Broadcasters seeking broad relaxation of children's TV rules found themselves at odds with programmers and consumer groups, in comments on the FCC's kidvid NPRM in docket 18-202 in time for Monday's deadline. Though almost all commenters agreed existing rules are outdated, nearly every broadcaster filing supported the FCC's proposed rule changes. “The existing children’s TV regulatory regime leads to less than optimal use of limited air time to the detriment of stations and their local audiences,” said NAB. House Communications Subcommittee Democrats are expected to note their concerns about the kidvid NPRM during a Thursday hearing on the state of the media marketplace (see 1809260054).
The FCC approved a declaratory ruling and order designed to speed the deployment of small cells and 5G across the U.S. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, whose vote had been in doubt (see 1809200007), partially dissented and partially concurred Wednesday.
The FCC approved a declaratory ruling and order designed to speed the deployment of small cells and 5G across the U.S. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, whose vote had been in doubt (see 1809200007), partially dissented and partially concurred Wednesday.
House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and seven other committee Democrats urged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday to postpone a planned vote at the commission's Wednesday meeting on the pending 5G wireless infrastructure order and declaratory ruling (see 1809190030). House Digital Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, and 24 other House Republicans meanwhile urged Pai to move forward on proposals that match the draft order. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel declined to say last week whether she will vote for the ruling and order. Commissioner Brendan Carr, the architect of the 5G order, continued to defend it (see 1809210005). The ruling and order's proposed language limiting “the purpose for which small wireless facility fees can be collected by cities and municipalities … will only stifle local policy innovation, including efforts to bridge the digital divide,” the House Commerce Democrats said in a letter led by Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif. It's “troubling that many cities and municipalities feel like they have not been heard by the Commission in this process,” including not providing adequate opportunity to “provide feedback on the proposed presumptive fee limits,” the Democrats said. The FCC's “failure to make a genuine effort to understand and take into account the perspectives of all stakeholders, including localities, raises doubts about whether the proposal in the Declaratory Ruling and Order will in fact yield the best result for consumers.” The FCC should "act swiftly to clear the way for more investment in our nation's vital communications infrastructure," House Republicans said in a letter led by Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo. "The FCC should take steps to ensure capital is being invested in deploying broadband, not being spent on burdensome regulations that make investing in higher cost areas, particularly in rural America, less feasible." China and South Korea "are eager to win" the race to 5G, "which is why we need smart, efficient" FCC regulations "that promote investment so the U.S. ultimately wins, the Republicans said. "We are pleased to see the strong support expressed today [in the Republicans' letter] for the policies the FCC will vote on tomorrow," a Carr spokesman said. "Their letter builds on the support we’ve already seen from more than several dozen mayors and state officials from across the country. Seventeen months into this proceeding, it is time to act and ensure our regulations are 5G ready.”
House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and seven other committee Democrats urged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday to postpone a planned vote at the commission's Wednesday meeting on the pending 5G wireless infrastructure order and declaratory ruling (see 1809190030). House Digital Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, and 24 other House Republicans meanwhile urged Pai to move forward on proposals that match the draft order. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel declined to say last week whether she will vote for the ruling and order. Commissioner Brendan Carr, the architect of the 5G order, continued to defend it (see 1809210005). The ruling and order's proposed language limiting “the purpose for which small wireless facility fees can be collected by cities and municipalities … will only stifle local policy innovation, including efforts to bridge the digital divide,” the House Commerce Democrats said in a letter led by Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif. It's “troubling that many cities and municipalities feel like they have not been heard by the Commission in this process,” including not providing adequate opportunity to “provide feedback on the proposed presumptive fee limits,” the Democrats said. The FCC's “failure to make a genuine effort to understand and take into account the perspectives of all stakeholders, including localities, raises doubts about whether the proposal in the Declaratory Ruling and Order will in fact yield the best result for consumers.” The FCC should "act swiftly to clear the way for more investment in our nation's vital communications infrastructure," House Republicans said in a letter led by Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo. "The FCC should take steps to ensure capital is being invested in deploying broadband, not being spent on burdensome regulations that make investing in higher cost areas, particularly in rural America, less feasible." China and South Korea "are eager to win" the race to 5G, "which is why we need smart, efficient" FCC regulations "that promote investment so the U.S. ultimately wins, the Republicans said. "We are pleased to see the strong support expressed today [in the Republicans' letter] for the policies the FCC will vote on tomorrow," a Carr spokesman said. "Their letter builds on the support we’ve already seen from more than several dozen mayors and state officials from across the country. Seventeen months into this proceeding, it is time to act and ensure our regulations are 5G ready.”
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel declined to say Thursday whether she will vote for the pending 5G wireless infrastructure order and declaratory ruling at the Wednesday commissioners' meeting, and she expressed strong reservations. Rosenworcel also said at a Politico 5G discussion that U.S. tariffs against China are going be harmful to 5G. Commissioner Brendan Carr, the architect of the 5G order, defended the action the FCC is poised to take next week.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel declined to say Thursday whether she will vote for the pending 5G wireless infrastructure order and declaratory ruling at the Wednesday commissioners' meeting, and she expressed strong reservations. Rosenworcel also said at a Politico 5G discussion that U.S. tariffs against China are going be harmful to 5G. Commissioner Brendan Carr, the architect of the 5G order, defended the action the FCC is poised to take next week.
The wireless infrastructure declaratory ruling and order, set for a vote Sept. 26, could sail through the FCC 4-0, though Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is still considered a wildcard, industry and FCC officials said. Meanwhile, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly will support the order, but potentially with concerns on whether it goes far enough. New York City and Los Angeles County raised late concerns.
The wireless infrastructure declaratory ruling and order, set for a vote Sept. 26, could sail through the FCC 4-0, though Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is still considered a wildcard, industry and FCC officials said. Meanwhile, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly will support the order, but potentially with concerns on whether it goes far enough. New York City and Los Angeles County raised late concerns.
Local government officials warned concerns continue over wireless 911 location accuracy, at an NG911 Institute lunch Wednesday. Meanwhile, CTIA said the four nationwide wireless providers -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon -- are adding new location-based tools to existing wireless 911 location technologies starting this year.