An FCC proposal would abandon "special use FRNs" in Ownership Reports and require social security number-based FRNs instead . . . for noncommercial licensees, too!… Continue Reading
The court held the roaming requirement to be a lawful exercise of the FCC's powers. But not, it emphasized, because the FCC has any common carrier authority over mobile data service - which the FCC unquestionably lacks.… Continue Reading
Here's a report on last night's demonstration of the new online public file system. And heads up -- if you didn't make it to last night's demo, the FCC has scheduled another for today, August 1, at 12 Noon (ET). Since the new public file rule takes effect tomorrow, August 2, there's no time like the present.… Continue Reading
With the August 2 effective date of the online TV public file rule just a couple of days away, more information about the FCC's system is bubbling to the surface. And check it out -- even though the rule hasn't kicked in yet.one of its elements has already been waived!… Continue Reading
The Commission will be conducting two online "screensharing" demonstrations of its new public file system. Heads up, though -- the first one is this Monday morning (July 30) at 9:00 a.m.… Continue Reading
It looks like, barring some unanticipated last-minute development, the FCC's online public file rule for TV stations will take effect on August 2, 2012.… Continue Reading
The NAB has replied to the FCC's opposition to the NAB's request that the effective date of the TV online public file rule be stayed.… Continue Reading
Just in time to give you something to read at the beach over the weekend, here's the FCC's opposition to the NAB's motion for stay of the online TV public file rule. And as a bonus, we're also sending along a copy of a second opposition, filed by a collection of intervenors who were just let into the case yesterday.… Continue Reading
As predicted, the NAB has asked the D.C. Circuit to stay the FCC's seemingly irresistible juggernaut toward implementing the revised TV public file rule as of August 2.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has reminded commercial broadcasters that their biennial Ownership Reports (Form 323) are due to be filed by December 1, 2012. But the Bureau doesn't mention some information that we think all Form 323 filers are entitled to know.… Continue Reading
The Commission has announced that the time has come for the next round of biennial Ownership Reports (Form 323) for commercial broadcasters -- and it's already pushed the deadline back a month, to December 1, 2011. But watch out -- the Commission's notice says nothing about the effective elimination of the all-encompassing SSN-based FRN requirement.… Continue Reading
Last week's Court decision effectively confirmed that nobody needs to provide his/her Social Security Number (SSN) for a new FRN in order to file ANY Ownership Report - biennial or otherwise - until further notice.… Continue Reading
The FCC has responded to the Form 323 mandamus petition in the D.C. Circuit, and the petitioners have replied. Read all about it here.… Continue Reading
With the July 8 deadline for filing commercial ownership reports fast approaching, the D.C. Circuit has ordered the FCC to respond to claims that the revised Form 323 filing requirements were not imposed lawfully.… Continue Reading
In an impressive display of regulatory shock and awe, the FCC has put a substantial dent in its NBP to-do list by launching six separate proceedings.… Continue Reading
Network neutrality seems to be dead, waiting only for someone to close its eyes and straighten its tie. Maybe we can't bring it back to life. But we can do something just as good.… Continue Reading
In the wake of the D.C. Circuit's Comcast decision, where does the FCC go from here if it wants to promulgate net neutrality regulations?… Continue Reading
The powers granted to the FCC by Congress do not include the power to regulate provision of Internet service, according to a federal appeals court.… Continue Reading
Things look bad for the FCC in the Comcast/BitTorrent case. But an FCC loss will only set off the next stage of the larger network neutrality dispute.… Continue Reading
Two days before Christmas, and all was neither calm nor bright for Form 323 at the FCC. FHH and ten state broadcast associations took the FCC and its form to court, while the Media Bureau, faced with mounting evidence of problems with the on-line form, suspended the January 11 deadline to give the staff time to investigate those problems.… Continue Reading