The Wireless Infrastructure Association and others are expected to argue at a Tuesday Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing that lawmakers should consider network resiliency issues as they decide the contours of connectivity language in upcoming infrastructure spending legislation. Subpanel lawmakers said they intend to look at how to move forward on a to-be-refiled version of the Reinforcing and Evaluating Service Integrity, Local Infrastructure and Emergency Notification for Today’s (Resilient) Networks Act (see 2102160067) and other resiliency-centric bills. The partly virtual hearing begins at 2:30 p.m. in 253 Russell.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., are having staff-level discussions about a legislative response to the Supreme Court striking down FTC Act Section 13(b) authority (see 2104260065), they told us. Cantwell previously said she wants to move quickly on legislation to bolster the agency’s authority. The committee has bill language, but “I don’t know when we’re rolling it out,” Cantwell told us. Wicker confirmed the staff discussions.
Localities are gearing up to sue Ohio unless lawmakers remove a proposed ban on municipal broadband that the Senate added to the state budget without hearings. A conference committee is expected to say in coming days if the amendment added this month will make the final budget that both chambers must pass and Gov. Mike DeWine (R) must sign by month’s end. The proposed ban could force existing muni providers to sell their businesses, said local officials in interviews last week.
Reputation blocklists help fight domain name system abuse but raise questions of accuracy and transparency, panelists said Thursday at a virtual ICANN meeting. RBLs blacklist IP addresses or domain names generally regarded as malicious, untrustworthy or of bad repute, said Samaneh Tajalizadehkhoob of ICANN's chief technology office. They're important to, and must be better understood by, ICANN, registries/registrars, hosting companies and other service providers and end-users, said iQ Chief Technology Officer LG Forsberg.
FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday revised RF device marketing and importation rules aimed at shortening the time for developing and releasing new wireless devices, as expected (see 2106150074). CTA sought the revised rules last year. Other agenda items, including rules for a robocall reporting portal, upholding a $2.86 million fine against HobbyKing for sale of unapproved drone transmitters, and updated wireless emergency alert (WEA) and emergency alert services (EAS) rules, were also adopted unanimously.
Broadcast advertising revenue is improving as jurisdictions reopen, streaming services are putting increasing pressure on MVPDs, and sports betting is on the rise as a category, panelists told S&P's Kagan Media Summit. Core ads are “set up for a growth streak,” said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley on Thursday. “Habits picked up during the pandemic are likely to have lasting effects on video consumption,” said Kagan's Deana Myers.
CTA raised concerns as FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday an NPRM and notice of inquiry that would further clamp down on gear from companies deemed to pose a security risk in U.S. networks. Commissioners said several questions were added since a draft of the item circulated, as expected (see 2106090063).
Senate Republicans are optimistic about working with new FTC Chair Lina Khan (see 2106160056) on antitrust and other issues, they said in interviews Thursday. Democrats also welcomed the appointment, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Mass., saying the agency needs to take advantage of its 3-2 Democratic majority before Commissioner Rohit Chopra leaves for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (see 2101190019). See here for news on Khan ascending Tuesday to chair.
The booming proliferation of low earth orbit satellites, a growing challenge for optical astronomers (see 1906100015), is raising red flags for radio astronomers. Many see no easy technical or regulatory fixes.
Congressional Democrats are pressing harder for President Joe Biden to name a permanent FCC chair and a fifth commissioner, citing the need for a majority to act on changes to net neutrality rules and other priorities unlikely to garner GOP support. Lawmakers remain publicly hopeful the administration will soon announce its FCC nominees. Privately, Senate Democrats in recent days told the White House their patience on FCC nomination delays has evaporated, aides said.