Senate Commerce Committee members signaled interest in including further emergency broadband funding in the next COVID-19 package. Some senators urged their colleagues to think beyond the crisis. The Wednesday hearing featured few references to House Democrats' Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (Heroes) Act (HR-6800), which contains substantial broadband funding. The bill also includes language to make broadcasters and other local outlets eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program. Both issues drew increasing support since the March enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2004300058). The House is expected to vote on HR-6800 as soon as Friday.
The FCC approved 5-0 allowing broadband in 900 MHz, reallocating a 6 MHz swath while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband. Commissioners voted electronically (see 2005130008) before Wednesday's abbreviated virtual meeting, as expected (see 2005070054). Anterix executives said the spectrum could help utilities across the U.S. update operations and move to a smart grid.
The FCC wants refreshed comments from a 2016 "Team Telecom" NPRM on timely executive branch review of deals involving foreign ownership, said a public notice Monday. The NPRM sought comment on what types of applications should be referred to the executive branch, what information should be included on an application that could help with the review, how applicants would certify compliance with mitigation, and how quickly the executive branch would complete reviews (see 1606030025). Commissioners of both parties backed the PN.
The FCC issued show cause orders Friday against four companies “ultimately subject to the ownership and control of the Chinese government.” China Telecom Americas, China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and ComNet were ordered to explain why the FCC shouldn't begin the process of revoking their domestic and international authorizations allowing them to operate in the U.S. The companies have 30 days to respond.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr is getting a mix of criticism and defense for recent comments on Twitter and elsewhere about China and other topics. He has also drawn notice in recent months for his criticisms of Free Press’ emergency petition for inquiry into broadcasters airing allegedly false information about COVID-19 (see 2004060073) and the House Intelligence Committee’s subpoenas of call records during its inquiry on impeaching President Donald Trump. Some critics believe Carr is wading into political controversies in a bid to be appointed FCC chairman after current head Ajit Pai steps down, if Trump wins re-election.
The FCC should investigate reports that carriers disconnected customers after pledging to the FCC they wouldn’t do so during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in a tweet Thursday. “Investigate these complaints. Stat.” The agency is “powerless” to enforce the Keep Americans Connected pledge (see 2003130066), said Gigi Sohn of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. The commission “abdicated" authority to do so when it reversed itself on net neutrality, she said. Hundreds of ISPs have taken FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's pledge.
FCC workers and their National Treasury Employees Union praise the agency's precautions to protect employees from COVID-19. But NTEU filed an unfair labor practices grievance against the agency Monday over continuing contract negotiations during the pandemic, President Tony Reardon emailed us. The FCC acted faster than some other federal agencies, but critics told us none has responded quickly or well.
Commissioners approved secure telephone identity revisited and secure handling of asserted information using tokens call authentication rules electronically before their abbreviated meeting Tuesday (see 2003310012). No items were discussed in detail. Commissioners released statements expressing some concerns about Stir/Shaken authentication rules and urging more action in response to COVID-19. The meeting lasted about 14 minutes.
Advocates want the FCC to use emergency authority to mandate free inmate calling service phone calls and videos, for at least 60 days, they said in a petition to the agency. COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders and suspended visits make access to ICS more important, they told us. ICS providers said they're responding to inmates' needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic comes as Ajit Pai enters what is likely to be the homestretch of his time as FCC chairman. Pai has sketched out an ambitious agenda for the rest of 2020, but no one knows how long the pandemic will last. Industry officials agree it will likely slow work on at least some items due to refocusing on coronavirus-related orders. The crisis offers Pai a chance to write a new legacy, they said.