The FCC 2015 net neutrality and broadband reclassification order came under attack from critics asking the Supreme Court to review the decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the order, as expected (see 1709280029). The American Cable Association, AT&T, Daniel Berninger, CenturyLink with USTelecom, CTIA and NCTA filed cert petitions challenging the commission's order and appealing D.C. Circuit affirmations. TechFreedom said it also expected to file Thursday, the deadline.
The FCC 2015 net neutrality and broadband reclassification order came under attack from critics asking the Supreme Court to review the decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the order, as expected (see 1709280029). The American Cable Association, AT&T, Daniel Berninger, CenturyLink with USTelecom, CTIA and NCTA filed cert petitions challenging the commission's order and appealing D.C. Circuit affirmations. TechFreedom said it also expected to file Thursday, the deadline.
A federal court denied an appeal of a three-judge panel's inmate calling service ruling that reversed key FCC pricing decisions in a 2015 order, including intrastate rate caps (see 1707280058 and 1706130047). No judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit asked for a vote on Wright Petitioners' request for en banc review, said a brief order Tuesday in Global Tel*Link v. FCC, No. 15-1461. "This was not unexpected, but it is nonetheless very disappointing," said petitioners' counsel Andrew Schwartzman, Georgetown Law Institute for Public Representation senior counselor, Wednesday.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has made major changes to his office, assigning senior aide Nick Degani as acting general counsel and shifting longtime staffer Michael Carowitz from the Enforcement Bureau to the chairman's office to fill in. Degani has played a continuing role in the Pai office since his boss became chairman, as a key player behind the scenes engaged on most important policy calls (see 1703140024). Changes are less than meet the eye, many ex-officials told us. Degani is expected to be general counsel only temporarily, so on the big issues before the FCC, some roads still lead to him.
Sinclair’s proposed buy of Tribune didn’t get special FCC treatment, said Chairman Ajit Pai in a letter released Tuesday responding to correspondence from House Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and House Commerce Oversight Subcommittee ranking member Diana DeGette, D-Colo. (see 1708140058). “My actions have been motivated by my belief that a strong over the air broadcast service advances the public interest," Pai said. “They have not been fueled by a desire to help any particular company.”
Sinclair’s proposed buy of Tribune didn’t get special FCC treatment, said Chairman Ajit Pai in a letter released Tuesday responding to correspondence from House Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and House Commerce Oversight Subcommittee ranking member Diana DeGette, D-Colo. (see 1708140058). “My actions have been motivated by my belief that a strong over the air broadcast service advances the public interest," Pai said. “They have not been fueled by a desire to help any particular company.”
Gregory Katsas is expected to bring his conservative philosophy to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. If confirmed by the Senate (see the personals section of the Sept. 11 issue of this publication), President Donald Trump's nominee isn't expected to change the leanings of the D.C. Circuit -- which hears many FCC cases -- absent future Republican appointments, said attorneys, who gave him high marks. He would replace Judge Janice Rogers Brown, who was picked by President George W. Bush; in July, the court announced she was retiring Aug. 31.
Gregory Katsas is expected to bring his conservative philosophy to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. If confirmed by the Senate (see the personals section of the Sept. 11 issue of this publication), President Donald Trump's nominee isn't expected to change the leanings of the D.C. Circuit -- which hears many FCC cases -- absent future Republican appointments, said attorneys, who gave him high marks. He would replace Judge Janice Rogers Brown, who was picked by President George W. Bush; in July, the court announced she was retiring Aug. 31.
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska warned Securus about the risk of trying to close its sale to Platinum Equity before getting RCA approval. Alaska and California reviews are pending, with California to vote in late August, but Securus said Friday it didn’t mislead the FCC when it said it had all necessary state regulatory OKs and urged quick federal approval (see 1708030040). Over the weekend in FCC docket 17-126, the inmate calling service (ICS) provider clarified that it has OKs from all states where it was “contractually” obligated, and urged the federal commission to quickly greenlight the deal. Opponents the Wright Petitioners disputed the explanation.
The FCC's going from three to five commissioners (see 1708030060) isn’t likely to alter Chairman Ajit Pai’s momentum and main policy agenda, but it could lead to shifts on lower-profile items and possibly a slightly slower-moving commission if Pai seeks to include all the members in deliberations, industry officials said Friday. Former officials said the additions likely means Commissioner Mike O’Rielly’s role will grow in stature. Telecom, cable and satellite representatives expect little to no learning curve given the experience the two bring. Commissioner Brendan Carr may not trigger any notable change in Pai’s agenda, since pet interests of his very likely could be baked into Pai’s priorities.