The White House's 5G summit Friday focused on emphasizing cross-government coordination on policies aimed at ensuring infrastructure deployment is driven by market forces and reducing regulatory burdens, as expected (see 1809210052). Closed breakout sessions with federal and industry officials didn't presage looming White House action, instead focusing on existing efforts at the FCC, NTIA and other agencies, attendees told us.
FirstNet must now name a new CEO to replace Mike Poth, who leaves the agency at the end of the month. Poth held the position for just over three years. Industry officials said stability is critical as the new network starts to build steam, but finding a new CEO could be a challenge.
Several more Colorado communities plan ballot questions in November on broadband projects. Many counties and municipalities cleared such ballot votes in recent elections to opt out of a 2005 state restriction on municipal broadband known as Senate Bill 152. Reversing that law may no longer be necessary given success of opt-out votes, and such votes combined with new state funding for broadband could lead to public-private partnerships in the state, local officials said in interviews. CenturyLink said citizens should support partnerships.
Broadcasters of all stripes, MVPDs, T-Mobile and Microsoft have differing opinions on how repacking reimbursement funds should be doled out and to whom, according to comments filed in docket 18-214 by Wednesday's deadline. NAB continued to argue that $400 million appropriated for reimbursements for FY2019 can be used to cover repacking costs for FM, low-power television and translators, but the American Cable Association said it would be “unfair” to reimburse the FM and secondary broadcasters newly covered by the Reimbursement Expansion Act (REA) from FY2019 funds until MVPDs and “all entities for whom the Reimbursement Fund was originally created” are “fully satisfied.”
The House Judiciary Committee expects to host Google at a hearing later this year, an aide told us Thursday. She didn't say whether testimony will come from CEO Sundar Pichai, who is to visit the Hill this week to speak with lawmakers from both chambers (see 1809250050). The aide said Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., was part of a group of House lawmakers scheduled to meet with Google Friday and referred further questions to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, told us he was to meet with Pichai Thursday. Asked Thursday, Goodlatte declined to comment about who will testify for Google. A Google spokesperson cited a previous statement from Pichai saying he looks forward to working with members of both parties without committing to testifying.
ORLANDO -- FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly spoke favorably of NAB's subcap proposal at Radio Show 2018 Thursday and suggested he would be open to even more relaxation of those rules. Just a few hours before O'Rielly's speech, Audio Division Chief Albert Shuldiner warned in a separate panel that the industry should be more cautious about anticipating aggressive relaxation of the rules.
House Communications Subcommittee members drew two competing pictures during a Thursday hearing on how federal statute is governing the media marketplace. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., argued that the 1992 Cable Act is too outdated to still be effectual given the rapid growth of virtual MVPDs and over-the-top providers. Other Republicans noted changes in the landscape. House Communications ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and other Democrats trained their fire on how FCC actions under current Chairman Ajit Pai could negatively affect people who primarily rely on over-the-air broadcasting for content. The hearing included a focus on Scalise's Next Generation Television Marketplace Act (HR-6465) and the upcoming 2019 debate on Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) reauthorization, as expected (see 1809260054).
The 911 Fee Integrity Act (HR-6424) and two other public safety telecom-related bills drew bipartisan backing during a Wednesday House Communications Subcommittee hearing, though some Democrats insisted more federal funding will be needed for the legislation to be effective. House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and others invoked the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act (HR-4672/S-2061). The subcommittee also examined the National Non-Emergency Mobile Number Act (HR-5700) and Anti-Swatting Act (HR-6003).
Broadcasters seeking broad relaxation of children's TV rules found themselves at odds with programmers and consumer groups, in comments on the FCC's kidvid NPRM in docket 18-202 in time for Monday's deadline. Though almost all commenters agreed existing rules are outdated, nearly every broadcaster filing supported the FCC's proposed rule changes. “The existing children’s TV regulatory regime leads to less than optimal use of limited air time to the detriment of stations and their local audiences,” said NAB. House Communications Subcommittee Democrats are expected to note their concerns about the kidvid NPRM during a Thursday hearing on the state of the media marketplace (see 1809260054).
The FCC adopted 4-0 an NPRM that proposes to ensure direct-dial 911 calling from centralized phone systems in larger buildings and on campuses, and to ensure "dispatchable location" information is conveyed with emergency calls. At their monthly meeting Wednesday, commissioners also unanimously approved an order to begin auctioning off toll-free phone numbers.