Representatives of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority met with Edward Smith, an aide to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, and urged the commission to approve a waiver request by Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN) and its subsidiary SAL Spectrum so SAL can benefit from rural bidding credits in the TV incentive auction (see 1606030018). The authority said it has a partnership with ATN and the waiver would help it offer wireless service throughout the Navajo Nation. The authority filed on the meeting in docket 12-268.

Two Democratic lawmakers touted New Mexico broadband connectivity Tuesday after a Monday roundtable in Albuquerque with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. “If we can have internet access at 30,000 feet in an airplane, we should be able to have internet access on tribal land and throughout rural New Mexico,” said House Communications Subcommittee member Ben Ray Lujan. Lack of broadband access “puts too many New Mexicans at a disadvantage,” Sen. Tom Udall said. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce committees, I'm fighting to ensure that no matter where you live, all New Mexicans can access reliable high speed broadband for business, health care, education and everyday communication.” Udall, Lujan and Clyburn “joined approximately 50 representatives from New Mexico telecommunications companies and rural telephone cooperatives to discuss efforts and challenges to expanding broadband access in rural communities and tribal lands across New Mexico,” a news release from the lawmakers said. It said after the roundtable, Luján and Clyburn traveled to Torreon, New Mexico, to "highlight the importance of the Lifeline program and efforts to modernize it to support broadband," and then to Crownpoint to visit Navajo Technical University to discuss the need to expand broadband access in tribal communities. Clyburn said the visit is part of her Connecting Communities tour: “We must be ever-vigilant in our attempts to close the digital and opportunities divide. With 21st century communications technologies, we can, with more ease and precision, greatly improve health outcomes for those currently without ready access to healthcare facilities; provide more immersive and comprehensive learning experiences for children and adults alike; increase civic engagement; and open up new avenues for people to find the jobs and acquire the skills needed to work in an internet economy.”

Two Democratic lawmakers touted New Mexico broadband connectivity Tuesday after a Monday roundtable in Albuquerque with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. “If we can have internet access at 30,000 feet in an airplane, we should be able to have internet access on tribal land and throughout rural New Mexico,” said House Communications Subcommittee member Ben Ray Lujan. Lack of broadband access “puts too many New Mexicans at a disadvantage,” Sen. Tom Udall said. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce committees, I'm fighting to ensure that no matter where you live, all New Mexicans can access reliable high speed broadband for business, health care, education and everyday communication.” Udall, Lujan and Clyburn “joined approximately 50 representatives from New Mexico telecommunications companies and rural telephone cooperatives to discuss efforts and challenges to expanding broadband access in rural communities and tribal lands across New Mexico,” a news release from the lawmakers said. It said after the roundtable, Luján and Clyburn traveled to Torreon, New Mexico, to "highlight the importance of the Lifeline program and efforts to modernize it to support broadband," and then to Crownpoint to visit Navajo Technical University to discuss the need to expand broadband access in tribal communities. Clyburn said the visit is part of her Connecting Communities tour: “We must be ever-vigilant in our attempts to close the digital and opportunities divide. With 21st century communications technologies, we can, with more ease and precision, greatly improve health outcomes for those currently without ready access to healthcare facilities; provide more immersive and comprehensive learning experiences for children and adults alike; increase civic engagement; and open up new avenues for people to find the jobs and acquire the skills needed to work in an internet economy.”

Fiber proponents urged the FCC to devise a Connect America Fund subsidy auction to encourage deployment of cutting-edge high-speed networks and services, as initial comments on a Further NPRM were posted Thursday and Friday in docket 10-90. Satellite and some wireless interests suggested the rules should encourage broad deployment and industry participation, and traditional telcos seemed fairly sympathetic to that. Regulators in three northeastern states where Verizon declined initial CAF Phase II support asked the commission to ensure or help their states receive their fair share of support through the auction.

Fiber proponents urged the FCC to devise a Connect America Fund subsidy auction to encourage deployment of cutting-edge high-speed networks and services, as initial comments on a Further NPRM were posted Thursday and Friday in docket 10-90. Satellite and some wireless interests suggested the rules should encourage broad deployment and industry participation, and traditional telcos seemed fairly sympathetic to that. Regulators in three northeastern states where Verizon declined initial CAF Phase II support asked the commission to ensure or help their states receive their fair share of support through the auction.

The FCC tribal radio priority rule has led to additional tribal-owned radio stations but “there is more work to be done,” said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn in a speech Wednesday to the Tribal Radio Summit. “It is critical that we continue to collaborate in developing the next path forward,” Clyburn said, according to prepared remarks. “I am hopeful that our actions and our presence affirm how committed we are to promoting the deployment of communications services in Indian Country.” Broadcast and broadband are “intersecting in today’s communications marketplace” and can drive each other's growth, she said. “Vertical real-estate for a broadcast facility can be leveraged to deploy other wireless services including broadband. Existing fiber loops can be harnessed to provide broadcast relays between studios and towers.” Tribally licensed radio is “critically important,” Clyburn said.

The FCC tribal radio priority rule has led to additional tribal-owned radio stations but “there is more work to be done,” said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn in a speech Wednesday to the Tribal Radio Summit. “It is critical that we continue to collaborate in developing the next path forward,” Clyburn said, according to prepared remarks. “I am hopeful that our actions and our presence affirm how committed we are to promoting the deployment of communications services in Indian Country.” Broadcast and broadband are “intersecting in today’s communications marketplace” and can drive each other's growth, she said. “Vertical real-estate for a broadcast facility can be leveraged to deploy other wireless services including broadband. Existing fiber loops can be harnessed to provide broadcast relays between studios and towers.” Tribally licensed radio is “critically important,” Clyburn said.

Lobbying spending among some wireless heavyweights is up. CTIA lobbying rose in Q2, to $1.96 million, vs. $1.76 million in last year’s Q2. T-Mobile spent more than $2.1 million in Q2, vs. $1.6 million a year ago. T-Mobile typically has spent aggressively on lobbying, and this is the first quarter in many years that it’s broken the $2 million mark in quarterly lobbying spending. An exception is Q2 2008, when T-Mobile recorded $3.29 million.

Lobbying spending among some wireless heavyweights is up. CTIA lobbying rose in Q2, to $1.96 million, vs. $1.76 million in last year’s Q2. T-Mobile spent more than $2.1 million in Q2, vs. $1.6 million a year ago. T-Mobile typically has spent aggressively on lobbying, and this is the first quarter in many years that it’s broken the $2 million mark in quarterly lobbying spending. An exception is Q2 2008, when T-Mobile recorded $3.29 million.

The FCC sought comment on a proposal to create a new inventory of records system to be used by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. The 1974 Privacy Act requires agencies to provide notice of the existence and character of records maintained by an agency, said a notice in Tuesday's Federal Register. “These records enable CGB personnel to contact interested parties concerning its public events, e.g., workshops, conferences, and Webinars, etc., as well as recent developments at the FCC, and to share contact information of governmental, law enforcement, industry, advocacy groups, employment centers, faith-based organizations, libraries, policy organizations, media outlets, schools, seniors centers, veterans groups, national governmental associations or tribal intergovernmental organizations.” Comments are due Aug. 18, and the new record keeping will start Aug. 29 “unless comments are received that require a contrary determination,” the FCC said.