An executive branch filing in support of the FCC set-top box proceeding (see 1604150003) is largely laudatory of the commission's proposal but also questions aspects of the agency's plans on privacy and copyright, which have also been a focus of the proposal's opponents. “The Commission should take steps to ensure that expansion of competition in navigation devices does not diminish existing privacy protections,” NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling said in the filing. Privacy and copyright concerns were the focus of a joint NCTA/MPAA news briefing denouncing the FCC plan last week (see 1604130052), which itself followed experts saying that access to consumer data may be the ultimate tech prize in the NPRM approved by a politically split FCC (see 1603080037).
An executive branch filing in support of the FCC set-top box proceeding (see 1604150003) is largely laudatory of the commission's proposal but also questions aspects of the agency's plans on privacy and copyright, which have also been a focus of the proposal's opponents. “The Commission should take steps to ensure that expansion of competition in navigation devices does not diminish existing privacy protections,” NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling said in the filing. Privacy and copyright concerns were the focus of a joint NCTA/MPAA news briefing denouncing the FCC plan last week (see 1604130052), which itself followed experts saying that access to consumer data may be the ultimate tech prize in the NPRM approved by a politically split FCC (see 1603080037).
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, recently grilled all five FCC commissioners about net neutrality, the Commerce Committee on which he sits disclosed last week. Cruz, an ardent net neutrality critic who at times incorporated that criticism into his campaign for president, submitted questions for the record to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the other four commissioners about the topic following the committee's March 2 FCC oversight hearing (see 1603020051).
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, recently grilled all five FCC commissioners about net neutrality, the Commerce Committee on which he sits disclosed last week. Cruz, an ardent net neutrality critic who at times incorporated that criticism into his campaign for president, submitted questions for the record to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the other four commissioners about the topic following the committee's March 2 FCC oversight hearing (see 1603020051).
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn called FCC rate-of-return USF changes a "win-win" for rural consumers wanting broadband and phone consumers paying into the USF. Clyburn said she was proud the FCC went beyond fixing a stand-alone broadband problem that prevented rural telcos from receiving USF support when customers with high-speed Internet access dropped traditional phone service. "We are also establishing a blueprint to connect unserved households and modernize the Connect America Fund to ensure that rate-of-return carriers use finite resources as efficiently as possible," she said in a statement that accompanied the 249-page Order and Further NPRM released Wednesday (see 1603300065).
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn called FCC rate-of-return USF changes a "win-win" for rural consumers wanting broadband and phone consumers paying into the USF. Clyburn said she was proud the FCC went beyond fixing a stand-alone broadband problem that prevented rural telcos from receiving USF support when customers with high-speed Internet access dropped traditional phone service. "We are also establishing a blueprint to connect unserved households and modernize the Connect America Fund to ensure that rate-of-return carriers use finite resources as efficiently as possible," she said in a statement that accompanied the 249-page Order and Further NPRM released Wednesday (see 1603300065).
The FCC voted 3-2 to approve a Lifeline modernization order that extends USF low-income subsidies to broadband service and streamlines the program's administration. But the agency didn't act until after its Thursday meeting was delayed three times, an attempted -- or apparent -- budget compromise collapsed, and Republicans dissented and cried foul. Commissioner Mike O'Rielly suggested personal relations had been "irreparably" harmed because the Democrats "will misrepresent, cut corners and welch on deals." Asked about certain Republican charges, Chairman Tom Wheeler said, "Balderdash."
The FCC voted 3-2 to approve a Lifeline modernization order that extends USF low-income subsidies to broadband service and streamlines the program's administration. But the agency didn't act until after its Thursday meeting was delayed three times, an attempted -- or apparent -- budget compromise collapsed, and Republicans dissented and cried foul. Commissioner Mike O'Rielly suggested personal relations had been "irreparably" harmed because the Democrats "will misrepresent, cut corners and welch on deals." Asked about certain Republican charges, Chairman Tom Wheeler said, "Balderdash."
A three-hour FCC oversight hearing before the House Communications Subcommittee Tuesday became tangled in questions of FCC process and how commissioners can discuss items pending at the commission. Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., helped trigger what became a fierce debate with his questioning. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., raised the same issues in the last week (see 1603210052).
The departure at month's end of FTC Commissioner Julie Brill, described as an influential and staunch privacy and consumer protection advocate with international standing, may rejuvenate political will behind giving the agency its full five members, privacy lawyers said in interviews Tuesday. Brill will join Hogan Lovells as a partner and co-director of the privacy and cybersecurity practice. There will be two open seats -- one Democratic and one Republican -- which some said might spur the Obama administration and Senate to act on nominations