NTIA is facing increasing pressure from carriers for additional spectrum for full-power licensed use, and from interests favoring a more open-ended approach, especially in the lower 3 GHz and 7/8 GHz bands, as the agency finalizes an implementation plan for the national spectrum strategy, due for release March 14. DOD is defending its systems in the bands targeted by carriers. Meanwhile, there are questions about how much longer Scott Harris, NTIA senior spectrum adviser, will remain at the agency after the implementation plan is released, industry officials told us.
Updates to FCC rules for full-power and Class A stations to reflect the digital transition and the broadcast incentive auction took effect Monday, said a Media Bureau public notice in Monday’s Daily Digest. The update stems from a Sept. 22 unanimously approved order (see 2209290017). The changes update rules language and are largely ministerial, intended “to ensure the rules reflect the Commission’s requirements and are understandable for our licensees and the public,” the PN said.
A recent letter from Pennsylvania's two U.S. senators urging the FCC to swiftly act on Fox affiliate WTXF-Philadelphia's license renewal application was a "lukewarm endorsement" for the station, said the Media and Democracy Project (MAD) in a letter to the FCC posted in docket 23-293 Monday. MAD and former Fox and Disney lobbyist Preston Padden want the agency to designate WTXF's license for a hearing (see 2307060065). Sens. John Fetterman and Bob Casey, both Democrats, last month wrote a letter to the FCC supporting the station (see 2402260064): "Politicians -- even those of the highest integrity like Senators Casey and Fetterman -- don’t want to ‘piss off’ a TV station that will cover their election," Padden said in an email last week. MAD seconded the senators' call for swift action but said the agency "must first conduct a thorough investigation of the serious rule violations and character allegations" against Fox and that the FCC hasn't indicated it is conducting such a probe. An investigation would require granting MAD's request for nonpublic evidence submitted in court cases brought against Fox by voting machine companies, MAD said. "Airing of these documents is essential to the fair and neutral review that the senators request," the MAD letter said. Fetterman, Casey and Fox didn't comment.
The FCC and the U.K. Office of Communications announced Monday “a new framework for cooperation” on combating illegal robocalls and robotexts. The agencies agreed “to cooperate and share information to further their shared interests in protecting consumers and ensuring the integrity of communications networks.” Last week, the FCC and the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office said they will cooperate on robocall and robotext enforcement (see 2402290039). “Scammers cross borders to trick, irritate and defraud consumers,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
Effective April 4, an FCC rule states that a one-time text message that confirms a request to revoke consent from receiving any further calls or text messages and that contains no marketing information, doesn't violate commission rules strengthening consumers' ability to make such a request, said a notice for Tuesday's Federal Register. A rule on delivery restrictions is delayed indefinitely. Commissioners adopted the item in February along with an NPRM seeking comment on wireless providers' ability to send robocalls or robotexts to subscribers (see 2402160048). Comments on the NPRM are due April 4, replies by April 19, in docket 02-278, said a separate notice for Tuesday's FR.
Last month's Super Bowl demonstrated the importance of wireless mics, Shure said in a filing at the FCC posted Monday in docket 21-115. “Wireless microphone technology was, again, key to bringing to viewers the excitement and thrill of the much-anticipated 2024 championship game as well as a world-class halftime performance, pre-game and post-game performances,” Shure said: “There simply is no room for failure when the National Anthem and the Super Bowl Halftime Show are being viewed by record-setting audiences worldwide.” Shure noted the importance of a recent FCC order allowing the use of wireless multichannel audio system technology (see 2402150037).
Representatives of OpenPolicy and Human Security warned about risks posed by “backdoor malware” from devices manufactured in China. Meeting with aides to FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, the representatives discussed the FCC’s proposed cyber mark program, teed up for a March 14 commissioner vote (see 2402220059). The rules should cover all devices, said a filing posted Monday in docket 23-239: “Attacks can also be commenced on mobile devices, and general-purpose products such as tablets, and any explicit exclusion of such connected products is inappropriate.”
The FCC Public Safety Bureau said the Huron County, Ohio, Emergency Management Agency can conduct a wireless emergency alert system test March 20, one day later than the county requested (see 2402200072). The revised starting time is 9:45 a.m. EDT. The county asked for the delay because March 19 is election day in Ohio and the state, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, will be conducting its annual statewide tornado drill March 20, the bureau said.
The FCC released additional guidance Monday for affordable connectivity program providers as it continues winding down the program. "Absent additional funding from Congress, the ACP can only provide a partial reimbursement for May 2024," said a public notice docket 21-450. ACP providers "have the option to claim and pass on that partial reimbursement amount to enrolled households," it said: "After May 2024, the ACP will no longer support any benefits to enrolled households." Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urged lawmakers to fully fund the program, saying many enrolled households have contacted the commission with concerns about losing service.
The U.S. government will seek dismissal of Vermont National Telephone (VTEL) litigation against Dish Network designated entities (DE) Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless over allegations of fraud in the 2015 AWS-3 auction. The U.S. is the relator in the VTEL litigation. DOJ filed a notice of intent to intervene and dismiss Friday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (docket 1:15-cv-00728). It hasn't said in court filings the reasoning behind its move to get the case dismissed, and didn't comment Monday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2022 reversed the lower court's dismissal of VTEL's False Claims Act suit against the Dish DEs and remanded it to the D.C. District Court (see 2205170026).