Lack of broadband market competition disempowers consumers, and increased FTC oversight is needed, consumer advocates told the agency. But industry groups argued existing regulations mean the market is more competitive than ever. The agency collected comments through Friday in docket 2018-0113 on broadband competition and consumer protection issues.

Three groups seek an NPRM to start the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (see 1905010188) as soon as possible to develop rules this year and hold an auction in 2020. America’s Communications Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and NTCA told the FCC that rules for the current Connect America Fund Phase II program "provide a sound foundation upon which to develop the rules for the RDOF. No doubt certain parameters of the new program will require updating and revision based upon lessons learned from the CAF Phase II program and auction. But, because a proven framework exists, we can build on that to quickly analyze shortcomings and make targeted refinements." The filing posted Friday in docket 19-126 noted that a recent news report quotes an FCC spokesperson "saying that the Commission will start this year to launch the RDOF and hold the auction in 2020." The agency declined to comment now.

Sinclair will buy 21 regional sports networks and Fox College Sports from Disney, which acquired them when it bought most of the assets of 21st Century Fox (see 1901140039), said the companies Friday. The deal has a “total enterprise value” to the RSNs worth $10.6 billion, including the $9.6 billion purchase price, they said. The deal requires DOJ approval, they said. The RSNs changing hands excludes the YES Network, but is “the largest collection of RSNs in the marketplace today, with an extensive footprint that includes exclusive local rights to 42 professional teams” in baseball, basketball and hockey, they said. The RSNs collectively had $3.8 billion revenue and 74 million subscribers in 2018. Sinclair will buy them through a new Diamond Sports Group subsidiary, they said. “While consumer viewing habits have shifted, the tradition of watching live sports and news remains ingrained in our culture,” said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley. “We are ideally positioned to transfer our skills to deliver and expand our focus on greater premium sports programming.” Antitrust regulators should reject the proposed deal, said America's Communication Association CEO Matt Polka. “Big 4 broadcast network programming and RSN programming are both critical for ACA Connects members,” Polka said. “By jointly negotiating these assets when they serve the same market, Sinclair can raise prices to cable operators for both offerings.”

An executive of a smaller cable operator called broadband service a utility, speaking alongside the head of America’s Communications Association about the importance of such ISP services. Although neither cable ally favored a common-carrier regulatory approach to broadband service such as Communications Act Title II net neutrality, the two may have -- perhaps inadvertently -- given a talking point to Title II advocates. That's according to later comments from such net neutrality proponents.

A Tuesday anti-robocalls hearing gives the House Communications Subcommittee an opportunity to make a public return to bipartisanship as members delve into a group of seven anti-robocalls bills, lobbyists told us. Stakeholders are monitoring the House Commerce Committee's telecom policy agenda for signs of a pivot in its trajectory. The committee's contentious debate over the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill (HR-1644) culminated in the measure's passage earlier this month (see 1904230069). The hearing begins 10 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn (see 1904260068).

After a "disappointing" outcome from its challenge of AT&T's buy of Time Warner, DOJ will seek court approval to bifurcate some antitrust trials into liability and remedy phases, agency antitrust chief Makan Delrahim said at the annual summit of America's Communication Association -- formerly the American Cable Association (see 1903200021). "It's never fun to lose, but you learn more from losing than from winning," Delrahim said. Separately, FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly criticized Justice for not updating its media market definitions from what he said were antiquated silos.

Reactions were mixed to an FCC draft that would find broadband deployment is meeting a Telecom Act Section 706 mandate. Broadband providers and others welcomed a positive finding and credited the commission with clearing deployment obstacles, while consumer advocates were skeptical and slammed agency leadership. Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday circulated a draft report internally that broadband-like advanced telecom capability is being deployed in a "reasonable and timely" way (see 1902190057). The report was due out Feb. 5 but delayed by the government shutdown. It might be put on the tentative agenda for the March 15 commissioners' meeting, which Pai is expected to highlight Thursday.

The FCC will vote on a repacking reimbursement order for low-power TV, FM stations and TV translators at its March 15 commissioners’ meeting, an FCC official told us. A media modernization item on broadcast satellite stations is also expected to be on the agenda (see 1803220027), the officials said.

Donald Trump's administration released its American Broadband Initiative milestones report Wednesday, outlining a strategy for spurring wireless and wireline broadband using federal lands. It includes opening Department of Interior (DOI) towers for communications use and streamlining other buildout. The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on ways to ensure U.S. infrastructure keeps up with economic growth.

The full federal government got back to work Monday, after a prolonged partial shutdown that shuttered the FCC, FTC, NTIA and other agencies overseeing communications policy. Incoming FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will be sworn in Wednesday by Chairman Ajit Pai in an eighth-floor conference room and will participate in the commissioners’ meeting that follows, said industry officials. President Donald Trump signed off Friday on a continuing resolution to reopen the FCC and other shuttered agencies through Feb. 15, after the House passed the measure as expected (see 1901240016).