An FCC report showing a bump in 911 fee diversion in 2020 frustrated former Commissioner Mike O'Rielly and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The agency reported that some states diverted more than $207 million in 2020. Don’t adopt a safe harbor or grace period to comply with the fee diversion order, said CTIA in comments posted Friday in docket 20-291 (see 2112210037). CTIA opposed petitions for reconsideration from Colorado’s Boulder Regional Emergency Telephone Service Authority and City of Aurora 911 Authority, saying the requests would “undermine Congress’s intent.”
The fight over the C band shows a recurring pattern on spectrum decisions, with agencies and incumbents raising new objections after the FCC makes a decision, officials said during a CES 5G panel, streamed from Las Vegas Thursday. “We shouldn’t see agencies fighting on CNN,” said Asad Ramzanali, legislative director to Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.: “That’s not a good thing.” None of the FCC commissioners attended CES. Commissioner Nathan Simington was scheduled to speak on the 5G panel but was unable to attend, officials said.
State attorneys general are planning meetings on algorithmic bias on social media, offices for AGs in Iowa, Colorado and Hawaii told us this week.
A draft FCC NPRM would require ISPs to disclose certain information to consumers through a broadband label, if approved during the agency's January meeting, said a fact sheet Thursday (see 2201050057). Other drafts include an order updating the E-rate program's rules to ensure tribal libraries' access to the program, an order updating political programming rules, an NPRM updating equipment authorization rules, and an order resolving "pending issues" on white space spectrum.
CTA President Gary Shapiro, in his state of the industry stump speech Wednesday before a live audience in the Venetian’s Palazzo Ballroom to open CES 2022, dispensed with his customary list of association policy and standards objectives, instead imploring political leaders to help the private sector nurture technology innovation or get out of the tech industry’s way. General Motors CEO Mary Barra, who until two weeks ago was to have taken the same CES keynote stage but withdrew for COVID-19's omicron health and safety reasons (see 2112270040), delivered her hourlong remarks on GM’s electric-vehicle initiatives via video she recorded in an empty Fox Theatre in Detroit.
The writing profession is under threat from state legislators seeking to strengthen public libraries’ hand in negotiations with e-book publishers like Amazon, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told us Wednesday. Library advocates said in interviews that e-book laws in Maryland and New York are an important step in ensuring libraries maintain their role in society.
Verizon has no doubts it will be able to start turning on its C band in two weeks, after reaching an agreement with the FAA and aviation industry (see 2201040070), said Chief Technology Officer Kyle Malady at a Citi virtual conference Wednesday. “This is the final agreement,” he said: “We feel this is it.” The presentation was the first by a top Verizon official since the agreement was unveiled.
The FCC has a "robust agenda" for the agency's January meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel blogged Wednesday. This year is "going to be a busy and productive year at the FCC," she wrote. On tap is a proposal to establish "simple-to-understand broadband labels," an order addressing E-rate for tribal libraries, and updates on political programming, white space spectrum and equipment authorization rules.
With enrollment now open for the FCC’s affordable connectivity program and the transition from the emergency broadband benefit program underway, some consumer advocacy groups told us they're concerned that EBB-enrolled households could face a bill shock or lose their benefit entirely if required to affirmatively opt in to receive the new benefit. Several questions remain because the FCC hasn't issued rules for the new program and the higher subsidy amount is set to end March 1.
Senate Democrats are planning January action on FCC nominee Gigi Sohn, FTC nominee Alvaro Bedoya and NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson amid perceptions President Joe Biden’s tech and telecom picks have renewed momentum after the start of 2022, lawmakers and lobbyists told us. Biden renominated Bedoya and Sohn Tuesday, and Senate leaders agreed to carry over Davidson’s 2021 nomination (see 2201040027). Most or all Republicans are expected to oppose Bedoya and Sohn, as they did last year (see 2201040071). Confirmations would ensure 3-2 Democratic majorities at the FCC and FTC.