The National Institute of Standards and Technology should develop metrics and measurements to guide the cybersecurity framework (see 1909270056), said Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., Tuesday. The framework has helped organizations assess cyber risks, but it must be a “living document,” she told the Information Technology Industry Council. NIST didn’t comment.
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic made the FCC more determined to eliminate unnecessary regulation, Chairman Ajit Pai said during the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s virtual version of its annual ConnectX. The agency also Tuesday released its draft version of proposed changes to infrastructure rules, proposed by WIA and CTIA (see 2005190058). Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Brendan Carr also spoke.
U.S. carriers have kept up with unprecedented demand under COVID-19, American Tower CEO Tom Bartlett told the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s ConnectX virtual conference Tuesday. The conference's goal is to help explain what’s happening “on the ground” during the pandemic, said WIA President Jonathan Adelstein. “Everybody recognizes how essential having reliable wireless service is.”
A Tuesday House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight teleconference was far tamer than the subpanel’s other examinations of commission business during this Congress (see 1912050043). Most subcommittee members focused on telecom-related COVID-19 legislative proposals. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai emphasized his requests for additional funding. Pai also got additional support from House Communications Republicans for the commission’s recent approval of Ligado’s L-band plan (see 2004200039).
A draft declaratory ruling circulated by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Tuesday clarifies that industry can swap out antennas and other infrastructure on towers without delay under the 2012 Spectrum Act. Commissioner Brendan Carr told us Tuesday that despite the early resistance (see 2005110029) some local governments support the infrastructure clarification and the pandemic underscores the need for building infrastructure quickly.
LG sees many automotive applications on the ATSC 3.0 road map, John Taylor, senior vice president-public affairs and communications, told a CTA-NAB webinar Monday. “The automotive makers that we’re speaking to” see big opportunities for 3.0 in “backseat entertainment” and the technology’s “one-to-many architecture,” he said.
There's widespread interest in the citizens broadband radio service auction, but it’s not clear who will pursue licenses or how they will be used, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said during a FierceWireless webinar Monday. The FCC faced pressure to delay the start of the auction July 23 because of credit market jitters tied to COVID-19 (see 2005140050). “The insatiable demand” for mid-band spectrum “is only going to increase over time,” he said.
Small satellite operators (SSO) challenging the FCC's C-band clearing order (see 2005050047) asked the agency to delay acting further pending judicial review before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Proceeding watchers said the agency is unlikely to accede. The commission didn't comment.
Recent changes to Congress’ operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are getting a mixed response from lawmakers and experts amid questions about implications. The House agreed 217-189 Friday to change its rules to temporarily allow proxy voting and virtual participation in committee business. Senate leaders resist allowing remote or proxy voting in that chamber, but the Rules Committee recently agreed to let senators and witnesses appear via webcam. Those changes followed almost two months in which legislating on telecom and tech issues was severely disrupted (see 2003130073).
The FCC’s June 9 agenda item saying some ownership limitations doesn't precisely apply to TV broadcasters banding together to use ATSC 3.0 to lease their spectrum for wireless uses isn’t a new policy but more of a clarification, said Commissioner Brendan Carr and industry attorneys in interviews. The item includes an NPRM seeking comment on other rule changes that could help datacasting.