Regulators shouldn’t approve Google’s buy of Fitbit (see 1911010054) until various antitrust investigations are complete, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told us. Other concerned senators in interviews urged antitrust regulators to respond to a platform facing mounting scrutiny.
Decreasing a $9.25 monthly Lifeline subsidy for voice Dec. 1 "will immediately restrict the availability of voice-only services to low-income Americans, and ultimately result in services being withdrawn," cautioned Prepaid Wireless Group and StandUp Wireless in an FCC filing posted Tuesday in docket 11-42. The companies support this summer's industry petition to pause the FCC plans that also would impose new Lifeline minimum broadband standards (see 1906280012). The companies back proposals from TracFone Wireless and CTIA (see 1911060040) and from Q Link and the National Lifeline Association (see 1911070018) to lower coming broadband standards. Prepaid Wireless CEO Paul Greene and StandUp Chief Operating Officer Eric Schimpf had calls Thursday and Friday with Wireline Bureau Telecom Access Policy Division staff and an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai.
The FCC must take caution not to disrupt critical infrastructure as it opens the 6 GHz band to unlicensed users, said two state utility commissioners in support of a proposed NARUC resolution. State commissioners plan to vote on the 6 GHz statement at their meeting next week in San Antonio (see 1911050040). Senators and wireless carriers are also warning the FCC.
Regulators shouldn’t approve Google’s buy of Fitbit (see 1911010054) until various antitrust investigations are complete, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told us this week. Other concerned senators in interviews urged antitrust regulators to respond to a platform facing mounting scrutiny.
Regulators shouldn’t approve Google’s buy of Fitbit (see 1911010054) until various antitrust investigations are complete, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told us this week. Other concerned senators in interviews urged antitrust regulators to respond to a platform facing mounting scrutiny.
CTIA asked the FCC to pause new Lifeline standards, in a filing posted Wednesday in docket 11-42. “CTIA remains concerned that the impending four-fold increase in minimum service standards for mobile wireless data from 2 GB to 8.75 GB” on Dec. 1 “as well as the phase-down in support for voice services, will severely hinder eligible low-income consumers' ability to choose Lifeline supported mobile wireless services." A TracFone proposal (see 1910310009) to instead require a monthly broadband data allowance of 3 GB while the agency explores a new standard is “a reasonable alternative to meaningfully increase the minimum service standards for mobile wireless data services, while mitigating the negative impact to low-income consumers,” CTIA said.
CTIA asked the FCC to pause new Lifeline standards, in a filing posted Wednesday in docket 11-42. “CTIA remains concerned that the impending four-fold increase in minimum service standards for mobile wireless data from 2 GB to 8.75 GB” on Dec. 1 “as well as the phase-down in support for voice services, will severely hinder eligible low-income consumers' ability to choose Lifeline supported mobile wireless services." A TracFone proposal (see 1910310009) to instead require a monthly broadband data allowance of 3 GB while the agency explores a new standard is “a reasonable alternative to meaningfully increase the minimum service standards for mobile wireless data services, while mitigating the negative impact to low-income consumers,” CTIA said.
The FCC released its order Tuesday approving the T-Mobile/Sprint/Dish Network deal, approved by commissioners 3-2 Oct. 16 (see 1910160058). Democrats Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks raised objections, as did other critics, including on the process the FCC followed in developing the order. Rosenworcel said the FCC should also release the initial order circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai.
The FCC released its order Tuesday approving the T-Mobile/Sprint/Dish Network deal, approved by commissioners 3-2 Oct. 16 (see 1910160058). Democrats Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks raised objections, as did other critics, including on the process the FCC followed in developing the order. Rosenworcel said the FCC should also release the initial order circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai.
States protested the FCC denying waivers of Wednesday’s deadline to hard-launch the Lifeline national verifier in Connecticut, Georgia, Nebraska, New York and Vermont. State and other officials told us low-income people could lose inexpensive telecom service. Tuesday’s Wireline Bureau order responded that states have themselves to blame (see 1910220060). “It was harsh,” said Vermont Department of Public Service Telecommunications and Connectivity Division Director Clay Purvis.