Panelists from Facebook, Comcast, the NAB and Tegna repeatedly agreed at a DOJ workshop on advertising competition that broadcast commercials and digital ads are substitutes for each other and therefore in competition. “We are a likely substitute or swap for your attention,” said Facebook Vice President-Business Product Marketing Ty Ahmad-Taylor. “We are trying to compete to get those dollars as well.”

Panelists from Facebook, Comcast, the NAB and Tegna repeatedly agreed at a DOJ workshop on advertising competition that broadcast commercials and digital ads are substitutes for each other and therefore in competition. “We are a likely substitute or swap for your attention,” said Facebook Vice President-Business Product Marketing Ty Ahmad-Taylor. “We are trying to compete to get those dollars as well.”

Rural rate-of-return carriers have until June 17 to indicate whether they're OK with the revised alternative connect America cost model (A-CAM) support to fund voice- and broadband-capable networks in their service territories, the FCC Wireline Bureau said in a public notice Thursday. The FCC said those subsidy offers -- approved in December (see 1812120039) -- could fund deployments to 1.13 million homes and businesses over the next decade. It said in return for the revised A-CAM offers, the carriers would be required to deploy at least 25/3 Mbps connectivity on a defined schedule. It said even without accepting those revised A-CAM offers, legacy carriers will be required to deploy 25/3 Mbps to at least 600,000 locations. The bureau said the offer amounts have a funding cap per location of $200 except in tribal lands, where the cap is $213.12. It said carriers have a choice in determining deployment obligation: average cost of 25/3 service based on weighted average cost per loop or revised A-CAM calculation of the cost per location. The FCC said this week additional A-CAM support resulted in carriers committing to expanding their deployment plans to cover an additional 106,000 addresses (see 1904290189). NTCA is "evaluating the details of today’s announcements," said CEO Shirley Bloomfield Thursday. "We hope that the options and measures announced today will give many of our members even more opportunity to bring even better services to rural America."

Rural rate-of-return carriers have until June 17 to indicate whether they're OK with the revised alternative connect America cost model (A-CAM) support to fund voice- and broadband-capable networks in their service territories, the FCC Wireline Bureau said in a public notice Thursday. The FCC said those subsidy offers -- approved in December (see 1812120039) -- could fund deployments to 1.13 million homes and businesses over the next decade. It said in return for the revised A-CAM offers, the carriers would be required to deploy at least 25/3 Mbps connectivity on a defined schedule. It said even without accepting those revised A-CAM offers, legacy carriers will be required to deploy 25/3 Mbps to at least 600,000 locations. The bureau said the offer amounts have a funding cap per location of $200 except in tribal lands, where the cap is $213.12. It said carriers have a choice in determining deployment obligation: average cost of 25/3 service based on weighted average cost per loop or revised A-CAM calculation of the cost per location. The FCC said this week additional A-CAM support resulted in carriers committing to expanding their deployment plans to cover an additional 106,000 addresses (see 1904290189). NTCA is "evaluating the details of today’s announcements," said CEO Shirley Bloomfield Thursday. "We hope that the options and measures announced today will give many of our members even more opportunity to bring even better services to rural America."

Even revised broadband deployment numbers still show a narrowing digital divide, with notable broadband deployments particularly in rural areas, the FCC said Wednesday. Some skeptics and critics of the initial report (see 1903060034) seemed partly mollified about the new data, though not pleased with the pace of deployment. "The new data doesn't change the ... fundamental conclusion: we are closing the digital divide," Chairman Ajit Pai said.

Even revised broadband deployment numbers still show a narrowing digital divide, with notable broadband deployments particularly in rural areas, the FCC said Wednesday. Some skeptics and critics of the initial report (see 1903060034) seemed partly mollified about the new data, though not pleased with the pace of deployment. "The new data doesn't change the ... fundamental conclusion: we are closing the digital divide," Chairman Ajit Pai said.

SAN ANTONIO -- “It’s not at all a comfortable market,” Listen Up President Walt Stinson said during a Wednesday press meeting at the spring ProSource conference. Recent ProSource board calls indicate some consumer pullback on projects, “so we’re feeling it,” said the dealer. “It’s a very strange market out there,” Stinson said, commenting on macroeconomic drivers.

The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment on a request by Ocean Signal for waiver for a personal locator beacon (PLB) in spectrum used for maritime navigation. The beacon incorporates automatic identification system functionality in compliance with a recently published Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services standard, the bureau said Tuesday. “Ocean Signal believes that PLBs designed to the new … standard will provide users with enhanced safety, as the addition of AIS in PLBs will provide increased location accuracy and enhance the ability of rescuing resources to locate persons in distress,” the bureau said: “We ask commenters to address the potential effect on the integrity of AIS, which is primarily a maritime navigation system, of the addition of PLBs, which may be used on both land and water.” Comments are due May 30, replies June 14, in docket 19-124.

The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment on a request by Ocean Signal for waiver for a personal locator beacon (PLB) in spectrum used for maritime navigation. The beacon incorporates automatic identification system functionality in compliance with a recently published Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services standard, the bureau said Tuesday. “Ocean Signal believes that PLBs designed to the new … standard will provide users with enhanced safety, as the addition of AIS in PLBs will provide increased location accuracy and enhance the ability of rescuing resources to locate persons in distress,” the bureau said: “We ask commenters to address the potential effect on the integrity of AIS, which is primarily a maritime navigation system, of the addition of PLBs, which may be used on both land and water.” Comments are due May 30, replies June 14, in docket 19-124.

Satellite groups sought changes to export controls related to a Trump administration effort to revive the National Space Council, in comments that were due Friday. The Aerospace Industries Association asked the Commerce Department for more time before space-related export control regulations, to allow for "open discussions with the government." AIA lacks an "industry consensus" on multiple changes being considered. The association said a member-company asked that Commerce “evaluate” the list and “expand the list of parts and components that do not pose a threat to National Security and Regional Stability.”