The attorneys general from 28 states urged the FCC to do anything that could help block illegal and unwanted robotexts to consumers, in reply comments on a March Further NPRM (see 2303160061). The AGs conceded that rules for robocalls may not be an exact match for robotexts. Carriers continue to urge caution in the approach taken by the commission, noting work already underway (see 2305090047).

Senate Commerce Committee leaders are continuing to push for a June confirmation hearing on FCC nominee Anna Gomez and renominated Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks (see 2306010075) but haven't settled on a date, lawmakers and lobbyists told us. Ex-nominee Gigi Sohn, meanwhile, directed her ire during a Tuesday Media and Democracy Project event at all levels of news media for not effectively covering her year-plus stalled confirmation process, saying she hopes Gomez and other future FCC candidates don't get the same treatment. Sohn asked President Joe Biden to withdraw her from consideration in March amid continued resistance from a handful of Democrats and uniform GOP opposition (see 2303070082).

Meta exposed its artificial intelligence technology to risks of spam, fraud, malware and privacy abuse by allowing unrestrained release of its Large Language Model Meta AI (LLaMA) program, wrote Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tuesday.

The telecom industry is making progress toward “net zero” carbon emissions, but getting there will be a struggle as wireless networks expand and data use increases, said Mike Murphy, Ericsson North America chief technology officer, during an Ericsson webinar Tuesday. ABI Research recently selected Ericsson as the overall “Most Sustainable Telco Vendor.”

The House Commerce Committee’s appetite for advancing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-3413/S-1669) proposal to mandate automakers include AM radio technology in future vehicles remains in doubt after multiple Communications Subcommittee members from both parties voiced skepticism during a Tuesday hearing, despite near-unanimous concern about potential public safety implications. House Communications ranking member Doris Matsui, D-Calif., told us she’s among those questioning the need for legislation in the short term to prevent AM radio’s removal from future vehicles. Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, said in an interview he remains undecided on HR-3413/S-1669 (see 2305260034) after the hearing.

Industry, state officials and advocacy organizations welcomed FCC proposals aimed at closing a loophole in robocall rules and addressing Stir/Shaken caller ID authentication, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 17-97 (see 2303160061). Most commenters agreed the commission should allow use of third-party authentication solutions without minimal restrictions.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is “committed to ensuring drivers have access to free, public alerts and safety warnings through” FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) system, but access to emergency alerts “is not limited to one mode of communication” like AM radio, says Vice President-Safety Police Scott Schmidt in written testimony for a Tuesday House Communications Subcommittee hearing. Schmidt’s testimony doesn’t mention the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-3413/S-1669) proposal to mandate automakers include AM radio technology in future vehicles, but witnesses representing broadcasters and public safety officials strongly endorse the measure in their written responses. House Communications Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, is evaluating whether to back HR-3413/S-1669 (see 2305260034).

Providers of incarcerated peoples communications services and advocacy organizations welcomed the FCC's efforts to further collect information through the third mandatory data collection (MDC) to establish permanent rates in comments posted Monday in docket 12-375. Most sought minor changes, but disagreed on the granularity of data that should be collected.

The Department of Transportation will view cellular-vehicle-to-everything and other V2X use of the 5.9 GHz band as a success when data shows the number of U.S. crashes and vehicle fatalities is falling, a DOT official said during an FCBA webinar Monday. An FCC official said the agency is looking forward to what it learns following the April approval of C-V2X waivers (see 2304240066). The FCC is still working on its final 5.9 GHz rules. Industry speakers said they hope the FCC will act soon.

The telecom industry warned California regulators not to overstep, in Friday comments on three rulemakings at the California Public Utilities Commission. Litigation is likely if the CPUC ramps up VoIP regulation, said internet-based phone providers in docket R.22-08-008. Meanwhile, in docket R.23-04-006, video franchise holders said there’s no need to revamp how they’re treated under the state’s Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA). Consumer groups fail to support their calls for stricter and more widely applied service-quality metrics for voice, said telecom groups in reply comments in R.22-03-016.