enforcement
Two Former FCC Chairs Defend Agency’s Fine Powers
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the issue on April 21.
Jake Neenan
Reporter Jake Neenan covers a range of broadband and telecom issues. He follows federal policymaking at the FCC and NTIA, spectrum allocation, infrastructure spending, and satellite connectivity.
Spectrum
Aviation Industry Speeds Up Estimated Gear Replacement Timeline
Airplane components will need to be replaced to accommodate mobile carriers in the upper C-band.
Spectrum
SpaceX Looking to Participate in AWS-3 Auction
The satellite company is already buying unpaired AWS-3 licenses from EchoStar, which it plans to use for its direct-to-cell mobile service.
BEAD
NTIA Planning to Finish BEAD Approvals by May
New notices of funding for the agency’s Tribal programs would come in late spring or early summer, a spokesperson said.
Homeland Security Department
Domestic Manufacturing of Routers Unlikely in Near Term: Experts
Companies will need to pursue ‘conditional approval’ to circumvent an FCC ban on foreign-made Wi-Fi routers.
Infrastructure
FCC Adopts Copper Retirement, Call Center Onshoring Orders
Chairman Brendan Carr said there ‘may in fact be’ a full commission vote on the Nexstar-TEGNA merger.
Spectrum
CBRS Proponent Studies: Changes to Shared Band Would be Disruptive
Two reports say increased power levels or relocating users would have negative consequences.
NTIA
Relocation Costs an Important Part of Federal Spectrum Studies: NTIA Official
The agency has to identify 200 megahertz of government spectrum for auction by July 2027
Public Safety
House Commerce Committee Clears FirstNet Reauthorization Bill
Updated bill language would still increase NTIA oversight of FirstNet Authority.
Copyright
Supreme Court Sides 9-0 With Cox in Copyright Case
‘Mere knowledge that a service will be used to infringe is insufficient to establish the required intent to infringe,’ Justice Clarence Thomas wrote.
AI
NTIA Takes Input on New Innovation Fund Round
The agency will use its remaining $50 million to support AI integration in wireless networks.
Cybersecurity
FCC Bans Import of New Foreign-Made Wi-Fi Routers
Similar to its ban on foreign drones, FCC says companies may apply for an exemption.
USF
Participants to Fifth Circuit: USF is Still Valid
The fund’s opponents are pursuing another lawsuit against the program.
enforcement
Without Fines, FCC Rules May Go 'Effectively Unenforced,’ Agency Says
Major wireless carriers are fighting the agency’s ability to issue fines in a legal battle before the Supreme Court.
Customer service
Charter Closing Appleton, Wis. Call Center in May
The company said any of the 313 employees without a new position would be eligible for severance packages.
Satellite
SpaceX Still at Odds on Sharing Rules with SES, Viasat
Geostationary systems fear loosening rules on LEO providers would create interference.
