The Senate Intelligence Committee will vote “as soon as possible” to advance the nomination of Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, to be national intelligence director, Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., said during Tuesday’s hearing. Fielding questions from supportive Republicans and skeptical Democrats, Ratcliffe vowed to run an apolitical office free of outside political influence, while highlighting threats from China in the race for 5G.
Wiley’s Joshua Turner said a case argued in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in February on FCC wireless infrastructure orders will be easy for judges to decide in favor of the FCC, in an FCBA discussion Tuesday. Best Best’s Joe Van Eaton, who argued the case on behalf of Portland, Oregon, and other cities, expects the court to reject the FCC’s approach. The FCC declined to send a speaker. Judges heard the case in February (see 2002100054) and Turner represented industry there.
The Disaster Distress Helpline had a big jump in traffic attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, though other emergency helplines haven't had increases, administrators told us. The pandemic could intensify a push for implementation of 988 as the nationwide three-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline because of the need for an easy-to-remember accessible service, said Vibrant Emotional Health President Kim Williams. Lawmakers are pushing for Capitol Hill leaders to include the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (HR-4194/S-2661) in the next COVID-19 stimulus legislative package.
Administrators at historically black colleges and universities asked for a continuing federal funding program to support campus IT infrastructure and students' access to home broadband as COVID-19 uncertainty continues. They spoke Monday during an FCC webinar hosted by Commissioner Geoffrey Starks (see 2004300012). "COVID-19 does not see race, but it has complicated inequities," including in the digital divide, Starks said. "We cannot afford to lose momentum in educating our communities."
At least four Supreme Court justices questioned why Booking.com can’t trademark its domain as companies do with toll-free phone numbers, in oral argument Monday. Four other justices raised concerns about enabling monopoly power by granting such trademarks, which might preclude rivals like ebooking.com from using "booking" in marketing materials.
The FCC appears poised to take on the 4.9 GHz band, following up on a Further NPRM approved on a 5-0 vote in March 2018, industry and FCC officials said in recent interviews. As Chairman Ajit Pai enters what could be the homestretch of his chairmanship, he's expected to wrap up a broad number of items, including on spectrum.
The Association of American Railroads asked for changes to the FCC’s draft 900 MHz order, set for a commissioner vote May 13 (see 2004210055). The American Petroleum Institute also plans to seek changes . Gogo raised interference concerns. The order would reallocate a 6 MHz swath to broadband while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband.
Recent T-Mobile spats with the California Public Utilities Commission might portend litigation over state wireless authority, said law experts in interviews last week. A potential federal case on whether California is preempted under Section 332 of the Communications Act would likely affect other states' roles in big transactions and other issues, they said.
ICANN rejected the proposed sale of Public Interest Registry to Ethos Capital (see 2005010001), Chairman Maarten Botterman blogged Thursday night. Directors said withholding consent to the transfer "is reasonable, and the right thing to do." The deal attracted scrutiny from legislators and at least one state attorney general, and was roundly opposed by nonprofit advocates. The decision "sets a dangerous precedent with broad industry concerns," said Ethos. The rejection restores public confidence, said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D).
MVPDs and subscribers shouldn't expect rebates from programmers due to the lack of live sports content, sports and cable experts said in interviews last week. At least one cable ISP indicated it expects a rebate or discount, and multiple ones have brought up the issue with programmers. The idea of sports costs is also getting political pressure.