The 3rd Generation Partnership Project's Release 17 earlier this spring opens the door to commercial satellite communications' role in 5G, but industry experts and insiders say rollout of 5G-type satcom services remains at least a couple years off, mainly due to the current lack of devices supporting both satellite and terrestrial 5G service.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appears likely to put less spectrum in play for 5G and unlicensed use during her tenure than did her predecessor Ajit Pai, but she seems determined to address the process for reallocating bands, industry officials said. Rosenworcel shifted much of her attention to changes to process, and that will likely be a theme for the next few years.
The FTC voted 5-0 Wednesday approving two regulatory measures on children’s privacy and online influencer endorsements. Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, who was sworn in this week (see 2205160058), cast his first votes at the agency.
FCC Commissioners approved modernizing telecom service priority (TSP), wireless priority service (WPS) and government emergency telecommunications service (GETS) rules 4-0 Thursday, largely as circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, as expected (see 2205170068). The changes weren't controversial, with no ex parte filings when they were before commissioners. Public Safety Bureau Chief Debra Jordan confirmed on a call with reporters there were no substantial changes to the draft.
Citing the need to modernize the FCC's high cost USF programs and align them with recent federal broadband investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commissioners on Thursday unanimously adopted an NPRM seeking comment on an Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) Broadband Coalition proposal extending the program. The proposal would increase deployment obligations in exchange for additional funding, and seeks comment on whether to extend participation to carriers that haven't already been participating in the program.
House Communications Subcommittee leaders appear set on advancing the recently filed Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act (HR-7783) as their preference for renewing the FCC’s auction authority, before a planned Tuesday hearing (see 2205170081), but there’s more uncertainty about whether they will be willing to attach related measures before it heads to the floor. Senate Commerce Committee leaders are tentative about HR-7783’s proposal to extend the FCC’s auction authority for 18 months to March 31, 2024, and some policy stakeholders told us they outright oppose such a short extension. The FCC's current auction authority expires Sept. 30.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine may not be a game-changer for digital cybersecurity policy, but it holds lessons for Europe, speakers said at a Wednesday Centre for European Policy Studies webinar on Ukrainian digital resistance. Cybersecurity has become "a weapon in a war," forcing mobile operators to look at the issue in a broader context, said European Telecommunications Network Operators Association Director General Lise Fuhr. The aggression heightened cybersecurity concerns in EU countries, said Lorena Boix-Alonso, European Commission director-digital society, trust and cybersecurity.
The FTC’s requested 30% funding increase for FY23 would allow the agency to effectively face corporate defendants with “seemingly endless resources” and fulfill its mission, FTC Chair Lina Khan told the House Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee during a hearing Wednesday.
The House Commerce Committee unanimously advanced an amended version of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act (HR-7666) that would allocate $10 million annually for fiscal years 2023-2027 to the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national maternal mental health hotline to provide “voice and text support.” Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., used discussion on the measure to again highlight his view that Congress needs to solidify funding for the impending 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline rollout.
Healthcare organizations and state agencies backed the Health and Human Services Department's request for clarification that certain prerecorded calls and text messages are permissible under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (see 2205020059). Stakeholders said the planned calling and texting campaigns would help eligible individuals remain enrolled in Medicaid, the children's health insurance program (CHIP) and the basic health program (BHP), in comments posted Wednesday in docket 02-278.