Stalled efforts at the FCC to deal with a looming, automatic increase in data requirements for Lifeline providers, which the agency itself said is “flawed,” could be affected by the ramped-up process to nominate a new FCC commissioner, but probably won’t, FCC and industry officials told us (see 2008240024). “There are broader issues at play” with prospective commissioner and current NTIA official Nathan Simington’s nomination, said United Church of Christ attorney Cheryl Leanza. Other industry officials noted the debate over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the outcome of the presidential election as likely factors in Simington’s prospects (see 2009280038).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told the Technology Policy Institute virtual conference Thursday that he's only following the advice of the Commerce Department and the FCC general counsel in proposing a rulemaking examining FCC control of internet platforms under Communications Decency Act Section 230. Pai emphasized the FCC is considering a narrow legal question. On a panel, experts said the FCC is underperforming on closing the digital divide.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will seek voluntary testimony from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey “probably after the election,” Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters Thursday. The comment came after the committee majority voted unanimously to subpoena testimony from the CEOs. Democrats boycotted the hearing over Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Facebook and Twitter declined comment.
The FCC is expected to approve an order making further changes to wireless infrastructure rules in what could be a 3-2 vote Tuesday, with opposition possible from Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, industry and FCC officials said. The order appears to have moved little since Chairman Ajit Pai circulated it, officials said. On a second wireless item, changes appear likely to the TV white spaces order, also set for a vote, with the FCC likely to seek comment on changes sought by Microsoft, officials said.
Verizon is starting to fully deploy 5G and now covers more than 200 million people in the U.S., as broadband phone connections increased, said CEO Hans Vestberg said on a Q3 call Wednesday. it's the first of the major U.S. carriers to report. At a Competitive Carriers Association conference, T-Mobile President-Technology Neville Ray contrasted its approach to 5G with Verizon’s focus on high band.
Tension in relations between the U.S. and China on technology issues such as data security, privacy and telecom gear are making life complicated for some U.S. companies, experts told the Technology Policy Institute. They generally agreed aspects of the current U.S. approach may be unique to this administration and may have shortcomings. Neither the White House nor China's Embassy in Washington commented Wednesday, when the TPI video was released as part of its ongoing conference.
A hazy regulatory picture and broadcasters afraid their FCC licenses might go up in smoke mean big challenges for cannabis industry advertising, the marijuana industry told us. Sports betting advertising is seen having a somewhat easier path and big demand.
Efforts to create a standardized system for access to private domain registrant data are in disarray after ICANN constituencies objected to portions. The system for standardized access/disclosure (SSAD) proposal is phase 1 of an expedited policy development process (EPDP) for compliance with EU's general data protection regulation (GDPR). Some claimed opponents are trying to cling to the old Whois system despite its illegality. The EPDP team now must look into two more contentious issues.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told the Competitive Carriers Association virtual conference Wednesday he hopes Congress supports maps needed for a 5G Fund, set for a commissioner vote Tuesday (see 2010060060). House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., agreed on the importance of maps, saying the FCC needs to act regardless of funding.
The White House coming under the control of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wouldn’t be a negative for broadcasting, said Sinclair, Graham Media, Entertainment Studios Network and E.W. Scripps CEOs on a virtual panel Wednesday for NAB New York. “The priorities of the FCC under Biden will be in other areas,” Sinclair's Chris Ripley said.