1. Monthly archive
  2. January 2024

January 2024

Both of these agencies want a piece of Microsoft’s Open AI partnership

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are deep in discussions over which agency can probe OpenAI, including the ChatGPT creators’ involvement with Microsoft, on antitrust grounds. The FTC initiated talks with the DOJ months ago to figure out which one can review the matter, but neither agency is ready to relinquish jurisdiction, which must be resolved before the government can formally intervene in one of the most high-profile and controversial tech partnerships in recent years. Microsoft has put billions of dollars into OpenAI over the last several years.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Section 706 Problem

Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has played a recurring supplemental role in the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) efforts to reclassify Broadband Internet Access Services as a Title II common carrier telecommunications service under the auspices of Net Neutrality. Section 706 instructs the Commission to encourage the “reasonable and timely” deployment of broadband services to all Americans.

Governor Justice (R-WV) Announces Additional Preliminary Approval for LEAD Round 2

Governor Jim Justice (R-WV) has issued the preliminary approval of approximately $5.5 million in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program of the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan. These funds will be used to deploy fiber-to-the-home infrastructure capable of delivering high speeds and reliable service. Citynet, LLC will receive funding for their Pocahontas-Marlinton, Hillsboro, Slatyfork, Valley Head project located in Pocahontas County, extending broadband access to targeted locations in rural communities.

Big 3 carriers file similar comments about national spectrum strategy

In November 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published its draft national Spectrum Strategy (NSS) and asked for comments to be filed by January 2, 2024. Seventy three organizations submitted written comments by the deadline. All three major national wireless carriers filed comments, which were remarkably similar to each other in their talking points. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile stressed their desire to put a rush on more mid-band spectrum.

FCC's Broadband Data Task Force Seeks Comment on Challenge Processes

The Broadband Data Task Force, in coordination with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and Office of Economics and Analytics, seeks public comment on its Broadband Data Collection (BDC) challenge processes.

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