Chairman Ajit Pai’s recent moves to shift the FCC away from a role in cybersecurity policy are a “dangerous departure” from President Donald Trump’s “aggressive cybersecurity policy” stance, said former Public Safety Bureau Chief David Simpson in Morning Consult. Pai reversed a Simpson-authored white paper on communications sector cybersecurity regulation and a notice of inquiry on cybersecurity for 5G devices (see 1702060062 and 1702060059), among other moves (see 1702030070). Pai halted cybersecurity provisions in ISP privacy rules, Simpson wrote. The “greatest concern” will be the FCC’s future “benign neglect” of cybersecurity, he said. Simpson noted Commissioner Mike O’Rielly’s testimony last week before the Senate Commerce Committee that the commission has “extremely limited” statutory authority over cybersecurity absent a clear directive (see 1703080070). “Addressing cybersecurity early is smart policy,” Simpson said. “It leads to more robust, resilient and cost-efficient services. ... This is a national security and emergency preparedness requirement.” He criticized the communications sector’s “self-serving theory” that the Department of Homeland Security should take over oversight of the sector’s cybersecurity. Expanding DHS’ oversight “with no regulatory authority over the commercial communications sector, will be expensive, doomed to failure or both,” Simpson said. Trump can reverse FCC “cyber indifference” by in part making cybersecurity a “whole of government” priority that includes the FCC and FTC in the National Security Council’s assessment of cyber risk, Simpson said. He encouraged stakeholders to “demand a more effective dialog between congressional committees with cybersecurity risk responsibilities." The FCC didn’t comment.
Dish Network's IoT plans have bought more time for the company to use its AWS-4 and lower 700 MHz E block spectrum, but whether that ultimately is how the satellite-TV provider uses it remains a big question, company watchers told us. Some are skeptical of an IoT network business plan and see a strong likelihood Dish will end up either partnering with a third party on such a network or selling its spectrum. Dish earlier this week told the FCC it expected to have a NarrowBand (NB) IoT network in operation by March 2020 (see 1703080026). Dish didn't comment. It announced Friday plans to perhaps buy additional spectrum.
Dish Network's IoT plans have bought more time for the company to use its AWS-4 and lower 700 MHz E block spectrum, but whether that ultimately is how the satellite-TV provider uses it remains a big question, company watchers told us. Some are skeptical of an IoT network business plan and see a strong likelihood Dish will end up either partnering with a third party on such a network or selling its spectrum. Dish earlier this week told the FCC it expected to have a NarrowBand (NB) IoT network in operation by March 2020 (see 1703080026). Dish didn't comment. It announced Friday plans to perhaps buy additional spectrum.
President Donald Trump’s second immigration executive order (see 1703060043) keeps “key provisions” from the first that the courts previously “enjoined” as being unlawful, so the second order should be barred from taking effect March 16 as the administration wants it to, the state of Washington argued Thursday in court documents (in Pacer).
Dish Network's IoT plans have bought more time for the company to use its AWS-4 and lower 700 MHz E block spectrum, but whether that ultimately is how the satellite-TV provider uses it remains a big question, company watchers told us. Some are skeptical of an IoT network business plan and see a strong likelihood Dish will end up either partnering with a third party on such a network or selling its spectrum. Dish earlier this week told the FCC it expected to have a NarrowBand (NB) IoT network in operation by March 2020 (see 1703080026). Dish didn't comment. It announced Friday plans to perhaps buy additional spectrum.
The FCC is investigating a widespread outage of 911 service affecting AT&T wireless customers for about 90 minutes Wednesday, the agency confirmed. Industry officials said Thursday they don’t necessarily expect the FCC to take enforcement action against the carrier or contemplate new rules unless the investigation uncovers major problems. The FCC usually doesn’t issue a fine as a result of 911 outages, former officials said.
