FCC Chairman Ajit Pai acted on Puerto Rico in light of the near meltdown in communications because of Hurricane Maria, but some say there’s more the agency can do. Commissioners took about a day to approve an order (see 1710030057) making up to $76.9 million immediately available for the restoration of communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “The FCC’s actions are intended to enable carriers to restore essential communications services as quickly as possible,” said a news release.
Fight for the Future launched a campaign Tuesday targeting the four Senate Democrats who voted Monday in favor of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation. The Senate confirmed Pai on a 52-41 vote, prompting reaction that divided sharply between supporters and opponents of the FCC's 2015 net neutrality rules (see 1710020062 and 1710030064). All four Democrats -- Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Gary Peters of Michigan and Jon Tester of Montana -- previously told us they were leaning toward confirming Pai (see 1709280056). Manchin and Peters separately told reporters they were impressed by Pai's focus on increasing rural broadband deployment. “I just need a lot of help in West Virginia, and he’s been moving in that direction,” Manchin said. Pai has been “very receptive to ways to expand broadband access” in Michigan's Upper Peninsula region, Peters said. Manchin and Peters noted ongoing concerns with Pai's bid to rescind 2015 net neutrality rules, which figured prominently in other Senate Democrats' floor speeches opposing the chairman (see 1709150060). Peters said he will now work to “hold [Pai] accountable” on net neutrality. McCaskill and Tester previously cited work with Pai on policy issues like oversight of the Lifeline USF program as a reason to reconfirm him. FFTF tweeted that the four Democrats “voted for an FCC chairman that wants to allow Internet censorship, throttling, and extra fees” and urged the group's supporters to call the senators' offices.
Fight for the Future launched a campaign Tuesday targeting the four Senate Democrats who voted Monday in favor of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation. The Senate confirmed Pai on a 52-41 vote, prompting reaction that divided sharply between supporters and opponents of the FCC's 2015 net neutrality rules (see 1710020062 and 1710030064). All four Democrats -- Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Gary Peters of Michigan and Jon Tester of Montana -- previously told us they were leaning toward confirming Pai (see 1709280056). Manchin and Peters separately told reporters they were impressed by Pai's focus on increasing rural broadband deployment. “I just need a lot of help in West Virginia, and he’s been moving in that direction,” Manchin said. Pai has been “very receptive to ways to expand broadband access” in Michigan's Upper Peninsula region, Peters said. Manchin and Peters noted ongoing concerns with Pai's bid to rescind 2015 net neutrality rules, which figured prominently in other Senate Democrats' floor speeches opposing the chairman (see 1709150060). Peters said he will now work to “hold [Pai] accountable” on net neutrality. McCaskill and Tester previously cited work with Pai on policy issues like oversight of the Lifeline USF program as a reason to reconfirm him. FFTF tweeted that the four Democrats “voted for an FCC chairman that wants to allow Internet censorship, throttling, and extra fees” and urged the group's supporters to call the senators' offices.
Puerto Rican telco and media industry groups paint a grim picture of communications on the island after Hurricane Maria, with indications full resumption could be a long way off. Some said the FCC's information collection system continues (see 1709270061) struggling. Chairman Ajit Pai is proposing that carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands be allowed quicker use of their USF allocations for network rebuilding.
Puerto Rican telco and media industry groups paint a grim picture of communications on the island after Hurricane Maria, with indications full resumption could be a long way off. Some said the FCC's information collection system continues (see 1709270061) struggling. Chairman Ajit Pai is proposing that carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands be allowed quicker use of their USF allocations for network rebuilding.
The Senate reconfirmed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Monday (see our bulletin 1710020030), and as expected 1709280056), on a 52-41 vote. Four Democrats voted for Pai: Sens. Joe Manchin, W.Va.; Claire McCaskill, Mo.; Gary Peters, Mich.; and Jon Tester, Mont. The final vote followed a floor debate in which Senate Republicans strongly backed Pai and Democrats criticized the chairman for his proposed rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules, Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune and other controversial policy matters (see 1709150060). Pai's new term lasts until June 30, 2021.
The Senate reconfirmed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Monday (see our bulletin 1710020030), and as expected 1709280056), on a 52-41 vote. Four Democrats voted for Pai: Sens. Joe Manchin, W.Va.; Claire McCaskill, Mo.; Gary Peters, Mich.; and Jon Tester, Mont. The final vote followed a floor debate in which Senate Republicans strongly backed Pai and Democrats criticized the chairman for his proposed rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules, Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune and other controversial policy matters (see 1709150060). Pai's new term lasts until June 30, 2021.
A Thursday Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on “weaknesses" in the Lifeline USF program's management identified in a May GAO report is likely to be less balanced in the program's favor than a previous committee hearing, communications sector lobbyists from across the political spectrum said in interviews. The Senate Commerce hearing last week included a strong defense of the program from Free Press Deputy Director Jessica González and calls from Democrats for Congress to be patient before the national verifier program instituted in the FCC's 2016 Lifeline overhaul order fully rolls out in 2019 (see 1709060063).
A Thursday Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on “weaknesses" in the Lifeline USF program's management identified in a May GAO report is likely to be less balanced in the program's favor than a previous committee hearing, communications sector lobbyists from across the political spectrum said in interviews. The Senate Commerce hearing last week included a strong defense of the program from Free Press Deputy Director Jessica González and calls from Democrats for Congress to be patient before the national verifier program instituted in the FCC's 2016 Lifeline overhaul order fully rolls out in 2019 (see 1709060063).
Work of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee remains a top focus of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, senior Pai adviser Nick Degani told the group Thursday as it held its second public meeting. BDAC's work “is central to the mission of the commission” and is being closely watched on the eighth floor of the FCC, Degani said. But BDAC members complained repeatedly that the group has been given an unrealistically quick timeline.