The FCC will take up proposed rules at its Sept. 30 meeting that would lift federal rules prohibiting correctional officials from jamming signals from contraband cellphones, Chairman Brendan Carr said Friday. Carr announced during a press conference streamed from Arkansas that commissioners would be asked to vote on an NPRM. He said he hopes new rules will be in place next year or “as early as possible.”
The FCC has been asking broadcasters about ATSC 3.0’s use of digital rights management (DRM) encryption and concerns that it could squeeze out some device manufacturers, said officials from ATSC 3.0 consortium Pearl TV and 3.0 device maker Tolka in an interview.
Broadband interests are warning the U.S. Supreme Court of "dire consequences for internet access" if the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in online piracy litigation against Cox Communications stands. Cox also saw support from the U.S. Solicitor General, tech giants, law professors and library groups in docket 24-171 amicus briefs posted Friday. The cable ISP is challenging the 4th Circuit decision upholding a lower court's copyright infringement finding against Cox for piracy by some of its internet subscribers (see 2408160034).
The durability of fixed wireless access (FWA) competition has been somewhat surprising, Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong said Thursday. Speaking at Citi's Global TMT Conference, Armstrong said FWA will be a permanent competitor. Separately, at the Bank of America Securities Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference, Charter Communications CFO Jessica Fischer said FWA has been an effective competitor, but its growth will slow since wireless carriers need that capacity for their mobile businesses.
The FCC should investigate ABC over late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s donations to and fundraising for politicians who have appeared on his show, said the Center for American Rights in a complaint filed Thursday.
The House Appropriations Committee voted 35-28 Wednesday night to advance the Financial Services Subcommittee’s FY 2026 funding bill, which would maintain the FCC’s annual allocation at $390.2 million and proposes reducing the FTC’s funding to $388.6 million (see 2507210064). The panel earlier voted 32-27 against an amendment from Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., to strike language in the bill’s report that directs the FCC to study alternatives to the commission’s lapsed affordable connectivity program (ACP) “to ensure that low-income Americans stay connected.”
The wireless industry’s need for spectrum for full-power, licensed use will be reduced by the 800 MHz “pipeline” in the reconciliation package approved by Congress this summer, CTIA President Ajit Pai said Thursday, but eventually the industry will need more. He also called on the FCC to take another look at how the 6 GHz band is allocated.
Communications Daily is tracking the lawsuits below involving appeals of FCC actions.
State broadband leaders outlined Wednesday the hurdles they have faced and the progress made in adapting to NTIA’s revised BEAD guidelines. During a Broadband Breakfast webinar, just one day before new final proposals are due, officials acknowledged the difficulties but emphasized that the process is advancing states toward universal coverage.
Lawmakers and witnesses touted fiber over satellite and discussed USF reform and broadband mapping at a House Small Business Committee hearing on expanding broadband to help rural small businesses.