AT&T is “rapidly” deploying FirstNet across the U.S., CEO Edward Parkinson said at the ICWE virtual conference Tuesday. Halfway through the initial deployment, the carrier has built 80% of the network under the FirstNet contract, he said. FirstNet is helping agencies respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. “This pandemic has underscored the need for a single nationwide, interoperable, public safety broadband network for first responders,” he said. Others said traditional public safety communications systems are playing a significant role in many areas.
Vertix Consulting isn't likely to challenge the FCC legally if the agency opts not to override a search committee, even though the firm opposes the team chosen as C-band clearinghouse to manage and distribute the relocation payments (see 2008190045), Vertix Partner Greg Weiner told us. "We will have spoken our piece," he said, adding if the agency agrees with its challenge about the CohnReznick team, the agency's choice apparently will be between the Vertix team and a third one. The FCC didn't comment.
Local governments are considering next steps in response to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision two weeks ago mostly upholding the FCC’s 2018 wireless infrastructure orders on small cells and local moratoriums. The court rejected local government claims that the FCC inappropriately preempted their authority in the federal agency’s effort to streamline 5G deployment, and upheld the agency’s one-touch, make-ready order (see 2008120048).
Local governments relied on funding models based on “business as usual” with normal sales, gas and other taxes, but everything changed with COVID-19 pandemic, speakers said at the virtual International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) Monday. Public safety communications and other local government costs will be under continuing pressure, they said.
Two big issues dominated discussions at the virtual International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) on its first day Monday: the promise from 5G and the continuing threat from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both still have many unknowns, speakers said.
TikTok sued the Trump administration Monday, challenging its effort to “ban” the company in the U.S. and citing a lack of due process (see 2008070032). TikTok prefers constructive dialogue over litigation, but President Donald Trump’s executive order leaves the company with “no choice,” it said Monday. The White House and DOJ didn’t comment.
Lifeline providers are looking to FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly as a potential avenue for shifting a draft order circulated last month (see 2007300064) that would change the formula setting the minimum service standard to produce an MSS of 4.5 GB per month, said an industry attorney and an FCC official. That’s lower than the 11.75 GB the MSS will require starting in December without FCC action but higher than the freeze at the current 3 GB requested by virtually all Lifeline docket commenters. “We want them to do something, but we want it to be something that won’t harm Lifeline subscribers," said Public Knowledge Senior Policy Counsel Jenna Leventoff. “Vulnerable low-income Americans shouldn’t be left behind during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said attorney Judson Hill, who represents Lifeline provider TruConnect.
All companies face uncertainties from the global pandemic, but also increasing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, said Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang on a fiscal Q1 investor call Thursday: “As the world's largest e-commerce platform, Alibaba's primary commercial focus in the U.S. is to support American brands, retailers, small businesses and farmers to sell to consumers and trade partners in China as well as the other key markets around the world.”
DOJ's restructuring its Antitrust Division Civil Enforcement Program is a good move that will closely mirror the FTC’s organization, antitrust attorneys said in interviews. DOJ said the realignment will allow more “vigilant enforcement” and “deeper expertise in technology trends.” The department is creating an Office of Decree Enforcement and Compliance and a Civil Conduct Task Force. The restructuring includes redistributing “matters among its six civil sections in order to build expertise based on current trends in the economy,” it said.
The Chapter 11 reorganization plan by Frontier Communications satisfies the bankruptcy code’s best interest test and other statutory requirements, said U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Robert Drain at a teleconferenced virtual hearing Friday. Frontier filed a fifth amended joint plan of reorganization for approval earlier in the day. The Communications Workers of America urged the FCC Thursday to take more time to carefully review the transaction.