With 11 host cities across the U.S., the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup requires intense coordination.

The global event began Thursday and runs through July 19. The Federal Communications Commission believes communications efforts are well positioned, thanks to what it described as a collaborative effort among multiple agencies.

In a release, Chairman Brendan Carr said that the agency’s experts spanning radio engineering, public safety and enforcement have partnered with federal, state and local officials to support the World Cup across the country.

“The FCC team has been working to support robust, resilient and secure communications networks across the host cities, including supporting the efforts of the private sector communications providers,” Carr said.

Those host cities and areas of New York/New Jersey, Dallas, Los Angeles, Kansas City, the San Francisco Bay Area, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami and Boston/Foxborough have all received support to conduct advance planning, testing and coordination, according to the commission.

Special efforts

In May, the FCC designated Louis Libin as special frequency coordinator and RF spectrum manager for the World Cup. He is the point of contact for coordinating Broadcast Auxiliary Services operations.

Those BAS stations, under Part 74 of the FCC rules, make it possible for radio and TV stations and networks to transmit program material between various locations.

FWC 2026, a subsidiary of Fédération Internationale de Football Association, anticipates that approximately 2,700 pieces of equipment, such as interruptible foldback systems for real-time communication, wireless intercoms and talkbacks for production crews and RF audio links for sound mixing and audio routing, will be used to support around 300 media agencies.

Spectrum sweep

As crowds connect to their devices, international sporting events naturally apply a great deal of stress to communications systems. The commission explained that this creates a congested environment where thousands of people are trying to receive and transmit information on wireless and broadcast networks.

Priority number one, the FCC said, is to ensure that radio spectrum requirements essential to the World Cup — including broadcast operations, public safety, event security and national security preparations — are supported.

For example, Libin told TV Tech that a large number of pairs and single 450 MHz and 455 MHz channels will be in use for the event, for both two-way communications and IFBs.

To identify harmful interference, the FCC has deployed what it described as a “networked constellation of advanced spectrum sensors” across U.S. venues to conduct remote monitoring.

STAs

The commission has also issued 10 special temporary authorizations to date for wireless devices and broadcast operations.

Libin told TV Tech that the STA process has been simplified for the event due to the involvement of the White House Task Force. He also cited cooperation from the North American Broadcasters Association.

[Related: “Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance Pushes for Spectrum Access”]

In addition, it granted waivers to allow low-power auxiliary operators to operate within protected contours within the designated event areas. Those LPAS devices operating below 941.5 MHz will not exceed 250 milliwatts, according to FWC 2026, and those in the 941.5–960 MHz band will not exceed one watt of conducted power.

Event security

In public safety, the FCC has been preparing for interference detection and response during matches and related events to help first responders and emergency communications systems operate without disruption.

It has also been working with federal partners and FIFA technology teams to support communications readiness and event security.

In the host state of New Jersey, for example, all State Police radio communications transitioned to full encryption on June 1.

The commission has also partnered with local authorities to support lawful counter-drone operations in accordance with the SAFER SKIES Act.

Area challenges

Both before and during the games, the FCC is working to prevent wireless interference by supporting communications network capacity to meet the localized demand.

“There’s definitely a difference between venues,” Libin said. “They’re all big challenges, but each one is unique.”

In Miami, for instance, where the topography is flat, signals can carry much further than in Seattle, where there is varying terrain. At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., meanwhile, transmitters from across the Hudson River in New York City are line of sight.

The commission is also working with industry partners to support high-capacity wireless and 5G connectivity in and around host venues.

The effort lays the foundation for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics and other future “mega-events” by strengthening national communications coordination frameworks, the FCC said.

WASHINGTON—In a wide-ranging Public Notice reminding broadcasters of their public interest obligations, the Federal Communications Commission stressed that “spectrum auctions routinely bring in billions of dollars for the same spectrum broadcasters use for free” and insisted that the agency has the authority to investigate, fine and potentially remove broadcast licenses for violations of broadcast public interest obligations.

