President Donald Trump can’t forcibly remove FTC Chairman Joe Simons without cause, former agency officials told us, defending Simons as well-respected. They discussed ways Trump might seek to oust or demote the chairman, and a potential replacement. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking a replacement.
The FCC is targeting a follow-up order on TV white spaces for the Oct. 27 commissioners’ meeting, the last before the Nov. 3 presidential election, said industry and agency officials. Nothing is certain almost two months out, but the meeting could be a big one for spectrum. Reallocation of the 5.9 GHz band also is in Chairman Ajit Pai’s sights (see 2008200040).
Despite mounting event cancellations, including that of CES 2021 (see 2007280034), IFA is taking a stab at the world’s first in-person tech show to be held during the pandemic era when it hosts a three-day physical and virtual hybrid event beginning Thursday. IFA 2020 Special Edition as it's called won’t look anything like a typical IFA at the Messe Berlin fairgrounds. The physical portion will limit daily attendance to 4,000 and will keep consumers away (see 2005190035). It’s also three days long compared with the usual six. Promoters claimed more than 250,000 trade and consumer visitors flocked to IFA 2019.
Utilities remain worried about the pending rollout of Wi-Fi and other unlicensed in the 6 GHz band and worry about the difficulty of getting a handle on interference, executives said Monday during a Utilities Technology Council virtual conference. The FCC approved unlicensed use of the band in April with further changes expected (see 2008200040).
California broadband legislation appeared stuck hours before Monday’s legislative deadline. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D) won’t allow a vote despite agreement between the Senate and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), said supporters of SB-1130 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D). “We are still trying to get something done on broadband before midnight,” George Soares, aide to Gonzalez, emailed us Monday. Failure would mean the internet speed standard under the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) stays 6/1 Mbps, and the dwindling fund won’t get more cash.
Some cable operators expressed interest in the $16 billion Phase I Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction, including Charter Communications, but broadband consultants don't expect other big operator to participate. It's less clear what the FCC might do about Charter tying its possible RDOF participation to pole attachment rules (see 2007170023).
Law enforcement is grappling with an increase in child exploitation as online activity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, police and child advocates said in interviews. Law enforcement officials cited cyber tip increases across the country. Advocates want more investigatory resources, national legislation and for Big Tech to be held accountable.
The FCC is likely to issue an NPRM on spectrum in the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft system operations in coming months, but rules will have to wait until next year, industry lawyers told us Friday. Drones have been a White House focus, which could help get the FCC to act. An FCC report to Congress said the “unencumbered” 5030-5091 MHz band is likely suitable for UAS operations, but the 960-1164 MHz band isn’t. Last year, the FCC took comment on the possible use of both bands by drones (see 1912270039).
Numerous C-band earth station operators, especially small broadcasters, will likely opt for the lump sum option in the C-band clearing, we were told by industry and law experts. Sept. 14 is the deadline for lump sum election. ACA Connects, protesting the lump sum's not including integrated receivers/decoders, asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stay that deadline (see 2008270052).
Congress will never act on a stand-alone bill that would block the FCC from making public safety vacate the 470-512 MHz T band, Enterprise Wireless Alliance President Mark Crosby told the virtual IWCE conference Thursday. The House Commerce Committee approved the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act (HR-451) in July (see 2007150068). Crosby said the bill can get through only if appended to a COVID-19 stimulus package.