The EU's connectivity infrastructure isn't ready for the challenges of the digital society and needs revamping, the European Commission said in a white paper published Wednesday. Among other problems, it said, is that some electronic communications rules aren't working well, making completion of the digital single market difficult. The digital single market seeks to end national barriers to online transactions, building on the EU internal market. A long-running dispute over whether content providers should pay telcos a "fair share" to use their networks will apparently extend into the next EC, stakeholders and observers said.

Emerging commercial space applications that fall outside existing regulatory regimes are driving the need for clarity about what agency is responsible for what, House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin said Wednesday. Speaking at the annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference in Washington, the Texas Republican was critical of the White House's proposed novel space activities authorization framework. Instead, he talked up his Commercial Space Act. In addition, multiple space regulators from other nations spoke about needing a more-uniform launch regulatory regime that would clear the path to reciprocal launch licenses.

Minnesota legislators on Wednesday advanced an age-appropriate design bill modeled after a California law that was recently deemed unconstitutional.

Florida senators unanimously supported joining other states that designate mobile phone providers as eligible telecom carriers (ETCs) for the federal Lifeline program. On the floor Wednesday, senators voted 37-0 to pass a bill (SB-478) that would transfer wireless ETC designation powers from the FCC to the Florida Public Service Commission. Later, senators debated a bill (HB-1) that would override parents and ban all kids younger than 16 from getting social media accounts.

Fixed wireless customers are the happiest broadband customers in the U.S., according to a recent survey, Recon Analytics' Roger Entner said Wednesday during a Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy webcast. Entner said U.S. carriers probably have the spectrum holdings they need to keep up with demand for fixed offerings. Entner’s comments were based on a recent proprietary Recon Analytics survey of more than 250,000 consumers in the U.S.

Proposed FCC supplemental coverage from space (SCS) rules include a requirement that terrestrial providers must route SCS 911 calls to a public safety answering point using location-based routing or an emergency call center, the agency said Wednesday. Commissioners are expected to vote on the rules during their open meeting on March 14. Announcing the agenda for next month's meeting, the FCC also said there would be draft rules for "all-in" video pricing and a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless IoT devices. In addition, the meeting will see commissioners voting on an NPRM about creating an emergency alert system code for missing and endangered people (see 2402210066).

The FCC will consider an NPRM seeking comment on adding a new alert code to the emergency alert system focused on missing and endangered people during a commissioners' March 14 open meeting, said a news release Wednesday. The Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) code would alert the public about missing people who don’t meet the criteria for Amber Alerts, which are primarily for missing children. The March agenda also includes draft supplemental coverage from space rules and a cybersecurity labeling program for wireless IoT devices (see 2402210057).

House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said Wednesday he and other supporters of the FCC’s affordable connectivity program are seeking stopgap funding for an FY 2024 omnibus appropriations package in a bid to keep the endangered initiative running. Meanwhile, ex-FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and eight other former commission heads said congressional leaders should “act swiftly” and appropriate up to $15 billion for next-generation 911 tech upgrades. President Joe Biden last year sought $6 billion in stopgap ACP money and $3.08 billion to fully fund the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program as part of a supplemental appropriations request but didn’t mention NG-911 (see 2310250075).

Manufacturers of phones, tablets and gaming consoles should have responsibility under law for establishing default content filters that block minors from accessing pornography and obscene content, Del. Shaneka Henson (D) said Tuesday, arguing in favor of her legislation during a House Economic Matters Committee hearing.

Petitioners Maurine and Matthew Molak want the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to “disregard the statutory requirement” under Communications Act Section 405(a) that persons who weren’t parties before the FCC file a petition for reconsideration as a “condition precedent” to seeking judicial review, said the FCC and DOJ reply Friday (docket 23-60641) in support of their motion to dismiss the Molaks’ petition (see 2402070002).