Telecom interests view the shift to split partisan control next Congress as improving prospects for compromise on a broadband title in a likely revisit of an infrastructure package. President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said after the Democrats gained control of the House in last week's elections that they believe a deal is possible on infrastructure (see 1811070054). Democrats as of Tuesday won 228 House seats to the Republicans' 199, with eight races undecided. The GOP held a 51-47 Senate edge, with two races undecided.
Industry groups warned NTIA against pushing privacy policies that restrict data collection. Consumer groups argued for more FTC authority and higher standards on data collection consent. Friday was NTIA’s deadline for comment on the administration’s privacy principles effort. The agency will make them publicly available this week, so we asked stakeholders what they filed, and others released them. Some said they were working on them Friday, and others said they don't plan to file.
Discussions are continuing among groups representing the deaf and hard of hearing and industry, and also at the FCC, on proposed tweaks to how industry reports availability of hearing-aid compatible handsets, agency and industry officials said. An order is set for a vote at Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting (see 1810240030). It builds on a letter by CTIA, the Competitive Carriers Association, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (see 1810240030).
The FCC is expected to issue a proposal kicking off the 2018 quadrennial review next month. Many industry officials foresee a focus on AM/FM subcaps, top-four duopoly rules, and how competition in the media market is defined.
With approval of four non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite applications on the agenda for Thursday's commissioner meeting (see 1810240030), the FCC is seen proceeding at a relatively good clip as it goes through Ku- and Ka-band constellation plans and now launches into V-band applications. "Our hope is to be able to approve [the remaining applications] with relative dispatch," Chairman Ajit Pai said in a brief interview after a Thursday event on the agency's space month (see 1811080034).
Getting fast broadband for residents is worth the fight against incumbent industry over municipal broadband, said Connecticut mayors and state legislators Thursday. Officials at a Connecticut State Broadband Office and Next Century Cities forum livestreamed from Hartford dared incoming Gov. Ned Lamont (D) to focus on future gain instead of preserving the status quo. Tuesday’s election brought the state a Democratic trifecta (see 1811070043). Local governments and the state consumer counsel are suing the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for agreeing with ISPs “municipal gain” space on poles may not be used for muni broadband (see 1811010036).
On-orbit satellite servicing operations are around the corner, yet regulation and oversight are fraught with unanswered questions, experts said Thursday at a Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS) forum. "We don't want the Wild West up there ... flying around without any sort of planning," said Fred Kennedy, who directs the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Tactical Technology Office.
The White House will draft data privacy legislation if asked, said National Economic Council Special Assistant to the President Abigail Slater Thursday. Regulating social media is a conversation worth having, she told a Washington Post event. Officials should weigh Europe’s approach to internet regulation while injecting American standards and values, said Slater. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’s open to working with Democrats to regulate social media (see 1811070053).
Telecom equipment provider CommScope's purchase of consumer electronics company Arris for about $7.4 billion is expected to face smooth regulatory sailing. CommScope is getting a $1 billion minority ownership investment assist from the Carlyle Group, which used to own a stake, the equipment maker announced Thursday. CommScope CEO Eddie Edwards said the deal would position the two companies to take advantage of the rise of 5G and the IoT. Edwards will remain chief of the combined company (see the personals section).
Windstream knocked the FCC's recent Connect America Fund Phase II auction to allocate $1.49 billion in cumulative broadband-oriented subsidies over 10 years for fixed services in legacy high-cost ILEC areas (see 1808280035). CEO Tony Thomas said $122 million in support for satellite service was effectively wasted. He doubted two wireless ISPs receiving $501 million total can meet buildout requirements. WISP officials disputed that view; the FCC vowed to enforce buildout duties.