Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., spoke to telecom officials in his state Monday, citing the precedent that FCC chairs step down at the end of a given administration, an aide told us. Thune’s exchange came at the South Dakota Telecom Association during its annual meeting in Brookings. Thune has pressed FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to step down at the end of the Obama administration and said Wheeler's reluctance to make that commitment contributed to the GOP holds on the reconfirmation of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Thune also spoke about net neutrality and how that issue is affecting the landscape and on USF and the status of stand-alone broadband support, the aide said. Thune called such stand-alone support an achieved matter following years of pressure but pledged to monitor the more comprehensive rate of return overhaul the FCC adopted this year.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., spoke to telecom officials in his state Monday, citing the precedent that FCC chairs step down at the end of a given administration, an aide told us. Thune’s exchange came at the South Dakota Telecom Association during its annual meeting in Brookings. Thune has pressed FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to step down at the end of the Obama administration and said Wheeler's reluctance to make that commitment contributed to the GOP holds on the reconfirmation of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Thune also spoke about net neutrality and how that issue is affecting the landscape and on USF and the status of stand-alone broadband support, the aide said. Thune called such stand-alone support an achieved matter following years of pressure but pledged to monitor the more comprehensive rate of return overhaul the FCC adopted this year.
The FCC gave utilities and schools some relief from Telephone Consumer Protection Act enforcement in a ruling approved by commissioners over a partial dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC granted “substantial relief” to Blackboard, a communications program used by schools, and the Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association, which jointly sought ability to notify utility customers without violating the TCPA.
The FCC gave utilities and schools some relief from Telephone Consumer Protection Act enforcement in a ruling approved by commissioners over a partial dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC granted “substantial relief” to Blackboard, a communications program used by schools, and the Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association, which jointly sought ability to notify utility customers without violating the TCPA.
The uncertain timing of a federal USF contribution overhaul stirred debate over whether states should proceed with changes to their own funds. In replies Friday at the Nebraska Public Service Commission, some telecom companies urged the PSC to wait to revamp its surcharge methodology until the FCC Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service and the FCC act on federal contribution reform. It’s unclear when the Joint Board will issue a recommendation; the FCC USF contribution reform proceeding has been open for more than a decade.
The FCC approved by 5-0 Thursday most of Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal for opening high-frequency spectrum for 5G. The order and Further NPRM got a few tweaks -- the agency will now ask about spectrum bands above 95 GHz -- but it largely tracks the proposal laid out in a June fact sheet (see 1606240026). All commissioners said the order puts the U.S. ahead of the rest of the world in the race to 5G.
The FCC approved by 5-0 Thursday most of Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal for opening high-frequency spectrum for 5G. The order and Further NPRM got a few tweaks -- the agency will now ask about spectrum bands above 95 GHz -- but it largely tracks the proposal laid out in a June fact sheet (see 1606240026). All commissioners said the order puts the U.S. ahead of the rest of the world in the race to 5G.
The FCC approved by 5-0 Thursday most of Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal for opening high-frequency spectrum for 5G. The order and Further NPRM got a few tweaks -- the agency will now ask about spectrum bands above 95 GHz -- but it largely tracks the proposal laid out in a June fact sheet (see 1606240026). All commissioners said the order puts the U.S. ahead of the rest of the world in the race to 5G.
The Copyright Office has concerns about the FCC set-top box rulemaking, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and House Commerce Committee Vice Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Tuesday during a House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing. Both have met with the CO and said they believe FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal can't go forward as is. Momentum is with an alternative pay-TV proposal (see 1607120079), which Wheeler welcomed in prepared testimony (see 1607110063).
The Copyright Office has concerns about the FCC set-top box rulemaking, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and House Commerce Committee Vice Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Tuesday during a House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing. Both have met with the CO and said they believe FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal can't go forward as is. Momentum is with an alternative pay-TV proposal (see 1607120079), which Wheeler welcomed in prepared testimony (see 1607110063).