The Administrative Conference of the U.S. Assembly Rulemaking Committee agreed Tuesday to delay until May 24 a vote on a draft proposal recommending the FCC and other federal agencies limit some types of comment, amid outcry from Free Press and others, an FP spokesperson told us. FP, Incompas, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge are among more than 80 groups that raised concerns Tuesday about the latest plan. The committee plans to vote after members circulate further revisions, the FP spokesperson said. New York Attorney General Letitia James’ (D) office last week found nearly 18 million of the more than 22 million comments submitted to the FCC on repealing net neutrality rules in 2017 were fake (see our report here).
The FCC is likely to look to DOJ to tackle Dish Network’s complaint against T-Mobile about the pending shuttering of T-Mobile’s CDMA network, government and industry officials said in recent interviews. In a May 3 letter, groups asked the FCC (see 2105030065) to use Communications Act authority to examine the closing of the network, by year-end. The more likely forum to examine the complaint is at DOJ, though the FCC could scope the shutdown, experts said. The California Public Utilities Commission could also investigate.
Thirteen months after the FCC approved opening 1.2 GHz in the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi, disagreements remain, FCBA heard during a webinar Monday. It got an update on 5.9 GHz, reallocated partly for Wi-Fi in November (see 2011180043).
The Treasury Department released interim final rules Monday that would make broadband projects in areas that “lack access to a wireline connection capable of reliably delivering at least minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload” the only ones eligible for money from the $350 billion in state and local funding from the American Rescue Plan Act package. Congress allocated $10 billion of the state and local money specifically for broadband and other infrastructure projects (see 2103100065). Recipient governments have “broad flexibility” to decide how to allocate their share, Treasury said.
Spectrum acquirer RS Access (RSA) cited an engineering study indicating 5G and non-geostationary fixed satellite service (NGSO FSS) deployments in 12 GHz are doable, urging it be made "the next 5G band." Satellite though is steadfast that sharing with mobile terrestrial will play havoc with satellite-delivered broadband. And the wireless industry hasn't come to consensus. That's per docket 20-433 comments posted through Monday. Replies are due June 7.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., agreed on a substitute amendment filed for Wednesday’s markup on the Endless Frontier Act (see 2104130068), according to documents we obtained. Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., S-1260 is aimed at increasing domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The $112 billion bill has seven Republican co-sponsors. Commerce pulled S-1260 from an April markup after members filed more than 230 amendments (see 2104270045).
Broadcast advertising improved and station owners see opportunities in sports betting and ATSC 3.0 but little chance of relaxed ownership rules anytime soon, they said in Q1 calls last week. “What a difference 10 weeks makes,” said Cumulus CEO Mary Berner of the COVID-19 recovery. “We are optimistic for gradual, but continued progress throughout the balance of the year as macroeconomic conditions progress, said Entravision CEO Walter Ulloa.
The FTC finding that OEM restrictions on independent third-party repairs have “diluted” consumer protections in the 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) was a “slam dunk” for right-to-repair advocates, Repair Association Executive Director Gay Gordon-Byrne told us. Commissioners vowed in Thursday's report to use enforcement and rulemaking authorities under the MMWA and 1914 FTC Act to crack down on such anti-consumer practices.
Jessica Rosenworcel's tenure as FCC acting chairwoman has featured bipartisan unanimity. Former commissioners and others don't see her running out of noncontroversial agenda items soon. They told us to expect issues that could be contentious, such as revisiting net neutrality and new orbital debris rules, to be back-burnered until a third Democratic commissioner is appointed, breaking the current 2-2 balance. Current commissioners credit Rosenworcel including them in decision-making and communicating with them.
Tegna shareholders vote Friday on whether three candidates pushed by shareholder Standard General should be added to the board, resolving a proxy fight that included allegations of discrimination, poor management and hidden motives. Standard released a heavily redacted report last week chronicling what it says is widespread discrimination, while the broadcaster’s current leadership says the investor treats diversity, equity and inclusion as weapons. “Sadly, Standard General continues to exploit these crucial issues,” said a Tegna spokesperson. “Not once before launching this proxy fight did Standard General seek constructive engagement with us.” Tegna suffers from “poor governance,” said Standard investment analyst Amit Thakrar in an interview.