The Senate Commerce Committee advanced on voice votes Wednesday the Internet Exchange Act (S-1166), Ensuring Network Security Act (S-4472), Beat China by Harnessing Important, National Airwaves for 5G Act (S-4803) and Space Preservation and Conjunction Emergency Act (S-4827). The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved the Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act (S-3264) with an amendment requiring the FCC to open a new priority window for tribes to apply for 2.5 GHz licenses that lasts at least 180 days. The deadline closed Sept. 2 after a 30-day extension (see 2007310027). Other lawmakers also sought extensions (see 2010150046). S-3264 would create a Tribal Broadband Interagency Working Group to improve coordination across federal broadband programs and set aside FCC and Agriculture Department funds for tribal broadband deployments. Public Knowledge Senior Policy Counsel Jenna Leventoff praised the 2.5 GHz amendment to S-3264, saying it’s “one small way Congress and the FCC can fulfill their commitment to Tribes. Doing so is the first step to addressing the inequities of this underserved population: It will give Tribes an actual chance to secure broadband access.” Competitive Carriers Association CEO Steve Berry hailed advancement of S-4472, which would expand eligibility for funding to help U.S. communications providers remove Chinese equipment determined to threaten national security (see 2008120030). The measure “clearly recognizes the importance of addressing national security threats and providing sufficient funding,” Berry said. “The reimbursement program is an absolutely essential component.”
Senate Commerce Committee GOP leaders are eyeing a vote to advance FCC nominee Nathan Simington to the full chamber amid likely uniform Democratic opposition and lingering uncertainties about whether there’s unanimous GOP support. FCC Republicans, meanwhile, sidestepped questions about whether they will cooperate with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition, given objections from President Donald Trump. Chairman Ajit Pai announced a national-security-heavy agenda Wednesday for commissioners' Dec. 10 meeting but avoided saying he’s acquiescing to Democrats’ calls for him to stop work on major items (see 2011180065).
The House passed Tuesday on voice votes the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act (HR-6096), Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecom Act (HR-6624) and Spectrum IT Modernization Act (HR-7310). “These three bills will create a better, safer communications network,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa. The "pandemic put a much-needed focus on the need to ensure all Americans are connected, especially during times of emergency, and that our networks are secure,” said Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Communications ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio. Mavenir praised OK of HR-6624, which would finance creating an NTIA-managed open radio access network R&D fund (see 2001140067). It’s “another step forward in modernizing our nation’s mobile networks and promoting a more competitive and innovative 5G ecosystem,” the company said in a statement.
The House passed Tuesday on voice votes the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act (HR-6096), Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecom Act (HR-6624) and Spectrum IT Modernization Act (HR-7310). “These three bills will create a better, safer communications network,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa. The "pandemic put a much-needed focus on the need to ensure all Americans are connected, especially during times of emergency, and that our networks are secure,” said Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Communications ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio. Mavenir praised OK of HR-6624, which would finance creating an NTIA-managed open radio access network R&D fund (see 2001140067). It’s “another step forward in modernizing our nation’s mobile networks and promoting a more competitive and innovative 5G ecosystem,” the company said in a statement.
Steptoe & Johnson trade lawyers say that although President-elect Joe Biden will be interested in repairing strained relationships with the European Union, and will be less inclined to use unconventional trade tools like Section 232 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the trend of policymakers pushing reshoring and decoupling won't abate.
The FCC Wireline Bureau set the Lifeline minimum service standard for broadband at 4.5 GB monthly effective Dec. 1 (see 2011160051). Staff acted on delegated authority after an order circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai that would have done the same didn’t get enough commissioner votes (see 2011020065). The MSS is currently 3 GB.
The U.S. extended by one year national emergencies authorizing sanctions against Iran and Burundi, the White House said Nov. 12. U.S. relations with Iran “have not yet normalized,” so the national emergency will continue in effect through Nov. 14, 2021, it said. Although Burundi has shown progress toward a “peaceful transfer of power,” the U.S. has “not seen sufficient evidence that the situation is resolved,” the White House said, continuing the national emergency through Nov. 22, 2021.
The “general direction” on China policy likely won’t change under President-elect Joe Biden, said James Lewis, Center for Strategic and International Studies senior vice president, during an FCBA webinar Thursday. Adam Lusin, director of the State Department’s Office of International Communications and Information Policy, warned the U.S. focus on a multistakeholder approach to internet and 5G governance is under fire from China and other nations.
Incompas CEO Chip Pickering is hopeful this Congress enacts FY 2021 funding and a COVID-19 aid bill, despite partisan rancor. Group officials told a Thursday webinar they’re monitoring whether the Senate confirms FCC nominee Nathan Simington, plus the impact of a change to a majority-Democrat commission after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
The National Lifeline Association and Assist Wireless filed an emergency stay petition Monday asking the FCC to freeze the Lifeline minimum service standard at 3 GB within seven days. “It is a precursor to going to a federal court for such relief, if necessary,” emailed John Heitmann of Kelley Drye, who represents NaLA. Without the stay or the waiver NaLA previously sought, the MSS will automatically rise to 11.75 GB Dec. 1, triggering a “one-year death spiral” for the entire lifeline industry, the stay petition said. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai withdrew a proposal weeks ago (see 2011020065) that would have made the 2020 MSS 4.5 GB because it wouldn't receive sufficient votes.