Biden-Harris Administration
Former Federal Trade Commission Chairman Says Biden is Inappropriately Exhorting the Agency
Former Chairman William Kovacic said that Biden’s direction of the FTC raises expectations for the agency.
Antitrust
Consolidation, Bloat, and a Waning American ‘Brand’ Hurt the Economy, Says Tim Wu
He argued that fundamental changes must be made to restore peoples’ faith in an American system that works for everyone.
Energy Department
Biden Encourages House to Pass Technology Innovation Funding Bill
The United States Innovation and Competition Act would, among other things, plow money into semiconductor research and development.
Verizon
Biden’s Involvement in 5G, Residential 5 Gbps in Northwest, New Technology Advisory Council
The president urged wireless carriers to comply with the aviation industry’s requests for further delays on new network launches.
IIJA
Biden On Lookout for Cyberattacks with Russia Massing on Border of Ukraine
The president says that, in the past, Russia has taken covert military actions.
IIJA
Federal Communications Commissioner Starks Seeks to Encourage Democratic Principles Online
The commissioner noted the peril democracy and citizen privacy finds themselves in around the world.
Marsha Blackburn
Senate Confirms Davidson as National Telecommunications and Information Administration Chief
Bipartisan vote confirms Davidson atop the Commerce Department agency. It has a large pile of money to spend on broadband.
COVID
Former GOP Congressman and UK MP Highlight Dangers of Disinformation and Urge Regulation
Will Hurd and Member of Parliament Damien Collins say disinformation on social media platforms a worry in midterm elections.
Marsha Blackburn
CES 2022: Multiple U.S. Senators Highlight Rollout of Biden Infrastructure Bill as a Top 2022 Tech Priority
Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Shelley Moore Capito listed infrastructure fund disbursement among their foremost focuses for the coming year.
Infrastructure
Treasury Department’s Final Rule Uses Less Restrictive Language to Qualify for Broadband Funding
Treasury Department departed from its original proposed rule, granting recipients flexibility on broadband download and upload speeds.
Commerce
Commerce Department’s NTIA Issues Request for Comment on IIJA
Comments are due on February 4, 2022, focused on the infrastructure grants, middle-mile program, and digital equity planning grants.
FCC
CES 2022: 5G, Aviation Crisis a Problem of Federal Coordination, Observers Say
The hope is coordination problems will be relieved when the Senate confirms NTIA head.
FAA
Biden and Rosenworcel Commend 5G Airport Compromise, Rand Paul Departs YouTube, Samsung’s NFT Vision
President Joe Biden and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel commend agreement on 5G delay around airports.
DC Circuit
D.C. Circuit Upholds Freed Up 6 GHz, Wireless Players Celebrate
Industry bigwigs say the decision paves the way for next-generation Wi-Fi.
Tribal
NTIA Publishes Report Calling for Better Data Aggregation Methods
The report notes need for separating broadband access data from other consumer stats.
Broadband Mapping and Data
NTIA National Broadband Availability Map Expands to New States and Territories
Nevada, Louisiana, American Samoa and Puerto Rico will join.
