Plaintiffs unsuccessful in an antitrust suit vs. Apple three years ago filed another class action (docket 1:24-cv-00053) Tuesday in U.S. District Court for Wyoming in Casper, alleging the iPhone maker engages in “improper conduct that censors app developers.”
The President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) urged that the administration balance the interests of wireless carriers and DOD in a letter the group approved at a virtual meeting Wednesday. The letter raises concerns about the congressionally mandated Emerging Mid-Band Radar Spectrum Sharing Feasibility Assessment (EMBRSS) study of the lower 3 GHz band (see 2309280087). Moreover, it says federal use of spectrum must change. Industry officials note the missive is unusual in that NSTAC rarely weighs in on spectrum issues. NSTAC members approved the letter, addressed to President Joe Biden, on a unanimous vote with little discussion.
T-Mobile will light up “over the next few days” part of the 2.5 GHz spectrum it won in the 2022 auction after the FCC said the licenses are being released (see 2402270084). Turning on the 2.5 GHz spectrum followed the carrier's multiyear push and required an act of Congress (see 2312190089). T-Mobile plans to auction 800 MHz licenses committed to Dish Wireless after cash-constrained EchoStar decided not to buy the spectrum (see 2403010041), T-Mobile executives said Tuesday at a financial conference.
NAB and backers of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-3413/S-1669) are continuing to push for the bill’s passage, possibly by attaching it to a future omnibus appropriations package. The bill's supporters argue attaching the AM radio legislation to an omnibus appropriations package could help it overcome headwinds that have prevented its legislative approval since early 2023 (see 2401050065). CTA and other opponents of the measure argue it should go through a normal legislative process.
The Group of 7 should expand membership and use the forum to create a new multilateral export control regime for critical and emerging technologies, which could help replace the outdated Wassenaar Arrangement, said Emily Benson, a trade and technology policy expert. She said G7 nations are open to the idea, although she believes the U.S. hasn’t yet decided on the best path forward.
President Joe Biden extended a national emergency that authorizes certain sanctions against Venezuela, the White House said March 5. The emergency was extended for one year.
The FCC Public Safety Bureau said the Huron County, Ohio, Emergency Management Agency can conduct a wireless emergency alert system test March 20, one day later than the county requested (see 2402200072). The revised starting time is 9:45 a.m. EDT. The county asked for the delay because March 19 is election day in Ohio and the state, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, will be conducting its annual statewide tornado drill March 20, the bureau said.
The U.S. renewed a national emergency that authorizes certain sanctions on people and entities that “undermine democratic processes” in Ukraine, the White House said March 4. The emergency will continue for one year beyond March 6.
The House is expected to vote as soon as Wednesday on the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, a “minibus” funding bill that includes reductions for NTIA and other Commerce Department agencies but a slight increase for the DOJ Antitrust Division. President Joe Biden signed a continuing resolution (HR-7463) March 1 that extended federal appropriations for those agencies through Friday, March 8 (see 2403010072). The chamber is also set to vote this week on the 988 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act (HR-498) and NTIA Reauthorization Act (HR-4510) under suspension of the rules (see 2403010073).
The U.S. this week repealed its sanctions authority for Zimbabwe and instead announced new designations under its Global Magnitsky human rights program, part of an effort to highlight the people and entities most responsible for abuses and corruption in the country, the Treasury Department said.