The FCC approved 5-0 an order on remand and Further NPRM on rates for interstate inmate calling services, with ICS changes sought by overhaul proponents (see 2008040056). Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks said the agency should have acted much earlier. As on other items, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly voted yes but didn’t have a statement (see 2008060062).
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other GOP lawmakers are pressing President Donald Trump to reverse course and reinstate his renomination of FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, officials told us. Trump abruptly withdrew O’Rielly’s renomination Monday (see 2008030072). The decision drew significant scrutiny amid perceptions it’s tied to O’Rielly’s reluctance to say he wants the FCC to clarify its rules in response to Trump’s May executive order on Communications Decency Act Section 230. Senate Republicans are making their case for O’Rielly partly because they think it would be difficult for the Senate to confirm a replacement this year (see 2008040061).
The FCC got broad opposition to a proposal for deregulating telephone access charges in an April NPRM (see 2007070025), in comments posted through Wednesday in docket 20-71. The agency cast the TAC NPRM as a bid to “eliminate outdated and unnecessary regulations” and simplify bills for consumers.
Some broadcasters are seeing signs the downturn in advertising caused by the pandemic is slowly improving. Others remain uncertain, based on earnings releases and quarterly investor calls this week. Sinclair stock closed down 10% Wednesday at $19.32. Fox fell 7.3% to $24.73.
Policing political content curation by platforms like Facebook and Twitter isn’t within FTC jurisdiction, Chairman Joe Simons said Wednesday at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing. Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., asked the commission about President Donald Trump’s social media executive order (see 2008040059).
President Donald Trump's surprise decision to withdraw Mike O’Rielly's nomination to another term on the FCC (see 2008040061) could hurt Republicans immediately, observers noted in interviews this week. If O’Rielly follows the example of others, he could begin recusing himself immediately. That would mean Chairman Ajit Pai loses a generally reliable third vote when there's a split with Democrats.
House Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Communications Subcommittee Vice Chair Doris Matsui, D-Calif., backed open radio access networks, during an Open-RAN Policy Coalition webinar Tuesday. Both are co-sponsors of the Utilizing Strategic Allied (USA) Telecoms Act. S-3189 would require the FCC create an NTIA-managed O-RAN network R&D grant program (see 2004240032).
Expect the Senate Commerce Committee to question the FTC on how it's responding to President Donald Trump’s social media executive order (see 2007280053) when commissioners testify Wednesday, senators said in interviews. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said he’s more concerned about political influence at the FCC. A day earlier, Trump withdrew the renomination of Commissioner Michael O’Rielly (see 2008030072).
The draft order on relaxing radio non-duplication rules will be expanded to apply to FM and AM stations, and draft items on broadcast antenna siting and telephone relay service rules are expected to be approved before Thursday’s commissioners' meeting, FCC and industry officials said in interviews this week. FCC Democrats are seen likely to oppose the expanded radio item, agency officials said.
The FCC is expected to make some changes on inmate calling services when members vote Thursday (see 2007160072), including adding questions to an NPRM. Staff for commissioners has been discussing tweaks, and talks have been mostly amiable, agency and industry officials said in interviews this week. Providers and proponents of lower calling rates for inmates want changes to the draft, including over how calls are classified. Eighty percent of traffic is classified as intrastate, the rest interstate, and ICS providers warn that could flip based on the order.