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
The Media Bureau has revised its policy for enforcing certain of its paperwork rules against a relatively small subset of noncommercial educational radio stations… Continue Reading
The FCC's action has brought about the result the FCC most wanted to avoid: spectrum that neither FiberTower nor anyone else can put into service… Continue Reading
Cats (yes, the kind that go "meow") can continue to smuggle contraband cell phones into prisons, but technological solutions may soon render them - that is, the cats and the phones - useless.… Continue Reading
A recent decision from the full Commission teaches us a couple of valuable lessons when it comes to potential liabilities both for tower owners and for those who may not think that they're tower owners.… Continue Reading
The FCC has renewed an NCE-FM license - but not before fining the licensee for including too much detail in underwriting announcements, admonishing it for overly relying on PSA's, and referring it to the Department of Justice for cigarette advertising!… Continue Reading
If you feel like commenting on the FCC's "egregious cases" indecency policy, the deadlines for comments have been set. Now all we need to know is what, exactly, is the FCC's "egregious cases policy" we're supposed to be commenting on . . .… Continue Reading
In a public notice that surely ranks among the most bizarre any of us are likely to see, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau and General Counsel have made three startling announcements about the Commission's broadcast indecency policy.… Continue Reading
Whether rescued from digital highwaymen or restored from the recycle bin, the Media Bureau has returned from oblivion. We're glad for that.… Continue Reading
OMB has OK'd the FCC's new PSAP Do-Not-Call registry, and the rules adopted by the FCC last fall are now technically in effect -- but compliance won't be mandatory until the Commission gets the operational details worked out.… Continue Reading
It's too bad traffic violations don't work the same way. I could breeze through a red light with a friendly wave for the officer, and all he could do, at least the first time, is politely tell me that running red lights is against the law.… Continue Reading
The FCC has released its updated Form 499-A and accompanying instructions. This year's update has some interesting twists. All telecommunications providers are also reminded that the annual FCC Form 499-A filing is due by April Fools' Day (that's April 1, 2013). Late filings can be subject to severe penalties. So don't be foolish - file on time!… Continue Reading
In announcing the first round of 2013 EEO audits, the Commission tells us that it's trying to make life easier for folks who made the list. You might want to take that claim with a grain of salt.… Continue Reading
It appears that the Commission may have taken the first steps - baby steps carefully cloaked from public view, perhaps, but steps nonetheless - toward addressing its hopeless backlog of broadcast complaints.… Continue Reading
Are you ready to get boosted? Sorry, but you'll need to wait a little longer for booster manufacturers to bring their products into compliance with a new "Network Protection Standard".… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has announced that some TV stations may opt not to post to the FCC's online public file system their quarterly issues/programs lists covering earlier renewal cycle(s). Before you start doing the Snoopy dance, though, be aware that there are at least three gotchas here.… Continue Reading
Attention, all you telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers! Your annual reports certifying compliance with the Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules are due by March 1, 2013.… Continue Reading
The FCC has established a new and separate "do-not-call" registry designed specifically to protect 911 emergency services from non-emergency calls. Anyone using autodialing technology -- including political organizations and non-profit groups -- will have to take steps to avoid making such calls or face stiff penalties.… Continue Reading
Ten months after it was filed, Entercom's proposal to change the Commission's rule governing licensee-conducted contests promoted on-air may be getting some traction.… Continue Reading
The upper half of LightSquared's proposed band, at 1675-1680 MHz, is not, at first glance, a good home for a high-powered cellular-type network. Remember those satellite videos showing the approach of Hurricane Sandy? Chances are they came through this band.… Continue Reading
