Congress has done nothing to support next-generation 911 since the FCC Task Force on Optimal Public Safety Answering Point Architecture (TFOPA) released its final report in January, said Philip Jones, a utility regulator from Washington state. Jones chairs Working Group 3-Optimal Resource Allocation. TFOPA held its first meeting since approving the report (see 1601290051). The group plans to delve deeper into issues raised last year, FCC and TFOPA officials said Friday.
The FCC signed off officially on Charter Communications' buys of Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable with conditions, the agency said in a news release Friday. The order, including conditions, is expected to be issued in the coming days, one agency source told us. Charter in a statement said the conditions in the order largely "codified or reflected specific commitments" it made at the start of the transaction review process. The operator noted that the curbs include settlement-free peering, no usage-based billing, provision of a low-income broadband program and buildout of its high-speed broadband footprint. An OK was expected after the deals worth about $90 billion were announced (see 1507160021) and last week, when most FCC members had OK'd the deals (see 1605050049).
The deadline was extended an additional month for comments on an FCC NPRM on strengthening state and local involvement in the emergency alert system, said a Public Safety Bureau public notice released Thursday. Comments are now due June 8, replies July 8, the PN said. The extension was granted after requests from the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations and the Broadcast Warning Working Group (see 1604290032). Though NASBA had asked for a 45-day extension, the bureau said 30 days was sufficient.
A broad coalition of automotive and public safety groups and satellite companies told President Barack Obama that the administration would be ill-advised to weigh in on the 5.9 GHz band discussion in a way that compromises dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) service systems aimed at preventing accidents on the road. The letter counters last week’s letter from public interest and industry groups bent on using the spectrum for Wi-Fi (see 1604280043). The 5.9 GHz band is seen as one of the most viable bands to provide more capacity as unlicensed use of spectrum skyrockets.
A broad coalition of automotive and public safety groups and satellite companies told President Barack Obama that the administration would be ill-advised to weigh in on the 5.9 GHz band discussion in a way that compromises dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) service systems aimed at preventing accidents on the road. The letter counters last week’s letter from public interest and industry groups bent on using the spectrum for Wi-Fi (see 1604280043). The 5.9 GHz band is seen as one of the most viable bands to provide more capacity as unlicensed use of spectrum skyrockets.
Charter Communications agreed to California conditions proposed by an administrative law judge for the California Public Utilities Commission, while opponents fired last shots in comments on the company's acquisitions of Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable. The CPUC said it plans to vote on the transactions at its meeting next week. The ALJ last month issued a proposed decision approving the deal with conditions (see 1604130020). The FCC also has a draft order that would conditionally approve the deals (see 1604250039), and DOJ last week announced a settlement that would allow the deals to proceed with conditions. Charter CEO Tom Rutledge has said he hopes to close the deal "within a few days" of the CPUC vote (see 1604280063).
Charter Communications agreed to California conditions proposed by an administrative law judge for the California Public Utilities Commission, while opponents fired last shots in comments on the company's acquisitions of Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable. The CPUC said it plans to vote on the transactions at its meeting next week. The ALJ last month issued a proposed decision approving the deal with conditions (see 1604130020). The FCC also has a draft order that would conditionally approve the deals (see 1604250039), and DOJ last week announced a settlement that would allow the deals to proceed with conditions. Charter CEO Tom Rutledge has said he hopes to close the deal "within a few days" of the CPUC vote (see 1604280063).
Citing the length of the NPRM and complexity of issues involved, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA) is pushing for later deadlines in the FCC emergency alert rules NPRM. In a motion Friday in docket 15-94, NASBA said the deadline for comments, currently May 29, should be moved to June 23, with the deadline for replies extended 30 days to July 7. Other parties including the Broadcast Warning Working Group and EAS gearmaker Monroe Electronics also sought deadline extensions (see here and here).
Five states will participate in a policy academy on cybersecurity, the National Governors Association said in a news release Thursday. Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada and Oregon will participate in the academy, which will cover developing and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, NGA said. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R), co-chairs of NGA’s Resource Center for State Cybersecurity, will serve as faculty for the policy academy. “Threats to our cybersecurity remain one of the most significant homeland security challenges facing the nation,” McAuliffe said. “This opportunity will allow states to learn effective cybersecurity practices to better safeguard citizens.” Snyder said, “Cyber threats affect everyone from law enforcement, public works and energy agencies, to financial and communications sectors and ultimately, citizens of every state. This policy academy will help states develop strategic plans to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and improve incident response planning.” Earlier this month, NGA announced a separate policy academy on emergency communications interoperability (see 1604070058).
Five states will participate in a policy academy on cybersecurity, the National Governors Association said in a news release Thursday. Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada and Oregon will participate in the academy, which will cover developing and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, NGA said. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R), co-chairs of NGA’s Resource Center for State Cybersecurity, will serve as faculty for the policy academy. “Threats to our cybersecurity remain one of the most significant homeland security challenges facing the nation,” McAuliffe said. “This opportunity will allow states to learn effective cybersecurity practices to better safeguard citizens.” Snyder said, “Cyber threats affect everyone from law enforcement, public works and energy agencies, to financial and communications sectors and ultimately, citizens of every state. This policy academy will help states develop strategic plans to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and improve incident response planning.” Earlier this month, NGA announced a separate policy academy on emergency communications interoperability (see 1604070058).