Broadcasting&Cable
FTC Chairman Simons: We Have Resources to Oversee ISP Net Neutrality
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons told Congress that his agency has the "resources and capability" to enforce network neutrality and under "the right circumstances" paid prioritization, blocking and throttling of internet content by Internet service providers that might advantage or disadvantage particular parts of the Internet could all be seen as unfair practices." His remarks came at a Senate Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing on the FTC's and Federal Communications Commission's budget requests.
Net Neutrality CRA Teed up in House
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) has filed a discharge petition, which would force a vote on the House resolution to restore net neutrality rules. The petition needs 218 votes -- which means a couple dozen Republican will need to support it. There are currently 235 Republicans and 193 Democrats in the House, with seven vacancies. Republicans say that they support net neutrality, but not under the Title II regime used for the Federal Communications Commission's 2015 rules. Republicans continue to try to get Democrats to drop the resolution and work on bipartisan net neutrality legislation.
Conservative PAC 'Citizens for the Republic' Attacks Sinclair-Tribune (Broadcasting&Cable)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Thu, 05/17/2018 - 11:19FCC, Broadcasters: UHF Challenge Has No 'Standing' Legs to Stand On (Broadcasting&Cable)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Wed, 05/16/2018 - 16:36Free Press to Court: Sinclair Is Exhibit A for UHF Discount Harms (Broadcasting&Cable)
Submitted by benton on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 16:57Broadband Lobbyists: Net neutrality CRA will curb broadband investment (Broadcasting&Cable)
Submitted by benton on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 15:11MMTC, NABOB Say FCC Should Help Northstar, SNR Cure DE Applications
The Multicultural Media Telecom and Internet Council and National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters told the Federal Communications Commission it needs to work with SNR Wireless and Northstar to help them qualify for designated entity (DE) bidding credits, a way to encourage minority participation in spectrum auctions. The two companies teamed with Dish Network to acquire $10 billion worth of spectrum licenses in the AWS-3 auction.
Smaller cable operators pitch hybrid structural/behavioral remedy for AT&T/Time Warner (Broadcasting&Cable)
Submitted by benton on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 06:21‘No’ Cohen Inquiries on Net Neutrality on AT&T’s Behalf, FCC Chairman Pai Says
Asked at a news conference if he or his staff had had any conversations with representatives from AT&T while the company was paying Michael Cohen for insights into the new administration, including reportedly on net neutrality, President Donald Trump’s lawyer, now-Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said, "No." He later clarified that Michael Cohen had not come to him to open a door for AT&T.