Those public interest obligations include the requirement that "broadcasters are also prohibited from engaging in news distortion," the agency noted.

Though not signed and not explicitly issued in response to any given criticism, the document amounts to an unusual public defense from the GOP-led commission for the regulatory approach taken under FCC Chair Brendan Carr. As previously reported, he has been criticized by Democrats in Congress, former FCC officials and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez for attempting to use the agency's enforcement powers to limit "free speech" and chill broadcast news coverage that is critical of the Trump administration.

“Federal law requires broadcasters to comply with a basic and fundamental obligation—they must operate in the public interest,” the public notice argued. “Congress first enshrined this concept in the law nearly 100 years ago, and it charged the FCC with the responsibility of ensuring that broadcasters only obtain and maintain a license to the extent they are operating in a manner that serves the `public interest, convenience, and necessity.’”

In addition to its statutory authority to enforce “public interest” requirements, the Public Notice argued that “spectrum is a finite public resource bound by the limits of physics” and an extremely valuable asset.

“Spectrum auctions routinely bring in billions of dollars for the same spectrum broadcasters use for free,” the agency reminded broadcasters, adding that “proceeds from the auction for broadcast television spectrum that was reallocated for wireless broadband use yielded $19.8 billion in revenue, including $10.05 billion for winning broadcast bidders and more than $7 billion to be deposited to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction.”

“In exchange, broadcasters are required to operate in the public interest of the communities they serve,” the agency noted. “It is this service as a public trustee—and the corresponding obligation to offer programming responsive to the needs and interests of the local communities they are licensed to serve—that makes broadcasters unique and distinguishes them from other programmers. It is an obligation that broadcasters take on voluntarily, in exchange for the privilege of holding a license to operate using the public airwaves.”

The Public Notice also laid a variety of legal arguments affirming the regulator’s controversial conclusion that it has the power to ensure that broadcast programming is in the public interest.

“Programming decisions by broadcasters must be made in service of the public and be responsive to the needs of the local community they are licensed to serve, not the private interests of national networks,” the FCC insisted.

“No broadcaster has a ‘right’ to use the public spectrum,” the notice stated, adding that “indeed, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that certain FCC regulatory efforts in furtherance of its statutory mandate `enhance rather than abridge the freedoms of speech and press protected by the First Amendment.’” and that “the courts have recognized that there are limits on broadcasters’ First Amendment rights.”

The FCC concluded that “the mere denial of a license because ‘the public interest’ requires it ‘is not a denial of free speech.’”

“Where the Commission finds that a broadcaster has failed to serve the public interest, the Commission may take appropriate action, including enforcement action,” require a licensee to file an early license renewal application,” as it has done with ABC’s stations, and apply the “public interest” rules when considering mergers or station sales.

As examples of the FCC’s authority to regulate content, the notice cited its “main studio” rule, intended to ensure service obligations were met by placing a station’s production center within the community it served,and its “program origination” rule, which required stations to originate a minimum percentage of its non-network programming from its main studio or elsewhere within its community of license.

“The purpose of the rule was to encourage locally-oriented programming in furtherance of the Commission’s public interest standard and localism mandate,” the Notice argued.

It also highlighted rules relating to the station’s online public inspection file issues/program lists, and insisted “broadcasters are also prohibited from engaging in news distortion, must provide equal opportunity to political candidates and are prohibited from airing obscene, indecent and profane content.”

“The Commission will continue to engage in a robust review of applications to ensure compliance with our rules and determine whether broadcasters have met their obligation to operate in the public interest,” the notice concluded. “We encourage broadcasters to review their current practices and confirm that they fully align with their statutory public interest obligation.”

In the final sentence, the Notice also stressed that the agency determination to both investigate public-interest violations and enforce those rules in ways that could involve taking away broadcast licenses.

“The Commission will not hesitate to exercise its statutory authority to ensure that broadcasters either fulfill their public interest obligation or provide the privilege of being a broadcast licensee to someone that will fulfill that duty,” the Notice stated.

