The FCC released the second iteration of its new broadband availability maps Tuesday, showing more than 8.3 million homes and businesses lack access to high-speed broadband. It also shows a net increase of more than 1 million new serviceable locations from the initial map. It's "the most accurate depiction of broadband availability in the FCC’s history," NTIA said in a blog. The agency will rely on the maps for its broadband, equity, access and deployment program allocations.
Broadcasters seeking an AM radio requirement for cars are counting on bipartisan support and public safety concerns to carry the day, but opponents argue Ford’s recent reversal (see 2305230047) shows legislation to mandate the technology like the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-3413/S-1669) isn't needed. It would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule mandating AM radio access in new vehicles. House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, is withholding deciding on whether such legislation is needed pending the outcome of a planned early June hearing on the issue.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is seeking potential options with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to bring a package of children’s online safety bills to the Senate floor, he told us last week.
Source Defense protection and data privacy compliance company founding member Ross Hogan, ex-HUB Security, returns as CEO … Sarcos Technology and Robotics names former Boeing executive and current Sarcos board member Laura Peterson interim president-CEO, replacing outgoing President-CEO Kiva Allgood ...Digital engineering company Persistent Systems names Wipro’s Gurvinder Sahni chief marketing officer … Lodestone Security names Sophos’ Erin Malone chief revenue officer ... Cloud security company Lacework hires Lea Kissner, ex-Twitter and former Apple, as chief information security officer.
A proposed Texas House constitutional amendment on creating a state broadband fund will go to the Senate floor, but senators are making changes that would require House agreement. The Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously at a livestreamed hearing Monday on substitutes to HJR-125 and on an accompanying bill (HB-9) that passed the House by wide margins last month (see 2304270056). Substitute text wasn’t immediately available Monday. Sen. Robert Nichols (R) supported the bills but said he wants to work with sponsors on adding language to require a local matching requirement. “People treat money better when they have a little skin in the game,” said Nichols, saying even a 10% local match would help. AT&T supports the proposal to create a "comprehensive funding mechanism that takes a holistic approach,” David Tate, retired vice president-legal affairs, testified at the hearing. State funding now is important, with Texas not due to receive federal money until 2025 from NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program, said Texas Cable Association President Walt Baum. But the Taxpayers Protection Alliance thinks making residents pay for a $5 billion fund is a “waste of money and fiscally irresponsible.” Texas 9-1-1 Alliance Chairman Chip VanSteenberg supports the bill including funding for next-generation 911. The existing 50-cent 911 surcharge on phone bills hasn’t kept up with rising costs, he said.
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act (S-229) on a voice vote Wednesday. The measure and House companion HR-752 would direct the Commerce Department’s SelectUSA program to work with state-level economic development organizations to develop strategies to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains. Senate Commerce advanced a previous version of the bill in 2021 (see 2112090058).
TV broadcasters are getting presidential campaign ad buys earlier than in any previous race, expect opportunities for sports deals, and vary on whether a possible recession is affecting their businesses, said executives from E.W. Scripps, Gray, Sinclair and Nexstar on recent Q1 earnings calls. “We candidly don't see current signs of recession looming on the horizon,” said Gray co-CEO Hilton Howell last week. “There is no question that there are economic headwinds out there,” said Nexstar CEO Perry Sook Tuesday.
The administration views open and interoperable networks as “the way of the future” and the $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund will "help put the U.S. and its partners at the forefront of that innovation,” NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson said Thursday at a public session where officials took questions and explained the fund. Timing is tight: Applications are due June 2 and NTIA plans to make the first awards in August, Davidson said. Another round of funding will come next year.
In preparation for possible interference to GPS from terrestrial L-band use, DOT wants to augment its current processes for identifying and responding, the agency said at the National Space-Based Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board meeting Wednesday.
Officials with 5G for 12 GHz Coalition didn’t get everything they wanted from the FCC in the item teed up for a vote at the May 18 open meeting. But they're pleased with what was proposed and see it as the next step on the way to use of the band for fixed wireless, and potentially to be used as part of broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program applications.