Challengers and critics of SpaceX's 15,000-satellite supplemental coverage from space service said its response to their concerns is unconvincing. In FCC comments posted Friday (docket 25-340), many argued that SpaceX has yet to make the case for why equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits should be waived. SpaceX has said opponents' concerns and petitions to deny are unsubstantiated and factually incorrect (see 2601160041).
As a growing number of states propose and adopt restrictions on the use of cellphones and personal electronics in schools, those bills are facing little to no opposition. “It’s pretty amazing how much support they are getting,” said Kris Perry, executive director of the nonprofit Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.
Satellite and wireless interests are at odds over whether there still needs to be a 50 MHz guard band in the 28 GHz band as protection for upper microwave flexible-use service (UMFUS) networks. The FCC Space Bureau last month solicited comments in docket 17-95 about communications with earth stations in motion (ESIM) in the 28.35-28.6 GHz band (see 2512190009).
The FCC Space Bureau's move toward a major overhaul of the satellite and earth station licensing rules is being met with general cheers by the space operator community, as well as numerous suggested edits. The commissioners unanimously adopted a space modernization NPRM in October (see 2510280024). Comments were due Tuesday in docket 25-306, which saw nearly 60 filings this week from space operators, trade groups and wireless interests.
Late-night and daytime TV talk shows aren't automatically exempt from the obligation to provide political candidates equal time, according to new guidance issued Wednesday by the FCC Media Bureau. It said partisan-motivated programming wouldn't qualify for the exemption under long-standing precedent. The equal opportunity rule requires that political candidates be given equal time on non-news broadcast programming.
Industry groups are pushing the FCC to move forward with proposed changes to its broadband labeling rules and even suggesting ways of going further. Some aspects of the existing label rules "simply do not make sense," USTelecom said.
FCC action on its proposed wireline and wireless infrastructure proceedings will likely come by June at the latest, with court challenges starting shortly thereafter, Best Best localities lawyer Cheryl Leanza said Tuesday during a webinar hosted by the National Association of Telecom Officers and Advisors. Given FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's prioritization of permitting reform and efforts to preempt local rules and regulations that slow down permitting, he will move as quickly as possible, she predicted.
Close to two dozen providers notified the FCC last week about possibly or actually having fallen short of Rural Deployment Opportunity Fund (RDOF) deployments that were to be completed by the end of 2025. Several said pole attachment and permitting woes were the hold-up or cited delays tied to the fall 2025 federal government shutdown and changes to the BEAD program. The RDOF notifications involved locations in at least 28 different states.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously Thursday to approve Verizon's purchase of Frontier Communications. The deal represents “a major shift” in the communications competitive landscape in California, CPUC President Alice Reynolds said. A lot of Frontier's network in the state needs investment, particularly in rural and tribal areas, and Verizon will bring that, she said. She and other commissioners repeatedly cited what they called significant commitments that Verizon made for broadband deployment, digital equity, service quality, discounted service for low-income households and labor protections.
Crown Castle said Monday that it had terminated its wireless infrastructure agreement with Dish after the latter company defaulted on payment obligations. Meanwhile, Fujitsu has joined the ranks of companies and groups urging the FCC not to approve transfers of EchoStar spectrum licenses until Dish's parent company makes good on contracts tied to its now-abandoned terrestrial wireless network buildout. MoffettNathanson told investors Tuesday that there's "a decent chance" the FCC could step in and try to force EchoStar to make good on its contracts with the tower companies.