Attempts to revamp a dwindling Texas USF are back to square one after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) vetoed a bill to add VoIP providers to the contribution base. Friday's veto of HB-2667 followed a defeat for rural telco associations in state court where they challenged a Public Utility Commission’s decision not to raise the surcharge on consumer bills to fully fund USF (see 2103290060). It may be too late for legislators to override Abbott, and expect a court appeal soon, RLEC association officials said Monday.
Weekly enrollments for the FCC emergency broadband benefit are beginning to slow, according to Universal Service Administrative Co. data. Some said in interviews last week the apparent slump may reflect lack of sufficient FCC leadership on EBB. Others said the initial surge in enrollment shows the level of interest in the program, and eligible households will continue signing up.
The Wireless Infrastructure Association and others are expected to argue at a Tuesday Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing that lawmakers should consider network resiliency issues as they decide the contours of connectivity language in upcoming infrastructure spending legislation. Subpanel lawmakers said they intend to look at how to move forward on a to-be-refiled version of the Reinforcing and Evaluating Service Integrity, Local Infrastructure and Emergency Notification for Today’s (Resilient) Networks Act (see 2102160067) and other resiliency-centric bills. The partly virtual hearing begins at 2:30 p.m. in 253 Russell.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., are having staff-level discussions about a legislative response to the Supreme Court striking down FTC Act Section 13(b) authority (see 2104260065), they told us. Cantwell previously said she wants to move quickly on legislation to bolster the agency’s authority. The committee has bill language, but “I don’t know when we’re rolling it out,” Cantwell told us. Wicker confirmed the staff discussions.
Localities are gearing up to sue Ohio unless lawmakers remove a proposed ban on municipal broadband that the Senate added to the state budget without hearings. A conference committee is expected to say in coming days if the amendment added this month will make the final budget that both chambers must pass and Gov. Mike DeWine (R) must sign by month’s end. The proposed ban could force existing muni providers to sell their businesses, said local officials in interviews last week.
Reputation blocklists help fight domain name system abuse but raise questions of accuracy and transparency, panelists said Thursday at a virtual ICANN meeting. RBLs blacklist IP addresses or domain names generally regarded as malicious, untrustworthy or of bad repute, said Samaneh Tajalizadehkhoob of ICANN's chief technology office. They're important to, and must be better understood by, ICANN, registries/registrars, hosting companies and other service providers and end-users, said iQ Chief Technology Officer LG Forsberg.
FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday revised RF device marketing and importation rules aimed at shortening the time for developing and releasing new wireless devices, as expected (see 2106150074). CTA sought the revised rules last year. Other agenda items, including rules for a robocall reporting portal, upholding a $2.86 million fine against HobbyKing for sale of unapproved drone transmitters, and updated wireless emergency alert (WEA) and emergency alert services (EAS) rules, were also adopted unanimously.
Broadcast advertising revenue is improving as jurisdictions reopen, streaming services are putting increasing pressure on MVPDs, and sports betting is on the rise as a category, panelists told S&P's Kagan Media Summit. Core ads are “set up for a growth streak,” said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley on Thursday. “Habits picked up during the pandemic are likely to have lasting effects on video consumption,” said Kagan's Deana Myers.
CTA raised concerns as FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday an NPRM and notice of inquiry that would further clamp down on gear from companies deemed to pose a security risk in U.S. networks. Commissioners said several questions were added since a draft of the item circulated, as expected (see 2106090063).
Senate Republicans are optimistic about working with new FTC Chair Lina Khan (see 2106160056) on antitrust and other issues, they said in interviews Thursday. Democrats also welcomed the appointment, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Mass., saying the agency needs to take advantage of its 3-2 Democratic majority before Commissioner Rohit Chopra leaves for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (see 2101190019). See here for news on Khan ascending Tuesday to chair.