press release

48 Sens Sign Letter to Urge Trump to Include Broadband in Any Infrastructure Initiative

Sens Angus King (I-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), John Boozman (R-AR), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the co-chairs of the Senate Broadband Caucus, led 48 senators in urging President Donald Trump to include broadband in any infrastructure initiative he puts forward.

They wrote, "As you work with Congress to address the infrastructure needs of our country, we urge you to prioritize policies as part of any infrastructure initiative that will promote deployment of high-speed, reliable broadband for all Americans. Expanding access to broadband, both rural and urban, is the infrastructure challenge of our generation and we cannot afford to wait to make progress on this important goal...A broad agenda to promote broadband access will empower Americans living in every community – from urban city centers to rural towns – with economic opportunities that will jumpstart growth in jobs and wages....This effort should include bringing broadband connections to locations where economic conditions or geography have made deployment difficult and improving the quality and affordability of existing broadband connections."

71 Reps Urge Trump to Include Rural Broadband Deployment in Infrastructure Plans

A bipartisan coalition of 71 Reps sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to include investments in rural broadband connectivity in his forthcoming infrastructure proposal. The lawmakers highlighted the importance of broadband connectivity in attracting and retaining businesses, communication between family and friends, timely responses to an emergency response, agricultural efficiency, and access to educational materials. The letter was led by Reps Peter Welch (D-VT), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Bob Latta (R-OH). The bipartisan Senate Broadband Caucus sent a similar letter.

The Reps wrote, “In the 21st Century, high speed internet access is no longer a luxury amenity, but rather an essential service for homes and businesses in this interconnected world. Unfortunately, rural Americans in our districts lack sufficient broadband infrastructure to take advantage of this explosion of technology and economic possibility…. As you consider the parameters of your infrastructure proposal to Congress, we write to urge you to include investments that will bring the benefits of broadband connectivity to rural America.”

FCC Eliminates Two Public Inspection File Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission eliminated two public inspection file rules. These rules currently require: (1) commercial television and radio broadcast stations to retain, and make available to the public, copies of correspondence from viewers and listeners; and (2) cable operators to maintain and allow public inspection of the location of a cable system’s principal headend.

The action furthers the Commission’s progress in modernizing its public inspection file rules. The elimination of these rules will reduce regulatory burdens on commercial broadcasters and cable operators without adversely affecting the general public. Removing these requirements also will enable broadcasters and cable operators to make their entire public inspection file available online and permit them to cease maintaining local public files.

Internet Companies Reaffirm Consumer Privacy Principles As FCC Reviews Flawed Wheeler Era Broadband Rules

Trade associations representing virtually all of the leading US internet service providers (ISPs) filed a petition asking the Federal Communications Commission to stay broadband privacy rules recently adopted by the FCC, while at the same time releasing detailed and comprehensive principles reiterating ISPs’ commitment to protecting their customers’ privacy online. The stay filed by CTIA, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, USTelecom, ACA, CTA, CCA, ITTA, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, WISPA, and WTA asks the FCC to halt privacy rules while it resolves multiple pending motions for their reconsideration. If granted, the combination of the ISPs’ privacy principles and applicable laws would protect consumers’ privacy without subjecting them to flawed and confusing regulations that would undermine the safe and consistent treatment of their data online.

The ISP privacy principles are:

  • Transparency. ISPs will continue to provide their broadband customers with a clear, comprehensible, accurate, and continuously-available privacy notice that describes the customer information we collect, how we will use that information, and when we will share that information with third parties.
  • Consumer Choice. ISPs will continue to give broadband customers easy-to-understand privacy choices based on the sensitivity of their personal data and how it will be used or disclosed, consistent with the FTC’s privacy framework. In particular, ISPs will continue to: (i) follow the FTC’s guidance regarding opt-in consent for the use and sharing of sensitive information as defined by the FTC; (ii) offer an opt-out choice to use non-sensitive customer information for personalized third-party marketing; and (iii) rely on implied consent to use customer information in activities like service fulfillment and support, fraud prevention, market research, product development, network management and security, compliance with law, and first-party marketing. This is the same flexible choice approach used across the Internet ecosystem and is very familiar to consumers.
  • Data Security. ISPs will continue to take reasonable measures to protect customer information we collect from unauthorized use, disclosure, or access. Consistent with the FTC’s framework, precedent, and guidance, these measures will take into account the nature and scope of the ISP’s activities, the sensitivity of the data, the size of the ISP, and technical feasibility.
  • Data Breach Notifications. ISPs will continue to notify consumers of data breaches as appropriate, including complying with all applicable state data breach laws, which contain robust requirements to notify affected customers, regulators, law enforcement, and others, without unreasonable delay, when an unauthorized person acquires the customers’ sensitive personal information as defined in these laws.

