Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday the FCC plans to hold the 2.5 GHz auction in the first half of 2021. A year ago, the FCC approved revised rules for the educational broadband service band over partial dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. Last week, the FCC extended the window for tribes to apply for licenses by 30 days, until Sept. 2. Pai noted during the commissioners' ongoing meeting that some 280 entities had applied during the 2.5 GHz rural priority window.
President Donald Trump withdrew his renomination of FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly to another term, the White House announced Monday. The Trump administration and O’Rielly’s office didn’t immediately comment. O’Rielly’s nomination had been seen to be on hold until at least September due to a hold from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and opposition from several Senate Commerce Committee Democrats.
FCC staff extended by a month an opportunity for tribes to file 2.5 GHz applications, until Sept. 2. That's less than the three additional months some sought.
CTA will move CES 2021 to an all-virtual event on Jan. 6-9 from a physical show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, said the association Tuesday.
NTIA filed the eagerly awaited petition to the FCC to clarify Communications Decency Act Section 230, as instructed by President Donald Trump's executive order. The changes would say when certain industry actions such as by social media platforms wouldn't be exempted under the liability safe harbor. The administration now also asked "to impose disclosure requirements similar those imposed on other internet companies, such as major broadband service providers, to promote free and open debate on the internet."
The FCC will allow staffers who are teleworking to continue doing so until at least June, regardless of location, said a Friday emailed memo to staff from Chairman Ajit Pai’s Chief of Staff Matthew Berry “We want to provide those with concerns ranging from childcare to their own health with the peace of mind that they will have the flexibility they need over the coming months.” The decision was made “in light of recent announcements by school districts as well as the ongoing nature of the pandemic.”
The FCC delayed until September 2020 plans to move to new headquarters near Union Station after concerns arose about employees possibly being infected during the packing process. That's according to our interviews with staff, a spokesperson and Friday's internal memo that said workers can telework until at least June 2021. The spokesperson confirmed that the memo was sent. That followed our news bulletin earlier Friday. It's now in front of the pay wall here.
NARUC and FCC leaders are in agreement that inmate calling service rates need to be examined. NARUC President Brandon Presley agreed with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Presley wrote Thursday. Pai had written the organization earlier this week.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai asked NARUC and state regulators to act against high inmate calling service rates for calls within states. His letter Monday comes as the federal agency is poised to vote Aug. 6 on lowering some interstate inmate calling service rates and amid a focus by communications stakeholders and others on racial justice and diversity.
The tech industry wants a transition to a new data sharing regime between the U.S. and Europe, after a European court rejected Privacy Shield. Early Thursday EDT, the European Court of Justice ruled against aspects of PS. The case involves Max Schrems, who has been challenging PS for some time.