NAB and Comcast led among communications and tech sector Q1 lobbying expenditures reported by Friday early evening, though most companies and groups hadn't filed yet. NAB spent $3.89 million in Q1, down 4 percent from the same period in 2017. Outside firms reported $340,000 in income from lobbying on NAB’s behalf. Outside firms were already reporting $1.57 million in income for lobbying on Comcast’s behalf for the quarter. Hired firms claimed at least $1.25 million for lobbying on behalf of AT&T. There was at least $785,000 in lobbying income on behalf of T-Mobile, while consultants posted $711,000 in reports for Verizon.

Beyond agreeing Communications Act Title II net neutrality rules are bad, speakers at a Federalist Society event clashed over of paid prioritization and whether it should be permissible even without Title II oversight. Also Tuesday, a House subcommittee held a paid prioritization hearing (see 1804170037) while states also considered net neutrality bills (see 1804170057).

Beyond agreeing Communications Act Title II net neutrality rules are bad, speakers at a Federalist Society event clashed over of paid prioritization and whether it should be permissible even without Title II oversight. Also Tuesday, a House subcommittee held a paid prioritization hearing (see 1804170037) while states also considered net neutrality bills (see 1804170057).

Mignon Clyburn's April meeting will be her last as a commissioner, she announced (see 1804170021) at the end of Tuesday’s FCC meeting. Clyburn told us she doesn’t have a firm date for when she will leave the job she has held since August 2009, but it will be before the FCC next meets May 10. As acting chairwoman for part of 2013, Clyburn was the first woman to head the agency, noted Chairman Ajit Pai, who praised her as did all other members. “You can’t ask for a better opportunity,” she said of her time on the FCC. “It’s time to start a new chapter.” There was no word Tuesday on nomination of Enforcement Bureau Assistant Chief Geoffrey Starks, Clyburn’s presumptive successor (see 1803200055).

Mignon Clyburn's April meeting will be her last as a commissioner, she announced (see 1804170021) at the end of Tuesday’s FCC meeting. Clyburn told us she doesn’t have a firm date for when she will leave the job she has held since August 2009, but it will be before the FCC next meets May 10. As acting chairwoman for part of 2013, Clyburn was the first woman to head the agency, noted Chairman Ajit Pai, who praised her as did all other members. “You can’t ask for a better opportunity,” she said of her time on the FCC. “It’s time to start a new chapter.” There was no word Tuesday on nomination of Enforcement Bureau Assistant Chief Geoffrey Starks, Clyburn’s presumptive successor (see 1803200055).

Oral argument on FCC business data service litigation is set for May 15 in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals calendar. Judges Bobby Shepherd, Michael Melloy and Steven Grasz will review a 2017 BDS order in Citizens Telecommunications v. FCC, No. 17-2296, and consolidated cases (see 1704200020 and 1705010019). Incompas, Sprint and others argue the FCC didn't justify broad deregulation of incumbent telco BDS price caps, but Citizens and CenturyLink argue the 8th Circuit should vacate a 2 percent "X-factor" legacy rate cut because the FCC overstated productivity efficiency gains (see 1709280035 and 1710050021). The FCC and DOJ defended the order as "reasonable" in largely undoing the "imprecise and costly-to-administer price caps" (see 1711280015).

Oral argument on FCC business data service litigation is set for May 15 in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals calendar. Judges Bobby Shepherd, Michael Melloy and Steven Grasz will review a 2017 BDS order in Citizens Telecommunications v. FCC, No. 17-2296, and consolidated cases (see 1704200020 and 1705010019). Incompas, Sprint and others argue the FCC didn't justify broad deregulation of incumbent telco BDS price caps, but Citizens and CenturyLink argue the 8th Circuit should vacate a 2 percent "X-factor" legacy rate cut because the FCC overstated productivity efficiency gains (see 1709280035 and 1710050021). The FCC and DOJ defended the order as "reasonable" in largely undoing the "imprecise and costly-to-administer price caps" (see 1711280015).

Signs are growing that the Senate is likely to move quickly on confirmation for a nominee to succeed FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn upon her expected departure, given Republicans’ strong interest in securing a second full term for Commissioner Brendan Carr and bringing on a full FTC slate, communications lobbyists told us. Clyburn isn't expected to announce her departure date until the White House nominates her successor (see 1803290043).

Signs are growing that the Senate is likely to move quickly on confirmation for a nominee to succeed FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn upon her expected departure, given Republicans’ strong interest in securing a second full term for Commissioner Brendan Carr and bringing on a full FTC slate, communications lobbyists told us. Clyburn isn't expected to announce her departure date until the White House nominates her successor (see 1803290043).

NCTA defended its "Accelerated and Safe Access to Poles" plan against criticism from Google Fiber and Verizon (see 1803060030 and 1803140060). "The ASAP Proposal is a balanced, comprehensive proposal that meets the Commission’s goal of accelerating the process by which broadband providers are able to attach to utility poles in a manner that reflects the legitimate interests of all parties," said the cable group's filing Wednesday in docket 17-84. "Google advocates a regime in which a new attacher would have near total control over the network facilities of existing attachers with no obligation to take serious responsibility for its actions. And Verizon simply appears resistant to any changes that would require it to process applications more quickly." Verizon replied by email: “There’s a growing consensus that a real one touch make ready approach would go far in spurring broadband deployment. NCTA has been consistent in its efforts to fight this approach and maintain the existing levers to delay or prevent competitive deployment. We hope the FCC will see these efforts for what they are.” Google didn't comment. An Incompas filing Thursday on a meeting with Wireline Bureau officials voiced support for the one-touch, make-ready proposals of the FCC's Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee.