The primary focus of Mr. Cole’s practice is broadcasting, including transactional, regulatory and appellate work. He has represented clients before the FCC and in various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Audio Division has released a public notice providing a progress report and a road map for the handling of the 2,800 or so LPFM applications that came in during the recent filing window.… Continue Reading
The CALM Act standards are in the process of evolving, and TV licensees and MVPD providers (along with the Commission) will be having to play catch-up ball.… Continue Reading
As an aid to LPFM applicants who have to protect certain FM translator input signals, the Media Bureau has provided some tips on finding out what signals they need to protect.… Continue Reading
The public notice doesn't say anything about requiring licensees to patronize equipment suppliers who offer Green Stamps, but we're guessing the Bureau might be open to that if somebody were to suggest it.… Continue Reading
The D.C. Circuit has now heard oral argument in Verizon's appeal of the FCC's effort, dating back to late 2010, to impose "open Internet" rules on broadband providers. And now YOU can hear the argument, too!… Continue Reading
Score a big one for the broadcasters! A federal district judge in the District of Columbia has enjoined the service formerly known as AereoKiller from operating its dime-sized antenna set-up anywhere in the country (except in New York, Connecticut or Vermont).… Continue Reading
Even those practiced in the art of appellate advocacy have trouble correctly guessing, on the basis of oral arguments, how a court will ultimately rule. Here's YOUR chance to listen in to the recent Aereokiller argument and try to figure out what's likely to happen next.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has opened the "long-form" filing window for the 1,239 FM vintage 2003 translator applicants previously identified as "singletons".… Continue Reading
Put another one in the "W" column for Aereo. The Second Circuit has denied the petition for en banc review filed by the broadcast plaintiffs last April.… Continue Reading
Apparently NOT, according to informal word from Audio Division staffers - even though that approach could undo much of the progress that has already been achieved on the FM translator/LPFM front.… Continue Reading
If you're one of the 170 or so TV stations who got a one-year waiver of the CALM Act requirements last year, the clock is ticking down.… Continue Reading
Some D. C. communications lawyers have asked the FCC Inspector General to take another look at a 2010 consent decree with Verizon that may not have been all it was cracked up to be.… Continue Reading
The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council has provided arguable impetus for the FCC to try, again, to toss (or at least relax) its Newspaper-Broadcast Cross-Ownership prohibition -- and the FCC wants to know what you think about it.… Continue Reading
Broadcasters may be asked by the FEMA to broadcast some PSA's relating to the (relatively) new Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. Turns out it's OK to do so.… Continue Reading
Because it's in the process of a much-needed update of its calculation methodology, the Commission isn't sure what regulatory fees to charge -- so it has invited comments on two alternative proposals.… Continue Reading