CTIA, the wireless industry association, has named former FCC Chairman Aji Pai as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. He replaces Meredith Attwell Baker, who announced her retirement last December and has served in the role since 2014. Baker is also a former FCC commissioner.

Pai will join CTIA from Searchlight Capital Partners, a global private investment firm. "I am honored to lead CTIA. The wireless industry is a key driver of technology innovation and investment in the U.S. And it helps advance America's global competitiveness, national security, and economic security," Pai said. "Together, we will work to ensure that our nation's spectrum and infrastructure policies promote U.S. global wireless leadership and keep consumers on the leading edge of innovation. I am thrilled to get to represent the companies across our country that are creating jobs, growing the economy, and benefiting hundreds of millions of consumers every day."

"Ajit has played a pivotal role in leading our nation's effort to promote broadband deployment and expand commercial access to spectrum. He is the proven leader we need to head our industry at this critical stage," said Laurent Therivel, CEO of UScellular and CTIA Chairman of the Board. "CTIA is excited to welcome Ajit to help usher in an exciting new era for the wireless industry."

Pai was appointed FCC commissioner by President Obama in 2012 and was chairman during the first Trump administration, 2017-2021. Earlier in his career, Pai served in key positions at the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate, and as a partner in the law firm of Jenner & Block. Pai graduated with honors from Harvard University and from the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.

WASHINGTON D.C.—America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) has elected former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to a three-year term as an at-large member of the APTS board of trustees, effective Feb. 26. 2024.

“America's Public Television Stations are honored and delighted to welcome Ajit Pai to the APTS board,” said APTS president and CEO Patrick Butler. “Over the course of his four years leading the FCC, Chairman Pai saw clearly the value of public television stations’ public service missions of education, public safety and civic leadership, and his support on matters ranging from the spectrum auctions to the adoption of the NextGen TV broadcast standard reflected that vision.

“As we plan to make the most of our spectrum assets in service to the American people, Chairman Pai will bring an immensely useful perspective and extraordinary experience to our work,” he said. “We’re most grateful that he has agreed to contribute his formidable talents to help advance public television’s service to the public.”

Pai left the FCC in 2021. He is now a partner at international investment firm Searchlight Capital Partners.

“I am honored to join the distinguished board of America’s Public Television Stations,” said Pai. “For many years, I have appreciated the thoughtful approach APTS President and CEO Pat Butler and the entire APTS team have brought to challenging communications issues, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape that vision going forward as a member of the board of trustees. And I have long recognized the value of public television, from my childhood affinity for Sesame Street through my tenure at the FCC.”  

More information is available on the APTS website.

NEW YORK—Ajit Pai has found his post-FCC position, with the former FCC chairman joining the Searchlight Capital private investment firm as a partner and prospective board member. Pai’s focus will be on investments in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sectors.

Pai initially joined the FCC in 2012 as an appointee by President Barack Obama. He was then appointed to the role of FCC chairman by President Donald Trump in 2017. Pai exited the commission back in January, following the inauguration of President Joe Biden.

During his tenure at the FCC, Pai worked to advance initiatives with the goal of closing the digital divide, pushing forward 5G and wireless technologies and more.

Prior to joining the FCC, Pai was a partner at the law firm of Jenner & Block and had served as in-house counsel at Verizon Communications. He also worked at the Department of Justice and the Senate earlier in his career.

“TMT has always been a core focus at Searchlight and in recent years we have seen the opportunities in these sectors grow, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eric Zinterhofer, a founding partner of Searchlight. “Given our strong presence in this space and Ajit’s distinguished career in the industry, we are excited to welcome him as our newest partner. His outstanding accomplishments at the FCC had a material impact on the broadband, wireless and broadcast sectors, and his deep knowledge will be invaluable in accelerating our efforts in TMT and digital infrastructure.”

“I am excited to joint the Searchlight team and help build on the firm’s demonstrated success in the technology media and telecommunications sectors, especially with respect to digital infrastructure—an area that is essential to consumers and businesses in the United States and around the world,” added Pai.

WASHINGTON—Ajit Pai has officially submitted his resignation as chairman of the FCC, bringing an end to his 12 years with the commission. During his dozen years, Pai spent eight as a commissioner and four as the chairman.

Pai released the following statement on his final day at the FCC:

“Serving the American people as Chairman of the FCC has been the greatest honor of my professional life. Over the past four years, we have delivered results for the American people, from narrowing the digital divide to advancing American leadership in 5G, from protecting consumers and national security to keeping Americans connected during the pandemic, from modernizing our media rules to making the agency more transparent and nimble. It has been a privilege to lead the agency over its most productive period in recent history. 

“None of this—not a single action, big or small—would have been possible without the incredible staff of the FCC. They are remarkable public servants who brought to the task each day their expertise, diligence and collegiality. As I’ve had the chance to tell them during farewell events over the past week, they are inspiring public servants. I’ll miss working with our engineers, economists, attorneys, 24/7 public safety staff, consumer outreach teams, policy experts, administrative staff and many others. Their accomplishments are even more remarkable considering that they have been working from home for the past 10 months, as the FCC became one of the first federal agencies to implement comprehensive telework. I thank each and every one of our staff for their outstanding service to the Commission and to the country. 

“Thank you to the American people for their support during my time at the FCC. I look forward to the next adventure.”

In addition, the Chairman’s Office released an updated document that summarizes the FCC’s accomplishments over Pai’s four years as chairman.

Pai is leaving the FCC as Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president. There has been no announcement who will succeed Pai as FCC chairman, but current FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is reportedly a contender for the role.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has a little less than a month left on the job, but during that time he will preside over his 49th and final Open Commission Meeting on Jan. 13. In a blog post that usually outlines what will be on the docket for the upcoming meeting, Pai took this final opportunity to highlight a few of the accomplishments he's most proud of during his four-year stint as chairman.

Pai calls his four years “more productive, more collaborative and more transparent” than any other time in the FCC’s history. In the monthly meetings that he has conducted, he says that his commission has voted on 286 items, an average of about six per meeting; historically the average has been closer to three, per Pai. He also touts that of the votes during these meetings, 205 (71.7%) had no dissents and 253 (88.5%) were bipartisan.

The agency’s transparency efforts are also a point of pride for Pai, as after he took over it has become practice for the FCC to publish the full text of FCC meeting items three weeks in advance of votes; to include a one-page fact sheet describing what each item does; and his previously mentioned monthly blog.

For the final meeting, Pai says they will change up the proceedings a bit, asking FCC Bureaus, Offices and Task Forces to prepare presentations highlighting their most significant accomplishments over the past four years. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside these outstanding public servants,” Pai said. “Three weeks hence, the spotlight properly should shine on them.”

Pai called his tenure serving on the FCC the honor of his life.

The FCC’s January Open Commission Meeting will take place on Jan. 13.

WASHINGTON—In what is likely to be one of his last major speeches as FCC chairman, Ajit Pai used a good portion of his time speaking virtually with the Media Institute on Tuesday, Dec. 15, about the continued fight over new media ownership rules.

The FCC under Pai’s time as chairman has been in a fight with the U.S. Third Circuit Court over changes to media ownership rules proposed in 2017. After multiple appeals to the court and ultimately denials, the FCC is taking its case to the Supreme Court.

One of the key arguments the Third Circuit has made in denying the FCC’s proposal is that it does not take into account the impact the rules will have on diversity ownership. Pai disagrees. He told the Media Institute that his administration has been an advocate for promoting diversity in media, and that the FCC proposal includes a broadcaster incubator program designed to encourage new and diverse voices into the industry.

Other elements of the proposal include eliminating the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban established in 1975 and easing the local television ownership rule, which prevented a single company from owning two stations in a market unless there were at least eight independently-owned commercial TV stations in the market.

“These decisions were obvious. They were needed. They were completely consistent with Congress’ command that we repeal or modify any such rules that are no longer in the public interest as a result of competition,” said Pai. “Yet once again, they were blocked by the same divided panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit that has commandeered media ownership policy for 17 years. Collectively, this panel’s decisions have frozen in place decades-old ownership restrictions that are absurdities in the digital age.”

The FCC’s case is scheduled to go before the Supreme Court on Jan. 19, the final day before Pai leaves the commission.

Pai also recognized the momentum building for the ATSC 3.0 standard, otherwise known as NextGen TV. Describing it as one of the FCC’s leading efforts for broadcast innovation during his time, Pai said that currently there are 21 markets in the U.S. broadcasting ATSC 3.0, with 20 TV models currently available to receive the next-generation signal, and more on the way in 2021.

Pai wants the FCC to continue to push ATSC 3.0, as well as other broadcast innovation, as it will offer “improved, free, over-the-air television broadcast services,” and Broadcast Internet features like distance learning, telehealth, advanced emergency alerting, hyperlocal news and software and cybersecurity updates to smart cars and Internet of Things devices, he says.

Other areas that Pai touched on in his speech included additional media modernization efforts he says was one of his key priorities during his time as chairman; and how the emergence of streaming and other new digital technologies is turning Must-See TV into Must-Watch Internet.

Pai also gave his thoughts on what he believes will be key issues for the FCC and the federal government in the future. This includes a re-assessment of what the media marketplace looks like now and where it’s going. This could include reforms, including a re-writing of the Cable Act, as Pai suggests. He then returned to his point on media ownership, saying that the concept of media ownership regulation needs to be reevaluated.

Pai’s full remarks to the Media Institute are available through the FCC website. 

WASHINGTON—Current FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s announcement that we will be leaving the commission come Jan. 20 had the industry buzzing. While some offered thanks to his time as part of and leading the FCC, others were ready to see Pai and his policies exiting stage left.

Here are some samplings of reactions.

“Chairman Pai has been a champion of free and local broadcasting since he joined the FCC,” NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said in a statement. “His fair, thoughtful approach to regulation led to many common-sense reforms that were long overdue. Most notably, Chairman Pai modernized the commission’s media ownership rules, authorized and prompted the transition to the NextGen TV transmission standard, helped revitalize the AM radio band and cleared out some significant regulatory underbrush that was no longer in the public interest.

“... America’s broadcasters thank Chairman Pai for his public service to the benefit of the millions of viewers and listeners who tune in to their local radio and TV stations every day,” Smith concluded.

On the other side, Evan Greer, deputy director at Fight for the Future, said “Ajit Pai will go down in history as one of the most corrupt government officials of the century. His callous attack on net neutrality and blatant coddling of Big Telecom monopolies sparked the largest cross-partisan online backlash in the modern era. As he fades into the background, his smug demeanor and giant Reese’s mug will become cautionary memes—reminding internet users what happens when we don’t hold our government accountable.”

Predominantly there seems to be a split among those in the broadcast/telecommunications industry that supported many of Pai’s deregulation efforts, and those more concerned with Pai’s digital policies.

Patrick Butler, APTS president and CEO, like NAB’s Smith, praised Pai’s actions regarding spectrum auctions, media modernization reforms, children’s educational programming initiatives and support for NextGen TV. “... Chairman Pai has been a consequential leader in the communications industry, and he has done so with great common sense and uncommon personal grace.”

A number of people directly attacked Pai for what they believe were policies that throttled internet/broadband, and disputed claims that Pai helped close the digital divide in the country.

“We don’t need Ajit Pai throttling progress at the FCC and we don’t need Big Broadband throttling your internet speed for the sake of profits. Let’s put #netneutrality protections back on the books and put consumers back in charge at the FCC,” Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tweeted.

“[Pai] claims that his radical deregulatory agenda spurred broadband improvements and closed the digital divide,” said Matt Wood, vice president for policy and senior counsel at Free Press. “None of these claims are remotely true. While Pai hangs out the ‘mission accomplished’ banner, the stark reality is that nearly 80 million people in America still lack adequate broadband at home, with Black, Brown and Indigenous people disproportionately disconnected.

