Evolving conventional wisdom is the Trump administration could soon fill two of FCC open seats, while a search is on for an additional Democrat to replace Commissioner Mignon Clyburn should she leave, former FCC officials and top regulatory lawyers said. Former Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel now appears to be a lock to return, most likely to fill Clyburn’s seat since that would come with a full five-year term, two years more than the seat Rosenworcel left in January. FCC General Counsel Brendan Carr is emerging as the top candidate to be named to the open Republican slot.
Lawmakers on the House Natural Resources Committee spoke favorably about the Public Lands Telecom Act (HR-2425) during a Tuesday legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The subcommittee posted a majority staff memo focused on the legislation. HR-2425 “will make a big difference in helping rural communities working on deploying broadband to end the digital divide and I truly believe it will be a relief to federal employees permitting projects in rural communities,” testified California Center for Rural Policy Executive Director Connie Stewart. “The HR-2425 provision providing fee retention authority for rights-of-way and other telecommunications infrastructure use would ensure funds are reinvested to further broadband and telecommunications deployment in other areas.” Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., the bill sponsor, spoke during the subcommittee hearing about its merits. Agencies are constrained by a lack of resources and lack of authorization, he said. “This bill takes a new approach to broadband deployment by providing agencies like the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service” with resources and authorization to partner with private entities, he said.
Lawmakers on the House Natural Resources Committee spoke favorably about the Public Lands Telecom Act (HR-2425) during a Tuesday legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The subcommittee posted a majority staff memo focused on the legislation. HR-2425 “will make a big difference in helping rural communities working on deploying broadband to end the digital divide and I truly believe it will be a relief to federal employees permitting projects in rural communities,” testified California Center for Rural Policy Executive Director Connie Stewart. “The HR-2425 provision providing fee retention authority for rights-of-way and other telecommunications infrastructure use would ensure funds are reinvested to further broadband and telecommunications deployment in other areas.” Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., the bill sponsor, spoke during the subcommittee hearing about its merits. Agencies are constrained by a lack of resources and lack of authorization, he said. “This bill takes a new approach to broadband deployment by providing agencies like the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service” with resources and authorization to partner with private entities, he said.
LOS ANGELES -- Google is working on “a secret project” in virtual reality by partnering “deeply” with “one of the leading OLED manufacturers” to create a VR-capable OLED display “with 10X more pixels than any commercially available VR display today,” said Clay Bavor, vice president-VR, in a Tuesday keynote at the Society for Information Display’s (SID) Display Week conference.
LOS ANGELES -- Google is working on “a secret project” in virtual reality by partnering “deeply” with “one of the leading OLED manufacturers” to create a VR-capable OLED display “with 10X more pixels than any commercially available VR display today,” said Clay Bavor, vice president-VR, in a Tuesday keynote at the Society for Information Display’s (SID) Display Week conference.
The House Natural Resources Committee will take up the Public Lands Telecom Act (HR-2425) in a legislative hearing Tuesday at 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth. The measure was introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., last week. WTA lauded the bill. “We are hopeful that if land management agencies have additional resources to put towards approving use of lands for communications purposes, that it will help get high-speed broadband to parts of the country that go without,” said Vice President-Government Affairs Derrick Owens.
The Trump administration’s infrastructure package is coming soon and “we know there will be a broadband title in that infrastructure bill,” House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said Friday at an event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao called broadband an infrastructure package priority last week, promising principles to come in the weeks ahead (see 1705170066). Blackburn reaffirmed the House Commerce plans to streamline broadband deployment permitting and siting. “We have to get in and deal with the maps over at the FCC and focus on these unserved areas,” Blackburn said. “The National Broadband Map was last updated in 2014.” Commerce lawmakers will focus on “getting that foundation right.” She emphasized her priority for unserved areas and creation of a federal asset inventory that makes agencies track the permitting review speed. There must be a master form for agencies overseeing federal land, she said. House Commerce will “push to advance bipartisan legislation” such as the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act, she said. “You’re also going to see us look at the Senate’s Mobile Now legislation.” She also discussed a desire to address broadband adoption rates and the importance of education for consumers on different speeds and the merits of access. Blackburn also is scheduled to address broadband infrastructure Tuesday at an event hosted by the Hudson Institute.
The House Natural Resources Committee will take up the Public Lands Telecom Act (HR-2425) in a legislative hearing Tuesday at 10 a.m. in 1324 Longworth. The measure was introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., last week. WTA lauded the bill. “We are hopeful that if land management agencies have additional resources to put towards approving use of lands for communications purposes, that it will help get high-speed broadband to parts of the country that go without,” said Vice President-Government Affairs Derrick Owens.
The Trump administration’s infrastructure package is coming soon and “we know there will be a broadband title in that infrastructure bill,” House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said Friday at an event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao called broadband an infrastructure package priority last week, promising principles to come in the weeks ahead (see 1705170066). Blackburn reaffirmed the House Commerce plans to streamline broadband deployment permitting and siting. “We have to get in and deal with the maps over at the FCC and focus on these unserved areas,” Blackburn said. “The National Broadband Map was last updated in 2014.” Commerce lawmakers will focus on “getting that foundation right.” She emphasized her priority for unserved areas and creation of a federal asset inventory that makes agencies track the permitting review speed. There must be a master form for agencies overseeing federal land, she said. House Commerce will “push to advance bipartisan legislation” such as the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act, she said. “You’re also going to see us look at the Senate’s Mobile Now legislation.” She also discussed a desire to address broadband adoption rates and the importance of education for consumers on different speeds and the merits of access. Blackburn also is scheduled to address broadband infrastructure Tuesday at an event hosted by the Hudson Institute.
AT&T can’t back out of its 25-year FirstNet contract even if many states opt out and the national public safety network becomes unviable, so the carrier is working hard to make sure states accept FirstNet plans, an AT&T attorney said Thursday at an FCBA seminar. FirstNet officials at the event stressed the benefits of opting in, assuring that the independent authority is in close partnership with states to make them feel involved in the process. An intentionally complex opt-out process should discourage states from building their own radio access networks (RANs), said APCO Chief Counsel Jeff Cohen.