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.
The United Kingdom Parliament on Oct. 22 voted to approve the broad outlines of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new transition deal for exiting the United Kingdom. The 329-299 vote on the implementation bill’s “second reading” in Parliament would normally move the bill forward to a detailed examination of the bill at committee stage and then a final vote on the “third reading,” though U.K. lawmakers in a second vote rejected Johnson’s proposed three-day timetable for considering the bill and a new schedule has yet to be proposed, according to a report from the BBC.
Senate Judiciary Committee staff is meeting with tech industry officials and others about a child safety-related Section 230 bill, Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told us (see 1907090062). “We’ve had some discussions with the tech community, and with some people on the committee. I don’t want to destroy the social media companies, but they’ve got to be more accountable.”
Senate Judiciary Committee staff is meeting with tech industry officials and others about a child safety-related Section 230 bill, Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told us (see 1907090062). “We’ve had some discussions with the tech community, and with some people on the committee. I don’t want to destroy the social media companies, but they’ve got to be more accountable.”
The House plans to pass a “strong, bipartisan” sanctions package this week in response to the Trump administration's decision to lift sanctions on Turkey in exchange for a ceasefire in Syria, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. Pelosi’s comments came after the Trump administration announced last week it would be suspending further sanctions on Turkey and plans to lift recently announced sanctions in exchange for the ceasefire.
Two stalwart Republican supporters of the president joined with three Democratic senators to say that Congress is united in a push to levy sanctions on Turkey for its invasion of Syria.