An FCC advisory committee voted unanimously in favor of reports on an updated emergency alert system handbook and enhanced coordination for submarine cables, at a meeting Wednesday of the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC). The FCC meanwhile is to vote next month on an EAS order (see 1606220063).
The House Rules Committee deemed 70 of the 139 amendments filed to the Financial Services bill in order Tuesday and up for floor consideration, including all telecom amendments except the Lifeline budget cap amendment. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., withdrew that Lifeline amendment. The Obama administration “strongly opposes” the FY 2017 funding bill and President Barack Obama’s senior advisers would recommend a veto, the White House said in a statement.
The House Rules Committee deemed 70 of the 139 amendments filed to the Financial Services bill in order Tuesday and up for floor consideration, including all telecom amendments except the Lifeline budget cap amendment. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., withdrew that Lifeline amendment. The Obama administration “strongly opposes” the FY 2017 funding bill and President Barack Obama’s senior advisers would recommend a veto, the White House said in a statement.
Sonos issued a software update to users Tuesday that includes higher streaming bit rates for Napster and Rhapsody users. Sonos support didn’t tell users the former or new bit rates but said the increase would translate to “vibrantly detailed sound.” The company didn’t immediately respond to questions. Also new in software version 6.3: quick control from an iOS lock screen, allowing users to control volume, pause and skip features without having to unlock the phone, good on iOS version 8.0 and higher, said Sonos. A new split-view feature for iOS lets users view content from another app while using Sonos functions. A “slide over” function that works on later model iPads lets users begin playing music and then “get back to your emails,” Sonos said. Improvements to the Trueplay feature simplify the tuning process possible with a Sonos speaker to improve sound regardless of location or positioning. Sonos addressed a “system not found” error that resulted from the previous software update: users who encounter the error message now will find it easier to fix, or they can connect directly with Sonos support for assistance, said the company. Users with a question or problem with their Sonos system can reach customer care from the main menu of a phone or tablet app through the new Help button, it said.
Sonos issued a software update to users Tuesday that includes higher streaming bit rates for Napster and Rhapsody users. Sonos support didn’t tell users the former or new bit rates but said the increase would translate to “vibrantly detailed sound.” The company didn’t immediately respond to questions. Also new in software version 6.3: quick control from an iOS lock screen, allowing users to control volume, pause and skip features without having to unlock the phone, good on iOS version 8.0 and higher, said Sonos. A new split-view feature for iOS lets users view content from another app while using Sonos functions. A “slide over” function that works on later model iPads lets users begin playing music and then “get back to your emails,” Sonos said. Improvements to the Trueplay feature simplify the tuning process possible with a Sonos speaker to improve sound regardless of location or positioning. Sonos addressed a “system not found” error that resulted from the previous software update: users who encounter the error message now will find it easier to fix, or they can connect directly with Sonos support for assistance, said the company. Users with a question or problem with their Sonos system can reach customer care from the main menu of a phone or tablet app through the new Help button, it said.
As a pay-TV backed alternative to the FCC set-top proposal gains steam (see 1606200048), the commission's plan may face an additional hurdle from Capitol Hill in the form of an appropriations rider that could delay new rules until after further study. The study would focus on the effects of set-top rule changes on diversity in programming. Supporters of the FCC set top proposal have characterized it as a delaying tactic by the pay-TV industry.
As a pay-TV backed alternative to the FCC set-top proposal gains steam (see 1606200048), the commission's plan may face an additional hurdle from Capitol Hill in the form of an appropriations rider that could delay new rules until after further study. The study would focus on the effects of set-top rule changes on diversity in programming. Supporters of the FCC set top proposal have characterized it as a delaying tactic by the pay-TV industry.
A House Democratic leadership aide told us Democrats are likely to rebel against the FY 2017 FCC funding bill and stand-alone legislation to curb the Lifeline program, both being brought to the House floor this week. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., is attempting to get two different proposals addressing the Lifeline program through the floor, one as a Financial Services bill amendment (see 1606170060) and another as stand-alone legislation being considered Tuesday under suspension of the rules.
A House Democratic leadership aide told us Democrats are likely to rebel against the FY 2017 FCC funding bill and stand-alone legislation to curb the Lifeline program, both being brought to the House floor this week. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., is attempting to get two different proposals addressing the Lifeline program through the floor, one as a Financial Services bill amendment (see 1606170060) and another as stand-alone legislation being considered Tuesday under suspension of the rules.
The House is poised to consider its divisive FY 2017 FCC funding bill on the floor this week. House Republican amendments filed Friday already tackle some key telecom issues. Commerce Committee Vice Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., filed a floor amendment that would prohibit "funding for the FCC to use Net Neutrality rules to implement, administer or enforce privacy restrictions against broadband Internet service providers pursuant to Section 222 of the Communications Act." Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., submitted his own amendment that would prevent "funds from being used to expand the Lifeline program to provide support for broadband internet access until the Federal Communications Commission implements an operating budget that includes a cap that does not exceed $2,000,000,000." A $2-billion Lifeline cap is higher than the $1.5 billion cap in legislation that Scott pressed earlier this year. “The Committee on Rules is likely to meet the week of June 20th to grant a rule that may provide a structured amendment process for floor consideration” of the FY 2017 Financial Services bill (HR-5485), Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said in a notice last week. “I am committed to a structured process that allows for ample debate, while ensuring we can deliver to the American People the legislative solutions they deserve.” The Rules Committee shows the funding bill, which includes riders curbing the net neutrality order, mandating a pause to the set-top box proceeding and addressing broadcaster joint sales agreements and FCC process, among items “that may be considered pursuant to a rule” this week, not naming a specific day. Amendments are due 12 p.m. Monday, and the committee will meet to address the bill and how to proceed with any filed amendments 5 p.m. Tuesday in H-313 of the Capitol. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., also filed an amendment Friday that would forbid “funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce a regulatory action of $100 million unless approved by Congress.” A key Republican appropriator told us earlier this month that there has been GOP debate about whether the amendment process will be “either modified or closed, see how that plays with the other side” (see 1606090057). Democratic aides for key Commerce Committee and Appropriations Committee Democrats didn’t comment about any amendments they may file.