“The gapping digital divide remains, and Pai’s done nothing to close it—even during the ongoing pandemic that’s made essential internet connection that much more vital,” Wood continued. “There’s little positive to say about four years of wasted opportunities and bluster from this failed chairman. But saying good riddance today is an opportunity to turn the page and get back to the serious work the FCC ignored while Pai ran it.”

As for Pai’s colleagues at the FCC, Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, who is also set to depart the FCC, issued the following statement:

“Congratulations to my friend and colleague, Ajit Pai, for his distinguished run as FCC Chairman. His commission ushered in many policy advancements and made strides updating communications regulations, from restoring the commission’s successful light-touch regulatory framework for internet service providers to modernizing media rules, opening up more spectrum bands for commercial use, and expanding broadband access to unserved Americans. I wish him all the best in the next stage of his career and thank him for his great service to our nation.” 

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who is reportedly a leading candidate to take over as FCC chairman, said this about Pai:

“While we did not always agree on policy matters, I always valued our shared commitment to public service. Serving the American people is a tremendous honor and I wish him the best in the future.”

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he will be leaving the FCC on Jan. 20, 2021, when President-Elect Joe Biden is sworn into office and his administration takes over.

Pai, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2012 to serve on the commission, has been FCC Chairman since 2017, appointed to that position by President Trump.

Pai issued a statement on his upcoming departure:

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications Commission, including as chairman of the FCC over the past four years. I am grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017, to President Obama for appointing me as a commissioner in 2012 and to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and the Senate for twice confirming me. To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege. As I often say: only in America.

“I also deeply appreciate the chance to have worked alongside the FCC’s talented staff. They are the agency’s best assets, and they have performed heroically, especially during the pandemic. It’s also been an honor to work with my fellow commissioners to execute a strong and broad agenda. Together, we’ve delivered for the American people over the past four years: closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety. And this FCC has not shied away from making tough choices. As a result, our nation’s communications networks are now faster, stronger and more widely deployed than ever before. 

“I am proud of how productive this commission has been, from commencing five spectrum auctions and two rural broadband reverse auctions in four years, to opening 1,245 megahertz of mid-band spectrum for unlicensed use, to adopting more than 25 orders through our Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, to aggressively protecting our communications networks from national security threats at home and abroad, to designating 988 as the three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and much, much more. I’m also proud of the reforms we have instituted to make the agency more accountable to the American people. In particular, for the first time ever, we’ve made public drafts of the proposals and orders slated for a vote three weeks before the agency’s monthly meetings, making this the most transparent FCC in history.

“Last but not least, I want to thank my family for all they have done to enable me to serve at the agency. The public service of one generally results from the private sacrifice of many, and I’m grateful for their love and support.”

Pai is not the only current member of FCC leadership that will soon depart. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly had his renomination rescinded by President Trump after reportedly disagreeing with him about reviews to Sec. 230 involving social media companies; he is expected to leave either by Jan. 20 or when a replacement is appointed. 

Trump’s nominee to replace O’Rielly, Nathan Simington, is currently going through the confirmation hearing process, but has had opposition due to his possible involvement in drafting a petition regarding Sec. 230.

As far as who may replace Pai as chairman in the Biden administration, reports say that current Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is a leading candidate. Mignon Clyburn, a former FCC commissioner and temporary FCC chairwoman, has also been mentioned in reports and is part of Biden’s transition team for the commission. 

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith released a statement on Pai's upcoming departure, calling him a champion of free and local broadcasting. Smith also praised Pai for his work in modernizing outdated broadcast regulations, including his efforts to update media ownership rules, the authorization and promotion of NextGen TV and more.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has set out the agenda for the commission's October meeting, with a pair of key TV industry issues expected to be up for votes.

The first will revolve around TV white space. There has been much debate over who should be allowed to operate in the 600 MHz spectrum and what potential interference concerns could occur as a result, but the vote to take place during the October meeting will seek to, as Chairman Pai puts it, expand devices’ ability to provide broadband coverage in rural and unserved areas, as well as help narrowband Internet of Things devices operate in TV white spaces. Pai claims that the new rules would still protect TV broadcasters already operating in the band.

“We expect that these changes will spur continued growth of the white space ecosystem and help close the digital divide,” said Pai.

The other item on the agenda involves audio description. Audio description—previously known as video description but being changed at the recommendation of disability rights advocates—helps make TV programming accessible to blind or visually impaired people by inserting a narrated audio description of the program’s key visual elements at breaks in the dialogue. The vote will seek to expand the reach of the FCC’s audio description rules to an additional 10 markets per year over the next four years; currently the top 60 markets require the rules for certain commercial TV broadcast stations.

Additional items on the agenda have to do with 5G, net neutrality and digital conversion of AM stations.

The FCC October Open Commission Meeting is scheduled to take place on Oct. 27.

WASHINGTON—A proposal to establish new disclosure requirements for broadcast TV and radio content sponsored or provided by foreign governments has been made by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Pai’s proposal comes in the form of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which would amend section 73.1212 of the FCC’s rules to require a specific disclosure at the time of a broadcast if a foreign governmental entity provided the content.

The current rules, according to the commission’s announcement, do not specify how and when foreign government sponsorship of content should be disclosed to the public. The proposed rules would provide standardized disclosure language for stations to use in such instances to specifically identify the foreign government involved.

“American TV viewers and radio listeners have the right to know if a foreign government is behind the programming they are consuming,” said Pai. “With some station content coming from the likes of China and Russia, it is time to update our rules and shed more sunlight on these practices. I hope my colleagues will act quickly to approve this proposal so we can help the American public be informed when they may be watching or listening to foreign-government propaganda.”

The existing rules date back to the Radio Act of 1927 and were designed to prohibit stations from disguising advertising as program content, the FCC says. Pai believes that these new rules would expand transparency by applying it to foreign government and political parties.

WASHINGTON—Back in July, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) challenged the FCC to provide a 10-year check-up on how the commission has been enforcing the CALM Act that Eshoo introduced in 2009 regarding the loudness of TV commercials.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Eshoo says that she is not aware of any instances of the FCC bringing enforcement actions under the law. She does not believe this is because the problem has been resolved, citing “thousands of consumer complaints about loud television commercials” that the FCC has received. Eshoo also raises the question of whether the CALM Act needs to expand because of the rise in consumer video services.

As a result, Eshoo asked the FCC to provide information regarding how many complaints have been made each year since 2008 and details on the action the FCC has taken since the CALM Act was passed.

PLUS: TV Loudness: The Wild, Wild West

Pai’s response to Eshoo’s request provided such details and how the FCC deems whether a station is in compliance with the CALM Act.

Between 2011 and 2012 the number of complaints regarding loudness of TV commercials shot up from a few hundred to multiple thousands, with a peak occurring in 2013 with 16,310 complaints filed by consumers. The number of yearly complaints has decreased in 2019 to 1,877—as of July 31, the number of complaints for 2020 was at 1,241, according to Pai’s statistics.

“[T]he number of overall complaints has trended downward dramatically since 2013, which may be due to the efficacy of the CALM Act and the technical standards promulgated by our rules,” Pai said.

He also notes that since 2013, during which the FCC sent to letter of inquiries to companies over potential violations, the commission “has not uncovered any pattern or trend of complaints supporting further inquiry.”

As for providing data on whether or not the CALM Act should be expanded, Pai said that the FCC does not have authorization to tabulate radio and streaming data related to loudness.

Pai’s full response to Rep. Eshoo is available online. 

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is proposing to close the book on a cold proceeding that was once red hot: New regs on the navigation device market meant to spur over-the-top video competition to cable.

On Aug. 14, Pai circulated an item entitled "Expanding Consumers' Video Navigation Choices; Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices," which was a blast from the past.

But since Pai was a strong opponent of new cable set-top regs—proposed under his predecessor, Tom Wheeler—it was likely not a revival of the issue for further consideration. It isn't.

An FCC spokesperson confirmed that, instead, it is officially closing the still-open proceeding, and with an exclamation point. "This item would terminate the proceeding in which the prior commission proposed imposing complex and unnecessary regulations on the navigation device market that generated bipartisan opposition within and outside the agency, and serious concerns from a wide range of stakeholders and experts, including the U.S. Copyright Office," they said.

Wheeler's proposed rules would have required pay-TV providers to offer consumers a free app, controlled by the MVPD, to access all the programming they pay for on a variety of devices, including tablets, smartphones, gaming systems, streaming devices or smart TVs. That, in turn, would make it easier for consumers not to have to rent boxes from their provider.

Pay-TV providers are also would have been required to provide their apps to widely deployed platforms, such as Roku, iOS, Windows and Android.

The rules would also call on MVPDs to support integrated search for linear and VOD, alongside other video services accessible on the device, such as OTT offerings. Pay-TV providers would also have been barred from discriminating in search results or promoting the pay-TV app over other sources of programming in the search function.

Cable ops pushed back hard on the new regs and Wheeler could never lock down the three votes he needed before the election, and Pai, who opposed the regs, replaced him.

It got so far as being scheduled for a vote but was pulled from a September 2016 public meeting agenda at the last minute. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel supported providing more choice and lower-cost options for navigation devices, but had issues with the proposal to have the FCC backstop app licensing agreements, and reached out to programmers to clarify their problems with the item. Programmers said they still had many.

The FCC must still vote to close the docket, but Pai almost certainly has the two other Republican votes to do so.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is asking service providers to keep consumers and small businesses connected through the month of July, even as the Keep Americans Connected pledge expires on June 30. In addition, Pai is hoping for specific legislation from Congress to ensure connectivity.

The Keep Americans Connected pledge was instituted shortly after the outbreak of the pandemic, and has included 785 service providers promising not to cancel subscriptions because of missed payments. However, after three-and-a-half months, the pledge is set to end at the end of June.

Pai, though not extending the pledge, is once again asking that service providers continue to support consumers and small businesses who may be behind on their bills by offering things like an option to extend payment plans and deferred payment arrangements. He also hopes that the providers will expand their plans for low-income families and veterans, as well as providers’ remote learning plans for students.

In an FCC press release, the commission says Pai has already heard from broadband and telephone service providers that the would continue to help keep Americans connected in the coming months.

But as the pledge reaches its conclusion, Pai now thinks it is time for legislation from Congress to ensure people can remain connected through the pandemic. He specifically cites the Broadband Connectivity and Digital Equity Framework proposed by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) as “a forward-thinking proposal to do just that.”

For more information, visit www.fcc.gov. 

WASHINGTON—FCC chair Ajit Pai got some tough, but not surprising, grilling on the C-Band auction at a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee hearing Tuesday (June 16). 

He testified in person, sporting a mask (see above) though not wearing it while testifying.

Leading the charge was Financial Services and General Government chairman Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), one of the harshest critics of the FCC decision to give satellite companies close to $10 billion in incentive payments to exit the spectrum by 2021 and 2023 instead of the 2025 deadline the FCC set. 

The FCC Democrats opposed the incentive payments.

Those satellite companies have pledged to clear the first 120 MHz of spectrum in 46 partial economic areas (PEAs) by Dec. 5, 2021, then 120 MHz in the remaining PEAs and the other 180 MHz by Dec. 5, 2023. 

Kennedy pressed Pai on why the FCC did not just use its authority to mandate they get off in 2021, particularly since it was already giving those operators over $4 billion in relocation costs, whenever they exit. 

Pai said that exiting early meant the spectrum would be more valuable for wireless companies eager to get their hands on it for 5G, and so it would draw a higher price at auction, and more money for the treasury, than if the wireless operators did not clear off until 2025. 

Kennedy did not seem assuaged, returning again and again to the point that the FCC could have just mandated they exit by 2021 and kept that $10 billion for building out rural broadband. 

Kennedy asked Pai whether the FCC had the authority to mandate that exit. Pai did not provide an answer and Kennedy shot back that as a good lawyer Pai knew the answer was yes. 

Pai got some help from ranking subcommittee member Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who pointed out that the money going to the treasury could go to rural broadband if Congress decided it should go there, and Pai agreed, saying he supports that.  

