Blog Profile / CommLawBlog
| URL : | http://www.commlawblog.com/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Utilities / Communication | |
| Posts on Regator: | 558 | |
| Posts / Week: | 5.4 | |
| Archived Since: | May 27, 2011 | |
Blog Post Archive
2013 Reg Fees: The FCC Proposes a Couple of Alternatives
Commission looks to update its methodology for calculating regulatory fees, but proposes a possible alternative approach to cushion the blow this year.
One of the time-honored rites of spring – at least at the FCC – is the release, every...Show More Summary
FM Translator Application Update: Last Chance Settlement Window Opened
Media Bureau provides MX applicants one last opportunity to avoid going to auction.
If you’ve still got one or more FM translator applications pending from the infamous 2003 window, listen up! The Media Bureau has opened a 62-day “Settlement...Show More Summary
FCC Slams Long Distance Carrier for "Slamming"
An expensive reminder that the FCC is still policing the long distance industry.
If you’ve been thinking that the FCC doesn’t care about “slamming” anymore, think again. The Commission has proposed a multi-million dollar fine against long distance service provider Advantage Telecommunications Corp. Show More Summary
The FCC Asks: Should Government and Private Users Share Radio Facilities?
Proposals for satellite and space operations call for new commingling of spectrum operations. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) looks to alter the way in which certain spectrum is to be shared between the government and private users. Show More Summary
NCE On-Air Fund-Raising For Oklahoma Tornado Relief Efforts
FCC announces procedures for waiver requests by noncommercial broadcasters.
The time has come, yet again, for broadcasters to respond to a natural catastrophe with their characteristic humanity, offering help wherever and whenever possible. Show More Summary
FCC Turns Down Use of 14.0-14.5 GHz for Critical Infrastructure Communications
R ulemaking petition denied on grounds relating to auction, interference and frequency coordination.
The Wireless and International Bureaus and the Office of Engineering and Technology (Bureaus) have denied a 2008 petition by the Utilities...Show More Summary
Porn Troll Wars: The Umpire Strikes Back!
[Blogmeister’s Note: We haven’t heard much about porn copyright trolls in a couple of years, but a recent decision by a federal judge in California caught our eye. The judge slammed a troll operation, and he did it with flair – his opinion...Show More Summary
Bungled Bundle Bill? McCain Introduces the "Television Consumer Freedom Act"
Proposed law looks to address multiple aspects of TV in the MVPD era, including bundling, broadcast abandonment and blackouts.
True to his reputation as a maverick, Arizona Senator John McCain has authored a bill seemingly designed to please nobody, while arguably disserving just about everybody. Show More Summary
Enforcement Relief for "Student-run" NCE Stations
New Media Bureau policy opens door for reduced fines for first-time violators of some paperwork rules.
The FCC’s enforcement actions often leave us shaking our heads wondering if the bureaucracy recognizes the challenges faced in real life by those it regulates. Show More Summary
Davina's a Real Mother!
A bit of Fletcher Heald family news. Our colleague, Davina Sashkin, and her hubby, Bill Schreiner, welcomed William A. Schreiner, III, into their family – and the greater FHH fold – this past week. Mom and young Liam are doing well. Liam is pictured, angelically asleep, at left. Show More Summary
Update: Deadlines for Indecency Comments Extended
If you have the vague sense that you might like to file comments in response to the bizarre invitation for comments relative to the FCC’s indecency policies, but you’re still trying to figure out exactly what those policies are in the first place, you're in luck. Show More Summary
In-Flight and On-Line: FCC Proposes Domestic Air-to-Ground System for Airborne Wi-Fi
Antennas would use directional pointing rules to avoid interfering with satellites.
The FCC is looking to expand the use of wireless services, particularly in-flight Wi-Fi, on aircraft traveling over the contiguous United States. InShow More Summary
FCC Rejects FiberTower's Effort to Keep Auctioned Licenses
The full FCC agrees with the Wireless Bureau that FiberTower’s failure to construct resulted from its own business decisions.
FiberTower loses again. The full FCC has backed the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s decision to cancel...Show More Summary
Mexico Looks to Increase Competition, Foreign Investment in Communications Industries
The more the merrier: Major telecom reform measure marks turning point in regulatory approach.
[Blogmeister’s Note: We welcome a new guest contributor, Ernesto Velarde-Danache, an attorney with offices in Mexico and Texas who is familiar with Mexico’s regulatory activities vis-à-vis its telecommunications industries. Show More Summary
FCC Seeks Comment on Receiver Standards - Again
Request reopens matter laid to rest just six years ago.
The FCC has reopened the difficult question of technical standards for radio receivers.
Everyone agrees that poor receivers impair efficient use of spectrum. In particular, receivers...Show More Summary
Jailhouse Block (Reprise): FCC Looks to Ban Burners from the Big House
FCC proposes rule changes to help combat contraband cell phone usage in correctional institutions.
If The Shawshank Redemption had been set in 2013 rather than 60 years or so earlier, this prison-yard exchange between inmates Andy Dufresne...Show More Summary
Closing Gavel - and FM CP Prices - Come Down in Auction 94
It’s a buyer’s market when it comes to FM construction permits.
[WARNING! While Auction 94 has closed, strict federal anti-collusion rules remain in effect for several more weeks. Parties who were involved in any way in the auction –...Show More Summary
The Swami gets McBURNeyed by the Supremes
Thoughtful prediction of 6-3 vote for petitioners proves wrong, big time, as 9-0 Court upholds Virginia citizens-only FOIA provision.
[Blogmeister’s Note: Paging Dr. Heimlich! A couple of months ago, our Supreme Court Haruspicator Extraordinaire, the Swami (a/k/a Kevin Goldberg) confidently predicted that the petitioners in McBurney v. Show More Summary
Help for the Language-Impaired
Definition of “Auditory Assistance Device” expanded to permit equipment for language translation.
Back in September of 2011, we posted about a proposed change to the FCC’s rules to allow the use of unlicensed auditory assistance devices (AADs) for simultaneous language translation. Show More Summary
Update: Equipment Certification Overhaul Comment Deadlines Set
In February we reported on the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking looking to revamp its equipment certification process. That notice has now hit the Federal Register. As a result, we now have the deadlines for comments and reply comments in response to the notice. Comments are due by June 17, 2013, and replies by July 17.