The Spring Cleaning bug has hit the folks in the Audio Division, which has unceremoniously dumped out at the curb nearly 300 applications for FM translators on noncommercial channels.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has approved a multi-level operating arrangement permitting two television stations in the same DMA to merge aspects of their operations in ways which bump up against - but apparently don't violate - the Commission's duopoly rule.… Continue Reading
The Commission has invited comments on a proposal that would permit the early commencement of Presunrise Service (PSR) by Class D and Class B AM Channels on Regional Channels.… Continue Reading
The elaborate broadband infrastructure the FCC envisions in its National Broadband Plan could also be harnessed with innovative technology to enhance energy efficiency and safe transportation. Hence, the "Smart Grid".… Continue Reading
The National Broadband Plan recognizes that improved broadband will require significant changes to certain critical "behind the scenes" elements of the broadband "ecosystem". While short on details, the NBP suggests a return to regulatory schemes that are troublesome and cumbersome and that haven't worked in the past.… Continue Reading
What would you think about a tower safety device that reduces the number of aircraft collisions with towers, is environmentally friendly, and eliminates the need for towers to be continually lit?… Continue Reading
Two months ago we reported that the FCC was looking to fine-tune aspects of its procedural rules and its ex parte rules. Comment deadlines have now been established for those proceedings.… Continue Reading
It's been 35 years since any new permanent commonly-owned newspaper/broadcast combinations could be created in any given U.S. market. But that may now change, although exactly when any changes may be realized is still up in the air.… Continue Reading
Comment/reply comment deadlines have been set in the "robocall" proceeding in which the FCC is looking to clamp down on unsolicited automatic calls.… Continue Reading
CommLawBlog announces a series of posts addressing various thematic elements of the National Broadband Plan with a view toward assessing where there may be risks and opportunities for the constituencies involved.… Continue Reading
Achieving the nationwide availability and use of electronically gathered, exchanged, and archived medical information envisioned in the National Broadband Plan will require a vast, coordinated effort on the part of many different players.… Continue Reading
Concerns about on-line privacy could be a significant barrier to adoption and utilization of on-line systems. The National Broadband Plan includes recommendations on how to create an on-line environment which will provide more consumer protections . . . but those recommendations place a hefty emphasis on the need to encourage commercial entities to provide customized services.… Continue Reading
One of the problems which has long vexed the FCC is how to adapt the Universal Service Fund and Inter-Carrier Compensation regime to the world of the internet. The advent of broadband provides an opportunity to break the logjam in the context of a migration to all-digital, all-IP networks.… Continue Reading
If you're a broadcaster with a station subject to a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) or Time Brokerage Agreement (TBA), you might want to take a look at two Notices of Apparent Liability recently issued by the Enforcement Bureau.… Continue Reading
Heads up! The deadline for uploading contact information for closed captioning complaints and complainants is March 22 -- and the obligation to provide such contact information applies even to VPDs who are otherwise exempt from closed captioning requirements.… Continue Reading
So you're a businessperson, and your employees have company computers, and maybe even company phones, with Internet access. Do you let them use social media on your time and gear? Should you?… Continue Reading