Despite concerns on lack of U.S. preparedness for the recent prep meeting for the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (see 1903010042), FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said Monday the U.S. will be ready and should win on the most important points. “Stay tuned” and concerns will be addressed soon, he said during a lunch speech at Wiley Rein: “Government being as it can be, it does take a little bit longer than you would like.” O’Rielly said emphatically the Trump administration will never launch a government 5G network.
T-Mobile is “concerned” language in the FCC draft reimbursement order appears to question the carrier’s motives for advocating low-power TV stations that received repacking funds from third parties be eligible for federal reimbursement, T-Mobile said in meetings and calls with aides to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, aides to Commissioners Geoffrey Starks and Jessica Rosenworcel, and Incentive Auction Task Force Chair Jean Kiddoo, recounted a filing in docket 18-214. Jenner & Block attorney Howard Symons, former IATF vice chair, represented T-Mobile. The draft order declines to pay out reimbursement funds to such LPTV stations (see 1902220062), and says the proposal would amount to reimbursing T-Mobile. The carrier “stepped forward” to reimburse the LPTV stations, and has been recognized by the agency for doing so, the company said. The stations should be reimbursed as long as they certify they aren’t receiving double payments, said T-Mobile. The carrier asked the agency to make clear LPTV stations that received third-party funds are eligible to receive reimbursement dollars for expenses not covered by that pay-out.
President Donald Trump sowed confusion Thursday on the administration’s stance on a ban on using equipment from Chinese suppliers Huawei and ZTE in U.S. networks. With a key industry meeting at the Mobile World Congress next week (see 1902060056), Trump posted two tweets stressing the importance of 5G and U.S. competitiveness.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s call for restrictions on e-cigarette ads isn’t likely to lead to direct FCC action, said e-cigarette industry officials and broadcast and First Amendment attorneys in interviews (see 1902140063). Rosenworcel isn’t necessarily aiming for an FCC rule against such ads, said broadcast attorneys and an aide in her office. “All I’ve done is called for the idea that the FCC, FTC, and [Food and Drug Administration] should come together, look at what laws are on their books, and identify if there are things we can do,” Rosenworcel said in a news conference last week. Commissioner Brendan Carr has said he would oppose such a move.
President Donald Trump sowed confusion Thursday on the administration’s stance on a ban on using equipment from Chinese suppliers Huawei and ZTE in U.S. networks. With a key industry meeting at the Mobile World Congress next week (see 1902060056), Trump posted two tweets stressing the importance of 5G and U.S. competitiveness.
President Donald Trump sowed confusion Thursday on the administration’s stance on a ban on using equipment from Chinese suppliers Huawei and ZTE in U.S. networks. With a key industry meeting at the Mobile World Congress next week (see 1902060056), Trump posted two tweets stressing the importance of 5G and U.S. competitiveness.
Commissioners approved 5-0 a Connect America Fund order to transition from legacy, Phase I price-cap incumbent telco support to CAF II support won at auction last year. As some expected (see 1902130054), the FCC stuck to a draft decision to decline a USTelecom proposal for interim voice support in certain areas, though it did make tweaks in response to ILEC requests. At Thursday's meeting, members also unanimously approved an IP captioned telephone service order, Further NPRM and order aimed at enhancing program management, combating abuse and improving emergency call management.
Commissioners voted 5-0 Thursday to launch a rulemaking on curbing spoofed robocalls, implementing as expected (see 1902120050) part of Ray Baum's Act. Chairman Ajit Pai led with the item during a news conference. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly raised concerns the U.S. can’t take action against some international spoofers. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel questioned whether the FCC is doing enough to take enforcement actions against robocallers.
Commissioners voted 5-0 Thursday to launch a rulemaking on curbing spoofed robocalls, implementing as expected (see 1902120050) part of Ray Baum's Act. Chairman Ajit Pai led with the item during a news conference. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly raised concerns the U.S. can’t take action against some international spoofers. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel questioned whether the FCC is doing enough to take enforcement actions against robocallers.
The FCC’s media modernization effort should be scrutinized for ignoring “foundational statutory obligations” and bypassing policies “truly in need of modernization,” said new Commissioner Geoffrey Starks in an extended statement at Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting. Starks and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel voted “concur” on a unanimously approved order eliminating redundant midterm equal employment opportunity reports (see 1901180043). They urged the FCC to restore long-stalled collection of employment data on diversity. The agency will issue an Further NPRM on broad EEO enforcement within 90 days, Chairman Ajit Pai said.