John Eggerton

The Federal Communications Commission is failing to, in a reasonable and timely manner, account for the extent to which unserved areas are getting broadband. That was a key takeaway from NCTA-The Internet & Television Association's comments to the FCC on whether advanced telecommunications is being provided in a reasonable and timely manner, as Congress has directed it to ensure. If the FCC concludes that advanced telecom is not being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion, it allows the FCC to regulate to make that happen.

The week of Sept 10, the Federal Trade Commission launches a months-long series of hearings on antitrust and competition policy that could change how the government treats some tech companies in the digital age. It will be the latest spotlight on the hot-button issue of the disparate regulatory treatment of social media sites and Internet service providers.

Cable and telecommunication Internet service providers have gotten together to lobby for the broadband buildout funding provisions in the Senate version of the "Farm Bill." The Senate and House have each passed versions, now being reconciled in conference.

The Federal Communications Commission says it won't cancel the licenses of TV and radio stations in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands that have not been able to get back on the air after the devastation of hurricane's Irma and Maria.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai thanked law enforcement for its work in securing a guilty plea from a man who threatened his family. Markara Man plead guilty Aug 31 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, saying he was angry over the rollback of net neutrality rules. Man, 33, of Norwalk (CA), allegedly sent three emails to Chairman Pai Dec.

A federal appeals court has upheld the majority of the Federal Communications Commission's 2017 Business Data Services (BDS) revamp. The NCTA--The Internet & Television Association had backed the BDS remake under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who had not supported the previous approach adopted under Chairman Tom Wheeler.

Network neutrality activists have gotten together to fight the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, saying he would put the wishes of big cable and big telecom over the interests of the public. Free Press, Public Knowledge, Fight for the Future, Demand Progress and 20 others have sent a letter to the Senate in opposition. His Senate nomination hearings--in the Judiciary Committee--are scheduled to begin Sept 4, although Democrats are trying to delay them, partly in hopes of regaining the Senate and blocking the nomination themselves. 

The Broadcasting Board of Governors has updated its brand. The board, which oversees government-backed international programming services including the Voice of America, is now the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The reboot is meant to convey that the digital age agency now extends far beyond TV and radio to include digital and mobile platforms.  The agency is headed by John Lansing as CEO.  "The term 'broadcasting' does not accurately describe what we do," said Lansing.

Smaller cable operators don't have the incentive or ability to act anticompetitively toward either their customers or edge providers. That came in American Cable Association comments to the Federal Trade Commission as it tees up month-long hearings on protecting consumers and competition in a digital age. ACA said smaller operators provide vital connectivity, particularly in the rural areas the government is focused on bringing into that digital age as full participants.

NCTA: The Internet & Television Association says the Federal Trade Commission needs to take a light-touch approach to regulating the wildly competitive communications marketplace, but apply that touch to everyone in the space.