Incumbent interests pressed the FCC to revise aspects of a draft order on one-touch, make-ready and other pole-attachment changes aimed at facilitating broadband deployment. Filings posted Monday and late last week in docket 17-84 on final lobbying (see 1807260036) show electric utilities objected to the draft's proposed communications "self-help" remedies in the power space at the top of poles; cable sought to bolster the rights of existing attachers in the lower-down communications space; ILECs sought expanded application of a draft presumption to lower the attachment rates they pay pole owners; and the Communications Workers of America pushed for changes to uphold the safety and jobs of union members. New entrants remained supportive of the FCC direction as it prepares for a planned vote on the draft at commissioners' Thursday meeting.
Questions continue about lack of state and local representation on the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee as it launches a new focus on infrastructure and disasters. Some told us that what's viewed as a lack of diversity will work against the BDAC as it takes on a new area at the urging Friday of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1807270020). Some ask if FCC will add any public safety officials to the BDAC or as members of any new working groups. The agency will be soliciting "new members with the appropriate expertise for the working group on infrastructure and disasters," said a spokesperson.
FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips warned against privacy regulation further solidifying dominance of large tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. NTIA Administrator David Redl also at the Internet Governance Forum USA Friday said the U.S. government “must continue to give a green light to innovators."
The anticipated unwinding of Sinclair's planned buy of Tribune and last week’s court decision upholding the UHF discount aren’t considered likely to affect what the FCC eventually does to the national cap (see 1807250050). They could affect timing, said broadcasters, attorneys and industry officials in interviews.
The FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee will have new life after it finalizes the last of its reports to the commission. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai stopped by the meeting Friday to announce a new focus -- how to make communications infrastructure more resilient, with hurricane season looming and after major storms hit the Gulf Coast and U.S. territories last year. Pai asked BDAC to complete the report by February.
The New York Public Service Commission’s extraordinary revoking of approval of Charter Communications’ buy of Time Warner Cable (see 1807270027) surprised observers Friday. Commissioners voted 3-0 to rescind the state's 2016 conditional approval of Charter's purchase, directing the acquirer to cease operations and submit a transition plan within 60 days. At Friday's special session, commissioners also voted 3-0 to direct counsel to initiate a civil enforcement case against Charter in New York Supreme Court seeking civil financial penalties for past failures.
Dolby CEO Kevin Yeaman hailed “the combined experience” of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision on the company’s fiscal Q3 earnings call Wednesday, highlighting the Apple TV 4K as the first digital media adapter (DMA) to support Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.
Spotify put to rest reports it's becoming a music label Thursday. Responding to questions on its Q2 earnings report, CEO Daniel Ek said the company doesn’t hold any rights to any music. The company finished Q2 with 180 million monthly average users (MAUs) and 83 million premium subscribers. Revenue rose 26 percent to 1.27 billion euros ($1.5 billion) vs. 1 billion euros in the year-ago quarter. The stock closed up 4.4 percent at $196.28.
Qualcomm’s decision to terminate its $44 billion agreement to buy NXP Semiconductors (see 1807250062) “was a difficult one,” but “continued uncertainty overhanging such a large acquisition introduces heightened risk,” said Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf on a Wednesday earnings call hours after announcing the decision. Ending the deal triggered Qualcomm’s payment to NXP Thursday of a $2 billion termination fee, said Qualcomm. Its shares closed 7 percent higher Thursday at $63.58, while NXP shares closed 5.7 percent lower at $92.81.
Creating an FTC Technology Bureau would let the agency better evaluate competition and consumer protection cases, said Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter Thursday. Former Commissioner Terrell McSweeny, a fellow Democrat, championed the idea, Slaughter noted at New America's Open Technology Institute.