President Joe Biden’s cybersecurity executive order (see 2105130065) will boost the federal government’s reliance on cloud services and information sharing, experts told us. The EO directs federal civilian agencies to “accelerate movement to secure cloud services,” including software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS). Within 90 days, the OMB director will develop a federal cloud-security strategy with guidance to agencies, in consultation with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the General Services administrator through the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRamp).
Though cable operators are shedding landline voice subscribers, experts said they don't see disconnecting that offering in the foreseeable future since it drives some revenue and reduces churn. The landline subs losses aren't a cable-only issue, said industry consultant Steve Effros. "Everybody is losing landline customers." Comcast and Charter are gaining sizable wireless subscriber bases, he said.
Eighty-nine percent of the 950 ISPs in the FCC’s $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program aren't selling connected devices to EBB-eligible households, per the FCC. Experts said in recent interviews it could hurt enrollment efforts. Providers can get $100 for providing a connected device so long as a customer makes a $10-$50 co-payment. Eligible devices are laptops, desktops and tablets.
The FCC seems unlikely to backtrack on last year’s 5-0 order splitting 5.9 GHz between Wi-Fi and auto safety (see 2011180043). Commissioner Brendan Carr considers this a key early test of the commission’s resolve to stick with controversial decisions (see 2105130064). Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed concerns, similar to those in the last administration (see 2103250071).
The FCC proceeding on its Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act isn’t considered likely to lead to rule changes, but increased enforcement and warnings to licensees could be in the cards, said broadcast and cable attorneys. The FCC acted quickly to begin an examination after the act’s originator, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., criticized lack of enforcement. The agency has authority to enforce the rule, Rosenworcel told reporters Thursday. Comments on the rules are due June 3 (see 2105070058).
FCC members vowed to ramp up pressure on robocallers, approving a Further NPRM 4-0 Thursday proposing to tighten secure telephone identity revisited (Stir) and signature-based handling of asserted information using tokens (Shaken) rules, as expected (see 2105180040). Officials told journalists there were minor tweaks to the draft and no substantial changes.
California state legislators advance broadband bills, including to renew and revamp the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) with a goal of upgrading to at least 100 Mbps downstream. Bills to preempt local governments on wireless deployment are advancing this year, after former Gov. Jerry Brown (D) vetoed a 2017 attempt (see 1710170026).
The Biden administration said Thursday it expects deliberations over how to respond to Senate Republicans’ infrastructure counteroffer to continue into Friday, amid conflicting evaluations about prospects for a deal (see 2105190069). House Commerce Committee Republicans bowed the American Broadband Act to counter President Joe Biden’s proposal to spend $100 billion on broadband. The counterproposal includes $65 billion. More than 40 groups and companies launched the Broadband Equity for All coalition to press lawmakers to create a permanent federal broadband benefit program to succeed the FCC-administered $3.2 billion emergency broadband benefit program.
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the nomination of Eric Lander to be Office of Science and Technology Policy director to the floor Thursday (see 2105140049). Five Republicans voted no: Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; Ted Cruz of Texas; Mike Lee of Utah; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming.
Citing the impact of COVID-19 on incarcerated people and their families, FCC commissioners unanimously approved an order and Further NPRM Thursday to cut interstate rates for inmate calling services (see 2105120031). It’s “not the last action we will take because there is more that needs to be done,” said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during Thursday’s meeting.