The Senate failed to approve an amendment, 59-37, that would have banned warrantless searches of browsing and internet search data under Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Offered by Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., the amendment fell one vote short of 60 votes required to pass, with 10 Democrats and 27 Republicans voting against.
Senate Commerce Committee members signaled interest in including further emergency broadband funding in the next COVID-19 package. Some senators urged their colleagues to think beyond the crisis. The Wednesday hearing featured few references to House Democrats' Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (Heroes) Act (HR-6800), which contains substantial broadband funding. The bill also includes language to make broadcasters and other local outlets eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program. Both issues drew increasing support since the March enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2004300058). The House is expected to vote on HR-6800 as soon as Friday.
The FCC approved 5-0 allowing broadband in 900 MHz, reallocating a 6 MHz swath while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband. Commissioners voted electronically (see 2005130008) before Wednesday's abbreviated virtual meeting, as expected (see 2005070054). Anterix executives said the spectrum could help utilities across the U.S. update operations and move to a smart grid.
Uncertainty remains about what COVID-19 will mean for AT&T and the wireless industry, Chief Financial Officer John Stephens said at a MoffettNathanson conference Tuesday. Speakers on a small-cells webinar said COVID-19 is adding to data growth and to the demand on carriers to densify their networks.
The order and NPRM on regulatory fees is expected to include changes from the draft intended to accommodate the concerns of VHF TV stations, said broadcast industry and FCC officials in interviews this week. The NPRM is likely to include language proposing possible regulatory fee relief for entities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, an FCC official noted. The order is to be approved before Wednesday's commissioners’ meeting, and unanimous approval is expected (see 2005080046).
Some telecom companies taking part in the FCC Keep Americans Connected pledge are warning of mounting KAC costs -- hundreds of millions of dollars so far -- from not disconnecting subscribers for unpaid bills during the pandemic. Analysts said in interviews this month they don't expect expenses to be material -- for now. Chairman Ajit Pai asked telecom providers to extend their pledges through June (see 2004300044).
Facebook should take a hands-off approach to content moderation, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told us in arguing the company's new oversight board injects political bias and lets the platform avoid responsibility. Carr criticized the board in a series of tweets, calling it Facebook "speech police" and arguing most members have left-leaning bias. Facebook and several board members didn’t comment Tuesday.
The pandemic is making the case for next-generation 911 while complicating some deployments, state emergency number officials and others told us this month. “Our migration schedule is completely destroyed,” said Colorado State 911 Program Manager Daryl Branson. COVID-19 hot spot New York City plans to roll out text-to-911 next month and is still targeting 2024 to complete a NG-911 project proposed three years ago.
Verizon is reopening many of the company stores shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Financial Officer Matt Ellis said at a MoffettNathanson virtual conference Monday. The carrier was down to 30% of stores open, which increased to 40% last week and is expected to hit 50% in June, he said. T-Mobile executives also said more stores are coming online in some locations based on state guidelines. While 80% of T-Mobile and 70% of Sprint stores closed, business as usual will return at a different rate in different parts of the country, said CFO Braxton Carter. The two companies combined earlier this year.
Broadband-only providers' statutory right to pole attachments isn't a significant issue because there are so few such providers and it's easy enough for them to expand their offerings beyond that to get pole attachment rights. That's according to a Federalist Society panel Monday about the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit's Mozilla remand. There were no pro-Title II panelists, and such allies didn’t comment immediately. That title is part of the Telecom Act.