The House Communications Subcommittee easily cleared the draft FCC Reauthorization Act Wednesday on a bipartisan voice vote, as expected (see 1710100066). Lawmakers made clear additional negotiations need to happen before the full House Commerce Committee considers the bill. House Communications Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., filed a manager's amendment Tuesday that removed several contentious provisions included in her original discussion draft and incorporated bipartisan telecom-related bills in an effort to get Democratic support. Additional revisions to Blackburn's bill aren't likely to hinder House Commerce approval, industry lobbyists told us.

The House Communications Subcommittee easily cleared the draft FCC Reauthorization Act Wednesday on a bipartisan voice vote, as expected (see 1710100066). Lawmakers made clear additional negotiations need to happen before the full House Commerce Committee considers the bill. House Communications Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., filed a manager's amendment Tuesday that removed several contentious provisions included in her original discussion draft and incorporated bipartisan telecom-related bills in an effort to get Democratic support. Additional revisions to Blackburn's bill aren't likely to hinder House Commerce approval, industry lobbyists told us.

Localities and others urged the FCC not to find advanced telecom capability (ATC) is being adequately deployed based on weakened standards, including that mobile service is a sufficient substitute for faster, fixed service. Large industry parties continued to support a finding that broadband-like ATC is being deployed in "reasonable and timely fashion" to all Americans pursuant to a Telecom Act Section 706 mandate. Replies on a notice of inquiry were posted last week and Tuesday in docket 17-199 (see 1709220034, 1709250009 and 1709210061). Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel recently voiced alarm the FCC might soften its current ATC speed benchmark by deciding 10/1 Mbps mobile service is an adequate substitute for 25/3 Mbps fixed service (see 1709200042).

Localities and others urged the FCC not to find advanced telecom capability (ATC) is being adequately deployed based on weakened standards, including that mobile service is a sufficient substitute for faster, fixed service. Large industry parties continued to support a finding that broadband-like ATC is being deployed in "reasonable and timely fashion" to all Americans pursuant to a Telecom Act Section 706 mandate. Replies on a notice of inquiry were posted last week and Tuesday in docket 17-199 (see 1709220034, 1709250009 and 1709210061). Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel recently voiced alarm the FCC might soften its current ATC speed benchmark by deciding 10/1 Mbps mobile service is an adequate substitute for 25/3 Mbps fixed service (see 1709200042).

Sprint executives met with FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Donald Stockdale and others from the bureau to make their case for improved wireless siting rules. “Sprint addressed the urgent need for the Commission to reform the tribal historic review process,” said a filing in docket 17-79. “Sprint noted that the Commission has various means to lower costs for tribal historic reviews that do not impact eligible historic properties, including allowing costs only for consultation when an affected property is identified or by broadening exclusions.” Sprint also said the FCC should clarify the term tower in the context of National Historic Preservation Act reviews. “Specifically, Sprint noted that the replacement of an existing street light, utility pole, or traffic signal with one capable of supporting a small-cell collocation does not change the ‘primary purpose’ of the structure as a street light, utility pole, or traffic signal,” the carrier said.

Capitol Hill Democrats unveiled a proposal Thursday for a $40 billion investment in broadband deployments in rural, urban and tribal areas, part of their “A Better Deal” economic agenda. The broadband proposal would rely on a mix of public and private participation, including involvement from ISPs and local governments, Democrats said in a white paper. “The electricity of 2017 is high-speed Internet,” the Democrats said in a parallel to the Great Depression-era push to expand electric power deployment. “This is a really good deal,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., during a news conference: Urban areas “take this for granted.” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said, "Whether you are in the Berkshires or Bozeman, the infrastructure that connects Americans to each other is helping spur economic growth and democratic action.” Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Jon Tester, D-Mont.; and Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., Rick Nolan, D-Minn., and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also joined in unveiling the plan. The lawmakers said they would pursue inclusion of their plan in a broadband title in a forthcoming infrastructure legislative package and could also pursue including it in future appropriations bills. The proposal drew laudatory statements from some. "Closing the digital divide won’t be easy or inexpensive, but an economic jump-start for areas without access to broadband internet service will be worth the investment and remains a national priority," said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. CTIA is “encouraged by today’s announcement by Democrats highlighting the importance of expanding rural broadband access,” said Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Kelly Cole. “The wireless industry stands ready to work with all policy makers to enact policies that will support investment and deployment of infrastructure that will increase connectivity for all Americans.”

