Michael Calabrese, representing the Open Technology Institute at New America, spoke with an aide to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on some of the group’s priorities at the new FCC. Calabrese urged “a rapid resolution” of remaining issues in the FCC’s 2020 6 GHz Further NPRM. He explained “why the authorization of a somewhat higher maximum power level,” 8 dBm/MHz power spectral density level for indoor-only use, is “important for continued U.S. leadership in next generation Wi-Fi, and to ensure affordable high-capacity Wi-Fi 6/7 connectivity for virtually all consumers, businesses and community anchor institutions,” according to a filing this week in docket 18-295. Calabrese encouraged the FCC to complete work on mobile handset unlocking rules teed up in the last administration (see 2407180037). Moreover, he asked about the status of FCC work on the lower 12 GHz band (see 2411270046). In 12 GHz, “coordinated sharing is clearly feasible between the fixed satellite incumbents and proposed fixed terrestrial point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services” in the band, the filing said.
The Wi-Fi Alliance disputed the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition's arguments against an FCC waiver allowing automated frequency coordination systems in the 6 GHz band to take building entry loss (BEL) into account for “composite” standard-power and low-power devices that are restricted to operating indoors (see 2501060060). FWCC claims that the waiver “conflicts with established Commission policy because [the Office of Engineering and Technology] failed to articulate ‘special circumstances beyond those considered during regular rulemaking,’” the alliance said in a filing posted Wednesday in docket 23-107. FWCC also “claims that this established Commission policy was violated because (i) the circumstances were already considered during a rulemaking proceeding; and (ii) the circumstances were insufficiently different from those considered during the rulemaking proceeding,” the alliance said. “Neither claim is accurate and, therefore, does not support granting FWCC’s requested relief.”
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said Tuesday the FCC should “revisit” its 3-2 September decision that granted radio broadcaster Audacy’s request for a temporary waiver of foreign-ownership requirements to complete a bankruptcy restructuring that included George Soros-affiliated entities purchasing its stock (see 2409300046). The Audacy order drew strong congressional GOP opposition in the lead-up to the November presidential election, including a House Oversight Committee probe (see 2409270053). Kennedy, who previously chaired the Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over FCC funding, framed the Soros-affiliated entities’ purchase of Audacy stock as a “weird” sale that included WWL(AM) New Orleans. The waiver request “went through the FCC like green grass through a goose,” just ahead of the election, Kennedy said on the Senate floor Tuesday. Jessica Rosenworcel's FCC, which included three Democrats at the time, “short-circuited the normal process,” despite objections from current Republican Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington. “These licenses and these airwaves do not belong to me or the FCC or to Audacy or to WWL,” Kennedy said. “They belong to … the American people. And we're supposed to make sure, through our FCC … that these licenses are not just given away.” The FCC didn’t immediately comment.
Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will hold an off-the-record panel of Black former FCC chairs Feb. 10, in honor of Black History Month, said a public notice Wednesday. Former Chairmen William Kennard and Michael Powell and former Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who served as acting chairwoman in 2013, will participate. The event is in-person only.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents FCC and FTC employees, is challenging the White House's Schedule F executive order aimed at reducing federal worker protections against firing. The EO -- one of a slew the new Trump administration issued Monday (see 2501210070) -- expressly applies to career employees, who typically remain in their jobs after a presidential transition, NTEU said in a complaint filed this week with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (docket 1:25-cv-00170). NTEU said the EO runs contrary to Office of Personnel Management rules that limit transferring positions into new categories. The EO "will radically reshape the civil service by drastically increasing the number and type of employees who are in a new category of excepted service and be at risk of dismissal without adverse action rights," the union said. It asked the court to enjoin President Donald Trump from instituting or enforcing the EO.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is leaving a number of key officials in place, at least for now, while changing others as he takes over the agency. He unveiled selections for leaders of bureaus and offices in a Wednesday release. For example, Carr named FCC veteran Jacob Lewis as acting general counsel, replacing Michelle Ellison. Carr was general counsel before being confirmed as a member of the FCC. Erin Boone, just tapped as a Carr aide (see 2501210022), will also serve as acting chief of the Media Bureau, replacing Holly Saurer, who recently left the post (see 2501130071). Patrick Webre, a deputy chief of the Enforcement Bureau, is now acting chief, replacing Peter Hyun, who had also been serving in an acting capacity. Carr named Eduard Bartholme acting chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, replacing Alejandro Roark. Joel Taubenblatt will continue leading the Wireless Bureau, Trent Harkrader the Wireline Bureau and Debra Jordan the Public Safety Bureau, though all three are currently in an acting capacity. Mark Stephens remains in place as managing director. Carr plans a second release on appointments, the notice said.
Communications Daily is tracking the lawsuits below involving appeals of FCC actions. New cases are marked with an * .
House Commerce Committee leaders are cautioning that the Communications Subcommittee’s planned Thursday spectrum policy hearing isn’t necessarily an indication that the panel will seek early action on an airwaves legislative package. Some lawmakers and lobbyists instead said the hearing is aimed at educating the subpanel’s crop of new members on the complicated dynamics at play in the spectrum legislative debate. New House Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky and other Republicans are eyeing using an upcoming budget reconciliation package to move on spectrum legislation (see 2501070069).
The FCC Media Bureau and Enforcement Bureau have set aside decisions made last week under the previous FCC chair to dismiss complaints against stations owned by ABC, CBS and NBC, according to orders filed in docket 25-11 Wednesday.
New FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to keep Greg Watson as his chief of staff; he names Scott Delacourt, ex-Wiley, chief of staff of the commission; Adam Chan, ex-Boyden Gray, national security senior counsel; Anthony Patrone, ex-NTIA, legal adviser; Matt Mittelstaedt, ex-office of then-Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, director-office of legislative affairs; Arpan Sura, former senior counsel-Wireless Bureau, senior counsel-spectrum and technology; Danielle Thumann, Carr's legal adviser, becomes senior counsel-wireline, public safety and consumer protection; Erin Boone, former chief of staff and wireless adviser to FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, becomes Carr's senior counsel-media and enforcement; Wireline Bureau's Callie Coker, moves to legal adviser-chairman's office; Drema Johnson continues as Carr's confidential assistant; Stephanie Chambless, ex-House Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, named special counsel-Office of the General Counsel ... GeoLinks names David Gray, ex-Splice, channel sales leader … Broadband telecommunications services company Boston Omaha adds David Graff, ex-Hudl, to board.