Carr also reiterated the agency’s authority in a post on X:

In response, Gomez asserted: “The ‘public interest’ does not mean this administration's interests. Broadcasters should ignore these latest threats and stiffen their spine.“

STAMFORD, Conn. and NEW YORK, N.Y.—Charter Communication’s Spectrum pay TV operations and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced that the discovery+ streaming app is now included at no additional cost for customers who subscribe to certain eligible Spectrum TV plans.

The addition is part of Charter’s ongoing push to add more streaming to its programming packages and to secure rights to those services in its negotiations with programmers.

This strategy provides consumers with a more seamless experience that brings together live TV and popular streaming apps, and includes more than $125 per month in retail streaming value, Spectrum reported.

“The inclusion of discovery+ extends the value Spectrum TV delivers to customers with more choice and flexibility in what and how to watch,” said Tom Montemagno, executive vice president of programming acquisition at Spectrum. “We’re meeting customers wherever they are by bringing live TV and streaming together so they can enjoy discovery+ and other popular apps without managing separate subscriptions and with built-in cost savings.”

With the launch, Spectrum TV customers can activate ad-supported discovery+, which retails for $5.99 per month, for no extra cost to begin streaming shows from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet and more. Customers can also upgrade to discovery+ (Ad-Free), which retails for $9.99 per month, by paying the $4 difference.

Additionally, Spectrum customers without an eligible TV plan can use The Spectrum App Store to purchase discovery+ and other streaming apps à la carte.

Ad-supported discovery+ joins a lineup of popular apps included with eligible Spectrum TV plans, including the ad-supported versions of:

• Disney+ Hulu Bundle
• ESPN Unlimited
• HBO Max Basic With Ads
• Paramount+ Essential
• Peacock Premium
• AMC+
• ViX
• Tennis Channel
• FOX One

“Our partnership with Spectrum allows us to put discovery+ in front of millions of customers in a way that fits naturally with how they already watch TV,” said Scott Miller, president, networks and streaming distribution, Warner Bros. Discovery. “By making discovery+ available as part of Spectrum TV Select and giving customers without a traditional TV plan the ability to purchase à la carte, we’re extending the reach of our world-class portfolio and making it even more convenient for fans to watch their favorite home, food, true crime, relationships and lifestyle programming as part of their existing Spectrum experience.”

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology and Media Bureau have released updated TVStudy software (v2.3.1).

TVStudy is open-source software developed by the agency to analyze the coverage area, population served, and potential signal interference when evaluating channel changes and station repacking for full-service digital and Class A television stations.

The TVStudy v2.3.1 software installation package, the TVStudy 2.3.1 Installation and Upgrade Guide, and the post-auction template XML file are all available on the TVStudy website.

As with prior updates, a full list of changes from TVStudy v2.3 is included in the “Differences Between 2.3.1 and 2.3.0” section of the change log in the TVStudy 2.3.1 Installation and Upgrade Guide.

The FCC reported that TVStudy 2.3.1 corrects an issue that caused applications for new low-power television stations to be considered incorrectly in TV Interference Check studies. TVStudy 2.3.1 also corrects several minor issues throughout the software and adds a handful of minor features.

For further information on the TVStudy software and to submit bug reports, contact Mark Colombo at 202-418-7611 or Mark.Colombo@fcc.gov.

About one month out, the behind-the-scenes work that makes coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup possible is beginning to swing into high gear.

One critical component is the coordination of limited spectrum to support all of the wireless mics, IFBs, cameras and other devices used to bring matches to a worldwide audience that’s expected to reach nearly 6 billion people.

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission designated Sinclair vice president of spectrum policy and engineering Louis Libin as special frequency coordinator and RF spectrum manager for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11-July 19).

In this Q&A, Libin discusses the challenges of coordinating RF use at the 11 World Cup venues in the United States, the effect of having President Donald Trump as chair of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 on frequency coordination, an ongoing effort by the North American Broadcasters Association to establish a point person at the FCC for spectrum use during special events and which procedures World Cup-approved broadcasters must follow at the venues.

