A draft order on the Lifeline minimum service standard is based partly on two petitions for reconsideration filed by entities that uniformly oppose the current draft (see 2008240024), said FCC and industry officials in recent interviews. The text of the draft order and the MSS formula it uses haven’t been released. Officials confirmed it partially grants petitions filed in docket 11-42 by CTIA and many wireless eligible telecom carriers that sought changes to the way the MSS is calculated.
Self-driving cars once "seemed impossible," and now "seem inevitable,” but societal risks abound if autonomous driving isn't done right, said Jack Stilgoe, science and tech studies professor at the University College London, in an IFA 2020 keynote Thursday. He runs a program at the college called “Driverless Futures?” It studies society’s “excitement with self-driving cars and how policymakers can make better decisions about them,” he said.
Adopt NTIA’s petition for rulemaking on Communications Decency Act Section 230, Republican state attorneys general commented to the FCC posted Thursday in RM-11862 (see 2009020064). Tech, telecom and consumer groups again largely said the FCC shouldn't consider the petition, saying the FCC and NTIA are exceeding their jurisdiction and expertise. The AG group was formed by Texas’ Ken Paxton, Indiana’s Curtis Hill, Louisiana’s Jeff Landy and Missouri’s Eric Schmitt. The petition clarifies 230's scope and empowers states without undermining protections for moderation of “traditionally regulated content,” they wrote: It promotes freedom of speech by “ensuring competition through transparency.”
Reject NTIA’s petition for a rulemaking on Communications Decency Act Section 230, tech, telecom and consumers groups told the FCC in comments posted Wednesday before the midnight deadline in RM-11862 (see 2008120050). The petition has no legal basis, the agency doesn’t have jurisdiction, and President Donald Trump is attempting to use the commission for political gain, they said. AT&T called for uniform liability protections.
The FCC is targeting a follow-up order on TV white spaces for the Oct. 27 commissioners’ meeting, the last before the Nov. 3 presidential election, said industry and agency officials. Nothing is certain almost two months out, but the meeting could be a big one for spectrum. Reallocation of the 5.9 GHz band also is in Chairman Ajit Pai’s sights (see 2008200040).
President Donald Trump can’t forcibly remove FTC Chairman Joe Simons without cause, former agency officials told us, defending Simons as well-respected. They discussed ways Trump might seek to oust or demote the chairman, and a potential replacement. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking a replacement.
Despite mounting event cancellations, including that of CES 2021 (see 2007280034), IFA is taking a stab at the world’s first in-person tech show to be held during the pandemic era when it hosts a three-day physical and virtual hybrid event beginning Thursday. IFA 2020 Special Edition as it's called won’t look anything like a typical IFA at the Messe Berlin fairgrounds. The physical portion will limit daily attendance to 4,000 and will keep consumers away (see 2005190035). It’s also three days long compared with the usual six. Promoters claimed more than 250,000 trade and consumer visitors flocked to IFA 2019.
California broadband legislation appeared stuck hours before Monday’s legislative deadline. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D) won’t allow a vote despite agreement between the Senate and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), said supporters of SB-1130 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D). “We are still trying to get something done on broadband before midnight,” George Soares, aide to Gonzalez, emailed us Monday. Failure would mean the internet speed standard under the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) stays 6/1 Mbps, and the dwindling fund won’t get more cash.
The FCC is likely to issue an NPRM on spectrum in the 5030-5091 MHz band for unmanned aircraft system operations in coming months, but rules will have to wait until next year, industry lawyers told us Friday. Drones have been a White House focus, which could help get the FCC to act. An FCC report to Congress said the “unencumbered” 5030-5091 MHz band is likely suitable for UAS operations, but the 960-1164 MHz band isn’t. Last year, the FCC took comment on the possible use of both bands by drones (see 1912270039).
Law enforcement is grappling with an increase in child exploitation as online activity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, police and child advocates said in interviews. Law enforcement officials cited cyber tip increases across the country. Advocates want more investigatory resources, national legislation and for Big Tech to be held accountable.