Don't expect a DirecTV/Dish Network deal to face the same anticompetitive obstacles as a similar merger attempt did 22 years ago, antitrust and FCC experts tell us. The two direct broadcast satellite (DBS) companies said Monday they reached an agreement where DirecTV would buy EchoStar's Dish and Sling video distribution businesses for $1. DirecTV will also assume an estimated $9.75 billion in Dish DBS debt. The companies said they expect regulatory approval before the end of next year.
The FCC released its order approving 3-2 radio broadcaster Audacy’s request for a temporary waiver of its foreign-ownership requirements. The dissents from both FCC Republicans condemn the order as a deviation from normal FCC procedure, but neither mentions by name the involvement of the Soros family in the deal, though that has been the main focus of Republican lawmakers and conservative media critical of the restructuring. Commissioner Brendan Carr previously called the waiver a “Soros shortcut.” To suggest that Audacy is receiving special treatment is “cynical and wrong,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, pointing to numerous similar grants from the FCC going back to 2018. “Our practice here and in these prior cases is designed to facilitate the prompt and orderly emergence from bankruptcy of a company that is a licensee under the Communications Act.”
The FCC posted on Friday an order approved 5-0 on Thursday addressing satellite operations in the 17 GHz band. The agency adopted rule changes enabling non-geostationary orbit-fixed-satellite services to operate in the 17.3-17.7 GHz band for downlinks on a shared, co-primary basis with geostationary satellite orbit services and on a co-primary basis with other incumbents (see 2409260026). “Our action today provides a contiguous 1300 MHz of spectrum for NGSO FSS downlink operations, allowing for technologically innovative and enhanced satellite services to the benefit of American consumers,” the order says: It also aligns “the U.S. Table with the International Table of Allocations to provide a more cohesive global framework for FSS operators and maximize the efficient use of the 17 GHz band.” Only Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks attached statements.
The next meeting of the FCC’s North American Numbering Council, previously scheduled for Dec. 12, will now take place the following day, the agency said Friday. The meeting is virtual and will start at 10 a.m. EST, the FCC said.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should review the FCC's August order on incarcerated people's communication services because parts of the order are in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, Securus said in a petition filed Wednesday (docket 24-60492). Securus previously filed suit in the same court over the FCC's denial of its clarification and waiver petitions on alternative payment plans (see 2409050034). The new challenge follows publication of the new rules in the Federal Register (see 2409200019).
PTC-220 asked the FCC for special temporary authority to operate positive train control radio base stations using automated maritime telecommunications system (AMTS) spectrum covering Region 4, which takes in an area from the upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast. “Consistent with prior STA applications to operate on AMTS spectrum,” grant of PTC-220’s request “would permit the immediate deployment” of PTC, it said. PTC-220 represents the nation’s major freight railroads and wants to add 1,240 planned locations to the 12,853 locations previously authorized. “Since January 2020, PTC-220 has successfully conducted PTC and non-PTC rail safety operations in AMTS Region 4 and has received no reports of harmful interference from broadcasters,” said a filing posted Friday: “Importantly, whether operating under STA or permanent authority, PTC-220 will cure any instances of harmful interference caused by its transmissions.”
The FCC Wireless Bureau on Friday extended comment and reply deadlines by 30 days on an August NPRM that asks about further rules changes for the citizens broadband radio service band (see 2408160031). The new deadlines are Nov. 6 for initial comments, Dec. 5 for replies, in docket 17-258. The bureau took the step following a request by the Wireless Innovation Forum, the OnGo Alliance and the Wireless ISP Association (see 2409200015). “We find that Joint Petitioners have established that additional time is necessary to enable commenters to adequately assess highly technical data and to produce studies in response to the complex technical, legal, and policy issues presented in the NPRM,” the bureau said: “Given the importance of receiving robust input from all of [the groups’] respective members on the questions raised in the NPRM, along with the Commission’s stated desire for detailed technical analyses, we find there is good cause to extend the deadlines.”
The FCC Public Safety Bureau extended by 10 days the application deadline for CTIA and TUV Rheinland of North America to become cybersecurity labeling administrators (CLAs) or lead administrator under the FCC’s voluntary cyber-trust mark program (see 2409240063). The new deadline is Oct. 11. “The Bureau finds that the Parties’ request for an extension of time is warranted to ensure applicants have sufficient time to prepare full and informed responses,” said an order in Friday’s Daily Digest.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation emailed FCC commissioners' staff, except that of Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, laying out its positions on an order finalizing rules for cellular vehicle-to-everything use of the 5.9 GHz band. Rosenworcel circulated the order in July (see 2404180050). “Finalization” of the order “will help address the ongoing regulatory uncertainty that has delayed the widespread deployment of this important technology,” said a filing Friday in docket 19-158. “C-V2X technologies and the use cases enabled by the technology continue to evolve and the technical rules” established “should be flexible enough to support that continued evolution,” the alliance said. The group also stressed the importance of protecting C-V2X from “harmful interference from unlicensed operations in the U-NII-4 band.”
The FCC on Friday released an order commissioners approved Thursday expanding the range of accessibility features that must be included in videoconferencing platforms (see 2409260026). The item also includes a Further NPRM. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez issued statements with the order. “We take steps to ensure that people with disabilities are able to access and use video conferencing, a modern communications tool that is critical in connecting for work, education, health, and other fundamental life activities,” the item says.