March 2018

Chairman Pai Names Replacement Member to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company

Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai hereby appoints Sarah Freeman, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as member to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The appointment fills the vacancy left by the Honorable Ronald A. Brise, former Commissioner, Florida Public Service Commission.

Antitrust Practice, Economic Evidence and Market Reality Compel the Department of Justice to Oppose the AT&T-Time Warner Merger

[Research] Why the government’s case against the AT&T-Time Warner merger is both warranted and consistent with past enforcement practices. The case is necessary to prevent possible coordination among dominant firms that would likely thwart the development and expansion of innovative online video platforms as well as cheaper alternatives to traditional cable and satellite services.

NCTA Names Mark Kulish and Robert N. Rubinovitz as New Senior Executive Hires

The Internet & Television Association today announced two new senior hires for the organization. Mark Kulish joins as Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, on March 12th and Robert N. Rubinovitz as Vice President, Research & Analysis, starting April 2nd.

Impact of Federal Regulatory Reviews on Small Cell Deployment

The objective of this paper is to independently assess the impacts of regulatory reviews required for the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (NHPA/NEPA) on 5G small cell roll-outs by US wireless carriers. In assessing the costs wireless carriers incur in relation to these reviews, Accenture found the following:

EU and US leaders differ on tech competition policy

Comments from experts and tech leaders at 2018's South by Southwest festival were a reminder that Europe's aggressive competition enforcement policies are viewed very differently on either side of the Atlantic. "The Europeans go after big successful companies... using very ambiguous anti-competitive laws," said Consumer Technology Association chief Gary Shapiro during a panel. "There’s nothing wrong with being large," said Julie Brill, Microsoft deputy general counsel and former Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, during a different panel.

China to Put Media Under Cabinet-Level Control, Abolish SAPPRFT

China is to abolish the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) and is expected to set up a new media body answerable to the Cabinet, further tightening the Communist government’s control of media and entertainment. SAPPRFT, the regulatory body which currently oversees the media and entertainment sector, would be replaced by a new state radio and television administration attached to the State Council, or Cabinet. The proposal is being put to China’s ongoing national legislative session for deliberation.

Meet the FCC's 5G crusader

A Q&A with Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission.