The FCC Media Bureau granted Mission Broadcasting’s application to buy WADL Detroit Michigan from Adell Broadcasting for $75 million, but with a number of conditions that would bar Nexstar from financing the deal, negotiating retransmission consent for WADL and limiting how much programming Nexstar could provide. If Mission doesn’t accept the conditions, the order says, the deal will be designated for a hearing, traditionally seen as a death sentence for transactions. The Media Bureau is “taking the application the FCC received and substituting it for a new one drafted by the agency,” said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr in a statement: “That’s not the FCC’s job or role.”
The FCC Space Bureau signed off on the Amazon Kuiper request for a waiver of the requirement that it gets a positive ITU finding regarding equivalent power flux density limits before it commences operations (see 2305240064). In an order and authorization in Tuesday's Daily Digest, the bureau said a delayed deployment until after it has received an ITU finding on its filings "will only delay the provision of competitive broadband service even further." It said the condition that Kuiper provide to any interested party the data used as input to the ITU validation software and the results from running the software will provide more assurance to geostationary orbit operators that they won't see harmful interference pending an ITU finding.
While the "all-in" video pricing order has appeared in the Federal Register and is now effective (see 2404180008), compliance will be phased in, the FCC Media Bureau said in a public notice in Tuesday's Daily Digest. It said compliance for mid-sized and large cable and direct broadcast satellite operators won't be required until either Dec. 19 or when the Office of Management and Budget completes its Paperwork Reduction Act review, whichever comes later. Compliance for cable operators with annual receipts of $47 million or less won't be required until March 19, 2025, or Paperwork Reduction Act review, whichever comes later.
The FCC Public Safety Bureau issued an order granting a two-week extension request from Public Knowledge and several other groups for comment deadlines for responses to the agency’s outage reporting Further NPRM (see 2404170053). Comments on the item are now due May 13, replies June 12. The groups requested the extension because of the proximity of the original April 29 deadline to the agency’s net neutrality vote Thursday and the Passover holiday. “We conclude that the totality of the circumstances warrants a limited 14-day extension of the comment and reply deadlines to facilitate the development of a comprehensive record in this proceeding,” said the order.
Vermont National Telephone (VTEL) is challenging the DOJ's move to dismiss fraud litigation against Dish Network and designated entities (DE) Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless regarding 2015's AWS-3 auction (see 2403040052).
The FCC Enforcement Bureau affirmed its 2019 decision fining AT&T and AMG Technology Investment for appearing to violate the commission's rules on prohibited communications during the Connect America Fund phase II auction (see 1909060063). The bureau said in a forfeiture order Monday that AT&T must pay a $75,000 fine because it violated the prohibited communications rule and five-business day reporting deadline. A separate forfeiture order affirming AMG's $100,000 fine said the company was "an active participant in prohibited communications with AT&T surrounding AMG’s bids, bidding strategies, and bidding results."
The 12.2 GHz band is the only spectrum DirecTV uses to deliver programming to subscribers, including several heavily watched HD channels, and to deliver mobile services to aircraft boats and RVs, the company told FCC staffers. In a docket 22-352 filing Monday recapping a meeting with Wireless and Space Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology staff, DirecTV discussed a supplemental Savid study detailing the possibility of harmful interference from terrestrial operations in the adjacent 12.7 GHz band.
APCO representatives urged that the FCC seek additional comment on implementing next-generation 911. The FCC sought comment last year on proposals about quickening the adoption of NG911 (see 2309110042). “Proposed rules in this proceeding are focused on the delivery of 9-1-1 traffic, which comprises only the first part of the emergency communications chain,” APCO told Public Safety Bureau staff according to a filing Thursday in docket 21-479. “To take the next step toward achieving public safety’s vision for NG9-1-1, the Commission should initiate a further notice of proposed rulemaking to address interoperability requirements for 9-1-1 service providers and other elements of the emergency communications chain,” APCO said.
Companies offering automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band told the FCC they have launched a portal for reporting interference. The companies said the portal should satisfy a requirement that the Office of Engineering and Technology imposed. “We have committed significant effort and resources to develop an efficient, centralized means for authorized 6 GHz incumbents to report potential harmful-interference events,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 21-352. “All information submitted through the Portal is automatically shared with the approved 6 GHz AFC system operators” and the FCC, including the Enforcement Bureau, the filling said. Broadcom, Comsearch, Federated Wireless, Qualcomm, Sony Group, Wi-Fi Alliance Services and the Wireless Broadband Alliance signed it.
NCIC Communications asked the FCC to "expand its authority" to non-incarcerated people's communications service video visitation providers "to ensure those providers are required to comply with all FCC mandates applicable to IPCS providers," holding separate meetings with aides to Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez. The company also met with Enforcement Bureau and Wireline Bureau staff, per an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 23-62. NCIC noted that some non-interconnected VoIP and commissary providers "often provide services that a traditional IPCS provider would provide" but "purport to operate outside of the FCC’s jurisdiction." It also asked the FCC to "extend to video visitation providers the requirement to provide access to video relay service."