FCC Votes To Expand Broadband Deployment In New York

In its first action under Chairman Ajit Pai, the Federal Communications Commission voted to provide up to $170 million from the Connect America Fund to expand broadband deployment in unserved rural areas of New York State. The $170 million in federal funding will be coupled with at least $200 million in state funding and private investment to jump-start broadband deployment and close the digital divide in these unserved areas more quickly.

This partnership with the state program will also result in more efficient and effective use of both state and federal funding. The Order adopted by the FCC today will authorize Connect America Phase II support in areas where applicants are selected through New York’s competitive New NY Broadband Program, subject to specified conditions to ensure broad participation and ongoing oversight. The funding that will be made available was declined by Verizon in 2015.

Statement of Acting FTC Chairman Ohlhausen on Appointment by President Trump

President Donald Trump has designated Maureen K. Ohlhausen as Acting Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission by a White House order. Ohlhausen was sworn in as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission on April 4, 2012, to a term that expires in September 2018.

Prior to joining the Commission, Ohlhausen was a partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, where she headed the firm’s FTC practice focusing on privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity matters. Ohlhausen previously served at the FTC for 11 years, most recently as Director of the Office of Policy Planning from 2004 to 2008, where she led the FTC's Internet Access Task Force. She was also Deputy Director of that office. From 1998 to 2001, Ohlhausen was an attorney advisor for former FTC Commissioner Orson Swindle, advising him on competition and consumer protection matters. She started at the FTC General Counsel’s Office in 1997.

Broadcasting Board of Governors announces new Acting Board Chairman

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) announced the unanimous election of Kenneth Weinstein, who has served as a Board Member since October 2013, to the position of Acting Board Chairman, effective immediately. Weinstein takes over the position from Jeff Shell, who served as Chairman of the Board since August 2013. Shell, the Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, will continue to serve as a Board Member.

Kenneth R. Weinstein is President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Institute, a think tank focused on promoting American leadership and global engagement for a secure, free, and prosperous future. He has been decorated with a knighthood in Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Weinstein previously served by presidential appointment and Senate confirmation on the National Humanities Council, the governing body of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Weinstein graduated from The University of Chicago (B.A. in General Studies in the Humanities), the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (D.E.A. in Soviet and Eastern European Studies), and Harvard University (Ph.D. in Government).

Cecilia Muñoz to Lead New Public Interest Technology Work at New America

New America is pleased to announce the appointment of former White House Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz to direct a major new initiative in public interest technology and to lead the New America National Network, starting April 1, 2017. The emerging field of public interest technology allows professionals to use their technology expertise in service of the common good. But opportunities to deploy these skills across sectors remain rare, and the career path is often uncertain. With a major five-year grant from the Ford Foundation and Reid Hoffman, New America seeks to become a unifying hub for these professionals. The initiative—which is expected to grow with additional funders—will apply research, fellowships, interdisciplinary programming, and encourage cross-sector collaboration among different civic organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions. Muñoz will serve as Vice President for Policy and Technology and Director of the New America National Network. New America is building hubs across the country, beginning with New York, California, and Chicago, to support, connect, and publicize successful efforts to tackle important public problems from the bottom up.

FCC Chairman Pai Appoints Bureau and Office Chiefs

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced the appointment of Commission bureau and office chiefs. The following are new appointments:
Michelle Carey, Acting Chief of the Media Bureau.
Michael Carowitz, Acting Chief of the Enforcement Bureau.
Lisa Fowlkes, Acting Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
Nese Guendelsberger, Acting Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
Kris Monteith, Acting Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.
Tom Sullivan, Acting Chief of the International Bureau.
Wayne A. Leighton, Acting Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis.
Timothy Strachan, Acting Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs.

