The “complex nature” of Mozilla’s net neutrality proposal to classify broadband as a telecom service for edge providers “could create unexpected difficulties for enforcement" but should not disqualify it from consideration, Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld and Vice President Michael Weinberg told FCC Chief Technology Officer Scott Jordan at a meeting Tuesday (http://bit.ly/1simO8r), said an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 14-28. Any user-controlled prioritization “should truly be the result of user decisions and control, and should not involve payment from edge providers to ISPs for prioritization,” Public Knowledge said. Allowing a regulated service such as voice phone calling to operate within a specific specialized service could be permissible under strong open Internet rules, but would have to continue to operate under existing regulatory protections, they said. The commission doesn't necessarily have to address potential abuses under interconnection agreements, but open Internet rules should recognize the possibility and begin to take steps to address them, they said. The Mozilla petition is “legally riskier” than straightforward Communications Act Title II reclassification because it relies on untested definitions and relationships between ISPs and users, said Sarah Morris, senior policy counsel for the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute, at a meeting Monday that included Feld, Weinberg and an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, according to an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/1sYNRJI) posted in the same docket. It said OTI and Public Knowledge said Title II reclassification with forbearance is the “soundest, clearest path forward.”
The “complex nature” of Mozilla’s net neutrality proposal to classify broadband as a telecom service for edge providers “could create unexpected difficulties for enforcement" but should not disqualify it from consideration, Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld and Vice President Michael Weinberg told FCC Chief Technology Officer Scott Jordan at a meeting Tuesday (http://bit.ly/1simO8r), said an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 14-28. Any user-controlled prioritization “should truly be the result of user decisions and control, and should not involve payment from edge providers to ISPs for prioritization,” Public Knowledge said. Allowing a regulated service such as voice phone calling to operate within a specific specialized service could be permissible under strong open Internet rules, but would have to continue to operate under existing regulatory protections, they said. The commission doesn't necessarily have to address potential abuses under interconnection agreements, but open Internet rules should recognize the possibility and begin to take steps to address them, they said. The Mozilla petition is “legally riskier” than straightforward Communications Act Title II reclassification because it relies on untested definitions and relationships between ISPs and users, said Sarah Morris, senior policy counsel for the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute, at a meeting Monday that included Feld, Weinberg and an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, according to an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/1sYNRJI) posted in the same docket. It said OTI and Public Knowledge said Title II reclassification with forbearance is the “soundest, clearest path forward.”
FCC commissioners, despite partisan divisions, approved as expected (see 1410160055) issuing a Further NPRM Friday, seeking comment on a number of inmate calling services (ICS) reforms. Republicans Ajit Pai and Mike O’Rielly concurred in part, and questioned whether the agency has the legal authority to enact rate caps and other reforms.
The FCC approved on a 5-0 vote Friday an order designed to speed deployment of distributed antenna systems, small cells and other wireless facilities. In a late change negotiated by Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, the FCC reduced from 90 to 60 days the period of review before a collocation application can be deemed granted. In return, CTIA and PCIA agreed to work with local jurisdictions on streamlining the approval process. Commissioners noted that infrastructure buildout is as important to deployment as spectrum for robust wireless networks. The FCC also approved, 5-0, a notice of inquiry examining new developments in technology that could increase the viability of operations in bands above 24 GHz.
The White House announced its renomination of Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly Wednesday, setting the stage for a Senate confirmation vote either in the lame-duck session or, more likely, next year, lobbyists told us. But if it’s pushed to next year, O'Rielly would require another White House renomination, a Senate Republican staffer cautioned, urging speedy action this year. The Senate won’t return until after the November elections.
The White House announced its renomination of Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly Wednesday, setting the stage for a Senate confirmation vote either in the lame-duck session or, more likely, next year, lobbyists told us. But if it’s pushed to next year, O'Rielly would require another White House renomination, a Senate Republican staffer cautioned, urging speedy action this year. The Senate won’t return until after the November elections.
The FCC approved two NPRMs Tuesday designed to move the agency several steps closer to a TV incentive auction, still expected to take place next year. The first NPRM seeks comment on how Wi-Fi and other unlicensed transmissions will be able to use the TV spectrum post-auction. A second seeks comment on wireless mics that use the 600 MHz band. The FCC approved both on 5-0 votes.
The FCC approved two NPRMs Tuesday designed to move the agency several steps closer to a TV incentive auction, still expected to take place next year. The first NPRM seeks comment on how Wi-Fi and other unlicensed transmissions will be able to use the TV spectrum post-auction. A second seeks comment on wireless mics that use the 600 MHz band. The FCC approved both on 5-0 votes.
The FCC approved two rulemakings Tuesday designed to move the agency several steps closer to a TV incentive auction, still expected to take place next year. The first seeks comment on how Wi-Fi and other unlicensed transmissions will be able to use the TV spectrum post-auction. A second seeks comment on wireless mics that use the 600 MHz band. The FCC approved both on 5-0 votes.
A third FCC commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel, backs issuing the Further NPRM on inmate calling services being circulated by Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn (CD Sept 26 p10), a Rosenworcel aide told us Friday. “Commissioner Rosenworcel supports asking more questions to continue the goal of reforming inmate calling services and doing so without further delay,” emailed Valery Galasso, special advisor to Rosenworcel. Though three members would constitute a majority of the commission, it was not immediately clear when the item would be formally approved. The FNPRM prepares for taking “the next critical step toward reducing the high price paid by inmates and their families to communicate,” said Wheeler and Clyburn in a statement (http://fcc.us/1BgnReG) Thursday. The commission’s 2013 order (CD Aug 12/13 p3), which included interim price caps on interstate inmate calls, reduced those rates by as much as nearly 40 percent, the statement said, but “many families of inmates still face exorbitant rates for in-state calls, not to mention punitive and irrational fees -- all of which make the simple act of staying in touch unaffordable.” The proposed FNPRM would make permanent the interim caps, create permanent caps on intrastate calls, bar the commissions ICS providers pay to correctional facilities, and cap ancillary charges placed on top of the rates (CD Sept 25 p1). The proposed FNPRM “proposes a simple, market-based solution to address all these problems. It proposes rules that will ensure that ALL Americans -- including inmates and their families -- have access to phone service at rates that are just, reasonable and fair,” said Clyburn and Wheeler. The 2013 order was approved on a partisan vote, and some elements were stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (CD Jan14 p3). A spokesman for Commissioner Ajit Pai, who dissented to the 2013 order, said in an email to us, “we hope that the agency will reach a bipartisan consensus that heeds the limits of the law.” Arent Fox’s Stephanie Joyce, representing Securus, said the ICS provider would file comments if the FNPRM is issued. The circulation of the item was praised by Clarissa Ramon, Public Knowledge government affairs and outreach associate (http://bit.ly/1qChuw3): “The families of prisoners deserve relief from high fees and phone costs that result from the commission system in many states. We believe this is a step in the right direction for families of incarcerated individuals.”