to patients nationally, they said Tuesday. The at-home testing awaits Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization, they said. “Once authorized, it will be the first rapid COVID-19 test that can be fully performed using only a smartphone and a lateral flow assay (similar to an at-home pregnancy test), without involving a laboratory, a telemedicine visit or any specialized electronics.” Kroger Health expects the test kits to be available online and over the counter at its 2,200 U.S. pharmacies, it said.
A House Communications Subcommittee hearing Wednesday appears likely to focus on promoting $7.6 billion in E-rate funding included in Commerce Committee-advanced language to be added to a coming COVID-19 budget reconciliation package (see 2102120066), plus other measures to improve broadband access during the pandemic. House Commerce Republicans unveiled an alternative broadband policy agenda Tuesday, which largely draws on bills they first filed last summer (see 2102120066).
An NPRM on curbing 911 fee diversion (see 2101270060) is likely to receive unanimous support during Wednesday's meeting, FCC officials told us. Congress in December passed the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act, which required the commission to issue rules defining what constitutes a 911 fee or diversion.
Act quickly to set up the $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program, panelists told FCC commissioners during a roundtable Friday (see 2101070052). Several said it’s also important to prioritize transparency so providers and consumers are kept in the loop as the funds wind down.
Revisit the FCC 2011 rulemaking on videoconferencing requirements of the Communications and Video Accessibility Act, accessibility advocates asked FCC staff, per a filing posted Thursday in docket 10-213. Representatives of the Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, National Association of the Deaf, Hearing Loss Association of America, Gallaudet University Technology Access Program, American Council of the Blind and American Foundation for the Blind attended. "As people move from conversing over phone calls to video conferences, users who are accustomed to connection through relay services cannot participate in this mode of calling as they previously did," they said. Open a docket to facilitate wireline real-time text and interoperability between wireless and wireline RTT, because calls to emergency numbers, for example, can't accept RTT messages, they said: "Especially in light of the prevalence of mental health issues over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is frightening that deaf and hard of hearing people cannot access 988 and 911 services" (see 2101270051).
Radio broadcasters are at odds with one another and with NAB over whether the FCC should change FM booster rules to allow geotargeted radio broadcasts, in comments posted through Wednesday in docket 20-401. The NPRM “could open new doors for the marketing practices of small businesses,” said Emmis Communications. Dozens of smaller broadcasters submitted nearly identical comments supporting the proposal (see 2101270069), but NAB asked the FCC to hold off.