Coons asked if the satellite companies had agreed not to sue the FCC over the auction as part of the deal to exit early. Pai said no, that was not a condition of the payments. 

Coons said maybe he had missed something but that threat of legal action was the critical issue: "We're going to pay you billions of dollars, you're not going to sue, and you're going to move." 

Pai said the smaller satellite companies had filed for review, but that that was always going to happen and their case was week. He said that the incentive payments had "dramatically reduced" the risk of lawsuits by the larger carriers. 

Coons said the best argument Pai had for the payments was that it was going to make the potentially auction-delaying lawsuits go away.

Pai said that incentivizing the carriers to exit spectrum early has three key public benefits: 1) 5G services years before they otherwise would, including services such as telehealth and remote learning that have become so important during the pandemic; 2) American leadership in 5G (Pai cited a story he had tweeted this week about China spending $1.4 trillion to "seize the mantle of 5G leadership; 3) a thriving innovation economy--"talent is fickle, capital is fickle," he said.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Multichannel News.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says he has been trying to focus on diversity for the last couple of years, but has been hampered by the courts.

Pai was asked during his post public meeting press conference Tuesday (June 9) about the link between media ownership and the wider conversation in the country about racial justice, whether the FCC was doing enough to promote media diversity and what more it could do.

In 2017, Pai had reconstituted the FCC's diversity and digital empowerment advisory committee, which had been disbanded under his predecessor (Tom Wheeler), he said.

Pai said he thought it was important for everyone from poor Mississippi communities to Alaskan villages above the arctic circle that FCC policies are informed by diverse communities.

That was also why the FCC had set up the broadcast incubator program as an element in its effort to deregulate media ownership, the chairman said, adding that it had been talked about for two decades but "we actually got it done."

Pai agreed the FCC could do more, but said it had run into a road block in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which he said wrongly rejected the FCC's media deregulation decision, which he said was a common sense decision based on changes in the marketplace, and the incubator itself.

The Third Circuit actually threw out most of the media ownership dereg because it said the FCC had not taken into account its impact on media diversity. 

He called that court decision especially unfortunate for minority and historically disadvantaged communities looking to gain a broadcast foothold, which the incubator program would have allowed many minorities to do.

Pai said he was interested in working with Commissioner Geoffrey Starkes, who is African American, and anyone else interested in diversity issues. "My goal is to make sure that  every American has an opportunity to participate in the broadcast business, which has been a great springboard for minorities..."

WASHINGTON—The NAB Show Express program is filling out and will now include a keynote conversation between FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and NAB CEO and President Gordon Smith as part of the NAB Show Express Welcome Event.

Pai, as the industry’s top regulator, will discuss communications policy issues that are currently on the agenda for the FCC, including spectrum policy and media ownership.

In addition to the conversation between the FCC and NAB heads,the NAB Show Express Welcome Event will also be the time that Smith gives his annual “State of the Broadcast Industry” address. In addition, the Welcome Event will see the presentation of the NAB Distinguished Service Award to the late Jim Henson, as well as the Crystal Radio Awards, Digital Leadership Award, Engineering Achievement Awards and the NAB Crystal Heritage Award to KCVM-FM Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The NAB Show Express Welcome Event will take place live at noon on May 13 and be streamed on nabshowexpress.com. It will be available on-demand following the event’s conclusion. 

The NAB Show Express is the virtual substitute for much of what was going to be available at the cancelled 2020 NAB Show in Las Vegas. The event is taking place from May 13-14 with live and on-demand sessions, and 24-hour online access to all content.

PLUS: NAB Show Express Highlighting TV Production Evolution in ‘Let’s Talk Cine’

Registration for NAB Show Express is free.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that the commission is extending the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to June 30. The original pledge was set to expire on May 12.

The Keep Americans Connected Pledge has seen more than 700 companies agree to actions aimed at helping customers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. These include not terminating service to any residential or small business customers because of an inability to pay; the waiving of late fees for a residential or small business; and opening of Wi-Fi hotspots to anyone who needs them. Pai is asking that these actions be continued until the end of June.

Pai says that a majority of the broadband and telephone companies have already agreed to this extension. Companies can opt out of the pledge if they wish, and should do so by contacting KACpledge@fcc.gov by May 12.

“Hundreds of providers have stepped up to the plate to keep Americans connected to communication services in this time of need,” said Pai. “I thank them for stepping up to the plate once again during this national emergency, and I encourage others to do so as well.”

WASHINGTON—Broadcasters, broadband and telephone companies have stepped up during the current coronavirus pandemic, said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, with actions like the Keep American Connected Pledge and expanded news coverage. He believes it was a trust in the market rather than official mandates that have led to such positive action.

These were part of Pai’s remarks during an online workshop with the International Development Bank and the International Institute of Communications.

After determining that the FCC’s top priority during the pandemic should be to ensure as many Americans as possible have internet access and aren’t at risk of having their services cutoff because of missed payments during this time, Pai said that the commission decided it was better to “use markets before mandates.”

The FCC called on broadband and telephone providers to take the Keep American Connected Pledge and adhere to its three tenants: That no consumer would lose service over the next 60 days because they couldn’t pay as a result of disruptions from the pandemic; that no one would be charged late fees; and that Wi-Fi hotspots would be opened to anyone who needs them.

Pai says that more than 700 companies have signed the pledge, including all of the nation’s largest service providers. Some have even gone beyond the pledge, as the FCC hoped they would, with offerings like upgrading speeds at no cost, expanding low-cost programs and offering free service to low-income families and students. Some companies have also donated connectivity to healthcare workers and facilities.

Broadcasters have also stepped up during this time, Pai said, using their platforms to promote social distancing, offer expanded news coverage and raise funds for their communities.

“In the end, I believe trusting the markets rather than solely relying on mandates resulted in more consumer-friendly policies than we would have achieved with a more heavy-handed government intervention, and I know that we were able to make these changes more quickly,” Pai said.

Pai wrapped up his speech with some additional principles the FCC has been using during this time: to use every tool in the toolkit; to act like its an emergency and not delay; and to put your people first.

Pai’s full speech is available on the FCC website. 

WASHINGTON—Broadcasters got a thank you on Monday, April 6, from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for their efforts to help support their communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

“As always, in times of emergency, broadcasters are stepping up to serve their communities and help keep people informed, healthy and safe,” Pai said. He praised actions that include airing thousands of PSAs on the coronavirus and the importance of social distancing, airing of educational programming, holding fundraisers and expanding on their COVID-19 reporting.

“I want to especially recognize those reporters who are on the front lines, often putting themselves in harm’s way, to obtain vital information on COVID-19 to ensure their viewers and listeners have the most up-to-date and accurate information,” Pai continued.

The FCC highlighted some of the specific efforts by broadcasters in the last few weeks, including Capitol Broadcasting’s WRAL-TV raising $275,000 for a relief fund for North Carolina restaurant and hotel workers laid off because of the coronavirus; Meredith partnering with local businesses in Phoenix to connect job seekers with available positions, including work-from-home jobs; MyNetworkTV airing grade-specific public school lessons in Washington, D.C.; and Townsquare airing special town halls in Trenton, N.J., featuring medical experts and advocates for local businesses.

Other networks and broadcasters have offered other important services that are too many to list.

WASHINGTON—As network usage has seen high increases over the last few weeks because of stay-at-home policies related to the coronavirus pandemic, network providers—including broadband and telephone services on fixed and cellular networks—told FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on a conference call that are meeting these new demands.

Reported network usage has increased 20-35% for fixed networks and 10-20% for cellular networks in recent weeks, with surges in the suburbs, exurbs and residential areas and during daytime hours. The expectation from the providers is that they will be able to keep up with these demands.

“It appears that our nation’s communications networks are holding up very well amid the increase in traffic and change in usage patterns,” said Pai. “That’s thanks in part to networks being designed to handle ever-higher peak traffic loads in part to a market-based regulatory framework that has promoted infrastructure investment and deployment. That said, we will continue to closely monitor the situation.”

Pai praised trade associations that have been reporting nationwide data on their websites, including NCTA.

He also thanked broadband and telephone services that took his Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

“I also want to thank communication workers who are on the front lines for their efforts in helping Americans get connected, stay connected and troubleshoot any problems during these challenging times,” Pai said.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, during a conference call on March 16, shared his praise for how TV and radio broadcasters have served as a source of critical information during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I’m grateful for the steps that broadcasters are taking to inform the American people about this pandemic and to educate them about the steps they can take to protect themselves and slow the spread of the virus,” said Pai.

He specifically acknowledged the NAB for making the Coronavirus Response Toolkit available to radio and TV stations, as well as Spanish-language broadcasters for providing key information for Spanish audiences.

Still, he asked broadcasters to build on their efforts, encouraging the creation and airing of public service announcements using prominent entertainment, news and sports personalities to help promote practices like social distancing.

“We need this vital message to be delivered by Americans who are familiar to different segments of our society, and broadcasters are ideally suited to the task,” Pai said.

In addition, he called on broadcasters to work with cable and satellite operators so that they can avoid service disruptions during the next 60 days. He says this could include things like short-term extensions to expiring retransmission consent agreements.

During the call, Pai also acknowledged that the coronavirus is likely to impact the post-incentive auction repack. He said that the FCC has taken action that will provide broadcasters with “appropriate flexibility” to address disruptions. Broadcasters also reportedly offered ideas for how the FCC could help them address operational challenges during the pandemic.

WASHINGTON—In an effort to ensure that broadband and telephone connections remain available for all Americans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has developed a Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

The pledge asks that for the next 60 days companies:

• Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; 
• Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and 
• Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them 

Since Pai introduced the pledge, 64 companies have committed to it, including AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Cox Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. Trade associations ACA Connects, Competitive Carriers of America, CTIA, INCOMPAS, NCTA—The Internet and Television Association, NCTA—The Rural Broadband Association, USTelecom and WISPA have also endorsed the pledge.

“As the coronavirus outbreak spreads and causes a series of disruptions to the economic, educational, medical and civic life of our country, it is imperative that Americans stay connected,” said Pai. “Broadband will enable them to communicate with their loved ones and doctors, telework, ensure their children can engage in remote learning and—importantly—take part in the ‘social distancing’ that will be so critical to limiting the spread of this novel coronavirus. That’s why I’m asking all broadband and telephone service providers to take the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. I don’t want any American consumers experiencing hardships because of the pandemic to lose connectivity.”

In addition to the pledge, Pai asked broadband providers to relax their data cap policies, telephone companies to waive long-distance and overage fees, for that work with schools and libraries to assist with remote learning opportunities and for all network operators to prioritize the connectivity needs of hospitals and healthcare providers.

Pai also commended companies that have taken additional steps to help low-income families and veterans remain connected.

WASHINGTON—Members of the national security community are expressing their opinions when it comes to C-band spectrum, as 27 national security experts—ranging from military to tech areas—have come out in support of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan for a C-band auction to make spectrum available for 5G development.

In a letter to Chairman Pai, shared by 5G Action Now, the group emphasizes the global importance of staking a lead in 5G and how currently the U.S. is trailing China in that regard. It singles out the Chinese company Huawei, which has been labeled by the U.S. government as a potential national security threat as it attempts to build out its 5G infrastructure.

The letter also argued that the U.S. is behind in freeing up mid-band spectrum that can help with 5G development. Pai revealed his plan for the C-band auction that would free 300 MHz of mid-band spectrum for the development of 5G with an auction starting in December, and even proposed accelerated payment incentives that could total up to $9.7 billion for current C-band satellite operators to relocate by a specific deadline.

“If executed, this plan would mean the C-band auction would occur before the end of this year, as opposed to the spectrum not being available for at least 10 years due to litigation,” the letter reads. “There is too much at risk to waste any more time.”

The full letter is available online. 

(Editor's note: We previously said Pai's proposal would free 200 MHz of mid-band spectrum for 5G development when it would actually free up 300 MHz (280 MHz for auction,  20 MHz as a guard band) leaving 200 MHz for satellite operators).

NEW YORK—The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will be presented with the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award.

