Citing an increasingly shaky global economy, telecom, media and tech companies are starting to warn of softening ad markets, hiring slowdowns and reduced output. Questions about the economy are increasingly common in quarterly earnings calls, with numerous TMT companies being pressed by analysts in recent days. However, many say they don't foresee major difficulties.
Consumer advocacy organizations welcomed a draft order aimed at increasing awareness of and boosting enrollment in the FCC’s affordable connectivity program, highlighting the need for organizations on the ground to enroll hard to reach populations (see 2207150063). Commissioners during the agency’s meeting Friday will consider an outreach grant effort and a pilot program targeting households receiving federal housing assistance.
The nominee for ambassador at large-cyberspace and digital policy told Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Wednesday he intends to “try to expand” the number of nations signed on to the Declaration for the Future of the Internet that the U.S., EU and more than 60 other countries signed in April (see 2204280043). Nate Fick said during the committee hearing he supports deploying funding included in the Chips and Science Act (HR-4346) to develop secure 5G technology and believes the U.S. needs to promote open radio access networks and other technologies to ensure telecom infrastructure security. Fick, if confirmed, would also head the State Department’s new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (see 2206070047).
The “competitive environment’s good” for Dish Network’s wireless 5G network rollout, said Chairman Charlie Ergen on a Q2 earnings call Wednesday. The “big picture” amid historically high inflation is that everyone's wireless connection “is a necessity,” he said. “After food and water and shelter, it’s just about next in line.”
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.
The FCC “reopened” for in-person meetings in June, but the agency hasn’t seen a wholesale return to them, and most meetings between staff and industry remain virtual, as they have been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, based on a review of ex parte filings and interviews with lawyers and FCC officials. Some expect more in-person meetings starting after Labor Day, depending on what happens on COVID infection rates during August.
Major U.S. tower companies, buoyed by the ongoing 5G buildout, had positive Q2s, in contrast with major wireless carriers, with AT&T and Verizon both navigating rough waters during the quarter (see 2207270054). SBA Communications, the last of the big three tower companies to report, released results Monday.
If the FCC asks the in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) universe about how to help it along, the agency should expect to hear about spectrum needs and suggested Part 25 rules changes, space operators told us. The space industry expects an ISAM notice of inquiry and a draft order for opening the 17 GHz band to geostationary orbit (GSO) fixed satellite service downlinks (see 2207150063) to be readily adopted at the FCC commissioners' August meeting Friday.
California could risk losing broadband funding if it grants a consumer group petition to require low-cost broadband plans for everyone, ISPs warned this week. The California Public Utilities Commission received responses Monday in docket R.20-09-001 on advocates’ petition to modify an April decision on rules for the state’s $2 billion last-mile federal funding account (FFA). Industry also clashed with consumer groups, in reply comments in docket R.20-02-008, on how California LifeLine subsidies interact with federal programs.
Industry sought improved coordination and transparency through the FCC, USDA and NTIA’s interagency agreement established under the Broadband Interagency Coordination Act of 2020. Some asked the agencies to make the shared information available publicly and to increase reliance on the FCC’s maps when coordinating broadband programs, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 22-251.