Multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) redoubled their arguments against a proposed requirement that gives subscribers a rebate when a retransmission consent talk impasse results in a blackout. Arguments were made in reply comments filed in docket 24-20 this week. Initial comments were in March (see 2403110057). Localities and broadcasters jabbed at MVPD contentions. Also, broadcasters and MVPDs are at odds over a proposed blackout reporting mandate (see 2402270044).
The FCC will take a series of steps to reestablish the commission's net neutrality framework and reclassify broadband internet access service (BIAS) as a Communications Act Title II telecom service in a declaratory ruling and order (see 2404030043). A draft of the items to be considered during the agency's April meeting, released Thursday, would establish "broad" and "tailored" forbearance for ISPs. The draft doesn’t make a final determination on how network slicing should be treated under the rules.
Comparisons of 5G spectrum allocations and investments in China, the U.S. and Europe often lack detail or rely on data with different definitions, Dean Bubley of Disruptive Analysis wrote in a LinkedIn post Wednesday. Such comparisons "are mostly political and competitive." In addition, those who make such comparisons are often seeking more stringent regulation of a perceived competitor, he said. Claims that China has more midband spectrum allocated than the U.S. ignore that the 3.3-3.4GHz is dedicated for shared, indoor use by multiple mobile network operators, while 200MHz in the lower 6 GHz band is for "localised enterprise private networks," he said. Citing wireless interests seeking additional spectrum for fixed wireless access, Bubley said it is "rather disingenuous ... to complain about traffic volumes on mobile networks ... and then specifically promote services that they know will use 20x more data per subscriber."
DOD on Wednesday released a redacted version of the Emerging Mid-Band Radar Spectrum Sharing Feasibility Assessment (EMBRSS), which DOD and NTIA forwarded to Congress in September (see 2309280087). The report examines military systems located in lower 3 GHz spectrum, with an eye on potential sharing but not on clearing as sought by CTIA and carriers.
FCC commissioners will vote on restoring net neutrality rules during the agency's April 25 meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced Wednesday (see 2403290057). Commissioners will consider a declaratory ruling, order, report and order, and order on reconsideration. "A return to the FCC’s overwhelmingly popular and court-approved standard of net neutrality will allow the agency to serve once again as a strong consumer advocate of an open internet," Rosenworcel said. Also on April's agenda is a draft NPRM about georouting 988 calls (see 2404030051).
Expect lots of satellite operators in the direct-to-device space using myriad approaches, from reusing terrestrial spectrum, using satellite spectrum or something else altogether, satellite company executives said Tuesday during a SpaceNews webinar. Multiple satellite operators beat the drum for the FCC's supplemental coverage from space (SCS) framework adopted in March (see 2403140050). Other large regulators will follow suit and put forward SCS frameworks, Lynk Global Chief Operating Officer Margo Deckard said. AST SpaceMobile's CEO said something similar to Wall Street this week (see 2404020007).
NTIA said it will follow FirstNet’s National Environmental Policy Act procedures on an interim basis and establish 33 categorical exclusions in compliance with NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations and other related authorities, as it awards funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). NTIA proposed that step a year ago (see 2303290035). The ruling is effective immediately, said a notice for Tuesday’s Federal Register. “Following the FirstNet Authority’s procedures will facilitate the IIJA’s large-scale investment in NTIA programs and the need for NTIA to fulfill the mandates of the IIJA in a timely manner, by ensuring NTIA make[s] the most efficient use of time and available funding and resources to fulfill its environmental analysis and decision-making responsibilities,” the notice said.
The 5G Fund order that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated March 20 raised long-standing concerns that the agency releases drafts for "meeting" items but not for those voted electronically, regardless of their relative importance. For those items, industry groups and companies must schedule meetings with commissioner staff and the bureaus and offices to ask about details.
Advocates of the FCC’s affordable connectivity program and Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program believe funding for both priorities remains available this year, despite Congress having omitted funding in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act FY 2024 minibus spending package enacted last week (see 2403210067). Program backers acknowledge funding will be more difficult as the FY24 package was their best opportunity. They also admit appropriations politics will only prove trickier with Capitol Hill hunkering down for the 2024 election campaign.
Customers expect that carriers use the same kinds of technologies for robocalls and robotexts that are used to filter suspected scam and spam emails, Microsoft told the FCC in a filing posted Monday in docket 23-362. “Recent advances” in AI and large-language models “create the opportunity to combat fraudulent communications based on content analysis, and with the right guardrails in place, this analysis can be done at scale while preserving the privacy of the communications,” Microsoft said. The FCC should make clear that “when communications service providers choose to offer AI-enabled fraud detection features with sufficient safeguards in place, those tools are considered a necessary incident to the provision of voice communications,” the company said. Microsoft representatives spoke with aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Anna Gomez and Consumer and with Governmental Affairs Bureau staff.