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In the recent flurry of deal activity in the U.S. wireless industry, Leap Wireless has been left hanging -- for now.

With potential acquirers preoccupied with other deals, any move involving Leap isn’t expected soon. But the pay-as-you-go wireless provider, which offers service under the Cricket brand, is expected to sell eventually because -- in an industry that increasingly relies on size and scale -- the company will find it harder to compete against larger competitors and its spectrum will become more attractive to possible buyers. Leap has remained on the outside, so far, because its spectrum is located in more rural areas and, thus, is deemed less desirable than others. Also, the company has high debt levels, a sluggish core business and a majority shareholder who has appeared unwilling to make a deal in the past.

Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) said he supports Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) plans to bring cybersecurity legislation back to the floor in November because only Congress has the authority to implement the tools needed to beef up the nation's defenses against a cyberattack.

"It is imperative that Congress pass cybersecurity legislation this year given the threat of cyber attacks against our government and key sectors of our economy," Sen Coats said. "I am pleased the Senate Majority Leader finally has agreed to bring cybersecurity legislation back to the Senate floor after abruptly cutting off bipartisan negotiations in August." Sen Coats was one of four GOP senators that broke from the party line and voted in favor of the measure during this summer's key procedural vote. Sen Coats had also been involved in talks to find a compromise between the Lieberman bill and a rival measure that he co-sponsored with a group of Senate Republicans. In his statement backing Reid's plans to revive cybersecurity legislation, Coats also added his voice to the chorus of GOP members that are wary of the White House's plans to potentially issue an executive order on cybersecurity. "I hope this action reflects a recognition that an executive order simply cannot provide the statutory authorities and protections needed to address the serious danger posed by cyberattacks," Sen Coats said.

The following item has been deleted from the list of agenda items scheduled for consideration at the FCC’s October 17, 2012, Open Meeting. The FCC will NOT consider a Second Report and Order to streamline reporting requirements for international phone traffic, significantly reducing overall filing burdens while ensuring collection of the data needed to protect consumers and competition in international markets.

The Center for Digital Democracy and Commonsense Media have launched an online petition drive to get parents to push the Federal Trade Commission to stay the course on its proposed changes to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act enforcement regime.

They say the only way to compete with media lobbyists working to weaken the privacy laws is to enlist parents in the effort. "The Federal Trade Commission has proposed rule changes that will update the law and keep parents in control even in this new digital era of social media networks, mobile apps, gaming sites and tracking that goes on while kids are web browsing," the petition says. "There is already mounting industry opposition to these rule changes which will provide parents with another tool to stay in control. Parents must make their voices heard so that the FTC knows that we support these important rule changes that keep parents in charge."