The transition from the FCC’s emergency broadband benefit program to the affordable connectivity program has been largely smooth for most providers, said Wireline Bureau staff and industry during an FCBA webinar Wednesday (see 2111230058). Some providers said it was challenging to meet the transition deadline, and they're now focused on increasing enrollment.
The House was set to vote late Wednesday on an FY 2022 omnibus appropriations package that includes funding increases for the FCC, FTC, NTIA and other tech-related federal agencies. Preliminary votes on the measure, filed as an amendment to shell bill HR-2471, hadn't happened by our deadline as chamber leaders worked out a deal to cut COVID-19 aid language from the measure after some members objected earlier in the day. The chamber was also expected to vote on a short-term continuing resolution (House Joint Resolution 75) to extend federal funding through Tuesday in a bid to give the Senate extra time to also consider HR-2471. The current CR would otherwise expire Friday night.
Disney research found many consumers “are actually more favorably disposed to services with ads than without ads,” Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy told a Morgan Stanley investment conference Monday on the rationale for adding an ad-supported Disney+ tier later this year in the U.S. (see 2203040042). “We have also had an incredible amount of advertiser demand ever since the launch of Disney+,” she said.
The U.S. isn't putting attention on the telecom workforce that will be needed as federal funds are spent to close the digital divide, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Tuesday, at the kickoff meeting of the Telecommunications Workforce Interagency Group (TWIG). The webcast included remarks from Biden administration officials but no discussion.
Tennessee bills to modify the 2018 small-cells state law could soon get floor votes. Localities and the wireless industry support the proposal, advanced Tuesday in the Senate, that would increase locality fees allowed for 5G deployments. At other Tuesday hearings, Tennessee legislators advanced broadband and telehealth bills.
A draft FCC Further NPRM to seek comment on resolving pole attachment and replacement disputes would expedite the broadband deployment to come through programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, industry experts told us. Commissioners will consider the draft during the agency's March 16 meeting, which would seek comment on several concerns raised in a 2020 NCTA petition and costs associated with pole replacements or attachments (see 2007170023).
The Cherokee Nation urged the FCC not to sell any licenses covering its tribal lands, as the FCC took comment on whether to adjust rules for a 2.5 GHz auction “in light of additions to the initial license inventory.” The FCC sought comment last month and isn’t allowing reply comments (see 2202220042). Comments were posted Monday in docket 20-429.
Getting White House assistance in moving a comprehensive privacy bill is the most “realistic” near-term goal, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told us as he contemplates stepping down as top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee (see 2203030070).
The FCC is working through comments on the future of the 4.9 GHz band and likely has reached no conclusions, industry and FCC officials told us. The Phoenix Center argued Monday 4.9 GHz should be allocated to FirstNet, saying that would be good for the economy and promote jobs.
A federal court said it’s precluded by the Tax Injunction Act (TIA) from reviewing Maryland’s digital ad tax. But U.S. District Court in Baltimore may review a challenge to an amendment to the Maryland Digital Ad Tax Act (Data) that prohibited companies from passing the tax’s cost onto consumers, said Judge Lydia Griggsby in a Friday order in case 21-cv-00410-LKG. Plaintiffs indicated they will fight on.