The award, given out annually, recognizes an individual in broadcasting whose work “exemplifies innovation, community service, advocacy and entrepreneurship,” per BFA. 

Pai was appointed to the position of chairman for the FCC by President Donald Trump in January 2017, after having served as an FCC commissioner since May 2012 following an appointment from then-President Barack Obama. In his time at the FCC, Pai has focused on issues that include ATSC 3.0, media ownership regulation and modernization, First Amendment freedoms and public safety.

Pai joins past Lowry May recipients that includes Bill Clark, Eddie Fritts, Cathy Hughes, Mel Karmazin, Jeff Smulyan and Dick Wiley.

BFA will present that award to Pai on April 22 at 7 a.m. during the Broadcasters Foundation Annual Breakfast at the 2020 NAB Show. The breakfast will take place at the Encore Hotel in Las Vegas.

The breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting, but registration is required. 

LAS VEGAS—FCC’s head honcho, Chairman Ajit Pai, will make his way to Sin City to take part in a keynote conversation during the 2020 NAB Show.

Pai has been slated for a conversation with NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith during the NAB Show Welcome event on Monday, April 20, where they will discuss communications policy issues currently on the FCC’s docket, including spectrum policy and media ownership.

Also during the NAB Show Welcome event, Smith is scheduled to give his State of the Broadcast Industry address, as well as present the NAB Distinguished Service Award.

The NAB Show Welcome event will be at 9 a.m. on April 20 on the Main Stage in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The 2020 NAB Show takes place from April 18-22. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com. 

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has laid out his plan for how the C-band will be used to spur 5G development, announcing his plans to conduct a public auction of 280 MHz of the spectrum with a potential launch date of Dec. 8.

Pai unveiled his plan to the public, shortly after doing so to the FCC commissioners, during a speech at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation. After detailing the importance of America becoming a leader in the development and deployment of 5G, and how his administration has already made strides to do so in high and low-band spectrum, Pai detailed a plan to take advantage of mid-band spectrum, also known as the C-band, which is used by satellite operators for the delivery of video and audio to broadcasters, cable systems and other content distributors.

In devising his plan, Pai said that he was guided on four key principles: 1) a significant amount of C-band spectrum must be made available for 5G; 2) it must be done quickly; 3) it must generate revenue for the federal government; and 4) it must ensure that the services currently delivered using the C-band can continue to be delivered.

As had widely been reported previously, Pai is opting to go with a public auction of the spectrum over a private auction. Pai cited the FCC’s track record in conducting public auctions and the transparency that they offer as “the best bet to ensure fairness,” he said. He also claimed that a well-established process is more likely to attract bidders rather than a new system.

He also made the point that a public auction is within the FCC’s legal authority, where a private auction would have required grant of authorities to private entities as he said satellite companies currently do not have terrestrial rights to the C-band.

Pai believes that the FCC already has the pieces in place to launch the auction sooner rather than later. In fact, he plans to begin the auction before the end of 2020, specifically Dec. 8.

The amount of spectrum that would be available from the public auction, per Pai’s plan, will be the lower 280 MHz of the C-band, a figure that Pai says has been widely supported by the U.S. Senate and the C-Band Alliance. A 20 MHz guard band would be reserved, while the upper 200 MHz would be set for the repacked satellite operations.

“I believe this strikes the appropriate balance between making a large amount of spectrum available for 5G and preserving sufficient spectrum for incumbent users,” Pai said.

Additional details of Pai’s plan include compensation from the auction. While revenue is expected to go to the treasury, Pai said that satellite operators costs for having to relocate on the spectrum should be covered, which the FCC estimates could be between $3 billion and $5 billion. Pai’s rules would have the winning bidders reimburse satellite operators for relocation costs.

Rather than satellite operators receiving proceeds from the auction, Pai outlined additional payments for what he calls accelerated relocation payments. Pai proposes that up to $9.7 billion be paid to satellite operators that clear the lower 100 MHz of the C-band in 46 of the top 50 Partial Economic Areas by September 2021, and the remaining 180 MHz by September 2023. Currently, the FCC says a reasonable deadline for relocation would be September 2025. This, Pai hopes, will be a strong incentive to expedite the relocation process and make spectrum available for 5G development more quickly.

Pai does not want to wait to get this process moving, and believes that the FCC—under Section 316 of the Communications Act—has the authority to do so without the need for legislation from Congress. As such, he has scheduled the commission to vote on the proposal at the open council meeting on Feb. 28.

“This plan meets each of the four priorities I’ve identified in this proceeding,” said Pai. “It frees up a significant amount of C-band spectrum for 5G. It does so quickly. It generates revenue for the U.S. Treasury. And it protects the services that are currently delivered using this spectrum. And I would add that it is a win for innovators who want to introduce new services in the C-band. It is a win for incumbents who will be fairly compensated during this transition. And, most importantly, it is a win for the American people, who will enjoy the rollout of new 5G services.”

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said: “This morning’s announcement is another big win for American leadership in 5G. It means even more mid-band spectrum will power American 5G, the American taxpayer will see billions of dollars of revenue and the C-band services that Americans rely on will be protected. It is a rare win-win-win in Washington, and I am proud to strongly support it.”

Commissioner Michael O’Rielly also said he intends to support the proposal. No statements had been made from Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks at the time of publication.

NAB's Executive Vice President of Communications, Dennis Wharton, also released a statement regarding Pai's proposal: "Today marks an important step towards ensuring a stable C-band ecosystem following reallocation—one that makes significant spectrum available for mobile use while protecting content distribution relied upon by hundreds of millions of Americans today. In this and other spectrum proceedings, NAB has played a leading role developing constructive solutions that provide meaningful benefits to all stakeholders. We look forward to reviewing details of today's plan and working with the FCC towards a solution that benefits both current and new users of the spectrum band."

Pai's full speech is available for download.

This story has been updated with a statement from NAB.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has presented a new proposal that would provide additional opportunities for unlicensed white space devices to deliver wireless broadband services in the spectrum previously marked for broadcast television bands (channels 2-35).

Back in March of 2019, the FCC approved the use of white spaces between TV channels by fixed and wireless mobile devices, specifically unused channels, channel 37, guard bands between wireless spectrum and between uplink and downlink spectrum in the 600 MHz band. The goal of this was to increase broadband services in rural areas.

That is the same goal of Pai’s new proposal, which he revealed to the FCC commissioners on Wednesday, Feb. 5, and has marked for a vote at the FCC’s monthly Open Meeting on Feb. 28.

With this new proposal, Pai wants to permit higher transmit power and higher antennas for fixed white space devices in rural areas. He argues that it will allow white space devices to reach users at greater distances for improved broadband coverage. It would also enable signals to better penetrate foliage, buildings and other obstacles. In addition, it would permit higher power mobile operators within geo-fenced areas and proposes rule revisions to facilitate the development of “new and innovative narrowband Internet of Things-based services.”

With the requirement that white space device operations protect other authorized services from interference, Pai also has proposed increasing the minimum required separation distance for white space devices operating at higher power.

“TV white spaces can play a critical role in providing broadband services to rural and underserved areas,” Pai said. “The FCC has taken steps to enable the use of white spaces over the years, and this new proposal would further help bridge the digital divide while protecting TV stations.”

NAB's Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton released the following statement regarding Pai's new proposal:

"NAB appreciates the consensus-based approach the FCC is taking in this proceeding. We look forward to working with the commission and other stakeholders to develop final rules that will allow more flexibility for rural white spaces operations while protecting broadcasters."

If approved at the Feb. 28 meeting, the public will be able to provide feedback to this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking prior to any official adoption.

WASHINGTON—The future of C-band spectrum will begin to be laid on Thursday, Feb. 6, as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is set to announce his plans for the expected C-band auction that aims to create space for the development of 5G.

Pai is scheduled to give a speech on Feb. 6 at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation that will announce his plans for moving C-band spectrum forward. Feb. 6 will be the same day that he shares these plans with the FCC commissioners for their review, according to TVT’s sister publication Multichannel News.

It is widely expected that Pai’s plans consist of a public auction of 280 MHz of the 500 MHz that make up the C-band for future 5G use, as well as 20 MHz for a guard band. However, it is still uncertain how much of the auction proceeds will go to satellite operators that will need to move to smaller spectrum, as well as the cable and broadcast operators that would be impacted by those moves.

Pai’s speech will take place starting at noon ET on Feb. 6. It will be available to livestream.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and all of his commissioners were in agreement that it is time to consider eliminating the 30-day window cable operators are currently required to provide customers of a potential change to their cable service.

Voted on during the FCC’s December Open Meeting, this decision results in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will seek comment on whether to change the rules that require cable operators providers to notify subscribers 30 days in advance in regards to service changes related to programming or retransmission issues (i.e. blackouts) to instead doing so “as soon as possible.”

In addition, the NPRM will also seek comments on removing what the FCC described as redundant rules regarding notifications cable operators must provide local franchise authorities.

Many retransmission deals are completed in the final hour before the previous agreement is set to expire. Pai believes that changing the notification time to as soon as possible would help eliminate confusion among customers.

However, though all commissioners supported the NPRM, Commissioner Geoffrey Stark did have some reservations.

“This NPRM proposes to amend our statutorily mandated consumer protection rules in a way that, I fear, could result in less information being shared with consumers and more unwelcome surprises in the form of blacked out channels and lost service,” said Starks.

Starks, according to his statement, decided to vote for the NPRM after Chairman Pai added questions about potential consumer harm that could result from a customer learning about a blackout after it had already begun.

The other commissioners supported the initiative and were able to add questions to the NPRM that they believe would provide more critical information.

No deadline for comments has been set as of yet.

For more information on the NPRM, visit the FCC website.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants to stop any premature panic among cable subscribers that they may be losing channels as a result of retransmission disputes, and to do so has proposed eliminating the required 30-day notification period cable operators must give in favor of doing so “as soon as possible.”

This new measure would be up for discussion and vote during the final FCC meeting of 2019 on Dec. 12.

With the current 30-day notice requirement, cable operators are often forced to let their subscribers know that they could be losing access to a channel or group of channels, only to then strike a deal at the last minute to keep the channels on air for those subscribers. Pai believes that by removing the 30-day requirement consumers can be more “accurately informed and not confused” about what is happening to their service.

“[W]e don’t want consumers to be inundated by premature and inaccurate notices about channel changes that never come to pass,” Pai wrote in a blog post. “And our rule begs the question whether the failure to reach an agreement in the 30 days before a contract expires is within a cable operator’s control. After all, as the saying goes, it takes two to tango.”

There have been multiple instances this year of cable operators and TV stations warning subscribers of the potential loss of channel, only to strike a deal before their contract expires.

By removing the 30-day in advance notification and instead allowing such warnings to go out “as soon as possible” will provide more accurate and clearer messages, according to Pai.

WASHINGTON—With a public C-band auction on the horizon, the National Association of Broadcasters and a number of companies that represent large purchases of C-band capacity are fully behind FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s commitment that any plan for the auction will “protect the services that are currently delivered using the C-band so they can continue to be delivered to the American people.”

That quote came from a letter sent by the NAB and the companies—which include Disney, CBS, NBCUniversal, Viacom, A&E, Univision, Fox and Discovery—to FCC Secretary Marlene Dortch in response to an ex parte submission about the C-band.

Pai announced earlier this week that plans are underway to launch a public auction for 300 MHz of the C-band spectrum for the development of 5G. That would leave 200 MHz for current C-band spectrum users to continue their operations, which has been used primarily by satellite operators for the delivery of video and audio content.

“The Chairman’s recognition of the importance of maintaining a robust and reliable content distribution system in the upper 200 MHz of C-band spectrum, free of harmful interference and without proposals to introduce new terrestrial transmissions, whether on a fixed, mobile or flexible use basis, is a critical step in this proceeding,” the letter reads.

NAB and its co-signers also stressed the importance of working with the FCC to make the transition as effective as possible for satellite operators and their customers as they shift to less spectrum.

