The upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference is critical to U.S. tech policy and the nation’s focus is becoming clear, said Steve Lang, who replaced Anna Gomez as head of the U.S. delegation to the WRC (see 2309120069). “I know how absolutely critical our success at the WRC is to our global strategic interests,” including U.S. economic and technological leadership and national security, said Lang during a U.S. ITU Association conference Thursday. That’s true “not just for the U.S. but our like-minded allies who share our democratic values and rights-respecting approach to technology,” he said. “It’s easy to connect the dots between what happens at the WRC and our defense interests and our commercial successes, but really it’s essential to our overall technological competitiveness,” he said. The decisions at WRC have implications for how technology will work in the future, Lang said. “That’s why it is so critical that the United States and our like-minded allies are leading” at the WRC, he said. Lang said from past work he has existing relationships with others who will represent their nations at the WRC and with ITU officials. But he noted he is a career diplomat who has led U.S. delegations to other international meetings, but not an engineer or telecom lawyer. “I’ve been diving in deep with our team of experts to understand the technical aspects and nuances that we’re facing” at the WRC, he said. Relationships are critical to success in international negotiations, Lang said. For the past few weeks, he said he has been “meeting with as many delegates from other member states as possible” as well as stakeholders. “This process is helping me both to understand our priorities … and also to develop a framework for how we can communicate" them, he said. The WRC starts Nov. 20 in Dubai.

FCC Public Safety Bureau Chief Debra Jordan and lawmakers voiced optimism during a Wednesday night CTA event about the trajectory of the commission’s work on its August NPRM on a voluntary Cyber Trust Mark cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices (see 2308100032). Jordan offered few updates on the FCC’s progress in developing the NPRM’s record but emphasized that replies to comments filed earlier this month (see 2310100034) are due Nov. 10. “Smart devices make our lives easier” and “more efficient” including via “remotely monitoring the thermostat, knowing when your oven is preheated or the health of our kids,” Jordan said. “But increased interconnection also means increased opportunity for bad things to happen with regard to security and privacy.” Cyber Trust Mark will help consumers “get clear information about the devices that they’re considering buying based on” NIST’s “widely accepted” cybersecurity standards and other “industry research,” she said: “We envision a strong partnership” with the private sector “to make this happen,” similar to the joint Energy Department-Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program. House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, said he and other lawmakers are “carefully following” the FCC’s work on the cybersecurity labeling program, which “has the potential to be a good first step in educating consumers.” He cautioned that “we must also make sure the FCC relies on cybersecurity and industry experts to get this right.” Ranking member Doris Matsui, D-Calif., and Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., also praised the proposed program. It “will provide consumers with better cybersecurity,” invoking the “Good Housekeeping seal of approval” as a model. “Anything that helps somebody understand whether or not what they’re purchasing” meets cybersecurity standards is a good thing, she said.

With initial satellite launches still targeted for this year to test their mobile supplemental coverage from space service, SpaceX and T-Mobile representatives met with FCC staffers to urge approval of their pending applications. That according to a filing Wednesday in docket 23-135 recapping discussions with the Space and Wireless Bureau and Office of General Counsel and Engineering and Technology staffers.

The Biden administration asked Congress Wednesday afternoon to allocate $6 billion in stopgap funding for the FCC’s affordable connectivity program, more than communications sector officials anticipated last week (see 2310200067). The White House also urged Capitol Hill appropriate an additional $3.08 billion to close the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program funding shortfall (see 2310120067). The additional ACP money would “strengthen” ACP "by extending free and discounted high-speed internet for eligible households through December 2024,” the White House said in a fact sheet. ACP “is already helping over 21 million households save over $500 million per month on their monthly internet bills.” The program is “critical for the Administration’s high-speed internet deployment programs for rural, remote, and Tribal communities,” the administration said: “Without this funding, tens of millions of people would lose this benefit and would no longer be able to afford high-speed internet service without sacrificing other necessities.” USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter hailed the administration for seeking the ACP stopgap, saying the program “is a critical part of reaching our shared goal of universal connectivity” and “has already enabled more than 21 million low-income households to participate in our digital economy. We urge Congress to find a long-term solution to sustain this vital program.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit scheduled Dec. 14 oral argument at 9:30 a.m. EST in the consolidated petitions of Hikvision USA (docket 23-1032) and Dahua Technology USA (docket 23-1073) to review the FCC’s Nov. 25 order barring the authorization of network equipment considered a threat to U.S. national security (see 2303200023), said a clerk’s order Friday. Both petitions allege the order violates the Communications Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, that it was arbitrary and capricious, and that it wasn’t supported by substantial evidence.

