Massachusetts inmates might be denied free phone calls with their families due to a disagreement between Gov. Charlie Baker (R) and the Democratic-controlled legislature. The California legislature will decide this month the fate of a similar bill that was opposed by sheriffs. California’s Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday teed up a vote on that measure, a few broadband bills and two industry-opposed social media bills.

Energous and retail technology company Flagship announced Monday that Energous' WattUp PowerBridges technology was deployed in a Bluetooth smart tag pilot at a “major retail store” in Sydney. Flagship’s technology automatically tracks movement of items in a store, fitting room or warehouse, and gives instant inventory counts, loss prevention data, insights into what customers are trying on, stock replenishment requirements and merchandising insights, they said. It’s Energous’ first deployment of a wireless power network for RF-tags, said CEO Cesar Johnston, saying the Flagship technology is working with thousands of Wiliot IoT Pixel tags powered by WattUp PowerBridges. The Wiliot IoT devices are described as low-cost, active Bluetooth tags “that can be attached to nearly anything,” with sensors that monitor light, humidity, proximity and temperature, among other inputs.

NTIA, weighing in on behalf of the administration, supported the FCC’s decision to look more closely at spectrum offshore, in comments posted Monday in docket 22-204. The early consensus on an FCC notice of inquiry, based on initial comments, appeared to be that the FCC should move forward on wind farms, but providers urged the agency to do so with caution (see 2207280032). “The FCC should support the Administration’s goals of increased offshore renewable energy production and related scientific research and economic growth by ensuring offshore operations are not unduly limited by a lack of spectrum access,” NTIA said: “As the Commission recognizes, there are already several options for providing connectivity offshore. But as data volume and the sophistication of monitoring and analytics grows, offshore operations will likely seek higher bandwidth options, justifying an inquiry into offshore spectrum demand.” The FCC must protect maritime and aviation safety, radioastronomy, and research and coastal operations “such as space launch sites, test and training ranges, telemetry stations, and radar facilities,” the filing said. Offshore operations also present unique concerns, the agency said. “On the open ocean, without the clutter and terrain of land, radio waves will generally tend to propagate farther,” it said: “Ducting presents another important concern with offshore operations. If the atmospheric conditions are right, stable layers of water vapor can develop, leading to the wave-guiding effect known as ducting.” NTIA said existing commercial, private and unlicensed bands, if modified for offshore operations, now “are likely adequate to meet offshore demand.”

NTIA awarded the Ione Band of Miwok Indians $459,000 through the tribal broadband connectivity program, said a news release Friday (see 2206240068). The funding will be used to develop a "comprehensive high-speed internet infrastructure deployment plan" for tribal lands in rural Amador County, California. “The Ione Band of Miwok Indians’ plan to connect their critical wellness, housing, and community centers is a testament to how high-speed internet service can uplift entire communities," said NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. The agency has granted 44 awards totaling more than $91 million to date. Awards will continue to be announced on a rolling basis, NTIA said.

Democratic leaders on the House and Senate Commerce committees aren’t fully discounting the possibility the panels could devote some time to evaluating the newly filed Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act during the remaining months of this Congress, but some acknowledge any serious consideration of the measure will likely have to wait until 2023 at the earliest. Democratic leaders bristled at some Republicans’ view that lawmakers unveiled the measure as a reaction to FCC nominee Gigi Sohn’s stalled Senate confirmation process (see 2206230066).

Retail giants Amazon and Walmart stepped up their healthcare marketing this week as they make broader pushes into the wellness business. In a Wednesday email, Amazon linked to a dedicated Amazon Pharmacy webpage calling itself “the pharmacy that really delivers” with “upfront pricing,” easy refills and no waiting in line at a pharmacy. Customers plug in their medication to find Amazon prices. The landing page showed the e-commerce company’s Prime member prices vs. regular prices for common medications including Setraline, generic for Zoloft ($13.10 vs. $31.80); Atorvastatin, generic for Lipitor ($10.10 vs. $78.90); Montelukast, generic for Singulair ($12.50 vs. $69); Lisinopril ($3.80 vs. $17.10) and Escitalopram, generic for Lexapro ($10.10 vs. $51). Customers can shop “by condition.” Walmart blogged Tuesday that it’s partnering with Waldo to make eyecare more accessible and affordable. It’s the exclusive retailer for Waldo contact lenses that are “enriched with essential vitamins, including B12, to help refresh and rejuvenate eyes.” The 30-pack of Waldo Hydra Boost Daily Lenses is 13%-84% off the cash price of comparable branded daily disposable lenses at Walmart, said the retailer.

Household penetration of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services has doubled in the past year, Comcast Advertising said Thursday. Six in 10 households with connected TVs are using FAST services exclusively or in addition to other services "without the costs or logins required for linear TV or paid streaming," it emailed, saying FAST gives consumers streaming video with “linear-style channels” that encourage a lean-back experience and content discovery “that mimics traditional TV viewing." Comcast said the average Xumo user spends about 104 minutes within the Comcast-owned platform once she has entered. Many consumers may be landing on FAST channels without realizing it, since many are programmed directly into the channel guide by TV manufacturers, Comcast said. Some 70% of Xumo users are cord cutters, using the service as a complement to subscription VOD services, the company said. Comcast Advertising President James Rooke called FAST services a “valuable complement to traditional TV and other [advertising-based] VOD streaming options as part of a holistic multi-screen media plan.”

Household penetration of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services has doubled in the past year, Comcast Advertising said Thursday. Six in 10 households with connected TVs are using FAST services exclusively or in addition to other services "without the costs or logins required for linear TV or paid streaming," it emailed, saying FAST gives consumers streaming video with “linear-style channels” that encourage a lean-back experience and content discovery “that mimics traditional TV viewing." Comcast said the average Xumo user spends about 104 minutes within the Comcast-owned platform once she has entered. Many consumers may be landing on FAST channels without realizing it, since many are programmed directly into the channel guide by TV manufacturers, Comcast said. Some 70% of Xumo users are cord cutters, using the service as a complement to subscription VOD services, the company said. Comcast Advertising President James Rooke called FAST services a “valuable complement to traditional TV and other [advertising-based] VOD streaming options as part of a holistic multi-screen media plan.”

Experts told the FCC’s Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force Thursday the agriculture industry has lots to gain from the $48 billion in connectivity money that will be awarded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), but rural interests must ensure rural areas get their share of the funding. The working groups are still working on various papers, to be finalized at a December meeting.

The U.K.'s new restrictions on investment in Russia entered into force July 19. The measures bar individuals and entities from directly acquiring any ownership interest in Russian land and entities linked with Russia, indirectly acquiring any ownership interest in Russian land and Russia-linked entities for the purpose of making funds available to individuals connected with Russia, and directly or indirectly acquiring any ownership interest in entities with a place of business in Russia. The restrictions further bar individuals and entities from establishing joint ventures with a person linked to Russia, opening representative offices and establishing branches and subsidiaries in Russia, and providing investment services for all of the aforementioned activities.