What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Join SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen for an exclusive conversation with FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly. Commissioner O'Rielly is an influential force at the Federal Communications Committee and will provide valuable insight into the Universal Service programs.
Antitrust has, almost overnight, become the subject of an intense policy debate, driven by the growth of populist sentiment combined with the emergence of economically and politically powerful companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft.
The emergence of hybrid infrastructure—infrastructure that integrates digital technology with physical infrastructure—will be more efficient and sustainable than the concrete roads and bridges of yesteryear. Indeed, these solutions are very much in need, as the United States recently earned a D+ on a infrastructure report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, with $4.6 trillion in necessary repairs. But new technologies raise the question of whether to prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure or deploying innovative new infrastructure.
Stop the FCC from handing local news to monopolies
[Commentary] The Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission will vote Nov 16 to allow just one corporation to own the local newspaper plus every commercial TV station in your town. Nifty way to reduce down to just one newsroom then dictate whatever information that corporation does – and does not – want you to know in this democracy. We know why Sinclair Broadcasting, renowned for its alt right editorializing over our public airwaves, wants to reach 72 percent of U.S. homes with its propaganda. We know this White House’s agenda.
Just eight years after completing the analog-to-digital TV transition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to authorize a transition to “Next-Gen TV,” with a vote scheduled for the agency’s open meeting on Nov. 16. The proposed order would authorize a “voluntary” transition that would not immediately force consumers to buy a new TV. Still, contentious issues remain in play concerning whether some viewers will lose local channels and whether pay TV providers or consumers will ultimately bear other costs related to the transition.
Think of the Public Before the Broadcasters
[Commentary] As the son of a broadcast pioneer who got his license from the Department of Commerce in 1923 and as a former broadcaster myself, I read with great sadness “FCC to Lift Limits on Media Deals.” Although Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai justifies his proposal by saying it will lead to more news gathering locally and more news for consumers, my experience tells me it will be the opposite. First, viewers and listeners don’t need more news, they need better news.
What's the FCC Doing to the Lifeline Program?
[Commentary] On November 16, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on an item that will impact the commission's Lifeline program, which provides discounts on telecommunications services for qualifying low-income consumers. On October 26, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released a draft of the item in advance of the November vote. Here we break down the rules that the FCC plans on changing immediately at the November meeting, the new proposals the FCC is seeking comment on, and the more general evaluation the FCC is launching into the program's "ultimate purposes." [Kevin Taglang]
BDAC Chair Provides Status on Committee
I am pleased to report that the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) has made tremendous progress in fulfilling its charter. At the BDAC’s next meeting on November 9, I expect each working group to come ready to present a detailed, substantive work product for the BDAC to consider. I am optimistic that the BDAC will come out of this meeting with some initial recommendations for the FCC as well as a plan to tackle the next phase of its work.
FCC Chairman Pai Visits Puerto Rico to Assess Status of Hurricane Maria Recovery Efforts
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai will be visiting Puerto Rico on Nov 5 and Nov 6. He plans to meet with government and industry officials to assess the status of recovery efforts and consult on next steps that the FCC should take to assist in the restoration of communications networks.
The hearing will examine the use and benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) in rural communities, and the infrastructure needs necessary to advance the IoT market to ensure rural America has access to products and devices that are driving the digital economy.
Witnesses