FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel touted the agency's 2023 achievements in a Friday note, saying the commission will "be remembered for ... the policies we advanced to reflect a world where high-speed connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity." Rosenworcel noted nearly 7 million households enrolled in the affordable connectivity program this year, bringing the total of enrolled households to more than 22 million. "But our progress here cannot slow down," she wrote, and "we need help from Congress to keep this groundbreaking program going." In her year-end review, Rosenworcel also cited the commission's work on broadband mapping, closing the homework gap and space innovation. "I am especially excited about our proposal to harness the power of satellites to enhance mobile phone operations in areas where there is no terrestrial mobile service," she said: "This connectivity can help facilitate life-saving rescues in remote locations and the innovative opportunities it presents will only grow." The FCC's initiatives on AI also "illustrate how the commission may be using some new tactics," Rosenworcel said, "but we remain focused on long-standing priorities like consumer protection and maximizing the opportunities we have with scarce spectrum resources."
A cable industry priority for the new year is opposing the FCC's proposal that requires MVPDs to refund subscribers for programming blackouts due to failed retransmission consent talks with broadcasters, ACA Connects President Grant Spellmeyer told Communications Daily. In an interview, Spellmeyer discussed his 18 months as ACA head (see 2205170043), video's declining -- but not negligible -- importance to his members, and cable's broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program concerns. The following transcript was edited for length and clarity.
The FCC approved Friday a 2022 T-Mobile application to purchase 600 MHz licenses it was leasing from Columbia Capital, dismissing a Dish Network challenge. T-Mobile reported the deal was worth $3.5 billion. Analysts said when T-Mobile filed the application FCC approval was likely, especially since the carrier is already using the frequencies (see 2208090053).
Broadcast attorneys expect likely legal challenges against the FCC’s 2018 quadrennial review order will focus on two questions: Does the Communications Act allow the FCC to tighten regulations during the QR process? And do restrictions on shifting top-four network programming to low-power stations and multicast streams violate the Constitution?