Other areas regarding the transition brought up in the letter touch on reimbursement costs; interference prevention, detection, mitigation and enforcement; maintenance of the service during the transition; and honoring of the commitments that the C-band satellite companies have made. NAB described these as “essential.”

“We are committed to working closely with the commission, the satellite industry and other stakeholders to ensure a successful transition,” the letter reads.

The full letter can be read on NAB’s website.

WASHINGTON—The FCC is preparing to launch a public spectrum auction for C-band spectrum with the goal of developing 5G wireless connectivity in the mid-band spectrum, according to an announcement today from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Pai made his plans clear in a letter to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, on Monday, Nov. 18.

Pai had previously announced that he would determine how the FCC would go about making the C-band spectrum, which resides in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band, by this fall. He also outlined four principles that he believed needed to be achieved through the FCC’s rulemaking on the matter: 1) that a significant amount of C-band spectrum be made available for 5G; 2) the spectrum must be made available quickly; 3) revenue must be generated for the federal government; and 4) the services currently using C-band must be protected so as to still serve the Americans who rely on them.

“After much deliberation and a thorough review of the extensive record, I have concluded that the best way to advance these principles is through an auction of 280 megahertz of the C-band conducted by the Federal Communications Commission’s excellent staff,” Pai wrote. “With a quarter-century track record of transparent and successful auctions, I am confident that they will conduct a public auction that will afford all parties a fair opportunity to compete for this 5G spectrum, while preserving the availability of the upper 200 megahertz of this band for the continued delivery of programming.”

The C-Band Alliance had its own proposal of leading a private-run auction, but Congress and many others supported a public auction run by the FCC.

Satellite operator Eutelsat said it welcomed the decision, calling it an “important first step in expediting rapidly and equitably the clearance of C-band frequencies for mobile 5G services.”

The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association issued their own statement: “The chairman’s statement is good news for the fixed wireless industry, and WISPA believes it leaves open the possibility that with a few technical rule amendments/changes, the FCC could permit P2MP by an automated frequency coordinator to protect delivery of programming and quickly bridge digital divides in rural areas.”

No details on the public auction have been made available as of yet.

WASHINGTON—The post-incentive auction repack is entering the home stretch, according to testimony given by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in front of a Senate oversight committee on Thursday, Oct. 17. And thus far the repack has been going well, per Pai.

The Senate Financial Services Subcommittee conducted the hearing to get an overview of the FCC’s entire spectrum auction program. Pai spoke on how previous and upcoming spectrum auctions are helping the U.S. stay at the forefront of wireless technologies, like 5G, as well as generating revenue.

Pai was specifically asked to give an update on the post-incentive auction repack by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). Pai informed the committee that the fifth phase of the repack was completed in September—after extensions were given by stations impacted by Hurricane Dorian—at which point 533 of the 987 stations required to move to channel had successfully done so.

Phase six ends today, Oct. 18, with Pai saying he expected an additional 100 stations to have completed their moves. If those numbers prove accurate, the repack will be more than two-thirds complete.

“The process for compensating stations for their relocation costs as a result of the post-incentive auction spectrum repack,” Pai said. “And wireless carriers are already using much of the 600 MHz spectrum that they won at the auction to provide service across the country. Looking forward, we’ll keep our eye on the ball and make sure that this repack is brought to a successful conclusion.”

For more information on the repack, visit TV Technology's repack silo.

WASHINGTON—An informal shot clock of sorts has now started on the FCC's final proposal for repurposing C-Band satellite spectrum for 5G terrestrial wireless broadband.

Fall began Sept. 23, and in a speech Sept. 24, FCC chair Ajit Pai told the America's Spectrum Management Conference in Washington: "I’m optimistic that we will have results to show on this front this fall."

That front is the 3.7–4.2 GHz spectrum the chairman says is "critical" for 5G.

The C-band is the kind of midband spectrum—the sweet spot for 5G—that the FCC is under pressure to start clearing in greater abundance. President Donald Trump has directed his administration to come up with a new national spectrum policy plan with the goal of winning the race to 5G.

The FCC voted unanimously back in July 2018 to find ways to open up the C-band spectrum (3.7–4.2 GHz)—either all of the 500 MHz or some portion of it—for terrestrial wireless use. C-band is currently used by broadcast and cable operators to get their network programming from distributors and video from the field to the studio.

Cable operators, wearing dual hats as broadband providers and potential 5G providers, are more sanguine that broadcasters about being able to free up spectrum and protect against interference.

Some cable operators, most notably ACA Connects members, want the FCC to auction the satellite spectrum, and wants the program distributors now sending out network programming to cable operators and broadcasters from satellites to earth stations to transition to fiber delivery, so that most, and perhaps eventually all, the spectrum can be auctioned for 5G.

Satellite operators want a private auction of some of their spectrum, and aren't looking to be replaced by fiber, so are pushing back on the ACA proposal, with some help from broadcasters.

Congress is also wading into the C-band debate, including with a legislative plan, but action is unlikely in the near term given the political divide and the dwindling working days in the current session.

WASHINGTON—The FCC today won a court ruling that upholds its 2018 order nullifying net neutrality rules, unanimously agreeing with the commission’s classification of broadband internet access as a Title I “information service,” as part of its justification for dropping the rules.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. did make two exceptions in its decision, however. It said the commission did not prove that it had the legal authority to prevent states from imposing any rules more stringent than the FCC’s 2018 order. It also remanded the decision back to the commission, noting that the FCC failed to examine the implications of its order for public safety as well as what reclassification would mean for regulation of pole attachments or how it would affect the commission’s “Lifeline Program,” which provides communications discounts to low income consumers.

The court used the “Chevron principle” in agreeing with the commission’s classification of broadband as an “information service.” The Chevron principle allows federal agencies to clarify a Congressional statute if it is considered ”reasonable.”

“Applying these principles here, we hold that classifying broadband internet access as an ‘information service’ based on the functionalities of DNS and caching is ‘a reasonable policy choice for the [Commission] to make,’” the court said.

The court also disagreed with opponents of the commission’s decision, who said the FCC’s use of the term “public switched network” must be understood as if Congress had used the phrase ‘public switched telephone network.’” The court said that the term “public switched network” can be used to describe a telecommunications system that uses both telephone numbers and IP addresses.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai hailed the decision.

“Today’s decision is a victory for consumers, broadband deployment and the free and open internet. The court affirmed the FCC’s decision to repeal 1930s utility-style regulation of the internet imposed by the prior Administration,” he said in a statement. “The court also upheld our robust transparency rule so that consumers can be fully informed about their online options. Since we adopted the Restoring Internet Freedom Order, consumers have seen 40% faster speeds and millions more Americans have gained access to the internet. A free and open internet is what we have today and what we’ll continue to have moving forward. We look forward to addressing on remand the narrow issues that the court identified.”

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who opposed the FCC’s original order, said in a tweet that the fight for net neutrality is “not over.”

WASHINGTON—The FCC’s attempts to deregulate broadcast ownership have hit a setback, as the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals has made a decision saying that the commission “did not adequately consider the effect its sweeping rule changes will have on ownership of broadcast media by women and racial minorities,” according to a report from TVT’s sister publication B&C.

The deregulation efforts that were approved by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and appealed to the Third Circuit would eliminate newspaper-broadcast and the radio-TV cross-ownership rules; allow dual station ownership in markets with fewer than eight independent voices after that duopoly an opportunity for ownership of two of the top four stations in a market on a case-by-case basis; eliminate attribution of joint sales agreement as ownership; and create a diversity incubator program, as well as other diversity mechanisms.

The decision, 2-1, was made by three judges of the Third Circuit and can now be appealed again to be heard either to the full court or directly to the Supreme Court.

“For more than 20 years, Congress has instructed the Federal Communications Commission to review its media ownership regulations and revise or repeal those rules that are no longer necessary,” said Chairman Pai in a statement following the decision. “But for the last 15 years, a majority of the same Third Circuit panel has taken that authority for themselves, blocking any attempt to modernize these regulations to match the obvious realities of the modern media marketplace. It’s become quite clear that there is no evidence or reasoning—newspapers going out of business, broadcast radio struggling, broadcast TV facing stiffer competition than ever—that will persuade them to change their minds.”

Citing a partial dissent given by Third Circuit Judge Anthony Scirica, Pai said that they will seek further review of the court’s decision.

The NAB’s Dennis Wharton, executive vice president of communications, gave another statement on the decision, backing up Chairman Pai’s efforts:

“NAB is disappointed with the appellate court’s 2-1 decision vacating the FCC’s measured decision reforming outdated media ownership rules. It’s shocking that the same panel of judges has supplanted Congress’s and an expert federal agency’s views with its own for more than 15 years.”

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who opposed the deregulations—calling them a “dismantling” of the values imposed by the rules—also commented on the court’s decision:

“The court rightly sent the FCC’s handiwork back to the agency because the FCC’s analysis was so ‘insubstantial.’ The FCC shouldn’t be in the business of cutting corners when it comes to honoring our long-held values when updating media ownership policies.”

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has made his official position on the proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint known to his colleagues, saying in a draft Order that he would approve the merger, subject to certain conditions.

Following a comprehensive review of the proposed merger and public interest claims of T-Mobile, Sprint and third parties, the draft Order was created and is now being circulated for the FCC’s consideration.

According to the draft Order, a merger between T-Mobile and Sprint will help to accelerate the deployment of a 5G wireless network, improve the quality of mobile broadband services for consumers and increase 5G infrastructure deployment in the U.S. The improved network quality and coverage will not only benefit consumers, but the report says it will also foster innovation in different sectors and services. It is also expected to help close the digital divide for rural areas, with one of the conditions subjected in the order being that there be 5G coverage of at 99% of Americans within six years.

The draft Order also attempts to review concerns that were raised in the record regarding competitive effectiveness of the transaction, including the potential for competitive harm. The Order stipulates that as long as there is a divestiture of Boost Mobile, as well as other conditions, price-sensitive customers in densely-populated areas will not be harmed.

The Order also addresses Dish’s planned acquisition of Boost Mobile, saying that the acquisition, in connection with its planned 5G deployment, would be in the best interest of the public. Associated extensions, commitments and modifications has been delegated to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for processing and implementation with procedures set forth in the Communications Act and the draft Order.

“After one of the most exhaustive merger reviews in Commission history, the evidence conclusively demonstrates that this transaction will bring fast 5G wireless service to many more Americans and help close the digital divide in rural areas,” said Pai. “Moreover, with the conditions included in this draft Order, the merger will promote robust competition in mobile broadband, put critical mid-band spectrum to use and bring new competition to the fixed broadband market.”

WASHINGTON—In his effort to continue the modernization and streamlining of the FCC’s process, the Commission’s Chairman Ajit Pai has developed a new pair of proposals.

The first proposal would continue the FCC’s efforts to move to electronic filing and correspondence in an effort to reduce its use of paper by fully transitioning the Universal Licensing System to an electronic format. Pai’s second proposal is meant to expedite hearing processes by expanding the use of written hearings.

“By transitioning more records and communications from paper to electronic format, we can save money and increase our efficiency,” said Pai. “And by streamlining our hearing rules, we can resolve disputes more quickly, which will benefit the private sector as well as the Commission. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting these good-government initiatives.”

No time table was given for these proposals to be accepted.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai testified to Congress on Tuesday, May 7, about the commission’s proposed FY 2020 budget and the plan for how it will be deployed. The main focus will be on the development and rollout of 5G and, as a result, another spectrum auction that will cover the 37 GHz, 39 GHz and 47 GHz bands.

Pai began his testimony, however, by speaking on how Congress’ surplus of funds in the FY 2019 budget helped, in one instance with auction funding. Congress provided $17 million in additional auction funding, which Pai says “enabled us to meet our statutory deadline to complete our rulemaking to implement changes to the TV Broadcast Relocation Fund and provide money to reimburse low-power television, TV translator and FM stations impacted by the post-Incentive Auction spectrum repack.”

