Facebook Ires Democrats, 5G Networks, and Charles Cooper at NTIA Spectrum Office

A coalition of 27 members of Congress sent a letter to Facebook on Wednesday regarding the doctored video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that was posted on the social media platform last month. “The spread of political disinformation on social media poses grave consequences to our nation’s

Facebook Ires Democrats, 5G Networks, and Charles Cooper at NTIA Spectrum Office
Photo of FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington by Bonnie Cash from the Hill

A coalition of 27 members of Congress sent a letter to Facebook on Wednesday regarding the doctored video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that was posted on the social media platform last month.

“The spread of political disinformation on social media poses grave consequences to our nation’s democracy,” the members wrote. “Removing fake accounts does not address the spreading of political disinformation by real accounts. We are concerned that you and your company are not taking these occurrences seriously and are grossly unprepared for the 2020 election.”

The letter included a list of eight questions that Facebook is requested to answer by July 17, including the steps which the platform is taking to prevent against the spread of disinformation during the upcoming election cycle.

5G networks deployed commercially by 15 mobile operators

Fifth-generation wireless networks have been commercially deployed by 15 mobile network operators worldwide, reported industry trade association 5G Americas on Monday. The group expects 47 additional launches of 5G technology by the end of 2019.

The three carriers that have deployed 5G within the United States are AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. T-Mobile is expected to follow suit.

This growth is accompanied by the continued spread of LTE networks, which currently make up more than half of all mobile wireless technology connections across the globe. According to 5G Americas. there are currently 646 networks worldwide supporting LTE, an increase from 637 in March.

“LTE continues its momentum worldwide, at the same time that 5G becomes a commercial reality in many parts of the world,” said Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas. “The mobile wireless industry has worked hard to provide technical innovation for both LTE and 5G for the benefit of customers globally.”

Charles Cooper named associate administrator at NTIA’s Office of Spectrum Management

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced on Wednesday that “seasoned executive and spectrum engineer” Charles Cooper will become the new associate administrator of the Office of Spectrum Management.

Cooper has directed radio frequency enforcement activities at the Federal Communications Commission for the past six years, and has 25 years of federal and private sector experience.

Cooper will lead a team of spectrum experts in assisting the Commerce Department with development of the National Spectrum Strategy and coordinate interagency cooperation for the World Radiocommunication Conference in November.