(Editor’s note: In an email after the interview, Libin said requests for frequency and entry into the FIFA RF portal, as well as answers to questions about the RF schedule, should be directed to Juan Morales, head of spectrum for FIFA, at juan.morales@fwc2025.org.)

(An edited transcript.)

TV Tech: Louis, the World Cup is being played at 11 U.S. venues. You’ve been the FCC-designated frequency coordinator for many major events over the years, but 11 different venues has to be a unique challenge. How are you approaching those challenges?

Louis Libin: I work with the people who are going to be at the venues. There’s a structure created. Any kind of RF problems are handled by a local manager who deals with the frequency coordinators. If a problem needs to be escalated, then a regional manager gets involved.

Hopefully, we have an organization in place that will work sort of automatically. We tried something like this for the FIFA Club World Cup tournament last year.

TVT: To what degree will the local Society of Broadcast Engineers frequency coordinators be used in this structure?

LL: I don’t know the exact numbers, but about half.

TVT: Fox has the broadcast rights to the World Cup in the U.S. I am guessing the biggest share of frequency coordination will be devoted to managing the spectrum needs of all of the media coming from around the world to cover the event.

LL: That’s correct. It's interesting because frequency coordination at the same stadiums, where football games are played, is tight. But it’s not as tight as it is for an event like the World Cup or an Olympics.

There’s so much planning that’s done beforehand [for those events] that there’ll be no what we call “Game-Day Coordinators,” like for the NFL. There will be no game-day coordination happening. There’s game-day enforcement and game-day stickering of equipment that’s already approved.

It’s a little bit of a simplified RF coordination process. I don’t want to say it’s easier. Nothing’s easy. But it’s done beforehand, and it's done very formally.

It works out because there is so much going on at the event itself. For example, the one I’m closest to is at MetLife Stadium [renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup].

I can't even tell you how many [channels will be used], for two-way communications, IFBs. It’s an unbelievable number of pairs and single 450 [MHz] and 455 [MHz] channels, almost every one is in use. And I’m able to reuse them, even though it’s just across the water from the city [the stadium is in East Rutherford, N.J., some 10 miles the Hudson River from New York City]. But I’m able to successfully reuse them, and a lot of it has to do with aiming antennas away from the city.

TVT: That crowded RF environment—and others around the country where the World Cup is being played—must require Special Temporary Authorizations from the FCC. Is getting STAs for coverage for the different venues difficult?

LL: It’s very difficult. But the STA process is a little bit easier for us because of the involvement with the administration. We have the president, who is chairing the World Cup. [President Trump is chair of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, not the chair of FIFA.]

TVT: Does that trickle down to making your life a little easier?

LL: Well, what it trickles down to is the FCC wanting to make sure that what we do goes through speedily. So, it’s very good.

It’s interesting because I’m working with NABA [the North American Broadcasters Association] as well.

We have a new project: To work with the FCC to get an office of special events. I would love that, but it won’t happen. That literally requires an act of Congress—you know, the cliché—but it does require an act of Congress.

So, what we’re trying to do is work with the commission to get a point person at the FCC for special events. And we're having a lot of luck [with] the OET [the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology] because it really transcends many, many bureaus.

STAs come from all over the place. They can come from wireless [the Wireless Bureau], from all over the place.

So—and this has nothing to do with the World Cup—the FCC is very, very cooperative. It’s not an official proceeding yet. But why wouldn’t they want to make it easier for us as well as easier for themselves?

They put in some very interesting ideas. For example, they would like data to be collected, so that they’ll learn more about events. So, the next time there’s an event, we don't have to start from scratch. I thought that was a great idea.

TVT: So this will not be an office. How do you think it will be structured?

LL: Right, it won’t be an office. It will be a process. I’m not even sure which office it will be with. But it’ll be a process where the bottom line is we’ll have a number to call, and we’ll have a person to talk to.

If there’s a challenge, if there’s a problem, if on event day somebody needs to do something, there’s a number to dial.