Looking ahead to FY 2020, a key goal for the FCC with its planned budget is to continue the development of 5G networks throughout the country. “Our work on 5G will open the door to new services and applications that will grow our economy and improve our standard of living,” Pai said, citing not only improved connection abilities for people, but the potential to create three million new jobs, $275 billion in private investment and $500 billion in new economic growth.

To realize that potential, Pai outlined the FCC’s 5G FAST (Facilitate America’s Superiority in 5G Technology) plan. The plan is comprised of three key components: pushing more spectrum into the marketplace; promoting the deployment of wireless infrastructure; and modernizing outdated regulations.

That first point had led to the announcement of a new spectrum auction for the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands. The FCC has already conducted two spectrum auctions in 2019, the first for the 28 GHz band that concluded in January and raised $702,572,410 according to Pai; and the 24 GHz auction that is currently in its assignment phase. The 24 GHz auction is reported to have raised just under $2 billion.

The next auction, which Pai described as the largest in FCC history, is currently slated to begin on Dec. 10. An expected 3.4 GHz of spectrum is expected to be released into the commercial marketplace. The possibility of the auction were first announced during the FCC’s open meeting in April.

“During the next fiscal year, we also intend to auction mid-band spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band,” Pai added. “We will continue our work to make additional mid-band spectrum bands available for flexible use, including in the 2.5 GHz and 3.7-4.2 GHz bands.”

In addition, Pai spoke as to why the FCC denied China Mobile USA’s application to provide international telecommunication services in the U.S., citing that they believed it to be a threat to national security. This impacts companies like Huawei, which Pai was asked about directly following this testimony by senators, and which he confirmed his belief that they pose a national security threat.

LAS VEGAS—“Being a broadcaster means something different than just being a media company. It means something more.”

That’s the country’s top telecom regulator, reminding broadcasters not to lose what makes them unique. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai addressed the NAB Show in Las Vegas Tuesday.

Pai often has referred to his affinity for broadcasting; he did so again in his speech, celebrating personal connections as the greatest competitive edge that TV and radio stations enjoy. “And I say that as someone who still reveres the broadcasters he grew up with — people like Dowe Quick of KOAM(TV) in Joplin, Missouri and Steve Lardy of KLKC(AM) in Parsons, Kansas.”

Touching on radio issues, Pai said the FCC will vote next month on ways to resolve the increasing number of interference complaints apparently caused by FM translator. Pai also saluted Gordon Smith on his 10-year anniversary as NAB’s president/CEO and complimented broadcasters for the trust Americans have in them compared to social media.

He then reviewed actions that the FCC has taken during his tenure to update or eliminate what he considers outdated and burdensome rules.

“Since beginning this process, the commission has opened 14 proceedings, and we’ve issued a total of 11 orders. And we’re not done yet — we’re still actively working on several major modernization matters,” including kid-vid rules and “unnecessarily complex” public notice requirements for broadcast applications.

He noted that the comment period is open through the end of May for the FCC’s current review of ownership rules. “Rest assured, we won’t be deterred by those whose regulatory views are not guided by facts and reason, but instead were set in stone in the era of Laverne and Shirley, Starsky and Hutch, and Captain and Tennille,” he said.

Pai believes the post-auction repack transition “has gone well so far, and we find ourselves ahead of schedule,” with more than 300 TV stations transitioned off their pre-auction channels. And he noted that a few weeks ago, the FCC established rules and procedures to enable FM stations and low-power TV and TV translators to be reimbursed for repack-related costs.

Here are Pai's remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you all for that warm welcome. And thank you, Senator Smith, for that kind introduction and for your continued leadership.

You may not be aware, but 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of some major events in America. “He Could Be the One” by Hannah Montana and “My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly Clarkson were two of the top hits on the radio. “American Idol” was the top show on broadcast television. “Where the Wild Things Are” was one of the country’s top movies. And finally — and I have to think that all I’ve mentioned so far is connected here — Gordon Smith became NAB’s president. I was told by someone backstage that the traditional 10th anniversary gift is spectrum. If you’re interested in the 24 GHz band, I think I could swing something.

I’ve had a chance to walk around the showroom floor a little bit. And yet again, you’ve raised the bar. You have compelling demonstrations on everything from ATSC 3.0 to 5G to 8K. Then you’ve got exhibits on artificial intelligence and augmented reality. This is definitely not your father’s NAB Show.

A brief look confirms what almost everyone now knows: the media and entertainment landscape has been completely transformed by the digital revolution. Just think about your own listening and viewing habits and how different they are from 10 years ago. Now, consider this. U.S. consumers have more than 200 streaming services to choose from. In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows with new episodes available to American audiences. You find yourselves in a war for attention with well-funded media giants, internet companies, and telecom companies. In such a crowded and rapidly evolving marketplace, how can broadcasters succeed?

The State of the Broadcast Industry report recently released by Ooyala examines this question. It argues that the key immediate challenge for your industry is the fusion between broadcasting and streaming. And it endorses the idea that broadcasters need to adopt the mindset of a diversified media company. With exhibits on the opportunities of streaming, esports, in-vehicle entertainment, and podcasting, this year’s NAB Show has clearly embraced that perspective.

In my view, the idea that you should increasingly think of yourselves as digital media companies is sound advice, with one important caveat. You are still broadcasters first.

Let me elaborate.

Being a broadcaster means something different that just being a media company. It means something more.

Think about this. This is the “We Are Broadcasters” session. Presumably, then, this is a celebration of the characteristics that you think define your industry. Well, who are the primary honorees? It’s the stations like KFOR(AM) that go above and beyond to serve their communities. It’s the broadcasters who are there for their neighbors in times of emergency. It’s broadcast performers like Sterling K. Brown, who, I’m not afraid to admit, make us cry. And let’s not forgot the broadcast engineers being recognized this afternoon, Cindy and Garrison Cavell, who do the important behind-the-scenes technical work that allows content to reach the masses. This is who you are. Come to think of it, perhaps you should have changed the session’s name from “We Are Broadcasters” to “This Is Us.” And of course, we can’t forget our host, Rickey Smiley. It’s broadcasters like him who keep us company on the drive to work every day, bringing a little laughter into our mornings.

This is what enables you to stand out in such a crowded media landscape. The trust that broadcasters have built over the years is real, and Americans’ personal connections with you are your greatest competitive edge. And I say that as someone who still reveres the broadcasters he grew up with — people like Dowe Quick of KOAM(TV) in Joplin, Missouri and Steve Lardy of KLKC(AM) in Parsons, Kansas.

This trust is on full display in the marketplace for news. In recent years, we’ve heard time and again about how social media platforms are increasingly the go-to source for news. According to a 2018 Pew survey, roughly two-thirds of Americans get news on social media. But they don’t trust it. In that same survey, nearly 60% of Americans said the news they see on these platforms is largely inaccurate. And a poll by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal last week revealed that “sizable majorities say[] these sites do more to divide the country than unite it and spread falsehoods rather than news.” The most trusted sources for most Americans are still local broadcasters.

One recent story vividly brought home the critical role that local broadcasters play in newsgathering. The Jussie Smollett saga was a big story across the country. It was widely covered by cable news, national network news, and digital outlets. But who was at the forefront of breaking news about the story? Local television news reporters like Rafer Weigel of Fox 32 and Rob Elgas of ABC7 in Chicago. Working hard on the ground, they were the ones getting to the bottom of what really happened while many other outlets were focused on editorializing and spin.

There’s something else that differentiates broadcasters from many of your competitors. You’re not just there for your communities; you’re there for free. In an age when consumers have an unprecedented choice of content, more are choosing free, over-the-air television as part of their media diet. Over the past four years, the number of homes that solely watch broadcast TV through an antenna has increased from 12 million to 16 million. Yes, that’s still a relatively small market share. But we’re also talking about 33% percent growth over four years. That’s a big deal.

By now, it should be pretty clear that I believe a strong broadcasting industry serves the interest of the American people. Which raises an obvious question: what’s the FCC doing to help make this happen?

I started off by talking about how new technologies have dramatically altered the media marketplace. I think it’s fair to say that, when it comes to broadcasting issues, the FCC’s guiding principle under my leadership has been to make sure that our rules keep pace with the times.

Starting big picture: two years ago, I launched a review of the commission’s media rules in order to revise or repeal rules that are outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome. Since beginning this process, the Commission has opened 14 proceedings, and we’ve issued a total of 11 orders. And we’re not done yet—we’re still actively working on several major modernization matters. For example, Commissioner O’Rielly is leading the effort to revamp our kid-vid rules, and I expect that we’ll be voting to modernize these regulations in the coming months. And we’re still looking at ways to simplify the unnecessarily complex public notice requirements for broadcast applications.

On the media ownership front, we’ve approved long-overdue updates to our rules. In particular, we scrapped the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban. It might have made sense when it was adopted in 1975, but it had become an anachronism in the Internet age. And we’re not done yet. Last December, the FCC began the 2018 quadrennial review of our media ownership rules. The public comment period runs through the end of May, so now’s the time to let us know which rules we should keep, which we should modify, and which we should scrap. And rest assured, we won’t be deterred by those whose regulatory views are not guided by facts and reason, but instead were set in stone in the era of Laverne and Shirley, Starsky and Hutch, and Captain and Tennille.

Modernizing our rules also means enabling broadcasters to innovate just like any other industry and making the changes needed to unleash new technologies. A good example is the Next-Gen TV standard, ATSC 3.0. The FCC allowed broadcasters to use ATSC 3.0 in November 2017. In doing so, we rejected the shortsighted pushback from those who didn’t want to allow this IP-based innovation or wanted to strangle it at the outset with red tape. And I’m glad we did.

This past August, I checked out a market trial of this new standard in Phoenix, which is headquartered at the local Univision station. From immersive audio to rich on-screen emergency content, I saw an interactive experience that has me more excited than ever about the potential of this new technology.

FCC staff have been working closely with broadcasters interested in starting other market trials and conducting further tests to determine what type of enhanced services can be offered. Aside from Phoenix, to date we’ve authorized market trials in Dallas, Santa Barbara, and Chicago, as well as experiments in Lansing, Michigan, and the Baltimore/Washington corridor. We’re wrapping up the last IT work and hope to begin accepting applications for the licensing of ATSC 3.0 facilities by the end of the second quarter of this year. My bottom line is that broadcasters should and will be allowed to compete in the digital world and deliver consumer benefits without having to beg the FCC for permission.

Emerging digital technologies were also a driving force behind the broadcast incentive auction. One aspect of that auction that I’ve stressed for many years (well before holding this job) is that we need to ensure a smooth transition for broadcasters. As you know, the post-incentive auction repack began in 2017 and will run until July 2020. And we’re just days away from the scheduled deadline for Phase 2 of a 10-phase process.

Overall, I’m pleased to report that the post-auction transition has gone well so far, and we find ourselves ahead of schedule. Well over 300 stations have transitioned off their pre-auction channels, including 130 reverse auction winning bidders that are now channel-sharing and about 200 of the 987 repacked stations. And by April 12, the end of Phase 2, I’m confident that number will increase to over 350 transitioned stations.

Not only are we ahead of schedule, we have more resources to help stations do the job. Thanks to the additional $1 billion provided by Congress last year, we now have a total of $2.75 billion available. Now, there’s a lot one could do with that amount: you could buy 458 million footlong Subway sandwiches or 7.2 million season tickets to Kansas City Chiefs home games. But we’re aiming for the higher purposes of reimbursing broadcasters for repack costs and conducting consumer education. And we’re getting results, with about 17,000 invoices approved and nearly $450 million in reimbursements. Moreover, just a few weeks ago, the FCC established rules and procedures to enable low power TV, TV translator, and FM radio stations to be reimbursed for their repack-related costs.

In addition to making sure broadcasters are treated fairly during the post-incentive auction transition, we’re also looking out for consumers. We’ve set up a comprehensive consumer education strategy, including a dedicated call center to help consumers who need to rescan their TVs so that they can still receive local stations that change channels. The plan also includes public outreach efforts, with a focus on hard-to-reach communities like seniors, low-income households, and non-English speakers.

