House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, N.J., is circulating discussion language to provide $2 billion in “emergency broadband benefit” funding in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill. Some lobbyists we spoke with see the draft as Democrats’ bid to resurrect plans for emergency broadband funding without providing new ammunition to Lifeline critics. Several Democratic lawmakers want future COVID-19 legislation to fund broadband and other infrastructure (see 2003260063). Some groups are urging Congress to use the coming measure to address other communications policy priorities, including media funding (see 2004090066).
More than 800 groups urged congressional leaders Monday to include language in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill for “a nationwide moratorium on the shut-offs” of broadband and “all other essential utilities” during the pandemic. The groups pressed leaders to “invest significant stimulus funds into long-term solutions” to “systemic issues driving these all-too-common utility injustices,” including “percentage-of-income payment plans” for broadband and other services. Several Democratic lawmakers want future COVID-19 legislation to fund broadband and other infrastructure projects (see 2003260063). The shut-off moratorium is needed because the epidemic “is resulting in the widespread loss of jobs that is unprecedented in modern history,” Free Press Action Policy Director Dan Floberg and leaders of other groups wrote. Appropriations should come in the form of “substantial funding for emergency broadband connectivity program, aimed at connecting low-income families and those experiencing job and income loss due to the pandemic." Other signers include Access Now, Communications Workers of America, MediaJustice, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America seeks clarification from CBP on a number of issues related to implementation of a ban on exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) recently announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (see 2004080018), according to an NCBFAA letter dated April 10. The letter includes questions on the scope of the FEMA notice, including the application of the ban to bonded transactions like warehouse withdrawals and goods in foreign-trade zones, as well as procedures for handling exports of covered PPE, such as processes for requesting FEMA authorization and contact information for FEMA. The letter also requests information on forwarder responsibilities under the policy and forwarder liability for detained PPE shipments. At least one of the questions, on whether the ban applies to exports to Canada and Mexico, was answered by an internal CBP memo dated April 9 that said exports to the two countries are exempt (see 2004090069).
More than 800 groups urged congressional leaders Monday to include language in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill for “a nationwide moratorium on the shut-offs” of broadband and “all other essential utilities” during the pandemic. The groups pressed leaders to “invest significant stimulus funds into long-term solutions” to “systemic issues driving these all-too-common utility injustices,” including “percentage-of-income payment plans” for broadband and other services. Several Democratic lawmakers want future COVID-19 legislation to fund broadband and other infrastructure projects (see 2003260063). The shut-off moratorium is needed because the epidemic “is resulting in the widespread loss of jobs that is unprecedented in modern history,” Free Press Action Policy Director Dan Floberg and leaders of other groups wrote. Appropriations should come in the form of “substantial funding for emergency broadband connectivity program, aimed at connecting low-income families and those experiencing job and income loss due to the pandemic." Other signers include Access Now, Communications Workers of America, MediaJustice, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New America’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge.
Public safety answering points are adapting to call-volume changes from the coronavirus and adjusting internal procedures to keep call takers healthy, 911 officials said in interviews this month. The New York City Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (FDNY EMS) is having “record call volume,” Deputy Commissioner Frank Dwyer emailed.
A recent Congressional Research Service report suggests that the U.S. may want to use safeguards deal with China's export-dominated strategy to rebuild its economy after the shutdowns needed to fight the coronavirus disease COVID-19. “Congress may want to carefully monitor or consider whether to impose requirements about potential predatory commercial activity in the United States,” the report said. “The potential for China to overwhelm global markets as it leans on exports for economic recovery,” the authors said, may mean that safeguards would be better than “waiting until market injury has already occurred to seek damages.”
The U.S. should introduce support measures for U.S. technology industries that are “too critical to fail,” especially those competing for market share with China, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation said in an April 13 report. As the Commerce Department seeks to restrict sales of emerging technologies to counter Chinese technology theft (see 2004010007), Congress should task the administration with expanding funding for research in those key fields -- including robotics, artificial intelligence and semiconductors -- and target it to “maximize commercialization” of the technologies in the United States. Congress should also support an “industrial investment bank” to increase advanced production in the U.S. and “encourage” the relocation of critical technology production from China to the U.S., the ITIF said.
APCO asked the FCC to delay allowing unlicensed devices to share 6 GHz, set for a commissioner vote April 23 (see 2004020066). “The Order fails to address several fundamental issues, including basic measures to prevent and promptly eliminate harmful interference,” APCO said: “This likely stems from a pattern of the proponents of expanding unlicensed use … blindly pushing for more spectrum while ignoring the real-world consequences to public safety agencies.” NAB also objected, in calls with aides to the commissioners other than Chairman Ajit Pai, and with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “In the face of a public health emergency and an evolving economic crisis, it has rarely been more critical to ensure that the nation’s broadcasters have [news] tools they need,” NAB said: “One of the most important of those tools is spectrum necessary to cover news events, including 6 GHz.” Southern Co. said uncontrolled low-power devices would “result in harmful interference to incumbent 6 GHz operations.” The FCC should approve the order as written, Intel CEO Bob Swan said in a call with Pai. Swan said the December C-band auction “will be an important enabler for new 5G deployments.” Filings were posted Friday in docket 18-295.
APCO asked the FCC to delay allowing unlicensed devices to share 6 GHz, set for a commissioner vote April 23 (see 2004020066). “The Order fails to address several fundamental issues, including basic measures to prevent and promptly eliminate harmful interference,” APCO said: “This likely stems from a pattern of the proponents of expanding unlicensed use … blindly pushing for more spectrum while ignoring the real-world consequences to public safety agencies.” NAB also objected, in calls with aides to the commissioners other than Chairman Ajit Pai, and with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “In the face of a public health emergency and an evolving economic crisis, it has rarely been more critical to ensure that the nation’s broadcasters have [news] tools they need,” NAB said: “One of the most important of those tools is spectrum necessary to cover news events, including 6 GHz.” Southern Co. said uncontrolled low-power devices would “result in harmful interference to incumbent 6 GHz operations.” The FCC should approve the order as written, Intel CEO Bob Swan said in a call with Pai. Swan said the December C-band auction “will be an important enabler for new 5G deployments.” Filings were posted Friday in docket 18-295.
APCO asked the FCC to delay allowing unlicensed devices to share 6 GHz, set for a commissioner vote April 23 (see 2004020066). “The Order fails to address several fundamental issues, including basic measures to prevent and promptly eliminate harmful interference,” APCO said: “This likely stems from a pattern of the proponents of expanding unlicensed use … blindly pushing for more spectrum while ignoring the real-world consequences to public safety agencies.” NAB also objected, in calls with aides to the commissioners other than Chairman Ajit Pai, and with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “In the face of a public health emergency and an evolving economic crisis, it has rarely been more critical to ensure that the nation’s broadcasters have [news] tools they need,” NAB said: “One of the most important of those tools is spectrum necessary to cover news events, including 6 GHz.” Southern Co. said uncontrolled low-power devices would “result in harmful interference to incumbent 6 GHz operations.” The FCC should approve the order as written, Intel CEO Bob Swan said in a call with Pai. Swan said the December C-band auction “will be an important enabler for new 5G deployments.” Filings were posted Friday in docket 18-295.