Whether over-the-top players should pay telcos for carrying their content has been a hot topic in Europe for some time (see 2210130001), and the European Commission waded into the fight Thursday. As part of a proposal to transform the EU connectivity landscape, it's consulting on the future of the electronic communications sector and its infrastructure. The inquiry brought expected cheers from mobile operators, jeers from the tech industry.
Federal agencies need better coordination on AI as the U.S. works toward a national AI policy, said Lynne Parker, former director of the White House National Artificial Intelligence Office, on a Center for Data Innovation webinar Thursday. Experts said the Biden administration should do more to follow up on initiatives started under President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, a new survey by NVIDA found that 95% of industry respondents said they’re looking at or using AI, though most use is at an early stage.
The FCC’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council is preparing final reports and recommendations to the FCC as the advisory committee’s two-year charter approaches its end, said CEDC Chair Heather Gate at the group’s penultimate meeting Thursday. CEDC working groups updated the body on several planned forums and reports on best practices for digital upskilling, improving diverse access to capital, and providing broadband to underserved populations. The reports will eventually go to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel who will take them “under advisement,” said CEDC Designated Federal Officer Jamila Johnson. The agency didn't comment on whether the CEDC would be rechartered.
CTIA warned the FCC its ability to regulate data breaches of information beyond customer proprietary network information (CPNI) is constrained by law. Other provider groups' filings posted Thursday struck a similar tone. But the Electronic Privacy Information Center said it's time for the FCC to get tough.
Dish Network is on track to reach its 70% coverage June milestone, and thus won't be subject to possible FCC fines, Chairman Charlie Ergen said Thursday as the company announced its Q4 2022 results. An aggressive commercial launch of its Infinite Boost postpaid mobile service will take a little longer, though, because there's about a six-month lag between a tower providing data coverage and being optimized to provide 5G voice service, he said.
The FCC released the drafts of items scheduled for votes at the commissioners' March 16 open meeting, headlined by new rules for robotexts and a draft NPRM that would create a supplemental coverage from space (SCS) FCC authorization that would let satellite operators use flexible-use spectrum allocated to terrestrial services. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also proposed rules designed to strengthen Stir/Shaken aimed at blocking more robocalls. The agenda is the biggest for an FCC meeting in many months (see 2302060035).
Industry groups urged Maryland legislators to remove a private right of action (PRA) from a comprehensive privacy bill. The Maryland House Economic Matters Committee considered two privacy bills by Del. Sara Love (D) at a livestreamed hearing Wednesday. Industry urged Maryland to follow Connecticut’s approach, but the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) said to instead base the bill on a proposal by Congress. Internet groups slammed a separate bill to regulate social media platforms for children.
Tegna’s announcement Tuesday that it would pass on Wednesday's chance to exit the long-stalled $8.6 billion Standard/Tegna deal and stay in for an additional three months is considered an indication the acquisition has a chance, but the final result is far from certain, broadcast industry officials told us. DOJ also allowed the transaction’s Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period to expire without objecting to the deal, said a Tegna news release. Standard General founder Soohyung Kim said in January he was “optimistic” the deal would close before Tegna’s merger agreement-enshrined exit ramp (see 2301230063), but that didn't happen. Tegna told the SEC Tuesday “the Merger is expected to close in March or April of 2023.” The FCC’s tracker lists the deal as being at Day 307, which is 127 days over the agency’s 180-day shot clock.
Industry groups and consumer advocacy organizations disagree about how the FCC should define digital discrimination and ways to facilitate equal access to broadband, according to comments posted through Wednesday in docket 22-69. The commission adopted an NPRM in December seeking comment on rules to combat digital discrimination, as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (see 2301190049).
Another short-term extension of the FCC’s auction authority is the likeliest scenario amid a slow return to negotiations on a broader spectrum legislative package earlier this month and dwindling time left before the commission’s current mandate expires, lawmakers and other observers said in interviews. President Joe Biden signed off in December on a renewal of the FCC’s auction remit through March 9 that Congress enacted as part of the FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package after a deal to attach spectrum legislative language to the measure fell through at the last minute (see 2212300046).