T-Mobile buying Sprint is important to overall wireless industry competition and good for consumers, said their 678-page public interest statement posted by the FCC Tuesday, as expected (see 1806180044). The transaction is now formally before the FCC. The two promise the new T-Mobile will spend $40 billion to combine their networks into a “robust, nationwide world-class 5G network.” CEO John Legere blogged the new company is poised to take on cable and Dish Network, not just other wireless carriers. Early indications are the deal will face some of the same opposition at the FCC that greeted AT&T’s failed buy of T-Mobile.
Democratic Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel dissented Tuesday on an order creating a new Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) within the FCC, which was approved 3-2 (see 1801230066). Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said the order was strengthened since it was circulated to ensure the office plays a major role in policy formation. Officials told reporters after the meeting the office likely would have under 100 staffers.
Democratic Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel dissented Tuesday on an order creating a new Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) within the FCC, which was approved 3-2 (see 1801230066). Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said the order was strengthened since it was circulated to ensure the office plays a major role in policy formation. Officials told reporters after the meeting the office likely would have under 100 staffers.
Idaho USF probably isn't sustainable and may require a legislative fix, Public Utilities Commission staff said at a teleconferenced Wednesday workshop. The PUC is assessing state USF viability, as several other states also are expected to revamp state funds this year. State changes are appropriate, but federal action is needed, Joint Board on Universal Service State Chair Chris Nelson told us.
NARUC blasted the FCC for rejecting what the agency termed the “blunderbuss approach” of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission applying state regulations to Charter Communications’ fixed interconnected VoIP service (see 1710270053). In an amicus brief Friday at the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the FCC said allowing Minnesota to regulate VoIP would disrupt the market, stifle competition and hurt consumers. The federal agency again declined to say if it's a telecom or information service. But its statement could have big impact in the case and on the broader question of whether states can regulate such services, observers said.
NARUC blasted the FCC for rejecting what the agency termed the “blunderbuss approach” of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission applying state regulations to Charter Communications’ fixed interconnected VoIP service (see 1710270053). In an amicus brief Friday at the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the FCC said allowing Minnesota to regulate VoIP would disrupt the market, stifle competition and hurt consumers. The federal agency again declined to say if it's a telecom or information service. But its statement could have big impact in the case and on the broader question of whether states can regulate such services, observers said.
The Senate invoked cloture Thursday on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation 55-41. It begins a long-expected floor debate in which Democrats strongly criticized the commission's proposed rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules, Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune and other controversial policy matters (see 1709150060). Forty-nine Senate Republicans and six Democrats voted in favor of invoking cloture on the Pai debate, confirming expectations the Democratic caucus wouldn't be fully unified. At least four of those Democrats told us they are planning to support Pai again when a final confirmation vote occurs Monday.
The Senate invoked cloture Thursday on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's reconfirmation 55-41. It begins a long-expected floor debate in which Democrats strongly criticized the commission's proposed rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules, Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune and other controversial policy matters (see 1709150060). Forty-nine Senate Republicans and six Democrats voted in favor of invoking cloture on the Pai debate, confirming expectations the Democratic caucus wouldn't be fully unified. At least four of those Democrats told us they are planning to support Pai again when a final confirmation vote occurs Monday.
Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel slammed the 2017 version of the FCC’s mobile wireless competition report, approved 3-2 Tuesday in a party-line vote. Both questioned whether wireless in parts of the U.S. is genuinely competitive. During the Obama administration, the FCC repeatedly declined to determine there's effective competition in the U.S. wireless market. The new report says there is. The disagreement was expected and has been a topic of contention between Republicans and Democrats (see 1709220049).
Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel slammed the 2017 version of the FCC’s mobile wireless competition report, approved 3-2 Tuesday in a party-line vote. Both questioned whether wireless in parts of the U.S. is genuinely competitive. During the Obama administration, the FCC repeatedly declined to determine there's effective competition in the U.S. wireless market. The new report says there is. The disagreement was expected and has been a topic of contention between Republicans and Democrats (see 1709220049).