Hhgregg thinks a “going-concern sale” of its businesses “likely is the best way” to maximize the company’s remaining assets for the benefit of its creditors, said Chief Financial Officer Kevin Kovacs in a Monday court declaration (in Pacer) in support of the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The retailer plans to “implement a competitive bidding and auction process” to sell “substantially all” remaining assets, and will do so “in the early days” of the Chapter 11 proceeding, said Kovacs in his declaration, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Indianapolis.
Draft legislative text for the Next Generation 911 Act of 2017 began circulating in recent days. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Feb. 28 the draft would be forthcoming and described its provisions at length (see 1702280062). Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who announced efforts to work on such a bill in September, is listed as lead author. Both senators mentioned the initiative in the course of hearings last week. The 21-page draft bill still leaves some sections unfilled, such as the transition completion deadline for the NG-911 transition and the precise funding to be slated for the efforts: “There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary,” it simply says in brackets in the appropriations section. The draft “makes the transition to NG 9-1-1 a national priority,” said a one-page summary. “The Act will further state and federal cooperation to build Next Generation 9-1-1 systems nationwide. It refocuses federal efforts to support NG 9-1-1 and provides necessary resources to use to help develop and implement NG 9-1-1 transition plans. But it keeps governance and control of the 9-1-1 system where it belongs -- with state and localities.” The text “closely tracks” with the efforts of the NG-911 Now Coalition, said the National Emergency Number Association, a member of the coalition. The draft “will ensure 9-1-1 authorities have access to the capital necessary to fully implement NG9-1-1,” the association said. APCO also lauded the draft, which “aligns with priorities APCO has long advocated, for accomplishing a full transition to NG9-1-1,” the group said. “APCO is especially supportive of provisions recognizing the need for standards and resources to support [public safety answering points]. 9-1-1 professionals deserve the benefits of accredited, consensus-based standards to ensure services and equipment match the level of innovation and cost efficiencies enjoyed in the consumer marketplace, akin to the path Congress set for FirstNet. Further, the draft recognizes the need to reserve governance and control to states and localities, and the imperative of cybersecurity.”
Draft legislative text for the Next Generation 911 Act of 2017 began circulating in recent days. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Feb. 28 the draft would be forthcoming and described its provisions at length (see 1702280062). Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who announced efforts to work on such a bill in September, is listed as lead author. Both senators mentioned the initiative in the course of hearings last week. The 21-page draft bill still leaves some sections unfilled, such as the transition completion deadline for the NG-911 transition and the precise funding to be slated for the efforts: “There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary,” it simply says in brackets in the appropriations section. The draft “makes the transition to NG 9-1-1 a national priority,” said a one-page summary. “The Act will further state and federal cooperation to build Next Generation 9-1-1 systems nationwide. It refocuses federal efforts to support NG 9-1-1 and provides necessary resources to use to help develop and implement NG 9-1-1 transition plans. But it keeps governance and control of the 9-1-1 system where it belongs -- with state and localities.” The text “closely tracks” with the efforts of the NG-911 Now Coalition, said the National Emergency Number Association, a member of the coalition. The draft “will ensure 9-1-1 authorities have access to the capital necessary to fully implement NG9-1-1,” the association said. APCO also lauded the draft, which “aligns with priorities APCO has long advocated, for accomplishing a full transition to NG9-1-1,” the group said. “APCO is especially supportive of provisions recognizing the need for standards and resources to support [public safety answering points]. 9-1-1 professionals deserve the benefits of accredited, consensus-based standards to ensure services and equipment match the level of innovation and cost efficiencies enjoyed in the consumer marketplace, akin to the path Congress set for FirstNet. Further, the draft recognizes the need to reserve governance and control to states and localities, and the imperative of cybersecurity.”
The data capacity pricing wars among satellite operators won't end anytime soon, though the video distribution business could be slightly more insulated than some other services, speakers said Monday at Satellite 2017. Satellite industry experts and insiders also said the industry is ripe for mergers and consolidation.