The last thing I’ll say on this topic is that we recognize the challenges that the transition presents. You have my word that the FCC will keep working hand-in-hand with broadcasters and their vendors to ensure a smooth, on-schedule transition, with the least impact to the public.

Shifting to radio, our AM broadcast efforts have been going well. For example, under our AM Radio Revitalization Initiative, the FCC has granted AM stations 1,707 construction permits for new FM translators. That’s about 37% of all AM stations in the United States. At least 459 have already completed construction and are on the air. This is helping broadcasters improve their programming, expand their listenership, and stabilize their financial position, as broadcasters have told me everywhere from big cities to small-town Marysville, Kansas.

But with this success has come an uptick in interference complaints from primary FM stations due to the increasing number of translators on the air.

To address this concern, last May, we launched a rulemaking to streamline and expedite our current process for resolving interference complaints. Our goals were simple: to get fewer of them and make them easier to resolve. Our most notable proposal was to end interference by allowing translator stations causing it to change to any available same-band channel as a minor change application.

Well, it’s time to take our ideas from the drawing board to the scoreboard. So today, I circulated to my fellow commissioners a draft order with new rules, and we’ll be voting on it at our May meeting. The draft order incorporates many of the proposals supported by NAB, such as streamlining interference remediation procedures, clarifying listener complaint requirements, and making it easier for translators causing interference to change channels. I believe that it’ll make the interference resolution process less frustrating for full-service stations, translators, listeners, everyone.

Another hallmark of broadcasting that we want to support at the commission is diversity. For a generation, there was a lot of talk at the FCC about setting up an incubator program to encourage entry into the broadcast business—but no action. That changed last year, when we established this program for full-service AM and FM radio stations. We hope established broadcasters will support small, aspiring, or struggling station owners that otherwise lack access to technical, financial, or operational expertise. We’re currently doing some necessary behind-the-scenes legwork, but I anticipate that the incubator program will be ready for applications later this spring. I encourage both seasoned veterans and potential new broadcasters to seek one another out here at the show and explore the new program’s potential for the radio business.

Last, but certainly not least, the Enforcement Bureau continues to diligently pursue unlicensed radio operations. In 2018, EB took 147 enforcement actions against pirate operators. And we’re working with our state law enforcement partners to take them — and keep them — off the air.

I’d like to close my remarks by congratulating the main honoree for this session: Lincoln, Nebraska’s KFOR radio. KFOR is receiving the Crystal Heritage Award for outstanding community service. And for good reason. It was a lifeline for the people of Nebraska during the recent historic flooding. In the midst of that flooding, my old friend and college classmate, Senator Ben Sasse, said that “Nebraskans want to make sure Americans across the country know what they’re facing.” And it is almost solely thanks to broadcasters like KFOR that we did. This station used its platform to give listeners vital relief information like where to get food, shelter, and medical assistance in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Today, it’s helping workers get unemployment assistance and figure out how they can get an extension on their tax returns. The station also worked with broadcasters from across the state to raise $450,000 to support the local Red Cross.

What’s remarkable about all this is that it’s unremarkable. As chairman, I’ve personally seen this same spirit of service in a battered broadcast station in Puerto Rico, a destroyed station in the Virgin Islands, a station in Houston in which employees slept for days, and too many others to count. When you say “We are broadcasters,” this is what you mean. In a time when America seems torn and divided, you mend and bring us together. Your public service during times of want, just as in times of plenty, is just what you do. To KFOR and so many others, thank you. To be sure, I can’t quantify any of this. There is no balance sheet that will depict the value of this work. But I know in my bones that this kind of dedication will help you thrive, no matter how much technology evolves. And as long as I am chairman, you will have a friend at the FCC, working to help you continue serving your communities.

LAS VEGAS—Broadcasters attending the 2019 NAB Show have the chance to hear from four members of the Federal Communications Commission.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will deliver remarks Tuesday, April 9, at 3 p.m. during the NAB: We Are Broadcasters Celebration. FCC Commissioners Michael O’Rielly, Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks will offer their insights Monday, April 8, at the “Raining 3s: A Q&A with FCC Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr and Starks.”

Named chairman by President Donald Trump in January 2017, Pai has set a regulatory course aimed at making sure the agency’s rules reflect the realities of the existing marketplace, NAB said.

Pai, who was appointed an FCC commissioner by former-President Barack Obama in 2012, has worked to update media regulations to match the changing media market, it added.

During their session, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr and Starks will offer their views on the current regulatory and legislative agenda, NAB added.

More information is available on the NAB Show website.

WASHINGTON—FCC chair Aji Pai has named Alexander Sanjenis as he new acting media advisor.

He replaces Alison Nemeth Steger, who is exiting the commission.

It won't be much of a stretch for Steger since he has been legal advisor at the Media Bureau, which handles cable and broadcast TV and radio issues. The chairman's media advisor provides input on issues generally under the Media Bureau's purview.

The FCC has a lot of Media Bureau issues on its plate, including the quadrennial review of ownership rules and whether and how to adjust the 39 percent national ownership cap and UHF discount.

“I’m grateful that Alex has agreed to take on this important role,” said Pai. “His experience working on a broad range of issues in the Media Bureau will be a tremendous asset as we continue our effort to update our media rules to match the marketplace and technology of today. I also would like to thank Alison for her outstanding work on many complex proceedings over the last two years in my office and wish her all the best as she leaves the Commission.”

ROSSLYN, Va.—A series of new rules and proposals are in the pipeline from the FCC in regards to the areas of ATSC 3.0 and interference issues regarding FM translators according to comments from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Pai spoke on these topics to the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers last Friday, as well as providing an update on the TV spectrum repack.

Broadcasters were first allowed to use ATSC 3.0 as of November 2017. The FCC issued rules for the next gen standard officially took effect in July 2018, though IT work is still in progress for designing a new form in the Licensing and Management System, according to Pai. He believes the database changes will be completed in the second quarter of 2019.

In addition, the FCC’s Media Bureau is drafting a new order in the ATSC 3.0 proceedings to address issues like how to handle local simulcasting requirements if a station doesn’t have a viable simulcasting partner and another order to resolve certain issues raised in petitions for reconsideration.

When it comes to the TV repack currently underway, Pai emphasized progress made since the close of the incentive auction. He highlighted that 143 stations had made their transition to new spectrum during Phase One, which concluded on Nov. 30, 2018, putting them “ahead of schedule.” Now in Phase Two, Pai said that 20 stations of an expected 115 have already moved. With a deadline of April 12, Pai noted that tower crews, broadcast stations and engineers are looking at a busy two months.

Pai also spoke about the funds designated to assist stations as they move during the repack. In a blog post earlier this week, Pai mentioned that the $1 billion awarded by Congress in addition to the $1.75 billion previously set aside for the repack gives the FCC “the resources to help stations do the job.” He said that $350 million in reimbursements had already been approved.

On the radio front, Pai noted that as more AM stations have obtained FM translators, complaints from primary FMs about interference have increased. An NPRM was launched last May to address these concerns; it proposed allowing translators to change to any available channel to avoid interference. Having taken industry feedback, Media Bureau is drafting a new order, for which Pai said the FCC expects to take “action this spring to make translator interference resolution a faster and less contentious process.”

Pai closed his speech by bringing up the 1980s U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey team, which celebrated the 39th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” Friday. Alluding to how the team had to keep their focus after beating the Soviets to go on and beat Finland for the gold medal, Pai encouraged the crowd “to keep our eyes on the prize and keep working together to seize these opportunities for the American people.”

For all the latest news and insight on the repack and ATSC 3.0, visit our silos for the two, repack and ATSC3.

WASHINGTON—For the second year in a row, FCC chair Ajit Pai has pulled out of his appearance at the Consumer Technology Association's CES in Las Vegas next week.

Pai was to have been interviewed in a "Fireside Chat" with CES president Gary Shapiro, which has become something of a tradition. But Pai's office said the government shutdown—and uncertainty about how long it would last—precipitated the decision.

It is not clear whether commissioner Brendan Carr, who also planned to attend to kick the tires on new tech, will be making the trip or canceling due to the shutdown. Carr's office was not available for comment.

Commissioners are still able to work in the office because they are essential personnel, but travel budgets are expected to be curtailed during a shutdown.

“Because of the government shutdown, some of our scheduled government speakers at CES® 2019 have alerted us that they must cancel their travel to the show," said Shapiro. "As a result, some of our scheduled CES 2019 programming and speakers will change. We urge attendees who planned to hear U.S. federal government speakers to check the sessions on the website to ensure those individuals are still speaking. Our Speakers Directory can be found here. This page will be updated regularly.”

WASHINGTON—The FCC has officially launched its 2018 Quadrennial Review of the its media ownership rules to determine whether they “are necessary in the public interest as the result of competition” and to “repeal or modify any regulation [the Commission] determines to be no longer in the public interest.”

The rules subject to this quadrennial review obligation include the Local Radio Ownership Rule, the Local Television Ownership Rule, and the Dual Network Rule. The Local Radio and Local Television Ownership Rules limit the total number of broadcast radio and television stations, respectively, that may be commonly owned in a media market. The Dual Network Rule prohibits a merger between or among the Big Four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC).

In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the commission said it was seeking comment on whether the three rules continue to serve the public interest or whether they should be modified or eliminated in light of changes to the media marketplace. In addition, the notice seeks comment on three proposals relevant to promoting diversity in the broadcast industry. The statute specifically excludes the national television ownership cap from the quadrennial review.

[Read: FCC To Kick Off Quadrennial Broadcast Reg Review Next Month]

The national ownership rules pertaining to the 39% cap on national audience reach or the UHF discount from that cap, are not part of the inquiry because they are not part of the rules that Congress requires the commission to review.

In a statement, Chairman Ajit Pai said “our rules must keep pace with the modern media marketplace,” noting that, for example, the commission’s elimination of the newspaper-radio cross-ownership rule in 2017 has helped media enterprises such as Colorado’s “Grand Daily Junction Sentinel” expand its reach by allowing it to acquire a radio station group in Grand Junction.

“I recently met Jay Seaton, who runs the ‘Daily Sentinel,” Pai said. “He told me that this transaction will help him disseminate news across more formats and appeal more to advertisers [revenue from which can be poured back into the busines]). As he put it, ending the cross-ownership ban was ‘15 years overdue.’””

Four of the five commissioners concurred with the launch of the review with Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel dissenting, saying the review is inadequate.

Emphasizing the importance of localism, competition and diversity in the broadcast ownership marketplace, Rosenworcel said much of the review “hits the mark” but misses it in other aspects.

“To the extent this rulemaking offers thoughtful reform, I approve,” she said. “But in other aspects, I dissent. It fails to honestly assess the impact of too many changes we propose on the values of localism, competition, and diversity that have informed this agency’s media policies in the past—and I believe should still inform our efforts in the future.“

Pai responded that he was “disappointed” with Rosenworcel’s dissent but that Congressional rules require the commission to include the Dual Network Rule.

“Whatever one’s opinion of it, refusing to include [the Dual Network Rule] in our quadrennial review would have violated the law,” Pai said. “As a result, a request to remove it from the Notice doesn’t constitute a good-faith attempt to reach consensus but rather gives the appearance of looking for an excuse to dissent for political reasons.”

NAB said the review is timely in light of the increasing crowded media marketplace.

"NAB looks forward to participating in the FCC’s congressionally-mandated quadrennial review of broadcast media ownership rules,” the association said in a statement. “We are not seeking wholesale elimination of these regulations, but rather a modernization that reflects today’s fiercely competitive marketplace. We trust the Commission will update these rules with an understanding that free and local broadcasting now competes head-to-head with powerful Internet, pay TV and audio companies that didn't exist when many broadcast ownership rules were first written."

DALLAS—Nexstar Media Group will acquire Tribune Media, making it the country’s largest owner of local television stations, in a deal valued at $6.4 billion (cash and debt assumption) under the terms of a definitive merger agreement announced today.

