The Library of Congress’ 3G cell system, which is nearing the “end of its life” and has security issues, must be replaced, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden told a House Legislative Branch Subcommittee hearing Wednesday.
Senators began sparring Wednesday over the American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 budget reconciliation package (HR-1319), including whether to increase or retain proposed broadband funding. Formal debate on HR-1319 was expected to have begun after a vote to proceed on the measure that may happen Thursday. Lawmakers and communications officials are, meanwhile, looking at whether coming infrastructure legislation should include further funding for E-rate. The House passed HR-1319 last week with $7.6 billion for E-rate remote learning use (see 2103010050).
President Joe Biden's administration is developing policies on AI, 5G and in other areas, likely building on work done under the last administration, NTIA officials said during an FCBA webinar Tuesday. Last year, under then-President Donald Trump, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recommended increased national focus on AI (see 2007010041). At CES last year, the Trump administration unveiled principles to govern private-sector AI development (see 2001080067).
Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is making moves that suggest she has high hopes of being named permanent chief. They include her plans for a top-to-bottom review of items before the agency and appointment of a press secretary. Rosenworcel replied to congressional letters sent to her and had an international telecom discussion. Her agenda focused on moving forward on items begun under then-Chairman Ajit Pai and acting to implement congressional broadband relief.
Historically Black colleges and universities want the FCC to do more to address the digital divide for their students and surrounding communities that have been hit hard by COVID-19. Some advocate a partnership between federal agencies and HBCUs to ensure students and their communities are accurately represented as the FCC works to improve its broadband data maps.
Optical inter-satellite links are on the cusp of widespread use in low earth orbit satellite constellations, with adoption by SpaceX (see 2101270048) and with Telesat a part of a growing wave of use, satellite industry players and observers told us. One selling point is the lack of regulation and regulatory issues, they said.
The FCC appears unlikely to hold a 2.5 GHz auction before mid-December, based on the deadlines in a notice in Tuesday's Federal Register, industry experts said. With the 3.45-3.55 GHz auction expected to start Oct. 5, the 2.5 GHz auction would likely follow.
House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, wants to legislate access to personal Whois data, he told us (see 2008270055). Stakeholders concerned with intellectual property, online security, law enforcement and other interests said in interviews that Congress must take control of the debate because ICANN can't resolve the issue.
Cyber notification requirements are a legislative priority, said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and ranking member John Katko, R-N.Y., Friday during a virtual hearing on the SolarWinds breach. They echoed interest from Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, at a hearing earlier in the week (see 2102230064).
The FCC released rules for the $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program Friday. The order adopted several recommendations that commissioners sought, including a uniform start date for participating providers and a streamlined approval process for noneligible telecom carriers (ETCs). Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the rules Thursday (see 2102250066). Commissioner Brendan Carr's statement Friday showed he voted to approve in part and concur in part.