California’s net neutrality law still faces industry challenge after DOJ notified (in Pacer) the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of California Monday that it moved to voluntarily dismiss the case (see 2102080059). Judge John Mendez soon afterward dismissed (in Pacer) and closed case 2:18-cv-02660, but not USTelecom, ACA Connects and other industry associations’ separate suit in case 2:18-cv-02684 before the same judge. Democrats applauded DOJ's withdrawing.
California’s net neutrality law still faces industry challenge after DOJ notified (in Pacer) the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of California Monday that it moved to voluntarily dismiss the case (see 2102080059). Judge John Mendez soon afterward dismissed (in Pacer) and closed case 2:18-cv-02660, but not USTelecom, ACA Connects and other industry associations’ separate suit in case 2:18-cv-02684 before the same judge. Democrats applauded DOJ's withdrawing.
The FCC Wireline Bureau seeks comment by Feb. 16, replies by Feb. 23, in docket 21-31 on petitions from the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and others asking E-rate funds be used to support remote learning, said a public notice Monday (see 2101260055). Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, "We need to get to work to update E-rate funding so all our students can be connected to virtual classrooms." She called this a "first step in a process to hear about the emergency relief communities are seeking and to chart a path forward for the FCC to help solve this crisis."
The FCC Wireline Bureau seeks comment by Feb. 16, replies by Feb. 23, in docket 21-31 on petitions from the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and others asking E-rate funds be used to support remote learning, said a public notice Monday (see 2101260055). Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, "We need to get to work to update E-rate funding so all our students can be connected to virtual classrooms." She called this a "first step in a process to hear about the emergency relief communities are seeking and to chart a path forward for the FCC to help solve this crisis."
Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel moves Michele Ellison to acting general counsel and Joel Taubenblatt to Wireless Bureau acting chief; Tom Johnson steps down as general counsel and continues at FCC, now at Wireless Bureau, where outgoing Chief Don Stockdale moves to Office of Economics and Analytics; Rosenworcel also makes staff appointments and "special designations to the Office of the Chairwoman": acting Chief of Staff Travis Litman, acting Chief Policy Adviser Kate Black and acting Chief Counsel Umair Javed, all worked in her commissioner's office; acting Special Adviser to the Chairwoman D’wana Terry, who remains acting director, Office of Workplace Diversity; acting Special Adviser to the Chairwoman Sanford Williams, who remains director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities; acting Special Adviser to the Chairwoman Trent Harkrader, also remaining deputy chief, Wireline Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Media Holly Saurer, joining from Media Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Consumer, Enforcement and International David Strickland, from Enforcement Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Wireline Ramesh Nagarajan, from Wireline Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Wireless and Public Safety Ethan Lucarelli, from Wireless Bureau; acting Staff Assistant Aurelle Porter, from then-Commissioner Rosenworcel’s office; and acting Confidential Assistant Andi Roane, who worked for office of Commissioner Nathan Simington.
Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel moves Michele Ellison to acting general counsel and Joel Taubenblatt to Wireless Bureau acting chief; Tom Johnson steps down as general counsel and continues at FCC, now at Wireless Bureau, where outgoing Chief Don Stockdale moves to Office of Economics and Analytics; Rosenworcel also makes staff appointments and "special designations to the Office of the Chairwoman": acting Chief of Staff Travis Litman, acting Chief Policy Adviser Kate Black and acting Chief Counsel Umair Javed, all worked in her commissioner's office; acting Special Adviser to the Chairwoman D’wana Terry, who remains acting director, Office of Workplace Diversity; acting Special Adviser to the Chairwoman Sanford Williams, who remains director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities; acting Special Adviser to the Chairwoman Trent Harkrader, also remaining deputy chief, Wireline Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Media Holly Saurer, joining from Media Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Consumer, Enforcement and International David Strickland, from Enforcement Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Wireline Ramesh Nagarajan, from Wireline Bureau; acting Legal Adviser-Wireless and Public Safety Ethan Lucarelli, from Wireless Bureau; acting Staff Assistant Aurelle Porter, from then-Commissioner Rosenworcel’s office; and acting Confidential Assistant Andi Roane, who worked for office of Commissioner Nathan Simington.
Public safety officials hope the FCC will reverse course on the 4.9 GHz band, reallocated to the states in September (see 2009300050), they told a Public Safety Spectrum Alliance webinar Thursday. Speakers endorsed petitions by PSSA and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council asking the FCC to reverse the change. Democrats Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks dissented, but experts said the outlook is uncertain due to the split 2-2 commission. FCC officials told us the order is one of a large number that will have to be addressed under new leadership.
Regulators cleared three items circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai last week -- opening the 12 GHz band to 5G, proposing bidding procedures for a 2.5 GHz auction and unveiling the first round of selections for the agency's Connected Care pilot program (see 2101060061). Pai, who leaves next week, effectively forced a vote.
Chairman Ajit Pai’s final FCC commissioners' meeting Wednesday and its subsequent news conferences included condemnations of President Donald Trump by Republicans, speculation about future action on social media moderation, and presentations on staff work during Pai’s tenure. Pai said he had planned pre-election to leave the post after a single term, declining to comment on his plans or the second impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Chairman Ajit Pai’s final FCC commissioners' meeting Wednesday and its subsequent news conferences included condemnations of President Donald Trump by Republicans, speculation about future action on social media moderation, and presentations on staff work during Pai’s tenure. Pai said he had planned pre-election to leave the post after a single term, declining to comment on his plans or the second impeachment of President Donald Trump.