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said she's pursuing her FCC reauthorization bill despite recent delays in work to revise a draft of the bill that circulated in July and was discussed at a House Communications oversight hearing (see 1707190051, 1707250059 and 1709220055). “Our proposed reauthorization bill includes relief from the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule, a proposal that has had some bipartisan support in the past,” Blackburn said during a Media Institute event Wednesday evening. “We should at least be able to agree to this slight nod to reality as a first step in considering further reform.” Also at the event, Tegna CEO Dave Lougee said localism is an antidote to America’s increased tribalism, and broadcasters need regulatory changes to continue providing locally focused content. “Localism undermines division,” Lougee said. He's “optimistic” the FCC will loosen ownership restrictions to allow broadcasters to better compete with large companies in other media. “We have to move away from archaic rules and anachronistic market definitions,” Lougee said.

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said she's pursuing her FCC reauthorization bill despite recent delays in work to revise a draft of the bill that circulated in July and was discussed at a House Communications oversight hearing (see 1707190051, 1707250059 and 1709220055). “Our proposed reauthorization bill includes relief from the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule, a proposal that has had some bipartisan support in the past,” Blackburn said during a Media Institute event Wednesday evening. “We should at least be able to agree to this slight nod to reality as a first step in considering further reform.” Also at the event, Tegna CEO Dave Lougee said localism is an antidote to America’s increased tribalism, and broadcasters need regulatory changes to continue providing locally focused content. “Localism undermines division,” Lougee said. He's “optimistic” the FCC will loosen ownership restrictions to allow broadcasters to better compete with large companies in other media. “We have to move away from archaic rules and anachronistic market definitions,” Lougee said.

Capitol Hill Democrats unveiled a proposal Thursday for a $40 billion investment in broadband deployments in rural, urban and tribal areas, part of their “A Better Deal” economic agenda. The broadband proposal would rely on a mix of public and private participation, including involvement from ISPs and local governments, Democrats said in a white paper. “The electricity of 2017 is high-speed Internet,” the Democrats said in a parallel to the Great Depression-era push to expand electric power deployment. “This is a really good deal,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., during a news conference: Urban areas “take this for granted.” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said, "Whether you are in the Berkshires or Bozeman, the infrastructure that connects Americans to each other is helping spur economic growth and democratic action.” Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Jon Tester, D-Mont.; and Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., Rick Nolan, D-Minn., and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also joined in unveiling the plan. The lawmakers said they would pursue inclusion of their plan in a broadband title in a forthcoming infrastructure legislative package and could also pursue including it in future appropriations bills. The proposal drew laudatory statements from some. "Closing the digital divide won’t be easy or inexpensive, but an economic jump-start for areas without access to broadband internet service will be worth the investment and remains a national priority," said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. CTIA is “encouraged by today’s announcement by Democrats highlighting the importance of expanding rural broadband access,” said Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Kelly Cole. “The wireless industry stands ready to work with all policy makers to enact policies that will support investment and deployment of infrastructure that will increase connectivity for all Americans.”

Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel slammed the 2017 version of the FCC’s mobile wireless competition report, approved 3-2 Tuesday in a party-line vote. Both questioned whether wireless in parts of the U.S. is genuinely competitive. During the Obama administration, the FCC repeatedly declined to determine there's effective competition in the U.S. wireless market. The new report says there is. The disagreement was expected and has been a topic of contention between Republicans and Democrats (see 1709220049).