The FCC's referring a deal to its administrative law judge traditionally has been the kiss of death to a transaction, but some see Chairman Ajit Pai's announcement that he has circulated a draft hearing designation order (HDO) on Sinclair's $3.9 billion buy of Tribune (see 1807160023) as possibly aimed more at stopping the deal as it's currently crafted. It also could put the deal on the back burner for now.
Commissioners approved 4-0 an NPRM and order Thursday that moves the U.S. a step closer to opening the C-band, key mid-band spectrum for 5G. The FCC will start by taking a snapshot of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band, though as expected the agency relaxed its reporting requirements for satellite companies from what was in the draft order (see 1807060025). Rather than asking for additional data from fixed satellite service earth stations, the FCC will require them only to certify that the information the agency has is up-to-date. Space station operators will have to provide basic information. The NPRM asks whether the FCC should seek additional data from satellite operators, officials said.
Commissioners approved 4-0 an NPRM and order Thursday that moves the U.S. a step closer to opening the C-band, key mid-band spectrum for 5G. The FCC will start by taking a snapshot of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band, though as expected the agency relaxed its reporting requirements for satellite companies from what was in the draft order (see 1807060025). Rather than asking for additional data from fixed satellite service earth stations, the FCC will require them only to certify that the information the agency has is up-to-date. Space station operators will have to provide basic information. The NPRM asks whether the FCC should seek additional data from satellite operators, officials said.
A possible FCC compromise on the draft kidvid NPRM didn’t materialize and the item was approved with a 3-1 party-line split Thursday (see 1807110051). Though Commissioner Mike O’Rielly acceded to a request from Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to edit the item to be free of tentative conclusions, Rosenworcel said Thursday the two sides couldn’t come to agreement. She praised O’Rielly’s willingness to negotiate and didn’t identify any other concessions she requested. “I was informed that even with these edits it was not sufficient to garner a bipartisan vote,” O’Rielly said. The version approved Thursday contains the same tentative conclusions as the draft item, O’Rielly and Media Bureau staff said.
A heated dispute over FCC changes to informal complaint procedures overshadowed commissioners' 3-1 approval of an order to streamline formal complaint processes. Dissenter Jessica Rosenworcel said the order effectively removes the agency from working to resolve informal complaints against companies, forcing consumers unsatisfied by company responses to file a formal complaint costing $225. "This is bonkers. No one should be asked to pay $225 for this agency to do its job," she said at Thursday's commissioners' meeting.
A heated dispute over FCC changes to informal complaint procedures overshadowed commissioners' 3-1 approval of an order to streamline formal complaint processes. Dissenter Jessica Rosenworcel said the order effectively removes the agency from working to resolve informal complaints against companies, forcing consumers unsatisfied by company responses to file a formal complaint costing $225. "This is bonkers. No one should be asked to pay $225 for this agency to do its job," she said at Thursday's commissioners' meeting.
The draft order and Further NPRM on emergency alert system tests and preventing false EAS alerts set for commissioners' Thursday meeting isn’t expected to run into opposition, FCC and industry officials told us Monday. The draft contains rules for authenticating EAS alerts, testing EAS equipment and informing the public, many involving processes and procedures already in use in some capacity by broadcasters and EAS equipment manufacturers, said Sage Alerting Systems President Harold Price. The draft item seeks comment on proposals similar to those advanced by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in reaction to the Hawaii false missile alert (see 1804050055), and is expected to be widely supported, an official told us.
EAS participants should be given 30-days notice of upcoming live code emergency alert system tests “to allow for planning and coordination,” the American Cable Association said in meetings with aides to Chairman Ajit Pai, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr, plus Public Safety Bureau staff, an ex parte filing in docket 15-91 posted Friday said. “We agree that this modest step would encourage wider participation in live code tests and help minimize disruptive side effects,” ACA said. Authorities should obtain contact information from EAS test participants that may have limited visibility within State Emergency Communications Committees (SECCs) or other planning bodies,” ACA said. The FCC “should work with State and local authorities as appropriate to help these authorities identify and acquire contact information for such participants.”
The Senate is likely to revisit timing of confirmation votes on FCC nominee Geoffrey Starks and Commissioner Brendan Carr’s second term during the coming July work period, after last-minute behind-the-scenes politicking led the chamber’s leaders Thursday to scrap approving the nominees under unanimous consent, Capitol Hill officials and communications sector lobbyists told us. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., had seen positive signs Thursday that the chamber would be able to clear Carr and Starks that day, in his bid to fast-track the confirmation process for the nominees (see 1806120047 and 1806280059).
The Senate is likely to revisit timing of confirmation votes on FCC nominee Geoffrey Starks and Commissioner Brendan Carr’s second term during the coming July work period, after last-minute behind-the-scenes politicking led the chamber’s leaders Thursday to scrap approving the nominees under unanimous consent, Capitol Hill officials and communications sector lobbyists told us. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., had seen positive signs Thursday that the chamber would be able to clear Carr and Starks that day, in his bid to fast-track the confirmation process for the nominees (see 1806120047 and 1806280059).