A massive public response, likely as big if not bigger than the tidal wave that hit the FCC last time around, is expected as it considers a do-over of the 2015 net neutrality rules. Senior officials already are saying they aren’t going to use the public responses as a kind of poll to help them make decisions (see 1704270044). Net neutrality advocates hope the response will be so overwhelming the Trump administration will start to view net neutrality as a liability and pressure the agency to moderate its approach. Already, the commission is getting comments in opposition filings (see 1704280047).
A massive public response, likely as big if not bigger than the tidal wave that hit the FCC last time around, is expected as it considers a do-over of the 2015 net neutrality rules. Senior officials already are saying they aren’t going to use the public responses as a kind of poll to help them make decisions (see 1704270044). Net neutrality advocates hope the response will be so overwhelming the Trump administration will start to view net neutrality as a liability and pressure the agency to moderate its approach. Already, the commission is getting comments in opposition filings (see 1704280047).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's industry meetings on internet regulation issues sparked criticism in some quarters about the lack of more disclosure. One veteran public-interest advocate said it was "inconceivable" that certain parties didn't face commission filing duties and called the approach "hypocritical" for an agency touting its transparency. But Pai said he was simply soliciting input without discussing a pending proceeding, and his office said outside parties made filings when their presentations triggered requirements. Others defended the meetings as legal and laudable FCC outreach and Pai's overall approach as highly transparent. Pai unveiled his plan for a rulemaking notice on open internet and broadband reclassification issues in a speech Wednesday (see 1704260054).
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's industry meetings on internet regulation issues sparked criticism in some quarters about the lack of more disclosure. One veteran public-interest advocate said it was "inconceivable" that certain parties didn't face commission filing duties and called the approach "hypocritical" for an agency touting its transparency. But Pai said he was simply soliciting input without discussing a pending proceeding, and his office said outside parties made filings when their presentations triggered requirements. Others defended the meetings as legal and laudable FCC outreach and Pai's overall approach as highly transparent. Pai unveiled his plan for a rulemaking notice on open internet and broadband reclassification issues in a speech Wednesday (see 1704260054).
A torrent of statements on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposed net neutrality rulemaking notice started even before Pai spoke Wednesday at the Newseum (see 1704260054). Both those for and against the proposal have had years to practice for what's widely expected to be a repeat of the massive fight that led to the FCC approving its last net neutrality rules 3-2 in 2015 under former Chairman Tom Wheeler.
A torrent of statements on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposed net neutrality rulemaking notice started even before Pai spoke Wednesday at the Newseum (see 1704260054). Both those for and against the proposal have had years to practice for what's widely expected to be a repeat of the massive fight that led to the FCC approving its last net neutrality rules 3-2 in 2015 under former Chairman Tom Wheeler.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai seems to be pushing hard to begin to revisit net neutrality and broadband classification in the next month or two, parties told us Friday. One industry official said it looks like Pai is shooting to hold a vote on an item at the May 18 commissioners' meeting. The preliminary agenda for that meeting is due Thursday, though sometimes major initiatives are announced a day or two early.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai seems to be pushing hard to begin to revisit net neutrality and broadband classification in the next month or two, parties told us Friday. One industry official said it looks like Pai is shooting to hold a vote on an item at the May 18 commissioners' meeting. The preliminary agenda for that meeting is due Thursday, though sometimes major initiatives are announced a day or two early.
Though the FCC voted 2-1 Thursday to restore the UHF discount and re-examine the rule later this year along with the national broadcast ownership cap, both Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who dissented from the vote, and Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said in news conferences after the meeting they believe altering the national cap is the province of Congress. “Something of that significance, I would appreciate additional guidance from Congress,” said Clyburn in response to a question from Communications Daily. O’Rielly reaffirmed his view the agency doesn’t have authority to change the cap, and said he's interested to see how the matter “gets litigated out.”
Broadcaster opposition mounted last week to Prometheus Radio Project’s (PRP) request for a stay of upcoming FM translator siting rules (see 1704040046). NAB now seeks to kill it on procedural grounds, said an opposition filing posted by the FCC Friday. And two broadcast lawyers opposed it earlier last week.