The U.S. Judicial Conference is temporarily allowing teleconferencing in federal courts for civil proceedings, plus video and teleconferencing for some criminal proceedings, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it said Tuesday. It said authorization ends when it finds federal courts are no longer materially affected or 30 days after the national emergency ends, whichever is sooner. Its executive committee approved allowing judges to authorize teleconferencing to allow audio access when the public can't enter courthouses.
The U.S. Judicial Conference is temporarily allowing teleconferencing in federal courts for civil proceedings, plus video and teleconferencing for some criminal proceedings, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it said Tuesday. It said authorization ends when it finds federal courts are no longer materially affected or 30 days after the national emergency ends, whichever is sooner. Its executive committee approved allowing judges to authorize teleconferencing to allow audio access when the public can't enter courthouses.
T-Mobile/Sprint opponents rang alarm bells after the carriers laid the foundation to possibly close their deal without California OK (see 2003310017). Sprint advised the California Public Utilities Commission Monday evening it's relinquishing its state certificate. The two carriers moved to withdraw their wireline transfer-of-control application. It could mean the companies close the multibillion-dollar combination as soon as Wednesday, analysts said.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated telehealth items Monday. One would allocate the $200 million in emergency COVID-19 funding Congress appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2003270058). Another would direct $100 million in USF spending for a three-year Connected Care pilot (see 1906190013).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated telehealth items Monday. One would allocate the $200 million in emergency COVID-19 funding Congress appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2003270058). Another would direct $100 million in USF spending for a three-year Connected Care pilot (see 1906190013).
Export restrictions on food, medicine or medical supplies “must be targeted, proportionate, transparent, and temporary,” the G-20 countries said in a statement on trade and COVID-19 released March 30. They agreed they would notify the World Trade Organization if any restrictions are implemented, and they will consider the needs of other countries for emergency supplies and humanitarian assistance. “We are actively working to ensure the continued flow of vital medical supplies and equipment, critical agricultural products, and other essential goods and services across borders, for supporting the health of our citizens. Consistent with national requirements, we will take immediate necessary measures to facilitate trade in those essential goods,” the ministers wrote. They want global supply chains to continue to function.
Export restrictions on food, medicine or medical supplies “must be targeted, proportionate, transparent, and temporary,” the G-20 countries said in a statement on trade and COVID-19 released March 30. They agreed they would notify the World Trade Organization if any restrictions are implemented, and they will consider the needs of other countries for emergency supplies and humanitarian assistance. “We are actively working to ensure the continued flow of vital medical supplies and equipment, critical agricultural products, and other essential goods and services across borders, for supporting the health of our citizens. Consistent with national requirements, we will take immediate necessary measures to facilitate trade in those essential goods,” the ministers wrote. They want global supply chains to continue to function.
The FCC Wireline Bureau gave Inteliquent waiver of access arbitrage rules through June 30, in an order Friday on docket 18-155. The company requested waiver in response to increased teleconference traffic stemming from social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2003180062). It can seek an extension as needed. The LEC terminates traffic for Cisco's WebEx, Zoom and other large clients. Access arbitrage rules targeted companies that have been "generating inflated call volumes to pad their bottom lines," Chairman Ajit Pai said: "They weren’t intended to ensnare companies that, during a national emergency, are experiencing unprecedented call volumes that would push them out of compliance.” Access arbitrage rules were updated in the fall (see 1909260055).
The FCC Wireline Bureau gave Inteliquent waiver of access arbitrage rules through June 30, in an order Friday on docket 18-155. The company requested waiver in response to increased teleconference traffic stemming from social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2003180062). It can seek an extension as needed. The LEC terminates traffic for Cisco's WebEx, Zoom and other large clients. Access arbitrage rules targeted companies that have been "generating inflated call volumes to pad their bottom lines," Chairman Ajit Pai said: "They weren’t intended to ensnare companies that, during a national emergency, are experiencing unprecedented call volumes that would push them out of compliance.” Access arbitrage rules were updated in the fall (see 1909260055).
President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (HR-748) Friday, soon after the House voice voted to pass the bill. The Senate passed the measure Wednesday (see 2003260063). HR-748, Congress’ third bill to address the effects of COVID-19, includes telehealth provisions and pandemic-related appropriations for the FCC, Rural Utilities Service and CPB. The measure allows the register of copyrights to temporarily toll, waive, adjust or modify deadline and timing provisions through December 2021 if an executive-declared national emergency disrupts or suspends ordinary copyright system functions. The law gives the register discretion over the reasonableness, scope and severity of the alterations. House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., wants additional telecom language in “future legislation.” Congress “must ensure affordable treatment for all, expand distance learning programs and access to the internet for low-income Americans, protect consumers from price gouging and prevent critical services from being shut off during this crisis,” he said. Several other Democrats also want a fourth COVID-19 bill to include broadband capacity and distance learning provisions, including Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. (see 2003250046). House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., said Congress “must do more … but this bill is an important step in the right direction.” House Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., hopes “as this public health crisis evolves, we can put the political swords down, focus on finding solutions and prove to the American people that we are in it together.” Commissioner Geoffrey Starks believes the FCC “must do more to advance its own ‘connectivity stimulus,’” including examining “its statutory authority and funding resources and take bold action to respond to the current crisis.” NTCA believes additional legislation should include language from the recently filed Keeping Critical Connections Act (HR-6394/S-3569), said CEO Shirley Bloomfield. HR-6394/S-3569 would set up a $2 billion fund at the FCC to compensate ISPs with fewer than 250,000 customers for providing free or discounted broadband services during the pandemic to low-income households that can't afford to pay their bills. NAB plans to advocate for future COVID-19 bills to include "further relief for broadcasters who keep communities safe with life-saving emergency information and fact-based journalism," said CEO Gordon Smith. ATA, CTA and the Wireless ISP Association also praised HR-748.