The Trump administration is eyeing an expedited review of federal spectrum holdings to identify bands that GOP lawmakers could mandate for reallocation in a coming budget reconciliation package, a former Commerce Department official and communications sector lobbyists told us. Telecom-focused congressional leaders indicated some progress in Capitol Hill negotiations to reach a spectrum reconciliation deal but cautioned that there has been no major breakthrough. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and congressional DOD supporters remain at loggerheads.
Basalt Technologies wants FCC Space Bureau approval to test a three-cubesat constellation operated by AI. In an application posted Tuesday to launch and operate its Spirit-EEL system, San Francisco-based Basalt said a huge challenge for modern satellite fleets is the provision of "continuous, high-precision management without labor-intensive staffing." It said it would use AI systems to manage and control the earth imaging satellites in orbit "with minimal human intervention" as it tests the algorithms.
Comments on the FCC’s notice of proposed rulemaking on loud commercials are due April 10 and replies April 25 in docket 25-72, said a public notice Tuesday. Unanimously approved at the Feb. 27 open meeting, the NPRM asks for comments on the agency’s enforcement of its Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act rules and potentially extending them to streaming services (see 2502270058.
NAB’s call for an ATSC 3.0 tuner mandate (see 2502260051) is “highly concerning” and a reversal of its stance in a 2017 joint petition with CTA and others, which requested FCC authorization of the new standard, CTA said in a meeting last week with aides to Commissioner Nathan Simington, according to an ex parte filing posted Tuesday. “The key element” of that 2017 joint petition “was the voluntary nature of the transition,” CTA said, adding that it “strongly believes the transition to ATSC 3.0 must remain voluntary and market-based, not guided by government mandates.”
The FCC and NAB disagreed in court filings this week about how last week’s 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding the FCC’s forfeiture order against Gray Media applies to the broadcaster challenge of the 2018 quadrennial review order in the 8th Circuit. Oral argument in that case is set for March 19. The 11th Circuit ruled against Gray, saying Note 11 -- an FCC rule against broadcasters swapping network affiliation to get around ownership limits -- doesn’t violate the Communications Act or the First Amendment (see 2503070004. The 8th Circuit petitioners, which include Zimmer Radio, Nexstar, NAB, Beasley Media and Tri-State Communications, have made similar arguments against Note 11 in their filing opposing the 2018 QR, which expanded the reach of the rule to include low-power stations and multicast streams.
The FCC's "know your customers" requirement seemed to indicate that voice providers would have flexibility in adopting effective measures, but the proposed $4.5 million Telnyx fine seems to belie that, according to the Cloud Communications Alliance and Voice on the Net Coalition. In docket 17-59 Tuesday, the voice-provider trade groups said the FCC is required by law to put out guidance that's subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking before imposing high civil forfeitures. They said the FCC should make clear that forfeitures can be imposed only when a voice service provider actually knows of illegal traffic or intended to allow the traffic onto its network. Otherwise, providers acting in good faith could be subject to substantial forfeitures, they said. The trade groups said it's not clear what standards the FCC will apply to determine whether a provider took “affirmative, effective measures” to prevent customers from making illegal calls. They said last year's Lingo Telecom content decree (see 2408210039) can't serve as "know your customers" guidance unless there's first a notice-and-comment rulemaking. Telnyx is fighting the proposed robocall fine (see 2503050026).
Aviation and maritime communications entities are concerned about SpaceX's direct-to-device ambitions in the 1429-2690 MHz range causing interference, according to comments posted Tuesday in docket 23-135. The Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council said the 1435-1525 MHz and 2360-2395 MHz bands are workhorses used for aeronautical mobile telemetry. In addition, mobile satellite service providers' requests for D2D services in new spectrum bands should come with specific showings of spectrum compatibility, depending on the spectrum sub-band in which the services will be provided. AFTRCC said SpaceX has made "conclusory assertions" about compatibility but not held substantive discussions about compatibility issues concerning different types of incumbent users in the 1429-2690 MHz range.
Summit Ridge told the FCC that the 3.45 GHz relocation reimbursement clearinghouse was closed as of March 5 (see 2501070073). “The Relocation Costs plus Clearinghouse Costs totaled $3,622,328.52 … which is the same as the Initial Estimate in the Invoices to the License Winners,” said a filing posted this week in docket 19-348. “License Winners will receive neither a refund nor an invoice for additional funds.”
USTelecom representatives discussed pole attachment concerns in a series of meetings at the FCC with Wireline Bureau staff and aides to Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Anna Gomez. “USTelecom emphasized that its membership is comprised of both pole owners and attachers that are seeking to deploy high-speed broadband as quickly as possible and that we support Commission efforts to speed such deployments, including those funded through BEAD and other government programs,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 17-84. “As USTelecom has explained, however, departing from the negotiated timelines required under the Commission’s current rules and adopting one-size-fits-all make-ready timelines for large make-ready orders will not speed deployment or further the Commission’s goals.”
Accessing investor-owned utility poles in a timely and cost-effective way continues to be a big challenge, ACA Connects and four of its members told FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's office and the Wireline Bureau. In a docket 17-84 filing Tuesday, Shentel said it has open pole permit applications that are 400-plus days old, and the cable ISP hasn't been able to get preapproved utility contractors to perform electrical construction make-ready due to lack of investor-owned utility support. Shentel urged a streamlined process for facilities-based providers doing self-help engineering and electrical construction make-ready. Breezeline raised concerns about non-uniform utility procedures and different states' attachment rules, while Mediacom said it has focused on underground construction for government-funded projects to avoid the pole attachment process. Also accompanying ACA was Armstrong.