Facebook and the Wi-Fi Alliance told the FCC a proposal by Radwin to allow devices in the 5.15-5.25 and 5.725-5.85 GHz bands to sequentially emit directional beams would mean steerable, active phased-array antennas in outdoor settings at higher power levels and would allow more intensive use of the key unlicensed spectrum. NCTA expressed concerns about interference with traditional Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz band as did the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council and Globalstar.
Cable leased access is either an anachronism in need of changes beyond what the FCC is contemplating or hampered by cable operators and at least some of rules in the in-limbo 2008 leased access order should be adopted. Those were competing narratives in docket 07-42 filings due Monday after the FCC in June approved a Further NPRM on a cable leased access rules update that included rescinding the 2008 order that never took effect (see 1806070021). Replies are due Aug. 13.
Developing an internationally applicable online privacy framework is a major hurdle, given fundamental differences among the U.S., the EU and adversaries like China and Russia, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., told us Tuesday. Industry representatives and a conservative scholar described during a Senate Internet Subcommittee hearing anti-business impacts of EU’s general data protection regulation.
Likely changes to the draft incubator order are being worked out, said FCC and industry officials in interviews. Requests from the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) that provisions on what constitutes a comparable market be restricted (see 1807260058) are seen less likely to be included. The item is to be voted at Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting, and forms the basis for a report to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals due Aug. 6 in Prometheus Radio Project’s challenge of a media ownership reconsideration order (see 1806290039).
Lawmakers following Google's appeal of the EU’s recent $5 billion fine alleging anti-competitive behavior linked to the Android mobile operating system's market dominance (see 1807180003) are considering next steps. “The EU just has a different regulatory environment, but … it potentially has impact on how we think about these issues here in America, too,” Senate Commerce Committee member Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told us.
The wording of the draft NPRM on reimbursing low-power TV stations, translators and FM stations for expenses caused by the post-incentive auction repacking will be changed to address concerns about repacking expenses and eligibility raised by NAB, T-Mobile and Microsoft, FCC and industry officials told us. The commission has a March deadline to create a reimbursement policy under legislation that granted the funds, the NPRM said. The notice is set for a vote at Thursday's commissioners' meeting.
Incumbent interests pressed the FCC to revise aspects of a draft order on one-touch, make-ready and other pole-attachment changes aimed at facilitating broadband deployment. Filings posted Monday and late last week in docket 17-84 on final lobbying (see 1807260036) show electric utilities objected to the draft's proposed communications "self-help" remedies in the power space at the top of poles; cable sought to bolster the rights of existing attachers in the lower-down communications space; ILECs sought expanded application of a draft presumption to lower the attachment rates they pay pole owners; and the Communications Workers of America pushed for changes to uphold the safety and jobs of union members. New entrants remained supportive of the FCC direction as it prepares for a planned vote on the draft at commissioners' Thursday meeting.
Questions continue about lack of state and local representation on the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee as it launches a new focus on infrastructure and disasters. Some told us that what's viewed as a lack of diversity will work against the BDAC as it takes on a new area at the urging Friday of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1807270020). Some ask if FCC will add any public safety officials to the BDAC or as members of any new working groups. The agency will be soliciting "new members with the appropriate expertise for the working group on infrastructure and disasters," said a spokesperson.
FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips warned against privacy regulation further solidifying dominance of large tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. NTIA Administrator David Redl also at the Internet Governance Forum USA Friday said the U.S. government “must continue to give a green light to innovators."
The anticipated unwinding of Sinclair's planned buy of Tribune and last week’s court decision upholding the UHF discount aren’t considered likely to affect what the FCC eventually does to the national cap (see 1807250050). They could affect timing, said broadcasters, attorneys and industry officials in interviews.