An online survey of how respondents received the Oct. 4 nationwide emergency alert test shows AM radio isn’t the most effective way to disseminate alerts, said CTA in a post on X Thursday. The survey -- done online by CTA over two days among 800 adults -- shows 92% of U.S. adults received the Oct. 4 emergency alert test via their smart phones, 5% heard it on FM radio and 1% on AM radio, CTA said. “Thrilled to unveil new @CTATech research that debunks the myth that #AMradio is the most effective emergency alerting system,” said the post from CTA Policy Affairs Manager India Herdman. CTA said the test shows Congress shouldn’t mandate inclusion of AM radios in automobiles. "Rather than rely on a survey following an EAS test made under ideal circumstances, one should look at the countless real-world examples of broadcast radio providing lifesaving information when all other communications networks -- including and especially wireless networks -- go down," said an NAB spokesperson. NAB has championed legislation requiring AM on the basis of its effectiveness at emergency alerting (see 2305260034. Wireless alerts during disasters often direct recipients to their local news outlets, which are often broadcasters, for emergency information, NAB said.

Crowdsourced social media content supported by tech platforms “can never replace what journalists do,” said NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt in a keynote at The Media Institute’s Free Speech America Gala Thursday. NCTA CEO Michael Powell and journalist Bob Woodward were honored at the event. Journalism outlets and the information they provide “are the antidote to misinformation,” LeGeyt said. Recent international conflicts “are constant reminders that the threat of disinformation is equally damaging beyond our borders, and in many cases a tool of war,” LeGeyt said. “We all need to up our game and be relentless to ensure that future generations can access and easily identify factual news and information, the very information that keeps us safe and helps us make informed decisions.”

The FCC released a public notice Thursday seeking partners to test alternative technologies for wireless emergency alerts when cell towers are disabled during disasters. “The Commission is seeking partners to examine the feasibility of using complementary technologies, such as satellite service, to address this public safety gap,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel: “This initiative is the latest in our ongoing effort to strengthen the nation’s alerting systems, working closely with our government partners.” The Public Safety Bureau notice asks for responses by Dec. 18 in docket 22-160. “WEAs can provide immediate, life-saving information when a mobile device user is in harm’s way,” the notice said. “The utility of this critical tool, however, can be significantly reduced or eliminated when the infrastructure needed to deliver WEAs, such as cell towers, is damaged or disabled due to disaster circumstances.” The bureau said alternate possibilities include satellites, high-altitude platforms systems and drones. The bureau “seeks to partner with any entities that have a technology, method, or other solution for delivering a WEA to a mobile device when the device is not connected to a functioning cell tower.”

The latest RKF Engineering study about terrestrial/satellite sharing of the 12 GHz band (see 2309110061) is laden with "analytical flaws and factual errors," SpaceX said in a letter posted Wednesday in docket 20-443. SpaceX laid out half a dozen technical criticisms of the RKF report, submitted by Dish Network. Dish didn't comment.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr released new statements disagreeing on a draft NPRM on net neutrality Wednesday (see 2310170066). Broadband is "essential infrastructure for modern life," Rosenworcel said: "We need broadband to reach 100 percent of us -- and we need it fast, open and fair." Rosenworcel released a fact sheet highlighting 10 reasons for net neutrality, including the need to address network security and consumer data protection. Carr continued to express opposition to the proceeding, saying the "entire debate over whether Title II regulations are necessary or justified was settled years ago." Carr noted broadband speeds have increased while prices decreased since the commission's 2017 repeal of net neutrality rules, saying the internet "is not broken and the FCC does not need Title II to fix it."