I love this because we have this in other countries. You know, in the U.K., in Canada, it’s a much simpler process that’s geared towards events and temporary use.

TVT: Can you describe how some of these event-day problems arise?

LL: You know, when we apply for STAs, there are actually a few different ways of applying, and it might be experimental, even though it’s not always exactly experimental.

This could be a great way of, No. 1, educating people and, No. 2, having everyone go through the same process.

Today, I could go to an event and there could be three different STAs that came through three different [FCC] bureaus, and we won’t know about it.

TVT: That’s surprising.

LL: People can show up with equipment that’s licensed on some kind of, let’s say, experimental [use STA], but not from OET, and I wouldn’t even know about it.

TVT: So just to be clear, you said this new role at the FCC would deal with the authorizations related to special events like the World Cup or the Olympics, but not more regular sorts of events such as a Sunday NFL game.

LL: No, it could be that, too. I’m not speaking for the NFL or any other league. But for example, this weekend there’s a NASCAR race at Watkins Glen, N.Y. [Sunday, May 10] or next week the PGA Championship. That’s going to be in Philadelphia, but typically a golf event or even NASCAR racing is in an area where there’s not much RF.

All of a sudden, it becomes a mini RF city. That’s how much RF there is. So, I would say that for golf events, for NASCAR, for racing events and all these kind of events where you wouldn’t necessarily think [there’s RF congestion], it could be a big help because of where these events are located.

Sometimes you go to the Daytona 500, and you’re 100 yards from the Daytona International Airport.

TVT: Getting back to the World Cup, I imagine the amount of RF congestion will vary dramatically from venue to venue.

LL: There's definitely a difference between venues. They’ll pose their own challenges. You know, Seattle is varying terrain. You know that is good and bad.

Miami is Miami, and so it’s flat. Signals go forever over there. That also means you’re receiving a lot of signals. You go to MetLife Stadium, and you’re looking straight at the transmitters from the city. They’re all big challenges, but each one is unique.

TVT: To what degree has LTE and 5G relieved some of the congestion for video that traditionally was transmitted on Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) channels in general and specifically as relates to the World Cup?

LL: We’re still at the beginning of it, and it’s still a challenge and it still doesn’t have the same reliability right now. In other words, it’s still emerging, but I could see it coming more and more into use.

But even the COWs [Cell on Wheels], when they come to a temporary event, have to be set up. You would expect them to be set up, and everything is great.

We’ve found that oftentimes, including at recent events, they have different challenges themselves. They set up in one location. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile [COWs] are within 100 feet of each other. That’s kind of not great.

That said, they all have their links that are attaching them to someplace else—on 3.9 GHz, for example. Are they as clean as they should be? Well, they should be because they are specific to them.

Did they mount their antenna in the right direction? That’s never perfect, and it’s only a temporary event. So, we often have to live with that. It’s not terrific. And that impacts the reliability of those systems operating in the cellular bands.

I have a feeling that all of the new Wi-Fi—in the 6 GHz and 7 GHz bands—coming in now are encroaching on the massive amounts of wireless microwave channels that broadcasters use for events. I’m not saying that in an FCC/legal manner, but I feel they are encroaching.

There’s only a limited amount of shifting and playing Jenga with the channels that we can do. Eventually, something’s going to have to give and unfortunately, Wi-Fi is going to win, because it’s ubiquitous.

TVT: What do broadcasters who have followed the procedures to use spectrum at World Cup venues have to do when they arrive on-site? Do they check in? What is the procedure?

LL: When they get into the venue, if they're already approved—and they would have a piece of paper that says they’re approved to get inside the venue—then they come in through one entrance where they’ll follow signs.

There will be a desk and a couple of people. The frequency coordinator and another person will check equipment and put approved stickers from FIFA onto equipment.

If they’re not approved, or if a foreign broadcaster comes in, then they can stay in the parking lot and use their wireless mics. Nobody can stop them.

But if they are approved to get inside the venue, they’ll follow signs to the desk.

