The FCC Public Safety Bureau approved a waiver allowing the Denver Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to do an end-to-end wireless emergency alert test. The proposed test will be May 8, starting at 11 a.m. MDT, with a backup date of May 16, said a bureau order Wednesday. “In light of the threat of tornados and the coordination with the annual test of the outdoor warning siren system, we are persuaded by the Denver OEM … that the proposed WEA test will help educate the public about WEA and improve the proficiency of Denver OEM in sending a WEA message in coordination with alerts distributed via the outdoor public warning system,” the bureau said: “We are also persuaded that the proposed end-to-end test of WEA has value now.” The bureau imposed conditions, including a “comprehensive multimedia campaign” to alert the public about the test before it occurs. The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency sought a waiver for commercial mobile service carriers to do a live WEA test at the National Mall at 11 a.m. June 22, with a backup date of June 23. The District’s third WEA test is to prepare for the July 4 celebration that’s expected to include President Donald Trump, said D.C. “If the President participates, the District of Columbia anticipates increased attendance and, potentially, counter protests or demonstrations.” The test message is to read, “This is a test of the District of Columbia Wireless Emergency Alert. No action is required.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed a next-generation 911 bill Tuesday. HB-397 aims to upgrade the state to NG-911 by increasing the current $1 fee on each phone bill to $1.25 monthly per phone line. “Marylanders should never have to wonder if they will be able to reach 911 in an emergency,” a Hogan spokesperson said. National Emergency Number Association CEO Brian Fontes called the new law “excellent news for the citizens of Maryland and those that travel through the state."
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed a next-generation 911 bill Tuesday. HB-397 aims to upgrade the state to NG-911 by increasing the current $1 fee on each phone bill to $1.25 monthly per phone line. “Marylanders should never have to wonder if they will be able to reach 911 in an emergency,” a Hogan spokesperson said. National Emergency Number Association CEO Brian Fontes called the new law “excellent news for the citizens of Maryland and those that travel through the state."
Satellite groups sought changes to export controls related to a Trump administration effort to revive the National Space Council, in comments that were due Friday. The Aerospace Industries Association asked the Commerce Department for more time before space-related export control regulations, to allow for "open discussions with the government." AIA lacks an "industry consensus" on multiple changes being considered. The association said a member-company asked that Commerce “evaluate” the list and “expand the list of parts and components that do not pose a threat to National Security and Regional Stability.”
Groups representing the hearing impaired urged FCC changes in industry’s wireless resiliency cooperative framework to ensure they get emergency warnings they can easily access. Some industry groups said the agency shouldn't impose new mandates and should rely on a voluntary approach, which they said is working. Two groups representing smaller carriers highlighted roaming concerns. The Public Safety Bureau sought feedback on how well the framework, first agreed to by the largest carriers in 2016, is working now (see 1904010047). Comments were posted Tuesday in docket 11-60.
Emerging space operators have a variety of options for financing and need to be aware of the pluses and minuses of each and what they can mean for such issues as growth rates and strategic decisions, Northern Sky Research's Shivaprakash Muruganandham blogged Sunday. He said venture capital is the single largest pool, accounting for 25 percent of funding, followed by strategic investors at 23 percent. Government entities and foundations make the largest number of investments in emerging space, at a lower funding amount, he said. The analyst said dedicated space funds in such nations as Japan, France and Luxembourg are expected to help drive space infrastructure growth through domestic companies. He said the launch sector is the biggest beneficiary of funding, with wealthy entrepreneurs, VC and strategic investors being active.
DOJ has made no decision on T-Mobile buying Sprint, antitrust chief Makan Delrahim told CNBC Monday, in perhaps his most complete comments yet on the deal, which as of Monday is a year old. Delrahim said there’s no magic number of national carriers to guarantee wireless competition. T-Mobile and Sprint, meanwhile, postponed the deadline for completing the deal from Monday to July 29, said an SEC filing.
DOJ has made no decision on T-Mobile buying Sprint, antitrust chief Makan Delrahim told CNBC Monday, in perhaps his most complete comments yet on the deal, which as of Monday is a year old. Delrahim said there’s no magic number of national carriers to guarantee wireless competition. T-Mobile and Sprint, meanwhile, postponed the deadline for completing the deal from Monday to July 29, said an SEC filing.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai names Aaron Goldberger acting wireless and international adviser, succeeding Rachael Bender, named International Bureau special counsel (per a spokesperson); Goldberger joins from Wireless Bureau, where he was associate chief and deputy director, Rural Broadband Auction Task Force ... Fox appoints Gail Slater, from White House National Economic Council, senior vice president-policy and strategy ... Lime hires Adam Kovacevich, ex-Google, as head-government affairs ... New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) names John Farmer, from Microsoft, chief technology officer.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai names Aaron Goldberger acting wireless and international adviser, succeeding Rachael Bender, named International Bureau special counsel (per a spokesperson); Goldberger joins from Wireless Bureau, where he was associate chief and deputy director, Rural Broadband Auction Task Force ... Fox appoints Gail Slater, from White House National Economic Council, senior vice president-policy and strategy ... Lime hires Adam Kovacevich, ex-Google, as head-government affairs ... New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) names John Farmer, from Microsoft, chief technology officer.