Alphabet hires for Google Fiber/Webpass Dinni Jain, ex-Time Warner Cable, as CEO, Access ... Sam Black detailed to Senate Commerce Committee minority staff from Office of Management and Budget and working now with Space Subcommittee staff; past employers include Satellite Industry Association ... Wiley Rein re-adds Federal Election Commissioner Lee Goodman, named partner and member, Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, including working on free speech, effective Feb. 20; Goodman's last day at FEC is Feb. 16, spokeswomen for the agency and the law firm tell us ... AT&T moves Judy Dobies to director-general manager-national business for the Mid-Atlantic region ... WOW hires Nancy McGee, ex-Starz Entertainment, as chief marketing and sales officer.
CTA, groups representing drone makers and users and aviation industry associations asked the FAA to investigate a video that shows an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flying directly above an airliner making its final approach at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. A video hit the internet Friday. “This careless and reckless behavior endangers the safety of our airspace for all users,” said Monday's letter to acting Administrator Daniel Elwell, included in an email blast the next day. “We urge the FAA to use its full authority to investigate, identify, and apprehend the operator of this UAS flight and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. We also encourage the FAA to work with law enforcement in Las Vegas and Nevada to pursue all applicable charges within their authority.” The agency said it's investigating. “Although details are still emerging about the nature of the operations, it seems certain that the stunt violated FAA regulations,” blogged Wiley lawyers Sara Baxenberg and Josh Turner. “The only questions appear to be which ones, and how many?”
The FCC Media Bureau circulated an NPRM Monday seeking comment on creating a new C4 class of FM stations, said Chairman Ajit Pai in his address to a Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council event Tuesday. “This reform could allow hundreds of Class A FM stations to broadcast with increased power.” There was "a lot of talk during previous administrations about trying to take action to promote ownership diversity -- but there was little to nothing done,” Pai said. “I am determined that the FCC on my watch will take concrete steps to create a more diverse communications industry.”
Hawaii’s false missile alert stemmed from lack of safeguards and human error, including a Hawaii Emergency Management Agency employee who repeatedly confused drills and real alerts, said reports from the Public Safety Bureau at an FCC commissioners' meeting and later Tuesday from Bruce Oliveira, the retired brigadier general investigating for HI-EMA (see 1801250061). That staffer was fired and other employees were disciplined. Members of Congress told us they continue to be concerned, as are FCC members.
Gone are the days when few firms had more than 20 lawyers, but the communications field is far more inclusive than it once was, veteran communications lawyers said at an FCBA event Wednesday. The anecdote-laden talks involved many career tips from long-time practitioners for new lawyers. Networking is a must-do, said Wiley Rein co-founder Richard Wiley. He was famous for knowing secretaries' names at the FCC, said Diane Cornell, who most recently was special counsel to former Chairman Tom Wheeler. Cornell said reputation is a key lawyer asset that can easily get tarnished. "Don't screw people over," she said. "Don't lie." Former Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said emails and texts largely replaced phone calls and in-face conversations, but prompt replies demanded by etiquette remain. Many talked up mentorships but said older lawyers can learn from younger peers. Talking about changes in overtime, Covington & Burling retired broadcast lawyer Jonathan Blake said when he started in the 1960s, partners filled out time sheets annually, and it was unheard of for law firms based elsewhere to practice in Washington. Discussing how to stay abreast of changing technologies, Abernathy said she made in-house engineers "my best friends." She advised lawyers to set up meetings between the FCC and clients working on noteworthy tech even if there's no advocacy on a proceeding but as a means of making connections. When at the agency, she said, "I loved those kinds of presentations." Blake said lobbying where one takes up more than 60 percent of the conversation is a bad session and there needs to be plenty of question asking. Overreach in lobbying "is the kiss of death," he said.
Congress was on the path Monday toward ending a three-day government shutdown, which already had widely varying impacts on communications-policy agencies. Senators voted 81-18 at our deadline to pass a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through Feb. 8, after a bipartisan group of negotiators worked out a deal to debate immigration legislation. The shutdown began at midnight Friday after Senate Democrats voted overwhelmingly against cloture on a slightly longer CR amid disagreements with Republican leaders on immigration and other issues (see 1801190055). The House was also set to vote on the shortened CR later Monday.
Arnold & Porter hires Chris Dodd, ex-MPAA, as senior counsel-Legislative and Public Policy group, working on issues including media and entertainment, intellectual property, data privacy and telecom ... Fletcher Heald adds broadcast attorney Mark Lipp, ex-Wiley Rein, to broadcast and media practice ... Telecommunications Industry Association promotes Ashley Simmons to senior director-external affairs, and she tells us the new department she heads includes the association’s brand, public affairs, communications and marketing efforts.
Drones weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds must be registered with the FAA, due to new rules included in the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Donald Trump Dec. 12, Wiley Rein blogged Monday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in May vacated a previous rule requiring drone registration (see 1705190052). The defense bill reinstated the rule, instituted to increase security and safety with small drone operations, the communications law firm said. Failure to comply with the new law could result in civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment up to three years.
Media Institute announces retirement of Patrick Maines, as expected (see 1711290048), effective Jan. 2; board Tuesday named him president emeritus; he's succeeded by Media Institute Executive Director Richard Kaplar, who runs the organization and keeps current title; Richard Wiley remains chairman ... 21st Century Fox promotes Uday Shankar to president-Asia, including media/entertainment properties and digital video platform Hotstar; Fox Networks Group Asia President Zubin Gandevia continues overseeing video brands across 14 markets and now reports to Shankar.
An FCC draft order to undo Title II net neutrality appears legally strong, said some attorneys on a Phoenix Center panel, but another questioned aspects. Chairman Ajit Pai's draft to restore a less-regulatory Communications Act Title I broadband framework has precedent, deference and investment arguments in its favor, said Tom Navin, a Wiley Rein attorney and ex-Wireline Bureau chief. At around the same time Tuesday, a pro-Title II panel was held (see 1712050057).