Agenda for January 2017 FCC Open Meeting

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
Revisions to Public Inspection File Requirements – Broadcaster Correspondence File and Cable Principal Headend Location (MB Docket No. 16-161): The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would eliminate the requirement that commercial broadcast stations retain copies of letters and emails from the public in their public inspection file and the requirement that cable operators retain the location of the cable system’s principal headend in their public inspection file.

House Advances Eleven Energy and Commerce Committee Bills, Including FCC Process Reform Act

The House of Representatives passed eleven Commerce Committee bills. Bills related to communications policy include:

Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2017 (HR 290), sponsored by Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), would make the FCC more efficient, transparent, and accountable through reforming the commission’s processes and ensuring the FCC regulates in an innovative and dynamic way. HR 290 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017 (HR 423) sponsored by Rep Grace Meng (D-NY), would protect consumers against fraudulent actors and deceptive text messages by updating the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009, which prohibits entities from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information. HR 423 passed the House 398-5.
Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (HR 460), sponsored by Rep. David Young (R-IA), would require intermediate providers to register with the FCC and comply with the service quality standards set by the agency in order to improve call quality from long distance or wireless calls in rural areas throughout the country. HR 460 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (HR 555), sponsored by committee member Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would instruct the FCC to adopt rules that protect the rights of amateur radio operators to use radio equipment in deed-restricted communities. HR 555 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Kari’s Law Act of 2017 (HR 582), sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), would require that any multi-line telephone system connects directly to 911 when dialed, even in instances where the phone requires the user to dial “9” to get an outside line. HR 582 passed the House 408-0.
Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act (HR 588), sponsored by full committee Ranking Member Rep Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), would create requirements for mobile service providers during emergencies to ensure that consumers have access to networks during disasters, and requires the FCC and GAO to examine the resiliency of networks during these events. In addition, it amends the Stafford Act to ensure all categories of communications service providers may access disaster sites to restore service. HR 588 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2017 (HR 599), sponsored by committee member and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), would consolidate eight separate reports at the FCC into a single, comprehensive overview of the communications marketplace, reducing reporting burdens and encouraging the agency to analyze competition in the marketplace. HR 599 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.

Senate Commerce Committee Approves 16 Bills and Two Cabinet Nominations at First Markup of 115th Congress

The Senate Commerce Committee approved 16 bills and the nominations for Wilbur Ross to be Secretary of Commerce and Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Transportation. The bills (all approved by voice vote) include:
MOBILE Now Act (S 19), Sponsors: Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act (S 88), Sponsors: Sens Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI)
Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act (S 96), Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairman Thune, Jon Tester (D-MT)
Securing Access to Networks in Disasters (SANDY) Act (S 102), Sponsors: Sens Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ranking Member Nelson
Kari’s Law Act (S 123), Sponsors: Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chairman Thune, Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Spoofing Prevention Act (S 134), Sponsors: Ranking Member Nelson, Deb Fischer (R-NE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act (S 174), Sponsors: Sens Dean Heller (R-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI)

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Appoints Acting General Counsel

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced the appointment of Brendan Carr as the Commission’s Acting General Counsel. For the past three years, Carr has served as Commissioner Pai’s Wireless, Public Safety, and International Legal Advisor. He joined the office from the FCC’s Office of General Counsel. In that role, he provided legal advice on a wide range of spectrum policy, competition, and public safety matters.

Prior to joining the FCC, Carr was an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP, where he worked in the firm’s appellate, litigation, and telecom practices. He represented clients in both trial and appellate court proceedings, including complex litigation involving the First Amendment and the Communications Act. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk for Judge Dennis W. Shedd of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Carr graduated magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and obtained a certificate from its Institute for Communications Law Studies. Carr received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Announces Staff Appointments

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced staff appointments to the Office of the Chairman:

Matthew Berry, Chief of Staff. For the past four years, Berry has served as Commissioner Pai’s Chief of Staff.
Nicholas Degani, Senior Counsel. For the past four years, Degani has served as Commissioner Pai’s Wireline Legal Advisor.
Jay Schwarz, Acting Wireline Advisor. Dr Schwarz is an economist; previously he served in the FCC’s Office of Strategic Planning, where he was as Acting Deputy Chief.
Alison Nemeth, Acting Media Advisor. Nemeth joins the office from the FCC’s Media Bureau, where she most recently served as a Legal Advisor.
Rachael Bender, Acting Wireless Advisor. Bender joins the office from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, where
she worked on competition issues and efforts to streamline infrastructure deployment.
Zenji Nakazawa, Acting Public Safety and Consumer Protection Advisor. Nakazawa joins the office from the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, where he served as chief of the Policy and Rules Division.
Lori Alexiou, Confidential Assistant. For the past four years, Alexiou has been Commissioner Pai’s confidential assistant.
Kim Mattos, Acting Executive Assistant. Mattos will assist Berry and Degani.
Deanne Erwin, Executive Assistant. Erwin will assist Dr. Schwarz, Nemeth, Bender, and Nakazawa.

