Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., urged the FCC to do more to increase broadband access amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He acknowledged the FCC's recent work, including waiving the E-rate and Rural Health Care gift rules (see 2003180048), but wrote to Chairman Ajit Pai that “much more work remains.” The FCC “should facilitate actions by wireless providers to dramatically increase existing signal contours, such as by temporarily increasing relevant power limits for” wireless ISPs, “particularly in rural and exurban areas where the risk of degradation to other users is lower, and by relaxing current antenna height restrictions,” Warner said Thursday. He asked the agency to "look to help facilitate backhaul options" in underserved and unserved areas. Warner also wants the FCC to work with NTIA and DOD to “reduce the size” of the 75-kilometer exclusion zones where unlicensed access to the 5850-5895 MHz band is prohibited.
Some 43% of U.S. homes will have used an online grocery service by the end of June -- and 49% by year-end -- and it’s likely to be a continuing trend, eMarketer reported Thursday. "As consumers stay home and governments increasingly push for consumers to avoid contact with others, online grocery services' near contactless nature will likely entice more consumers," said analyst Daniel Keyes. If the pandemic subsides in a few months, online grocery's rise will likely taper by the end of 2020. If it lasts longer -- and society needs a vaccine to resume regular life, or a second wave of the pandemic occurs -- online grocery usage penetration will continue to climb and 60%-plus of U.S. consumers could try it through 2022.
The growing number of newly unemployed need access to broadband and voice services more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, FCC Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks said during a MediaJustice online event Thursday. Speakers shared stories of how the lack of robust telecom access hurt their ability to reach healthcare providers, complete online schooling and keep in touch with relatives. Bolster Lifeline benefits and enrollment, close the homework gap and lower inmate calling service rates, Rosenworcel asked of her agency. Starks recalled a visit several months ago to a District of Columbia Department of Corrections facility where he listened to 20 prisoners. They told him how important it was to stay connected to their communities. The push to make ICS free for those in local and state jails and prisons, and not just federal facilities (see 2004150061), is important, he said. Starks said the FCC should do more to keep people on tribal lands connected. Foster the Lifeline program because connectivity is a central aspect of social distancing, Starks said. Leonard Edwards, an advocate with D.C.-based Bread for the City, wants the Lifeline program to extend unlimited voice minutes and broadband data to customers even after the pandemic.
The FCC should investigate reports that carriers disconnected customers after pledging to the FCC they wouldn’t do so during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in a tweet Thursday. “Investigate these complaints. Stat.” The agency is “powerless” to enforce the Keep Americans Connected pledge (see 2003130066), said Gigi Sohn of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. The commission “abdicated" authority to do so when it reversed itself on net neutrality, she said. Hundreds of ISPs have taken FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's pledge.
Warning letters are the “most rapid and efficient means” for addressing bogus online claims about COVID-19-related products, FTC Chairman Joe Simons wrote, in documents we obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Several members of Congress wrote in March asking how the agency is addressing the flood of deceptive and fraudulent activity related to the pandemic. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., asked about warning letters from the FTC and Food and Drug Administration.
T-Mobile/Sprint got its final OK, as California Public Utilities Commissioners voted 5-0 Thursday for a revised proposal that reasserted the agency’s authority to review the deal and adjusted some conditions (see 2004150058). The Utility Reform Network (TURN) said it's disappointed the CPUC didn’t punish carriers for closing their deal two weeks before the scheduled vote.
It took White House proxy support and concerns about commercial spectrum being essentially claimed by federal agencies to break the years-old logjam of Ligado's proposed terrestrial use of L-band spectrum with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's decision to circulate a draft approval order (see 2004160019), we were told Thursday. Swift action could be next, with multiple commissioners' offices expecting to vote on it this week. An array of primarily aerospace interests urged the FCC to close and dismiss the proceeding.
Citing logistical issues due to the pandemic, Dish Network asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for an extra 30 days to petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc of the appellate court's decision in the company's appeal of a $280 million lower court verdict against it for Telephone Consumer Protection Act violations, in a docket 17-3111 motion (in Pacer) Tuesday. The deadline would be June 10. The 7th Circuit decision by Judges Frank Easterbrook, Michael Kanne and Michael Brennan, penned by Easterbrook, affirmed the lower court's verdict against Dish except for its holding that dish was liable for "substantially assisting" order-entry retailer Star Satellite. That judgment and Star Satellite's measure of damages was vacated and that portion of the case was remanded for further proceedings.
Much as auto insurers are refunding customers some money due to less driving during the pandemic, cable TV subscribers should get back some of what they pay for sports channels no longer carrying live games, CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson blogged Wednesday. Cable companies also shouldn't have to pay sports networks, he said.
DOJ shouldn’t allow any large-scale deal between Liberty Media and iHeartMedia, said the Open Markets Institute and other groups Wednesday. “Any such deal would harm American journalism by further concentrating power in local radio markets nationwide.” It would “likely lead to further cutbacks in America’s local newsrooms, just as the COVID-19 crisis is leading to large and growing job losses.” The companies didn't comment right away. Others expressing similar are the Artist Rights Alliance, Center for Digital Democracy, Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Public Citizen. Such a transaction would also harm advertisers and performers, OMI said. “Further concentration in local radio markets likely would mean fewer broadcast outlets, which would reduce artist incomes.” OMI wants a “merger moratorium” during the pandemic.