Commissioners disagreed on the significance of an NPRM reallocating the 1675-1680 MHz band for 5G, approved 5-0 at Thursday's meeting. Ligado, which wants to combine the spectrum with other bands it controls, has pushed for the NPRM, but still has work to do before it can make 40 MHz available for 5G. The company is hoping for FCC action this summer on its broader license modification proposal, officials said. The band must be shared with weather satellites.
CenturyLink, which may sell its consumer business, is also looking with interest at the coming FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. It's "initiated a strategic alternatives process for its Consumer business and has engaged external advisors to assist in the review," the telco said Wednesday. "The Company does not plan to modify its normal operations or investment patterns in these businesses while it undertakes this review." The carrier is "comfortable operating this business for the long term, but the strategic review will help us better understand whether there are opportunities to better maximize the value of this asset," said CEO Jeff Storey.
Commissioners are of multiple minds what authority the FCC has overseeing commercial satellite orbital debris issues. Brendan Carr concurred in part Thursday on approval of Theia's non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite constellation authorization because of those debris jurisdictional issues. Other members approved the order and authorization. The constellation is the latest in a slew of NGSO constellation OKs by the commissioners in the past two years (see 1811090002).
Commissioners unanimously approved an order on FM translator interference Thursday. It includes a proposed 45 dBu interference contour and imposes a population-based minimum number on FM stations seeking to lodge interference complaints, Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey said. That was expected, (see 1905070064).
The FCC is looking at revoking Communications Act Section 214 certifications of China Unicom and China Telecom, Chairman Ajit Pai said after the commissioners’ meeting Thursday. Commissioners voted 5-0 to deny China Mobile’s long-standing Section 214 application. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, as expected (see 1905060057), said the FCC is going too little to shore up 5G security.
NTIA Administrator David Redl resigned Thursday, prompting speculation among communications sector officials and lobbyists about his reasons for leaving. Most were confident Redl's departure won't hinder NTIA's ongoing work, though they also believe the agency is probably unlikely to have another permanent head before the 2020 election. Redl had led the agency for about 18 months. The Senate confirmed him in November 2017 (see 1711070084).
DOJ Antitrust Division head Makan Delrahim staked a claim to a lower-scale role in discussions within President Donald Trump's administration on how to ensure U.S. dominance in 5G deployments and developments, during a Wednesday Federalist Society event. Trump publicly opposed 5G nationalization amid longstanding concerns on Capitol Hill and elsewhere about the administration's direction on the issue last month (see 1904120065).
If there's to be a national three-digit suicide hotline number, expanding use of 211 -- already employed for community service referrals including crisis- and mental health-related calls in parts of the U.S. -- is the best route, with a 211 administrator to oversee that work, said the FCC North American Number Council. NANC on Wednesday unanimously adopted a report from its Numbering Administration Oversight Working Group.
The FTC should be wary of regularly naming executives in complaints because it results in more litigation, fewer resources and fewer cases, Chairman Joe Simons told reporters Wednesday. Earlier, at a House Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing, lawmakers discussed the agency’s possible settlement with Facebook. Critics urged the FTC to name CEO Mark Zuckerberg and hold him individually accountable for privacy violations.
Sinclair executives think broadcasters made a strong case to DOJ on advertising and remain optimistic about ATSC 3.0, saying they also expect a bump from political ads starting later this year. The company's Q1 sales gained 9 percent to $722.1 million from the year-ago quarter and it expects by year-end to start feeling the political advertising boost from the 2020 election, said CEO Chris Ripley and others on Q1 call Wednesday. Ripley said the broadcaster’s recent deal with Disney for 21 regional sports networks was the largest in his company's history (see 1905030059), saying Sinclair is “diversifying its revenue mix.”