TVT: You have a lot of experience serving as the FCC-designated frequency coordinator for major events. If you look back over the political conventions, sporting events and other major events covered, has coordination gotten any easier over time?

LL: No, RF coordination is becoming more and more complicated because everything is wireless now and everybody wants to be wireless for everything.

The only thing that is helping in terms of frequency coordination is that many ENG crews are now using Wi-Fi/2 GHz devices. That’s a big help.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has issued a public notice designating Louis Libin as special frequency coordinator and RF spectrum manager for the the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The notice also detailed how RF spectrum will be coordinated during the 39-day global men’s soccer tournament and detailed some waivers of FCC rules.

The move makes Libin, vice president of spectrum policy and engineering at Sinclair Broadcast Group, the single point of contact for coordinating Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) operations during the World Cup. Tournament matches are being staged in 11 U.S. cities, as well as cities in co-host countries Canada and Mexico. Some 6 billion viewers worldwide are expected to watch the June 11-July 19 tournament via broadcast, streaming and digital platforms. Fox is the U.S. World Cup rightsholder.

In addition, the FCC also granted waivers to permit low-power auxiliary operators. Low-power auxiliary operations are a subset of BAS operations.

BAS stations, which are licensed under Part 74 of the Commission’s rules, make it possible for television and radio stations and networks to transmit program material between various locations (e.g., from remote sites of breaking news stories or other live events to television studios, from studios to broadcasting transmitters for delivery to consumers, and between broadcast stations).

In addition to licensed BAS stations, section 74.24 of the Commission’s rules allows eligible broadcasters to operate BAS stations on a short-term basis, not to exceed 720 hours annually, without prior Commission authorization.

FWC 2026, a subsidiary of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), had previously requested that the agency designate Libin as the coordinator.

The FCC noted that BAS frequency coordinators are often named in connection with major events such as national political conventions, presidential inaugurations, the Olympic Games, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

In a filing with the FCC, FWC 2026 said it expects extensive video, audio, and data coverage of WC26 and extensive use of wireless equipment.

FWC 2026 anticipates that over 2,700 pieces of equipment, such as interruptible foldback systems for real time communication, wireless intercoms and talkbacks for production crews, and RF audio links for sound mixing and audio routing, will be utilized during WC26 to support over 300 media agencies.

Based on FWC’s recommendation, the FCC said it finds “that appointing Louis Libin as the special frequency coordinator will facilitate WC26, and will serve the public interest. Mr. Libin has extensive experience in coordinating frequency use for a variety of national and international events.”

The FCC said the designated frequency coordination period will start five days before each venue’s initial match and conclude one day after each venue’s last match so that FWC 2026 can prepare the RF environment to ensure spectrum readiness before matches begin and can oversee a controlled shutdown of the venues.

This designation will also allow for advance coordination of auxiliary broadcast frequency usage in the designated areas.

The FCC said Libin can be reached for frequency coordination at (516) 374-6700 or by email at louislibin@broad-comm.com.

In addition to the operations discussed above, the FCC noted that the event will see the potential use of unlicensed next-generation devices operating in TV white spaces.

In an filing with the FCC, FWC 2026 also requested that the Commission grant a waiver of the distance-separation requirement to permit the use of low power auxiliary stations (LPAS), not to exceed 1 watt of power on channels allocated for TV broadcasting where the nearest operating television station transmitter is located at least 40 kilometers from the event venues.

Similarly, FWC 2026 requested that the commission grant a waiver of rules that limits the power for LPAS operating in the 600-MHz duplex gap and the bands allocated for TV broadcasting.

FWC 2026 has requsted these waivers to “accommodate specialized equipment required for reliable and robust operations in large, open-air stadium environments,” including equipment necessary to support international broadcast systems, in-stadium long-range coordination, wireless intercoms and public safety communications, the filing said.

More information on the FCC’s decision to grant those waivers, affected venues and the process of coordinating spectrum during the games can be found here.