CLIC Organizes Letter Opposing Virginia HB 2108

On Jan 19, 2017, the Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC) distributed a letter to Virginia lawmakers opposing House Bill (HB) 2108. The letter was co-signed by: Atlantic Engineering, Coalition for Local Internet Choice, CTC Energy & Technology, Fiber to the Home Council, Google, Indeed, Internet Association, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, Netflix, Next Century Cities, Nokia, OnTrac, Telecommunications Industry Association, Ting Internet, and Utilities Technology Council. The letter noted that HB 2108 would essentially ban public broadband networks and public-private partnerships and harm Virginia communities, especially rural communities, and businesses that operate in the state. CLIC, along with its co-signers, encourages the Virginia legislature to reject this harmful legislation.

Full Agenda for Senate Commerce Committee Markup Jan 24

The Senate Commerce Committee will hold an executive session on Tuesday, January 24th at 10:00 am to formally adopt the rules and budget resolution for the 115th Congress and consider legislative measures including the following telecommunications-related bills.
S. 19, MOBILE Now Act, Sponsors: Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Bill Nelson (D-FL)
S. 81, Senior Fraud Prevention Act of 2017, Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-Maine)
S. 88, Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act, Sponsors: Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
S. 96, Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act, Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT)
S. 102, Securing Access to Networks in Disasters (SANDY) Act, Sponsors: Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL)
S. 123, Kari’s Law Act, Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), Ted Cruz (R-TX)
S. 134, Spoofing Prevention Act, Sponsors: Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO)
S.174, Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act, Sponsors: Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

Rural Communities Left in the Digital Dust

Rural areas have been left in the dust when it comes to staying up to speed in the digital age. Thirty-nine percent of rural Americans and 41 percent of tribal lands lack access to basic 25 Mpbs broadband service. Compare those numbers to only 4 percent of urban residents. To address this rural/urban digital divide, we recently hosted a webinar on “Partnerships and Rural Broadband Needs”. We have also crafted the Rural American Broadband Connectivity (Rural ABC) Program for the Trump Administration.

With rumors of an infrastructure bill in the works, the School Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition is preparing to participate actively in these debates. Please let us know if you would like to join our Coalition and support our advocacy for open, affordable, high-capacity broadband for anchor institutions and their communities. Together we can bring our rural communities up to speed.

FTC Charges Qualcomm With Monopolizing Key Semiconductor Device Used in Cell Phones

The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint in federal district court charging Qualcomm Inc. with using anticompetitive tactics to maintain its monopoly in the supply of a key semiconductor device used in cell phones and other consumer products. Qualcomm is the world’s dominant supplier of baseband processors – devices that manage cellular communications in mobile products. The FTC alleges that Qualcomm has used its dominant position as a supplier of certain baseband processors to impose onerous and anticompetitive supply and licensing terms on cell phone manufacturers and to weaken competitors. Qualcomm also holds patents that it has declared essential to industry standards that enable cellular connectivity. These standards were adopted by standard-setting organizations for the telecommunications industry, which include Qualcomm and many of its competitors. In exchange for having their patented technologies included in the standards, participants typically commit to license their patents on what are known as fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory, or “FRAND,” terms.

FTC Announces Crackdown on Two Massive Illegal Robocall Operations

The Federal Trade Commission announced a crackdown on two massive robocall telemarketing operations, both of which have been blasting robocalls to consumers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry since at least 2012. Many of the defendants in the two cases, FTC v. Justin Ramsey, et. al. and FTC v. Aaron Michael Jones, et. al., have agreed to court orders that permanently ban them from making robocalls, making any calls to numbers listed on the Do Not Call Registry, violating the TSR, and/or assisting others in doing so. The settling defendants also will pay the Commission a total of more than $500,000.

