The FCC approved an NPRM on spectrum frontiers, spectrum at 24 GHz and above for 5G, Thursday. Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O’Rielly were critical of the approach in the NPRM. As some predicted (see 1510190067), they partially dissented. Pai said the NPRM leaves out critical spectrum bands that deserve more discussion. The NPRM tees up for further investigation the 28, 37, 39 and 64-71 GHz bands, the FCC said in a news release. The NPRM wasn't released Thursday.
The FCC unanimously approved an NPRM on proposals to make it easier for broadcasters to have foreign owners and change the way the commission assesses foreign ownership, as was expected (see 1510190064). The foreign ownership rules for broadcasting act as funding constraints that other industries don’t face, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel at Thursday’s commissioner meeting. The proposals in the NPRM would allow the FCC to allow broadcasters better access to foreign capital without “sacrificing” security, Rosenworcel said. “It’s time to fix these constraints,” she said. “If a common carrier can request commission approval for up to 100 percent foreign ownership, why shouldn’t a broadcaster be able to do the same?” Commissioner Ajit Pai asked.
The FCC adopted an inmate calling service (ICS) item Thursday to cap user rates, restrict ancillary fees and discourage ICS provider “site commission” payments indirectly, despite strong pushback from industry parties and sheriff groups. The actions were needed to ensure ICS charges are “just, reasonable and fair” and don’t impose an undue burden on inmates and their families, the agency said. The vote at the FCC meeting was 3-2, with Democrats approving and Republicans dissenting from an ICS order and Further NPRM on the topic.
The FCC approved an NPRM on spectrum frontiers, spectrum at 24 GHz and above for 5G, Thursday. Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O’Rielly were critical of the approach in the NPRM. As some predicted (see 1510190067), they partially dissented. Pai said the NPRM leaves out critical spectrum bands that deserve more discussion. The NPRM tees up for further investigation the 28, 37, 39 and 64-71 GHz bands, the FCC said in a news release. The NPRM wasn't released Thursday.
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel backed FCC inmate calling service (ICS) action as the agency heads toward a planned vote Thursday on a draft item to limit ICS user rates and charges. “The high cost that prison inmates and their families pay for phone service is not just a marketplace issue, it is a broader issue of social justice. That’s why it is so important for us to act in this proceeding,” Rosenworcel said in an email from her office in response to our query. The offices of other commissioners provided no comment on the plan circulated by Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to cap all ICS rates, restrict ancillary fees, "strongly discourage" site commissions indirectly and implement changes after 90 days (see 1509300067).
The FCC, NTIA and Department of Transportation plan to meet to discuss the future use of the 5.9 GHz band, a potentially important band for Wi-Fi, government officials confirm. The long-standing conflict is that the spectrum being looked at for unlicensed use, the 5850-5925 MHz band, has long been allocated to automakers for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) crash avoidance systems.
The FCC, NTIA and Department of Transportation plan to meet to discuss the future use of the 5.9 GHz band, a potentially important band for Wi-Fi, government officials confirm. The long-standing conflict is that the spectrum being looked at for unlicensed use, the 5850-5925 MHz band, has long been allocated to automakers for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) crash avoidance systems.
The FCC, NTIA and Department of Transportation plan to meet to discuss the future use of the 5.9 GHz band, a potentially important band for Wi-Fi, government officials confirm. The long-standing conflict is that the spectrum being looked at for unlicensed use, the 5850-5925 MHz band, has long been allocated to automakers for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) crash avoidance systems.
House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., immediately drilled down on what specific bands of spectrum Congress could target in legislation, pressing witnesses during a Wednesday subcommittee hearing on the topic. ”We have limited time and resource, too,” Walden told them. “Can you give us some suggestions?”
The Senate Commerce Committee may hammer together a spectrum legislation package “probably end of the year, early next year, I’d say,” Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., told us Tuesday. “There is” talk of specific spectrum bands to legislatively target for auction, Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, confirmed in an interview, declining to give numbers.