The FCC Media Bureau paused the nonbinding 180-day shot clock for Sinclair buying Tribune at Day 104 to give parties more time to comment by Nov 2, when the bureau will restart the clock, said a public notice Wednesday. The pause and additional comment round are intended to allow interested parties to react to Sinclair’s Oct. 5 responses (see 1710060055) to an FCC information request. “The Commission has a strong interest in ensuring a full and complete record upon which to base its decision,” the PN said. “Pausing the clock will ensure that commenters have additional time to review and comment on this new information.”
The FCC Media Bureau paused the nonbinding 180-day shot clock for Sinclair buying Tribune at Day 104 to give parties more time to comment by Nov 2, when the bureau will restart the clock, said a public notice Wednesday. The pause and additional comment round are intended to allow interested parties to react to Sinclair’s Oct. 5 responses (see 1710060055) to an FCC information request. “The Commission has a strong interest in ensuring a full and complete record upon which to base its decision,” the PN said. “Pausing the clock will ensure that commenters have additional time to review and comment on this new information.”
Failure of small-cells legislation in California may lead to increased collaboration efforts between industry and local governments in that state and beyond, tech and local officials told us. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) vetoed SB-649 Sunday, supporting its intent but saying it didn’t appropriately balance local interests in managing rights of way (see 1710160049). Wisconsin legislators are reviewing similar legislation, and Ohio in court Monday defended a contested state law enacted last year.
FCC staff agreed to hold in abeyance its review of consumer complaints against AT&T over "digital redlining" allegations that the telco discriminated against poorer neighborhoods in Cleveland, Detroit and elsewhere. The parties jointly sought (see 1710040032) the pause while they attempt to settle their dispute under mediation of the Enforcement Bureau Market Disputes Resolution Division, noted a letter in dockets 17-223 and 17-270 Friday from Rosemary McEnery, division acting chief.
FCC staff agreed to hold in abeyance its review of consumer complaints against AT&T over "digital redlining" allegations that the telco discriminated against poorer neighborhoods in Cleveland, Detroit and elsewhere. The parties jointly sought (see 1710040032) the pause while they attempt to settle their dispute under mediation of the Enforcement Bureau Market Disputes Resolution Division, noted a letter in dockets 17-223 and 17-270 Friday from Rosemary McEnery, division acting chief.
AT&T and five consumers asked the FCC to pause review of two complaints while they try to settle "digital redlining" allegations the telco discriminated against poorer neighborhoods on broadband. The parties asked the commission to hold the complaints in abeyance while they attempt to "resolve these matters on a consensual basis through Staff supervised mediation," said a joint statement posted Wednesday in proceeding No. 17-223. Three African-American Cleveland residents in August complained AT&T provided slower internet access service to low-income communities than to "wealthier and predominantly white areas" that have premium, fiber-based services; AT&T denied discrimination (see 1708240046). Daryl Parks, the attorney representing the residents, reportedly also filed a similar complaint in September on behalf of two Detroit middle-income residents. AT&T and Parks didn't comment.
AT&T and five consumers asked the FCC to pause review of two complaints while they try to settle "digital redlining" allegations the telco discriminated against poorer neighborhoods on broadband. The parties asked the commission to hold the complaints in abeyance while they attempt to "resolve these matters on a consensual basis through Staff supervised mediation," said a joint statement posted Wednesday in proceeding No. 17-223. Three African-American Cleveland residents in August complained AT&T provided slower internet access service to low-income communities than to "wealthier and predominantly white areas" that have premium, fiber-based services; AT&T denied discrimination (see 1708240046). Daryl Parks, the attorney representing the residents, reportedly also filed a similar complaint in September on behalf of two Detroit middle-income residents. AT&T and Parks didn't comment.
Wednesday was big for voice-controlled speaker announcements, with major players Sonos and Google making preholiday season announcements. The latest Sonos and Google products will join a crowded voice-controlled speaker market that includes new Amazon Echos, Harman Kardon’s Cortana-based model and Apple’s HomePod.
The FCC appears likely to act soon on CenturyLink's planned buy of Level 3 now that other agencies signaled willingness to clear the deal subject to conditions, a commission official and an analyst said Tuesday. Another analyst doubted major FCC resistance and called DOJ-required divestitures light. Justice confirmed it would require CenturyLink and Level 3 to divest or effectively divest certain assets under a proposed settlement. Monday, CenturyLink reported the antitrust action and repeated its target of closing the deal this month. DOJ, DOD and the Department of Homeland Security ("Team Telecom") said they wouldn't object to the deal on national security and law enforcement grounds provided the FCC conditions it on CenturyLink compliance with commitments (see 1710020050).
The FCC appears likely to act soon on CenturyLink's planned buy of Level 3 now that other agencies signaled willingness to clear the deal subject to conditions, a commission official and an analyst said Tuesday. Another analyst doubted major FCC resistance and called DOJ-required divestitures light. Justice confirmed it would require CenturyLink and Level 3 to divest or effectively divest certain assets under a proposed settlement. Monday, CenturyLink reported the antitrust action and repeated its target of closing the deal this month. DOJ, DOD and the Department of Homeland Security ("Team Telecom") said they wouldn't object to the deal on national security and law enforcement grounds provided the FCC conditions it on CenturyLink compliance with commitments (see 1710020050).