Comcast executives sat with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to discuss his regulatory reform steps, focus on the digital divide and other issues, said an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 13-236. The operator said it also gave him its latest Internet Essentials broadband program subscriber numbers and urged Pai "to act expeditiously" in restoring the UHF discount. Such action is expected to occur soon (see 1701110067). Also at the meeting were Pai Chief of Staff Matthew Berry, Comcast Senior Executive Vice President David Cohen, NBCUniversal Senior Vice President-Government Relations Mitch Rose and Comcast Senior Vice President-Regulatory and State Legislative Affairs Kathryn Zachem. Pai, since assuming the chair, also met with Incompas (see 1702130023). The agency declined to comment now.

Comcast executives sat with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to discuss his regulatory reform steps, focus on the digital divide and other issues, said an ex parte filing posted Thursday in docket 13-236. The operator said it also gave him its latest Internet Essentials broadband program subscriber numbers and urged Pai "to act expeditiously" in restoring the UHF discount. Such action is expected to occur soon (see 1701110067). Also at the meeting were Pai Chief of Staff Matthew Berry, Comcast Senior Executive Vice President David Cohen, NBCUniversal Senior Vice President-Government Relations Mitch Rose and Comcast Senior Vice President-Regulatory and State Legislative Affairs Kathryn Zachem. Pai, since assuming the chair, also met with Incompas (see 1702130023). The agency declined to comment now.

Lawmakers joined Incompas Wednesday to press for further action on spectrum and broadband deployment, speaking at the association’s Washington meeting. “I’ve encouraged President [Donald] Trump to include telecommunications in any infrastructure package,” said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., a Commerce Committee member, in one among many references to such a possibility. The conference also heard from executives (see 1702150052).

Congress should address net neutrality even if it can't pass a broader rewrite of the Communications Act, said Verizon Senior Vice President Kathy Grillo Wednesday. She said election-driven political changes cause regulatory shifts that increase uncertainty and complicate long-term business plans. "Ultimately, Congress does really need to speak to this issue," she said on one of several panels at an Incompas policy conference. It also heard from legislators about dig once and broadband infrastructure (see 1702150068).

Congress should address net neutrality even if it can't pass a broader rewrite of the Communications Act, said Verizon Senior Vice President Kathy Grillo Wednesday. She said election-driven political changes cause regulatory shifts that increase uncertainty and complicate long-term business plans. "Ultimately, Congress does really need to speak to this issue," she said on one of several panels at an Incompas policy conference. It also heard from legislators about dig once and broadband infrastructure (see 1702150068).

Lawmakers joined Incompas Wednesday to press for further action on spectrum and broadband deployment, speaking at the association’s Washington meeting. “I’ve encouraged President [Donald] Trump to include telecommunications in any infrastructure package,” said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., a Commerce Committee member, in one among many references to such a possibility. The conference also heard from executives (see 1702150052).

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., confirmed he’s preparing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to dismantle the FCC’s ISP privacy rules, a possibility he and other Republican lawmakers had said was on the table (see 1701090062). The tool would prevent the FCC from developing similar rules in the future and requires only a simple majority in the Senate. Capitol Hill Democrats and public interest groups objected to using the CRA to kill the rules.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., confirmed he’s preparing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to dismantle the FCC’s ISP privacy rules, a possibility he and other Republican lawmakers had said was on the table (see 1701090062). The tool would prevent the FCC from developing similar rules in the future and requires only a simple majority in the Senate. Capitol Hill Democrats and public interest groups objected to using the CRA to kill the rules.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded on Twitter to Incompas CEO Chip Pickering after their meeting to discuss the group's proposals on pole attachments, business data services and other matters (see 1702130023). "Enjoyed our discussion, @INCOMPAS/@ChipPickering! Look forward to working with you on promoting digital deployment," Pai tweeted Monday. An earlier Incompas tweet noted a filing by the group and called competition the key to the success of Pai's broadband deployment agenda.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded on Twitter to Incompas CEO Chip Pickering after their meeting to discuss the group's proposals on pole attachments, business data services and other matters (see 1702130023). "Enjoyed our discussion, @INCOMPAS/@ChipPickering! Look forward to working with you on promoting digital deployment," Pai tweeted Monday. An earlier Incompas tweet noted a filing by the group and called competition the key to the success of Pai's broadband deployment agenda.