Three parties seek service rules or waivers for the 102-109.5 GHz band. The FCC’s licensing and service rules presently provide for use of spectrum up to 95 GHz, an extremely high frequency. Now the FCC is considering requests to go even higher: to open the 102-109.5 GHz band for fixed microwave applications. Radio waves in … Continue Reading
In a decision released last Friday, the FCC made clear how far it is willing to go in extending to noncommercial stations leniency for fines for violations of its rules. As we have written before, the FCC changed its policy in a case in which we were involved so as to mitigate harsh penalties for… Continue Reading
The FCC this week issued a document called “Guidance Regarding Prohibition of Certain Communications During the Incentive Auction, Auction 1000.” That mouthful of a title identifies a document which clarifies the restrictions which apply during the incentive auction on communications by and between broadcasters (and wireless companies) that could influence the bidding in the auction.… Continue Reading
Recent decisions resolve some questions, influence the eventual resolution of others. If you’re a webcaster, we’ve got some news for you. While the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has yet to conclude its Webcasting IV proceeding, it has issued two orders recently that wrap up some aspects of that proceeding. And the Register of Copyrights has … Continue Reading
Today, the FCC published notice in the Federal Register of the adoption of the new simplified rules for publicizing the material rules for contests conducted by broadcasters. This publication was for purposes of review by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a review necessary before any new rules requiring any… Continue Reading
As most readers of this blog know, I practice law with Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP in Washington DC. This past weekend, the firm moved its offices a few blocks down the road, and is now operating in a great new space at the following address: 1800 M Street NW, Suite 800N, Washington, DC, 20036. So… Continue Reading
A proposal to allow AM station licensees to buy FM translators located as far as 250 miles away from the AM station and move them to an area where they can rebroadcast the AM station was the talk of the NAB Radio Show last week. With battling news releases from FCC Commissioners (one from Commissioner… Continue Reading
A month ago, the FCC released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking looking to reassess the requirement that broadcasters and MVPDs (cable and satellite television) engage in “good faith” negotiations over the retransmission consent necessary for the MVPD to rebroadcast the signal of a broadcast television station, triggering numerous questions throughout the industry (and among financial… Continue Reading
These ideas will help prevent regulatory delay from blocking the launch of new products. A lot of new products use the buzzwords “wireless connectivity.” In old-fashioned English, they have radio transmitters. This means they must go through an FCC approval process before they can be sold to the public. The FCC understandably writes its technical … Continue Reading