An FCC draft NPRM on expanding eligibility for E-rate to tribal libraries is expected to be unanimously approved during commissioners' Sept. 30 meeting, experts said in recent interviews. Library groups and tribal leaders welcomed the move, saying more libraries may be likely to consider applying.
DOD is focused on making 3.1-3.45 GHz available for 5G, but doing so won’t be easy, said Vernita Harris, director-spectrum policy and programs, at the virtual NTIA Spectrum Policy Symposium Tuesday. Others said after the fights during the last administration, the Biden administration is improving coordination on sharing between federal agencies. The 3.1-3.45 GHz band is widely viewed as the most promising mid-band spectrum on the horizon for 5G.
California Public Utilities Commission judges pressed T-Mobile at a Monday hearing on the reasonableness of a promise to give Dish Network six months’ notice before shutting down Sprint’s CDMA network. The virtual hearing was on the CPUC’s August order saying the carrier may have misled the agency (see 2108160021). T-Mobile Technology President Neville Ray testified he and the company didn't mean to conceal anything: "It was never our intent or my intent to mislead the commission in any way or form as to how this transaction and subsequent divestiture would unfold."
An FCC draft order that would create questions for licensees seeking permission to be owned by foreign nationals is expected to change little from its draft version and to be approved unanimously at the agency’s Sept. 30 meeting, said industry experts in recent interviews. “The industry is getting a narrow set of questions,” said Vinson & Elkins' Richard Sofield. “Are they as narrow as they’d like? No, but there is certainty.” DOD, DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security make up Team Telecom, which Sofield used to chair.
With C-band deployments starting this year, aviation concerns about protecting radio altimeters aren't expected to be an initial big impediment, experts said in recent interviews. Aviation safety advocates expect the FCC and the FAA to continue watching closely for any issues. The FCC’s record-setting C-band auction was of licenses at 3.7-3.98 GHz; altimeters are at 4.2-4.4 GHz.
The FCC 911 fee diversion strike force voted unanimously Friday during a virtual meeting to approve its final report as written. It will be sent to Congress and covers the impacts of and recommendations to fee transfers. The document is mandated by the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act (see 2108020051). All but two of the group’s members participated.
An FTC investigator met this month with a group of Nebraska farmers who allege John Deere is abusing data privacy. Deere’s “monopolistic” data practices are preventing farmers’ right to repair, they alleged.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit judges peppered both sides with questions, during an often highly technical oral argument Friday, as the FCC defended its order opening the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use. AT&T, APCO, electric utilities and other plaintiffs argued the FCC never explained why it didn’t require use of automated frequency control (AFC) to protect incumbents from low-power indoor use, which got some support on the court. Judge Justin Walker, a new member of the court, warned the agency's order could be remanded or even vacated.
CES 2022 organizers are “still moving ahead” with the Jan. 5-8 in-person show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), emailed a spokesperson Thursday in reply to our queries about the fate of the event after surges in COVID-19's delta variant forced the cancellation of the Oct. 9-13 NAB Show 2021 at the same venue (see 2109150064 or 2109150062).
The FCC has the authority to include broadband services revenue in the USF contribution base but would need to establish a comment period before making any changes, industry groups said in recent interviews. A new report suggests adding broadband providers could drop the contribution factor to as low as 4% and avoid facing direct congressional appropriations (see 2109130053).