Nexstar will pay $46.50 per share of Tribune stock in cash as well as assume the media company’s outstanding debt. The agreed to share price represents a 15.5 percent premium over the closing price of Tribune shares on Nov. 30 and a 45 percent premium since July 16 when FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced his intention to circulate a Hearing Designation Order regarding Sinclair Broadcast Group’s planned acquisition of Tribune and divestiture of certain stations.

“Nexstar has long viewed the acquisition of Tribune Media as a strategically, financially and operationally compelling opportunity that brings immediate value to shareholders of both companies,” said Perry Sook, Nexstar Chairman, President and CEO. “We have thoughtfully structured the transaction in a manner that positions the combined entity to better compete in today’s rapidly transforming industry landscape and better serve the local communities, consumers and businesses where we operate.”

The deal brings together two media organizations with complementary national coverage. If approved by regulators, the combined company will reach about 39 percent of U.S. television households, Nexstar said.

Tribune’s media assets include 42 owned and operated TV stations in major U.S. media markets, a general entertainment cable network, WGN America, and a 31 percent stake in TV Food Network. The combined company will own or service 216 full power TV stations in 118 markets (not accounting for any divestitures) and a significant digital media operation.

In the first year following completion of the merger and divestitures, Nexstar anticipates realizing about $160 million in operating synergies. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank have committed financing for the transaction, it added.

According to Sook, Nexstar has developed a comprehensive plan to comply with regulatory requirements and believes it has “a clear path to closing.”

This summer the proposed merger of Sinclair and Tribune hit a serious snag when FCC Chairman Ajit Pai expressed concern about the legality of the transaction. The commission voted to allow an administrative judge to resolve the issue, delaying resolution of the matter indefinitely and prompting Tribune to walk away.

Separately, the FCC’s Office of Inspector General has completed a follow-up investigation of the proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger and again has found no evidence that the FCC Chairman acted improperly.

The investigation stemmed from a request by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to investigate Pai’s conduct regarding his interactions with the White House as related to the Sinclair-Tribune merger.

“We are pleased that the Office of Inspector General has confirmed for a second time that there were no improper actions taken during the Sinclair-Tribune review process and that the investigation has concluded,” said Brian Hart, director of the FCC’s Office of Media Relations.

PHOENIX—FCC Chairman Ajit Pai described the ongoing trial of ATSC 3.0 as “really exciting” Aug. 19 after a visit to the Univision station in town for a demo of Next-Gen TV.

In a video tweeted by Pai, the chairman said Next-Gen TV marries “the best of broadcasting –that one-to-many architecture we’ve known and enjoyed for many years with the Internet.”

General managers from the Phoenix stations participating in the Pearl TV-led model market project gathered with Pai at the Univision studios to watch ATSC 3.0 in action, according to Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV.

Pai was shown 1080p HDR delivered over the air to three prototype U.S. ATSC 3.0 sets –one each from LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony. The televisions were equipped with a 4K upconverter, she added.

[Read: WRAL-TV Showcases Next Gen TV’s Potential]

In his Tweet, Pai laid out some of the benefits ATSC 3.0 offers viewers, including immersive audio, highly localized information, better accessibility for those with disabilities and the ability to support a variety of viewing screens ranging from big-screen TVs in the living room to mobile devices.

“We were able to demonstrate [for Pai] many of the features and functions that we’re excited about bringing to consumers,” said Schelle.

Pai’s visit to Phoenix came while a major 3.0 development conference is going on in the city, which meant that more than 20 companies developing 3.0 technology were in town and attended the demonstration for the chairman. The vendors gathered for the 3.0 developer conference will write the guidelines for the interactive layer for the industry to use, said Schelle.

Besides showing the chairman over-the-air reception and upconversion of a 3.0 signal to 4K HDR, the Next-Gen audio capabilities of Dolby AC-4 were highlighted. An application “skin” that will be tested by the stations participating in the 3.0 model market was also on display as were the advanced advertising and audience data capabilities of the platform that support program recommendations and more content for viewers, said Schelle. Emergency alerting via AWARN and mobile reception were also part of the demo.

Beyond 3.0 features, the demo gave Pai a good sense of the level of cooperation taking place among broadcasters, vendors and other developers to make the ultimate Next-Gen TV rollout a success, she added.

“When you go in the equipment room [at the station], we have multiple vendors that are on the racks,” she said.

Schelle characterized Pai’s reaction to the 3.0 demo as upbeat. “I think he was excited and pleased to see the level of collaboration and number of companies that were present, the amount of investment going into ATSC 3.0, which is pretty tremendous, and how far we have come and how quickly.”

The visit to the test facility is part of a tour the FCC Chairman is taking of the southwest U.S.

WASHINGTON--Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai threw some serious shade at former FCC Chief Information Officer David Bray in a Monday statement about the Office of Inspector General’s investigation into the May 2017 “incident involving the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System.”

Although he did not refer to Bray by name — only as “the FCC’s former Chief Information Officer (CIO), who was hired by the prior Administration and is no longer with the Commission,” “the former CIO” or “then-CIO” — in the statement, Pai made clear that he laid the blame for the rumors and conspiracy theories at his feet.

Pai said he is “deeply disappointed” that Bray “provided inaccurate information about this incident to me, my office, Congress, and the American people,” referring to a statement released by Bray’s office that said the disruption to the comment system was a result of “multiple distributed denial-of-service attacks (i.e. DDoS). These were deliberate attempts by external actors to bombard the FCC’s comment system with a high amount of traffic to our commercial cloud host.”

Although he called Bray’s actions “completely unacceptable,” Pai said he is “pleased that this report debunks the conspiracy theory that my office or I had any knowledge that the information provided by the former CIO was inaccurate.”

In addition to castigating Bray for telling him “we’re 99.9% confident this was external folks deliberately trying to tie-up the server to prevent others from commenting and/or create a spectacle,” Pai said it’s “abundantly clear that ECFS needs to be updated.” And he said the good news is that Congress last week authorized funding to revamp the FCC comment system.

Pai also addressed cultural issues that he said contributed to the misleading statements. “I’m also disappointed that some working under the former CIO apparently either disagreed with the information that he was presenting or had questions about it, yet didn’t feel comfortable communicating their concerns to me or my office.”

Because of this report, Pai said his office plans to “make it clear” that FCC IT employees “are encouraged to speak up if they believe that inaccurate information is being provided to the commission’s leadership.”

Bray now works as executive director of the People-Centered Internet Coalition.

A representative shared a prepared statement: “Dr. Bray has not been contacted by the FCC IG and has not seen their reported findings. There has not been any outreach to ask what he had seen, observed, or concluded during the events more than a year ago in May 2017.” After emphasizing that Bray is no longer with the commission, the statement added that “Swift response ensured the commenting system was up more than 99.4% of the time for the total commenting period” (presumably referring to the Title II debate). 

WASHINGTON--The Federal Communications Commission today proposed rules to reimburse some low-power TV stations, TV translators and FM stations for costs resulting from the 2017 spectrum incentive auction, following up on a recent Congressional directive known as "The 2018 Reimbursement Expansion Act."

The act “expanded the list of eligible entities to include LPTV, TV translator and FM stations, provided additional funds to be used for this purpose, increased the funds available to reimburse full power and Class A stations and MVPDs and provided funds to be used for consumer education purposes,” the FCC said today. The statute also created a deadline of March 23, 2019, for the commission to adopt a Report and Order.

According to the NPRM (MB Docket No. 18-214; GN Docket No. 12-268), reimbursement will be available for LPTV stations and TV translators, “if (1) they filed an application during the commission’s Special Displacement Window and obtained a construction permit, and (2) were licensed and transmitting for at least nine of the 12 months prior to April 13, 2017.”

[Read: FCC Will Open April Window For Auction-Displaced LPTVs]

Additionally, the order says the Media Bureau should engage a third-party contractor to assist in the administration of the fund and also directs the bureau to determine cost eligibility and the reimbursement process. However, “the Media Bureau will consult with the Office of General Counsel and the Office of the Managing Director,” the order says.

The order also shares plans to use the $50 million provided by the REA for consumer education. According to the order, the commissioners “anticipate, among other initiatives, hosting a dedicated consumer service call center to provide consumers technical support and assistance on such matters as rescanning and other means to resolve potential reception issues. We also intend to perform targeted outreach to specific communities about rescanning, and we may use advertising spots to disseminate rescanning information. Consumer education funding could also be used in developing additional online resources...”

The NPRM also notes that the additional REA funds must be used no later than July 3, 2023.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said, “I’d like to thank Congress for passing legislation which provides additional reimbursement funds for full power and Class A stations, reimbursement funds for newly-eligible LPTV, TV translator, and FM stations, and funds for the commission to use for consumer education purposes.” Pai also thanked the commission staff who worked on the notice.

In his own statement, Commissioner Michael O’Rielly emphasized that he agrees with the reimbursement plans in general but thinks further input is needed before action. Specifically, he said, “While Congress carefully outlined how it intended FY18 monies to be spent, it provided less clarity for FY19. Should these funds be allocated similar to FY18 funds? Should television stations have priority? The answers to these questions will affect how interested parties are reimbursed for relocating during the repacking process...”

Additionally, O’Rielly questioned the validity of the “graduated reimbursement system” based on the idea that time equals money and asked for feedback and alternative proposed system(s) to allocate money.

O’Rielly also cautioned that the educational efforts should not duplicate “efforts undertaken by broadcasters or other stakeholders, or take on initiatives outside of [the commission’s] expertise, such as producing advertising spots.”

Finally, O’Rielly wrote, “I support edits in this item that will mitigate the use of delegated authority, as well as remove the tentative conclusion that third parties who made funding arrangements with LPTVs prior to the passage of REA are ineligible for funding.”

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel did not release a statement, but the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (FCC 18-113) indicated her approval and that of Commissioner Brendan Carr, whose statement was still pending as of writing.

[Read: FCC Allocates Additional $742 Million For Repack Expenses]

The NPRM “tentatively concludes that both full power FM stations and FM translators that were licensed and transmitting on April 13, 2017, using the facilities affected by a repacked television station, are eligible for reimbursement.” This includes “FM stations that incur costs to permanently relocate, temporarily or permanently modify their facilities, or purchase or modify auxiliary facilities to provide service during work on a repacked television station’s facilities.” Also, the NPRM recommends that the reimbursement process be “substantially similar to” that already used to reimburse full power and Class A licensees and MVPDs.

NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton released a statement saying, “Earlier this year, Congress wisely authorized additional funding to ensure that tens of millions of Americans will not lose access to news, entertainment and lifeline information during the broadcast industry ‘spectrum repack.’ NAB is encouraged by the FCC proposal adopted today that closely mirrors the intent of Congress. NAB will be actively engaged during the rulemaking process to preserve live and local broadcasting on hometown radio and television stations, low power TV stations and TV translators."

For more information on the repack, visit TV Technology's repack silo.

FCC chair Ajit Pai has named Babette Boliek the agency's chief economist.

Boliek, a law professor and the associate dean of faculty research at Pepperdine University School of Law, succeeds Jerry Ellig, who is heading back to academia.

Her writings include several law journal articles challenging the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order,which the Pai FCC has rolled back using some similar arguments.

The chief economist is the FCC chair's principal economic adviser and is usually detailed from a college or university.

Pai has been pushing for more economic cost-benefit analysis of regulation.

"Adding an extraordinarily talented, well-respected expert like Dr. Boliek to our team will help us continue to make well-informed decisions that reflect basic principles of economics as well as the rule of law," said Pai of the new appointment.

Boliek's academic research subjects have included internet regulation, competition, antitrust, privacy and mobile telecom, while she has taught antitrust and communications law as well as corporate and contract law.

Pai said Boliek's combination of law and economics experience will be an asset as the FCC looks "to better integrate economic analysis factors into many aspects of the agency’s work, from closing the digital divide to merger review."

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