A draft FCC NPRM would seek comment on an Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) Broadband Coalition proposal to establish an "Enhanced" A-CAM program, if adopted during the May 19 commissioners' meeting (see 2010300055). The proposal would "achieve widespread deployment of faster 100/20 Mbps broadband service" in rural areas currently receiving A-CAM support, said a fact sheet Thursday. Also on tap are orders updating priority calling rules and clamping down on robocalls. Another order would allow computer modeling to verify the pattern of FM directional antennas.
Private 5G networks are in early stages, with no consistent spectrum available worldwide, experts said during an RCR Wireless webinar Thursday. Speakers warned that no one-size-fits-all solution will meet the needs of companies.
The aviation safety concerns the FAA and airlines voiced about top U.S. wireless carriers’ use of 5G on the C band “won’t be completely resolved by this summer,” though ongoing “dialogue and collaboration” between all parties means “we’re on a better path” now, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a Thursday Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee hearing. Buttigieg’s assessment of the current situation kicked off a new case of heartburn among some communications sector stakeholders.
The 50-50 Charter Communications-Comcast joint venture to develop a national streaming platform on branded 4K streaming devices and smart TVs lacks a brand name. The venture, announced Wednesday, will give consumers a “world-class user experience and navigation designed to simplify the search experience, all the top apps, a voice remote and more choice in the streaming marketplace,” a Charter spokesperson emailed Wednesday. The companies “have nothing to share regarding the brand of the JV at this time,” he said. The closing of the joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies said.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission could set broadband service standards, under a bill considered Wednesday by the state's House Commerce Committee. The panel heard testimony but didn’t vote on HF-4455 at a webcast hearing. Republicans said the market is competitive and disagreed with increasing regulation. Communications Workers of America, which is pushing a model bill in multiple states to give utility commissions more authority, supported the bill (see 2104120051).
Profit incentives for streaming services are “very much out of sync” with those of artists, DOJ Antitrust Division Chief Jonathan Kanter said Wednesday: Enforcers will take it into account during its merger guideline review with the FTC (see 2204220056). He and FTC Chair Lina Khan heard from several musicians, content creators and consumer advocates about the effects of consolidation in media and entertainment during the third listening session. The FTC is taking note of the “significant transformation” in the media and entertainment sector over the past decade, Khan said.
The wireless industry needs to cut its own power consumption but can also help other industries become more energy efficient, speakers said Wednesday at the Brooklyn 6G Virtual Summit. Speakers warned that the rapid growth expected as industry moves to 6G will complicate efforts to reduce energy use.
T-Mobile will finish moving all Sprint customers to the T-Mobile network over the next few months and plans to “decommission substantially all” Sprint sites by year-end, executives said Wednesday as the carrier reported Q1 results. T-Mobile continues its strong growth, with 589,000 postpaid phone net adds and 1.3 million postpaid net customer adds. T-Mobile shares closed 3.9% higher Wednesday at $129.84.
FCC commissioners will consider a proposal to create an enhanced alternative Connect America model program to bring "faster, better broadband to rural America" at the agency's May 19 meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a meeting preview Wednesday. Commissioners will also consider an order targeting gateway providers and illegal robocalls originating abroad, updates to priority services rules, and regulatory relief for FM radio broadcasters.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and some Senate Commerce Committee members used a Wednesday hearing on the Commerce Department's FY 2023 budget goals (see 2204210059) as a platform to press Congress to quickly reach agreement marrying elements of the House-passed America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act (HR-4521) and Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S-1260). Committee members also pressed Raimondo on NTIA’s plans for distributing $48 billion in broadband money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and how to improve interagency spectrum coordination.