The two ringleaders of the operations—Justin Ramsey and Aaron Michael (“Mike”) Jones—have previously been sued by state attorneys general for telemarketing violations and the FTC’s litigation against them continues. According to the FTC’s complaint in the Ramsey action, the defendants illegally blasted millions of robocalls in 2012 and 2013 to consumers on the DNC Registry selling home security systems or generating leads for home security installation companies. In just one week in July 2012, the defendants allegedly made more than 1.3 million illegal calls to consumers nationwide, 80 percent of which were to numbers listed on the DNC Registry.

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Announces Resignation

Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez announced her resignation from the FTC, effective February 10, 2017. Ramirez became Chairwoman on March 4, 2013, and has served as an FTC Commissioner since April 5, 2010, following her appointment by President Barack Obama. Chairwoman Ramirez prioritized protecting consumers and promoting competition in the technology and healthcare sectors, safeguarding consumer privacy and data security in the online world, and protecting diverse communities from deceptive and unfair practices and scams.

Under her leadership, the FTC brought nearly 400 law enforcement actions covering a range of consumer protection issues and approximately 100 enforcement actions challenging anticompetitive mergers and business conduct in major sectors of the economy, including the healthcare provider, pharmaceutical, retail, and energy markets. A priority for Chairwoman Ramirez has been expanding the FTC’s role in studying markets and emerging trends, and issuing reports that provide best practice recommendations to companies. For example, the FTC has issued reports on a wide range of key topics, including patent assertion entities, the sharing economy, the Internet of Things, and big data, among other topics.

Straight Path To Pay $100 Million Fine In Failure To Deploy Investigation

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau announced a settlement valued in excess of $100 million with Straight Path Communications to resolve an investigation of Straight Path’s failure to deploy wireless services as required under its FCC spectrum licenses.

The Enforcement Bureau investigated allegations that Straight Path violated the FCC’s buildout and discontinuance rules in connection with approximately 1,000 licenses in the 39 GHz and Local Multipoint Distribution Service GHz spectrum bands. These high frequency bands have been identified by the Commission as extremely valuable for use in the next generation evolution of wireless technology or “5G.” To settle this matter, Straight Path will pay to the United States Treasury a $100 million civil penalty, surrender to the Commission 196 of its licenses in the 39 GHz spectrum band, sell the remainder of its license portfolio, and remit 20 percent of the proceeds of that sale to the Treasury as an additional civil penalty.

“Squatting on spectrum licenses without any meaningful effort to put them to good use in a timely manner is fundamentally inconsistent with the public good,” said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. “Wireless spectrum is a scarce public resource. We expect every person or company that receives a spectrum license to put it to productive use.”

FCC Fines Straight Path $100M To Settle Investigation For Failure To Deploy Wireless Service

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau announced a settlement valued in excess of $100 million with Straight Path Communications to resolve an investigation of Straight Path’s failure to deploy wireless services as required under its FCC spectrum licenses.

The Enforcement Bureau investigated allegations that Straight Path violated the Commission’s buildout and discontinuance rules in connection with approximately 1,000 licenses in the 39 GHz and Local Multipoint Distribution Service GHz spectrum bands. These high frequency bands have been identified by the Commission as extremely valuable for use in the next generation evolution of wireless technology or “5G.” To settle this matter, Straight Path will pay to the United States Treasury a $100 million civil penalty, surrender to the Commission 196 of its licenses in the 39 GHz spectrum band, sell the remainder of its license portfolio, and remit 20 percent of the proceeds of that sale to the Treasury as an additional civil penalty.

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for January 2017 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that the following item is tentatively on the agenda for the January Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2017:

Streamlining the Public File Rules: The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would eliminate the requirement that commercial broadcast stations retain copies of letters and e-mails from the public in their public inspection file and the requirement that cable operators retain the location of the cable system’s principal headend in their public inspection file.

Chairman Walden Announces House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Roster

House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) released the full Republican rosters for all six subcommittees in the 115th Congress. The GOP Members of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:
Marsha Blackburn (TN), Chairman
Leonard Lance (NJ), Vice Chairman
John Shimkus (IL)
Steve Scalise (LA)
Bob Latta (OH)
Brett Guthrie (KY)
Pete Olson (TX)
Adam Kinzinger (IL)
Gus Bilirakis (FL)
Bill Johnson (OH)
Billy Long (MO)
Bill Flores (TX)
Susan Brooks (IN)
Chris Collins (NY)