The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit's 2-1 ruling Friday knocking down two FCC conditions on Charter Communications' buying Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks didn’t get to the merits (see 2008140018). It nonetheless could have implications for future consumer challenges of regulations, said cable attorneys and appellant the Competitive Enterprise Institute in interviews. Industry and public interest lawyers disagree how the ruling will affect a parallel FCC proceeding on sunsetting Charter/TWC/BHN conditions (see 2007230015).
The FTC should investigate TikTok’s “consumer data collection and processing practices,” Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan., wrote FTC Chairman Joe Simons Thursday.
The FCC might not be as aggressive on pirate radio enforcement and curbing cable local franchise authorities (LFAs) after Commissioner Mike O'Rielly's expected departure from his seat Jan. 3 at the latest, experts and insiders told us. Some wonder if O'Rielly will be a quieter presence on the commission in his remaining weeks; he issued no statements at its August meeting though he did for the C-band auction rules approved on circulation (see 2008060069). O'Rielly's office and the FCC didn't comment.
President Donald Trump’s administration is believed nearly ready to name NTIA senior adviser Carolyn Roddy as President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, potentially as soon as the next few days, communications sector officials and lobbyists told us. Behind-the scenes wrangling between the Trump administration and Senate GOP leaders over O'Rielly's revoked renomination continued this week, with prospects for a resolution uncertain, officials and lobbyists said. Trump withdrew the renomination last week (see 2008030072). Senate Majority Whip John Thune of South Dakota and other Republicans have pressed Trump to reinstate O'Rielly (see 2008060062).
Broadband satellite interest in the coldest parts of the Northern Hemisphere is heating up, with a variety of constellations targeting Alaska and other markets north of 55 degrees latitude expected to come online as soon as 2021. Consumer broadband and the digital divide for rural Alaskans is part of what's driving demand but so is a maritime marketplace opening up due to climate change, we were told.
The FCC lacks authority to act on NTIA’s petition for a rulemaking on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (see 2008030025), Vimeo said in comments to the agency in RM-11862. The FCC received 177 comments by Wednesday afternoon, almost all from individuals. The Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice and Engine told us they plan to comment in opposition to NTIA’s petition.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai declared “massive victory” Wednesday as the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals mostly upheld the agency’s 2018 wireless infrastructure orders on small cells and local moratoria. Industry also applauded the court for rejecting local government claims that the FCC inappropriately preempted their authority in the federal agency’s effort to streamline 5G deployment. The 9th Circuit fully upheld the agency’s one-touch, make-ready (OTMR) order.
The personal health and safety risks of COVID-19 are casting autonomous driving in a more positive public light than before the pandemic, Motional President-CEO Karl Iagnemma told an Axios webinar Tuesday. The Hyundai-Aptiv autonomous vehicle joint venture was rebranded Tuesday as Motional.
More state commissions are eyeing contribution and other USF changes. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission may vote later this year on a USF administrator recommendation to switch to a connections-based mechanism. The Texas Public Utility Commission asked legislators to consider USF contribution changes next year. Oregon, New Mexico and Nebraska commissions are also reviewing state USF.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Qualcomm Tuesday in an FTC antitrust lawsuit against the company. In the minutes after the ruling, Qualcomm's stock rose, closing 2.3% higher at $108.83. The FTC is reviewing its options.