Republicans and Democrats on the House Communications Subcommittee are likely to spar Wednesday over two particular issues raised by an FCC September notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM): the allocation of unlicensed spectrum and bidder eligibility requirements, according to planning memos. The subcommittee’s majority memo, published this week, said the FCC runs the risk of “short changing” first responders if the commission decides to give away much of the spectrum that is cleared in connection with the forthcoming broadcast incentive auctions. The memo also urged the commission against “picking winners and losers” by excluding parties from the auction. Subcommittee Democrats shot back Tuesday with a minority memo that said Republicans are seeking to “reopen issues that were resolved in the legislation.”
The FCC approved rules moving toward implementing the Local Community Radio Act, which includes a fifth order on reconsideration that establishes a national limit of 70 applications, and a sixth report and order establishing a second-adjacent channel spacing waiver standard, during its meeting Friday. The FCC plans to open a filing window for new low power FM applications in October 2013.
In an otherwise routine order Friday clarifying some requirements of the November 2011 USF/intercarrier compensation order and tweaking others, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel issued a separate statement suggesting simplifications to the “extremely” complex reforms. She worries that the complexity of the order, and the benchmarks that shift annually, could make life difficult for telcos that want to invest in their networks. “I fear that this complexity can deny rural carriers dependent on them the certainty they need to confidently invest in their network infrastructure,” Rosenworcel wrote. “So when opportunities arise to simplify our rules in a manner that is fiscally sound, good for investment, and good for rural consumers -- I think we should seize them."
Easing rules around spectrum use, streamlining rules for satellite license applications and satellite export control reform efforts will likely remain the top satellite-related priorities at the FCC and from a broader administration perspective under a Barack Obama presidential term, industry executives said. The agenda for satellite proceedings isn’t expected to change if FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski leaves his post, as some think he will next year, they said. Genachowski said Friday he has no plans to leave (CD Nov 13 p3).
The FCC on Friday approved a notice of proposed rulemaking that will establish rules for an incentive auction of broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband, to take place as early as 2014. The NPRM moves the FCC a step closer to what is already the most anticipated auction since the 700 MHz auction four years ago. Commissioner Ajit Pai concurred only on parts of the NPRM, saying the commission leaves too many critical questions unasked.
The FCC approved a notice of proposed rulemaking on measuring spectrum aggregation over concerns raised by Commissioners Ajit Pai and Robert McDowell. But FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said a review was overdue, especially as the FCC prepares for an incentive auction of broadcast spectrum. Pai had considered a dissent, but instead concurred (CD Sept 20 p1).
The FCC on Friday approved a notice of proposed rulemaking that will establish rules for an incentive auction of broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband, to take place as early as 2014. The NPRM moves the FCC a step closer to what is already the most anticipated auction since the 700 MHz auction four years ago. Commissioner Ajit Pai concurred only on parts of the NPRM, saying the commission leaves too many critical questions unasked. Meanwhile, CEA hailed the NPRM as “a great step forward."
MINNEAPOLIS -- A text-to-911 order could be released next month, FCC Public Safety Bureau Chief David Turetsky told the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) conference. Last September the bureau sought comment on near- and long-term options for next generation 911, and received a variety of ideas on how to best support a text-to-911 service, he said. While only a fully deployed next-gen system will support the full range of multimedia communications, including photos and video, “it’s feasible to quickly and cost-effectively implement” an interim version, which would allow people to use SMS text messaging to contact 911. An order could come at the September or October monthly meeting, he said.
A top aide to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski unsuccessfully suggested this spring that some major U.S. cable networks could add parental content ratings to all TV shows placed on their websites, several industry executives said in recent interviews. Shortly before Josh Gottheimer stepped down as senior counsel to Genachowski and left the commission in late June, he’s said to have asked the major broadcast-TV networks if they'd be willing to expand program-length linear shows’ parental ratings to those episodes when they go on the Internet. The broadcast networks acceded to the suggestion in a joint June 11 (CD June 12 p4) announcement that seven will, for new programs put online after Dec. 1 on websites they control, put ratings at the start of videos and in descriptions on the Internet.
A top aide to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski unsuccessfully suggested this spring that some major U.S. cable networks could add parental content ratings to all TV shows placed on their websites, several industry executives said in recent interviews. Shortly before Josh Gottheimer stepped down as senior counsel to Genachowski and left the commission in late June, he’s said to have asked the major broadcast-TV networks if they'd be willing to expand program-length linear shows’ parental ratings to those episodes when they go on the Internet. The broadcast networks acceded to the suggestion in a joint June 11 (WID June 12 p3) announcement that seven will, for new programs put online after Dec. 1 on websites they control, put ratings at the start of videos and in descriptions on the Internet.