The FCC shouldn't act as a “Ministry of Truth,” and there isn't a constitutional basis for the agency to go after local broadcasters, said Commissioner Nathan Simington during an interview Tuesday that seemed aimed at soothing broadcasters' concerns about the FCC's new direction. “I’m not in the business of deciding who’s telling the truth and who’s not,” Simington said onstage at the NAB State Leadership Conference. “And what’s more, [FCC Chairman Brendan] Carr thinks the same way." Carr said last week that FCC precedent set by the previous administration supports proceedings he has opened against broadcast networks over their programming and news content.
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and other users of the 1675-1680 MHz band raised interference concerns in response to a January notice from the FCC (see 2501080067). The agency is seeking to refresh the record on the future of the band for shared use between federal incumbents and nonfederal fixed or mobile operations. It initially received comment in 2019 on reallocating the band for 5G, as urged by Ligado (see 1905090041). Comments were posted Monday in docket 19-116.
The FCC and two groups that support FirstNet asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit not to stay the FCC’s order giving use of the 4.9 GHz band to the FirstNet Authority, and indirectly AT&T. The briefs were filed in response to the request for a stay by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), the National Sheriffs' Association and the California State Sheriffs' Association.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told the Mobile World Congress on Monday that he will push to simplify the regulatory regime that carriers face in the U.S. The FCC also must make enough spectrum available for 5G so that “billions and billions of dollars” are invested in networks, he said. “We need more certainty both in America and Europe."
TV broadcast executives during Q4 earnings calls last week were bullish on merger and acquisition opportunities under the new White House and FCC leadership, but several also mentioned “softness” in some advertising categories, possibly connected to tariffs. Concern with tariffs is “putting a natural chilling effect upon advertising in the automobile sector” but should eventually “settle out,” said Gray Media co-CEO Hilton Howell.
A group of more than 50 unions, public interest and consumer groups released a statement last week opposing White House control of independent agencies like the FCC. Meanwhile, major telecom and media trade associations and companies have been mostly quiet concerning the Donald Trump administration's actions to assert control of independent agencies and its dismissal of Democrats serving on federal commissions.
EchoStar's Boost Wireless ended 2024 with a rarity -- subscriber gains -- but its pay-TV business and HughesNet subscriber numbers continued to fall, according to Q4 financial results announced Thursday. In a call with analysts, CEO Hamid Akhavan said he expects the Boost subscriber growth to continue in 2025.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said Thursday that staffing changes are coming to the FCC and that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is likely headed to the agency. Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez warned about the Donald Trump administration’s continuing moves against the federal workforce. Commissioners agreed on three wireless items (see 2502270042) and Calm Act rules at the meeting, as well as taking additional steps on robocalls.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr attempted to strike a balance during his Thursday post-commission meeting news conference in his response to a question about where he stands in the battle that Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is waging against DOD opposition to reallocating any military-controlled spectrum for commercial wireless use (see 2502190068). Carr said policymakers “can find a path forward” to increase spectrum availability that will also “fully protect the interests of our national security” and DOD.
The FCC on Thursday approved a pair of spectrum auction notices 4-0 at the first commission meeting under Chairman Brendan Carr. In one change of note, the FCC agreed to a tribal priority window in the AWS-3 NPRM and to mention it in the upper C-band notice of inquiry. A few changes were expected (see 2502260029).