The FCC’s notice of inquiry on offshore spectrum issues is expected to be approved 4-0 at the commissioners' meeting Wednesday with few changes to the draft circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2205180065), industry and FCC officials said. Industry experts said it makes sense for the FCC to ask questions, but market interest in licenses for offshore areas is likely to be low.
Citing the need to modernize the FCC's high cost USF programs and align them with recent federal broadband investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commissioners on Thursday unanimously adopted an NPRM seeking comment on an Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) Broadband Coalition proposal extending the program. The proposal would increase deployment obligations in exchange for additional funding, and seeks comment on whether to extend participation to carriers that haven't already been participating in the program.
Supporters of a proposal to reallocate the 12 GHz band for 5G think the proposal will likely move forward in coming months, buoyed by responses by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr to members of Congress last week, as a follow-up to the recent House hearing. Meanwhile, Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen offered a candid assessment of the future of DBS spectrum in a presentation to analysts.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel isn’t proposing rules on improving how wireless 911 calls are routed to the appropriate first responders but instead is seeking a record refresh. A notice of inquiry casts a wide net on what the FCC should do to address offshore needs for spectrum. Also on tap is an NPRM on channel 6 TV stations, which primarily broadcast an audio signal receivable on FM radios. Drafts for all three were posted Wednesday, for votes at the June 8 commission meeting.
Supporters of a proposal to reallocate the 12 GHz band for 5G think the proposal will likely move forward in coming months, buoyed by responses by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr to members of Congress last week, as a follow-up to the recent House hearing. Meanwhile, Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen offered a candid assessment of the future of DBS spectrum in a presentation to analysts.
Tech groups could soon go to the Supreme Court, after the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals lifted a lower court’s temporary ban on Texas’ social media law. Judges issued the 2-1 order, without written explanation, two days after oral argument (see 2205100002). The order signals that the 5th Circuit is likely to reverse the district court soon, said supporters and opponents of the state law, in interviews. They predicted litigation will quickly heat up.
Tech groups could soon go to the Supreme Court, after the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals lifted a lower court’s temporary ban on Texas’ social media law. Judges issued the 2-1 order, without written explanation, two days after oral argument (see 2205100002). The order signals that the 5th Circuit is likely to reverse the district court soon, said supporters and opponents of the state law, in interviews. They predicted litigation will quickly heat up.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a declaratory ruling among commissioners that would let E-rate program funding be used to buy Wi-Fi for school buses, said a news release Wednesday. Rosenworcel announced the proposal at a National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training meeting. The proposal would "clarify that use of WiFi or similar access point technologies on school buses serves an educational purpose and the provision of such service is therefore eligible for E-rate funding," the news release said. It would also direct the Wireline Bureau to "include funding WiFi on buses in establishing E-rate eligible services for the upcoming funding year." The FCC allowed Emergency Connectivity Fund applicants to seek funding for Wi-Fi on school buses (see 2108240064). “Wiring our school buses is a practical step we can take that is consistent with the history of the E-rate program," Rosenworcel said.
Sixteen months into the Biden administration, several key communications policy positions remain unfilled, including the State Department official who oversees communications. Another gap is a federal chief technology officer, or anyone within the White House specifically charged with overseeing communications policy. On the positive side, Jessica Rosenworcel has been permanent chair of the FCC since December and Alan Davidson NTIA administrator since January.
LAS VEGAS -- Broadcasters have made great progress toward realizing the promise of ATSC 3.0, but for the transition to succeed long term they need the FCC to sunset the requirement that 3.0 broadcasts be "substantially similar" to ATSC 1.0 content, said several broadcast executives on multiple weekend panels at the NAB Show 2022.