Amazon Sidewalk goes live Tuesday, automatically enabling a feature on its hardware devices that will share a small slice of consumers’ Wi-Fi bandwidth with neighbors, unless they opt out. This raises privacy and competitive concerns, experts told us.
Country of origin cases
California lawmakers passed broadband bills Wednesday to fund and revamp the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). Senators voted 31-5 for SB-4 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D). The Assembly voted 62-7 for AB-14 by member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D). Each bill advanced to its opposite chamber. Others that passed their originating chamber by wide margins this week included AB-32 on telehealth, AB-41 on agency coordination, AB-537 on wireless facility applications, AB-955 on highway permits, AB-1560 on distance learning and SB-546 to extend a California LifeLine pilot. The Assembly passed two social media regulation bills, voting 59-16 Tuesday for AB-35 about misinformation and 64-1 Wednesday for AB-587 on transparency.
The FCC wants comments by July 6, replies by July 19 in docket 10-51 on an NPRM to continue using a tiered rate structure for video relay service compensation for FY 2021-22 (see 2105200044), says Friday's Federal Register. Commenters are encouraged to say whether the commission should modify or freeze current VRS compensation rates, and whether an emergent rate should be set up with the current tier structure. The dates are according to the original order commissioners approved May 20, as the FR notice didn't contain deadlines. The FCC didn't comment Thursday.
Viasat never raised environmental concerns in the past, including SpaceX's original authorization to operate its satellites, but its “newfound environmentalism has grown in correlation with its fear of competition,” SpaceX told the FCC International Bureau Friday in opposition to Viasat's requested stay of SpaceX's license modification granted in April (see 2105240005). It said FCC's “methodical, issue-by-issue treatment of Viasat’s unprecedented, overbroad, and thinly-supported” National Environmental Policy Act arguments isn't likely to be overturned in court. It said Viasat hasn't shown how it would suffer irreparable harm absent a stay. Viasat didn't comment Tuesday.
FCC inaction on an NAB petition for clarification of ATSC 3.0 rules is making the transition to the new standard more difficult, broadcasters said. The petition was filed in November and has been a focus of NAB lobbying in recent months and was again Friday (see 2011100067).
The Senate voted 68-30 Thursday to end debate on a substitute amendment for the Endless Frontier Act (S.1260) (see 2105130069), moving one step closer to final passage. Senators agreed to a defense spending amendment and appeared to be nearing agreement on a trade policy provision in a package that could far exceed the original $100 billion.
The FCC agreed 3-1 Thursday to stay the 4.9 GHz order, approved 3-2 last year and as some expected (see 2105140051). Commissioner Brendan Carr dissented, while Nathan Simington voted yes. “The Commission’s decision to stay our 4.9 GHz band order will return this spectrum to the broken framework of the past,” Carr said: “This is the spectrum equivalent of taking points off the board. While I am dissenting from today’s decision, I remain hopeful that we can find a way to quickly put a beneficial framework back in place.” Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks dissented to the original order, which gave states control over how the band is used (see 2009300050). Simington wasn't a member then. No other commissioner had a statement now. The order noted petitions for reconsideration by APCO, the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance and National Public Safety Telecommunications Council. “In light of the serious questions posed …, the possibility of irreparable harm to current and future public safety users of the 4.9 GHz band and to our goal of facilitating greater use of this spectrum, the extent to which a stay will further the public interest, and the fact that no parties will be injured if a stay is granted, a stay is appropriate to permit the Commission to address the issues raised,” the order said. “Allowing use of the band to become fragmented on a state-by-state basis could create incentives for individual states to make use of the spectrum for revenue generation in ways that do not serve the interests of public safety, decreasing the likelihood of interoperable communications for public-safety users.” The commission’s action "comes as a relief,” said APCO Executive Director Derek Poarch, who thanked commissioners for “listening to public safety and taking this important step to chart a better course for the spectrum.”
Federal regulators are likely looking closely at possible antitrust action against Amazon, but the company's $8.45 billion buy of MGM announced Wednesday isn't expected to face federal or state antitrust challenges, experts told us. Lawmakers we interviewed questioned the potential monopoly power of Amazon while wanting the deal scrutinized.
Valens Semiconductor, originator of HDBaseT high-speed connectivity technology for home theater and autonomous vehicles (see 1704140047), will combine with PTK, a “special purpose acquisition company,” and take itself public on the New York Stock Exchange, said the chipmaker Tuesday. Valens will use the proceeds from the initial public offering to speed development and commercialization of “next generation products and to fully fund the company through profitability,” it said. The stock will trade as VLN once its IPO is complete, it said. The merger transaction is expected to close in the fall and requires regulatory approvals, plus Valens and PTK shareholders' ratifications, said a spokesperson.
Google joined the 8K Association,” said the group Monday. Harmonic also is among other new members. The Samsung-originated 8KA added Allion Labs and Telecommunications Technology Associates as interoperability test labs, it said.