Industry groups disagreed on the steps the FCC should take to close a “gap” in the commission’s Stir/Shaken authentication rules, making it harder for scammers to hide their identities. CTIA warned of unintended consequences, while other comments asked the commission to move quickly and resolutely.
The decision to construct its network using open radio access network technology has allowed EchoStar to adapt quickly as it builds out its Boost Mobile network, Boost Chief Technology Officer Eben Albertyn said Wednesday. ORAN has kept Boost from being overcharged for network components, he said: “We were not going to be price-gouged and have a gun held to our head,” he said during a keynote at a Competitive Carriers Association conference in Denver.
The FCC is getting lots of advice on potential changes to its draft order tackling robocalls and robotexts, set for a vote on Thursday (see 2409050045). Republican Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington have mentioned concerns about the order but aren't necessarily expected to dissent on what is usually considered a top consumer priority, industry officials said Friday.
The FCC gave the green light to extended milestone deadlines for EchoStar's 5G network buildout Friday, three days after the company filed its request (see 2409190050). EchoStar called the approval "a significant step to promote competition in the wireless market."
Industry and consumer groups disagreed in comments posted Thursday in docket 20-67 on whether certain certification and disclosure requirements would hinder efforts to strengthen the FCC's direct numbering access authorization process. Commissioners sought comment in a Further NPRM adopted during the agency's September meeting proposing to impose new rules on interconnected VoIP providers seeking direct access (see 2309210055).
Getting Congress to restore the FCC’s spectrum auction authority as quickly as possible is a top priority of the Competitive Carriers Association, CCA President Tim Donovan said Wednesday at the start of the group’s annual conference in Atlanta. Donovan also urged launching a 5G Fund, the topic of a September Further NPRM (see 2309210035).
Industry groups and telecom investors raised concerns about FCC overreach in comments on an NPRM asking about changes to rules for Section 214 international authorizations, approved by commissioners 4-0 in April (see 2304200039). The FCC sought comment on rules requiring carriers to renew these authorizations every 10 years and on other potential changes to the authorization process. But Team Telecom urged the FCC to strengthen its rules.
Industry groups disagreed on an FCC NPRM proposing to expand certain robocall rules to all voice service providers, in comments posted Thursday in docket 17-97. Commissioners adopted the item in May (see 2305180036). Some urged caution and asked the FCC to grant flexibility if it mandates any additional call blocking rules.
China is probably “at least” two or three years behind the U.S. in generative AI, said Samm Sacks, cyber policy fellow at New America and senior fellow at Yale Law School, during a Brookings webinar Wednesday. China appears to be relying on “iterations off of cutting edge research” published in other countries, she said. Chinese officials are struggling with how to balance information control with their desire to lead the world on AI, she said. “AI generates and disseminates information that’s of real concern to the Communist Party leadership,” she said. Cyberspace Administration of China (CCA) has “really been in the driver’s seat” on AI regulation, but the Ministry of Science and Technology is “likely going to have the pen for China’s AI law, which is in the works,” Sacks said. The CCA would likely take a more conservative stance on AI rules than the ministry, she said. Chinese censorship “has a limiting effect on the availability and quality of data,” she said. Another issue for China is U.S. restrictions on access to the most advanced semiconductors, and the Chinese semiconductor industry is “generally several generations behind,” she said. China has been relying on a loophole to use cloud service providers to “rent access” to advanced chips, she said: “We need to watch is this an area where the U.S. government is going to come in and try to close the loophole. How successful will China’s AI ambitions be given these constraints from the U.S.?” Marietje Schaake, Stanford University Cyber Policy Center international policy director, urged flexibility in EU regulations as negotiations continue between the European Council and the European Parliament. “We may not know what will come next, but we do know that something else will come next and generative AI is certainly not the last disruptive iteration” of AI, she said.
IPLOOK Technologies joined the Competitive Carriers Association as an associate member, the group said Friday. IPLOOK provides end-to-end, cloud-based mobile network solutions.