October’s nationwide emergency alerting test was mostly a success, though there were glitches, the FCC Public Safety Bureau reported Monday. The early read on the test was that most cellphones got the test wireless emergency alert and most broadcasters transmitted emergency alert system messages (see 1810030051), albeit with plenty of problems. The test was the first nationwide for WEAs. The report includes recommendation for making both wireless and broadcast alerts more effective, including a WEA database.
FCC moves to update orbital debris rules in light of proposed non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) mega constellations raised questions of authority, as expected (see 1902080009). The Commerce Department in a docket 18-313 posting Monday said the FCC could be duplicative with other federal agencies, sowing confusion. The department asked the agency delay the proceeding until,White House space policy directives wrap up.
With Colorado poised to enact net neutrality legislation, observers said the state might be less likely than others to attract a lawsuit. Longtime net neutrality supporter Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) is expected to sign SB-78 to restrict high-cost support or other state broadband funding to companies that adhere to open internet principles, and require government entities give preference in procurements to ISPs that follow rules.
LAS VEGAS -- Antitrust Division Chief Makan Delrahim said DOJ's view of broadcaster sharing agreements hadn't changed. He indicated such arrangements are being investigated, in a Q&A at the NAB Show Monday with NAB CEO Gordon Smith. The FCC Media Bureau meantime will "hopefully" release a form to allow broadcasters to transition to ATSC 3.0 before June, Chief Michelle Carey told us. Broadcasters have been waiting for that paperwork (see 1904070001).
The House Rules Committee appears likely to clear at least some of 17 amendments to the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill for floor consideration this week, said communications sector lobbyists and officials in interviews. A final vote on HR-1644 is expected Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning.
Some changes are possible to the draft order on the 37 GHz band, teed up for a Friday vote by FCC members. The agency proposes rules for coordinating with DOD on future use of the upper 37 GHz band beyond current DOD sites located there. FCC and NTIA officials met to discuss the order Monday and a few tweaks are possible, government officials said.
The U.S. needs to devote the “proper” federal resources to the rise of white nationalism, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., told us, citing what he called a lack of attention from President Donald Trump. It’s obvious why Tuesday’s hearing (see 1904040064), in which Facebook and Google are expected to testify, is needed, Nadler said. The hearing will convene at 10 a.m. in 2141 Rayburn.
Expect the District of Columbia Public Service Commission to be “more active” in FCC proceedings, including Lifeline, Chairman Willie Phillips said. A commissioner since 2014, Phillips took the PSC’s top seat this year after three-term Chairman Betty Ann Kane retired. In an interview, Phillips raised concerns about state-federal coordination on the Lifeline National Verifier, which soft-launched in D.C. in February and will hard launch in May. Also, Phillips said he wants to support 5G deployment in the District.
While the FCC looks to revamp its broadband mapping regime, some broadband experts told us the effort is hampered by the discussion not focusing more on including pricing data and involving crowdsourced or locally provided coverage data. ISPs all know each other's prices, but "the public is the only one who doesn't know," said Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Director-Community Broadband Networks Initiative Chris Mitchell. The FCC said the proceeding is still open.
Some wireless industry officials came away disappointed from CTIA’s 5G Summit Thursday (see 1904040048) that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai didn’t offer new details or make a more explicit commitment on the C band. CTIA President Meredith Baker said at the event the band offers the best opportunity for making more mid-band spectrum available quickly. Pai, who spoke at the end, said the FCC is looking closely at the band and repeated earlier comments that it’s unusually complicated. Pai said he was still “sitting down with engineers, economists and lawyers” working through the future of the band.