Spending on influencer marketing in the U.S. will rise 33.6% this year to $3.7 billion, almost $1 billion more than in 2020, said an eMarketer report. Growth will continue in double digits until 2023, approaching $5 billion. That compares with estimated spending of $58.66 billion on social network ads, which are seen growing 26.9% over 2020. Both are social media-based.
Waive the scheduled Dec. 1 increase to Lifeline minimum service standards for mobile broadband and the phase down of voice-only support, the National Lifeline Association asked staff to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, per a filing posted Monday in docket 11-42. "The need for action is urgent," NaLa said: The FCC "has known for years that the voice phase-out was coming and has been unanimously opposed by stakeholders" (see 2110290057).
Reconsider phasing down Lifeline voice-only support, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society asked the FCC in a letter posted Friday in docket 11-42. Benton backed the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates' petition for reconsideration of the scheduled Dec. 1 phase down. Don't "risk the potential disconnection of thousands of Lifeline households during the pandemic" (see 2108030072), Benton said.
Issue a waiver pausing "the increase in mobile Lifeline capacity" scheduled for Dec. 1, GCI asked the FCC in a letter posted Thursday in docket 11-42. GCI said Lifeline providers and consumer advocates oppose the annual increase requirement and formula. Issue a waiver earlier than in previous years because "the late release of the waivers creates challenges for implementation and compliance," the Alaska telco asked.
A three-month delay in T-Mobile's CDMA shutdown isn’t long enough, and T-Mobile should delay until 2023, a Dish Network official said Monday. Experts said the delay until March 31 likely won’t be enough to mollify other critics or California regulators. Dish bought Boost from T-Mobile to partially resolve regulator concerns about T-Mobile buying Sprint and has raised concerns many of the prepaid service’s customers use 3G phones.
A three-month delay in T-Mobile's CDMA shutdown isn’t long enough, and T-Mobile should delay until 2023, a Dish Network official said Monday. Experts said the delay until March 31 likely won’t be enough to mollify other critics or California regulators. Dish bought Boost from T-Mobile to partially resolve regulator concerns about T-Mobile buying Sprint and has raised concerns many of the prepaid service’s customers use 3G phones.
FCC commissioners approved an NPRM on making networks more resilient during disasters 4-0 Thursday, as expected (see 2109280051). Commissioners said more mandates could come as a result of the investigation. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the FCC plans a virtual field hearing as part of the Oct. 26 meeting on Hurricane Ida. Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr traveled to Louisiana this week to tour areas hit by the latest storm. Commissioners also unanimously adopted an order on foreign ownership and an NPRM about closing two methods for scammers taking control of victims' mobile phones, SIM swapping and port-out fraud. Such actions were as expected (see 2109280009).
Senate Commerce Committee members told us they hope Wednesday’s consumer privacy hearing will reactivate privacy legislation discussions. But Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said leadership hasn’t been willing to engage in discussions, despite bipartisan potential from other members. Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she’s focused on getting the FTC more funding.
Senate Commerce Committee members told us they hope Wednesday’s consumer privacy hearing will reactivate privacy legislation discussions. But Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said leadership hasn’t been willing to engage in discussions, despite bipartisan potential from other members. Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she’s focused on getting the FTC more funding.
An FCC draft Further NPRM tightening rules for gateway providers to curb illegal robocalls originating abroad is expected to be unanimously approved during the agency’s open meeting Thursday. That's despite some industry concerns about the proposal to pause enforcement of the foreign provider prohibition until a final decision on addressing illegal robocalls originating abroad. The item is expected to be approved without any major revisions to the draft, an FCC official said Friday.