The Commerce Department is seeking new members for its seven technical advisory committees to advise the agency on export controls and exporting issues within U.S. industries, Commerce said in a Dec. 31 notice. This includes Commerce’s upcoming Emerging Technology TAC, which is expected to hold its first meeting in early 2020 (see 1911200045). For each of its TACs, Commerce is looking for industry representatives from firms producing items that are currently controlled or proposed for control for national security, non-proliferation, foreign policy or short supply reasons. The agency said it is looking for members from both small and large companies, but no member may represent a company that is majority owned by a “foreign government entity.” Members must also obtain “secret-level clearances” before being appointed and serve terms “of not more than four consecutive years.” Applicants should send a resume to Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@bis.doc.gov. The notice of recruitment will be open until Dec. 31, 2020.
The wireless industry, CTA and drone groups told the FCC that commercial spectrum is critical to safe operation of unmanned aerial systems. Comments were due Thursday on a notice on the use of the 960-1164 MHz and 5030-5091 MHz bands by drones. Commenters also agreed on the importance of flexible-use licensing. The comments reflect unusual consensus on a spectrum issue. The FCC is seeking comment as a requirement of Section 374 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
The wireless industry, CTA and drone groups told the FCC that commercial spectrum is critical to safe operation of unmanned aerial systems. Comments were due Thursday on a notice on the use of the 960-1164 MHz and 5030-5091 MHz bands by drones. Commenters also agreed on the importance of flexible-use licensing. The comments reflect unusual consensus on a spectrum issue. The FCC is seeking comment as a requirement of Section 374 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
The California Public Utilities Commission received final arguments for and against the T-Mobile/Sprint deal, before a possible vote in early February. T-Mobile and Sprint said FCC and DOJ orders add to the deal’s public-interest benefits. That pact's plan to add Dish Network as a fourth national carrier didn’t persuade consumer advocates or the Communications Workers of America to support the deal, though they appeared open to strict CPUC conditions. The California commission is the last state agency OK the carriers need.
The California Public Utilities Commission received final arguments for and against the T-Mobile/Sprint deal, before a possible vote in early February. T-Mobile and Sprint said FCC and DOJ orders add to the deal’s public-interest benefits. That pact's plan to add Dish Network as a fourth national carrier didn’t persuade consumer advocates or the Communications Workers of America to support the deal, though they appeared open to strict CPUC conditions. The California commission is the last state agency OK the carriers need.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai names Monisha Ghosh, from National Science Foundation, chief technology officer ... Public Knowledge appoints Diego Rivera, ex-Equal Rights Center, director-finance and administration, and Tsion Tesfaye, ex-CeaseFirePA, communications justice fellow, launching Tech Policy Diversity Project ... Jenner & Block promotes to partners Christopher Lindsay, media and entertainment litigation, and Johanna Thomas, communications, internet and technology.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai names Monisha Ghosh, from National Science Foundation, chief technology officer ... Public Knowledge appoints Diego Rivera, ex-Equal Rights Center, director-finance and administration, and Tsion Tesfaye, ex-CeaseFirePA, communications justice fellow, launching Tech Policy Diversity Project ... Jenner & Block promotes to partner Johanna Thomas, communications, internet and technology.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said wireless carriers must transmit enhanced wireless emergency alerts to subscribers. After delays, major carriers are expected to immediately be able to transmit the new, improved alerts on their WEA platforms, industry officials said Thursday. Last week, the commission announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency told the FCC the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System wasn’t ready to support wireless emergency alerts by what was to be the Dec. 13 deadline (see 1912130059). The original deadline in a 2016 FCC order was May 1. The FCC also made the requirement official.
Five states diverted nearly $198 million, or 7.6 percent of all 911 fee revenue, for unrelated purposes in 2018, the FCC reported. That dropped about $87 million from 2017. FCC members said Thursday that any reshuffling is inappropriate.
China's Foreign Ministry criticized the Commerce Department’s efforts to restrict sales of emerging technologies (see 1912160032), saying the U.S. is “abusing export control measures” and “impeding” cooperation between the two countries. A ministry spokesperson said the U.S. is “over-generalizing” the concept of national security as justification for the export controls, which are aimed at preventing countries, including China, from acquiring access to sensitive U.S. technologies. “Don't think you can ever deter China's growth as well as scientific and technological innovation by limiting exports of high-end technologies to us,” the spokesman said during a Dec. 18 press conference. “You are being too arrogant.”