BALTIMORE, Md. & STAMFORD, Conn.—The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and Spectrum have announced a multiyear carriage agreement that will make MASN and its coverage of the Baltimore Orioles available to Spectrum customers in areas of southeastern Maryland and Virginia, and eastern North Carolina.

Starting today, MASN will be available to Spectrum TV customers on channel 335 or 440 in Crisfield, Md.; Accomac, Chincoteague, Suffolk and Waverly, Va.; and Gates County, Manteo, Roanoke Rapids, and Waves, N.C. MASN will provide coverage of every available Orioles game, including pre- and postgame shows, as well as Orioles minor league affiliate games and NCAA Division I men's and women's sports, totaling more than 300 live events annually.

“MASN is excited to partner with Spectrum and to provide Orioles fans with another option to connect with their favorite team,” said Greg Bader, executive vice president and general manager, MASN. “This new partnership will deliver O’s baseball and local collegiate sports to a deserving audience.”

In addition to live Orioles games and “O's Xtra” pre- and postgame shows, Spectrum customers will also be able to watch MASN's extensive lineup of live college football and basketball, boxing, MMA, horseracing, and other content.

BOISE, Idaho—CMC Broadcasting Company, Inc. has announced that KTVJ-LD (Virtual Channel 3) has officially completed a major technical upgrade, significantly expanding its broadcast reach and signal quality throughout the Boise-Nampa-Meridian region.

Following the successful installation of a state-of-the-art GatesAir transmitter and high-performance Jampro antenna system, KTVJ has transitioned its physical broadcast frequency from VHF Channel 6 to UHF Channel 26.

This move, paired with an FCC-authorized increase in "Effective Radiated Power" (ERP) from 3 kW to 15 kW, represents a five-fold power boost designed to provide crystal-clear indoor reception and a more robust signal for viewers across the Treasure Valley.

KTVJ first signed on in November 2021. The transition to a high-power UHF signal allows the station to overcome previous terrain challenges and provide a consistent, high-definition viewing experience from Boise to the surrounding rural communities.

"This upgrade is the culmination of a dedicated effort to better serve our growing Idaho community," said Rick Kurkjian, president of CMC Broadcasting. "By moving to the UHF band and quintupling our broadcast power, we are ensuring that more households than ever can access our diverse lineup of news, inspirational programming, and country music with superior reliability."

While the station's physical frequency has changed, KTVJ's identity on viewer television sets remains Channel 3. To enjoy the improved signal and updated channel lineup, OTA viewers must perform a "channel re-scan" on their digital TVs or converter boxes.

CMC Broadcasting Company, Inc. operates KTVJ-LD in Boise, Idaho, alongside its music video networks, CMC (California Music Channel) and CMC-USA.

KTVJ-LD continues to offer premier multi-channel experience:

• Channel 3.1: theDove TV.
• Channel 3.2: Newsmax 2.
• Channel 3.3: CMC-USA .

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter’s operating brand Spectrum and Amazon have announced that the Spectrum TV App will launch on Amazon Fire TV devices starting on April 15. The deal will allow subscribers to Spectrum to stream their full pay TV lineup on Fire TV devices.

“The Spectrum TV App is designed to fit seamlessly into how customers stream TV today,” said Elena Ritchie, senior vice president, video at Spectrum. "Making it available on Amazon Fire TV devices will give our customers even more flexibility to access their Spectrum TV service on the streaming platforms they use every day.”

The Spectrum TV App is available to Spectrum TV customers at no additional cost. Access on Fire TV devices will let customers:

• Stream Spectrum TV with the ability to pause live TV.
• Use the new Multiview feature for select sports games.
• Access Cloud DVR recordings.
• View On Demand entertainment.

“Our mission at Fire TV is to get customers to the content they want fast, and we’re super excited to add Spectrum TV to the Fire TV experience,” said Aidan Marcuss, vice president Amazon Fire TV. “Spectrum customers will now soon be able to access the Spectrum TV App on a wide range of smart, powerful, and fast Fire TV devices, from Fire TV Sticks to Fire TV-powered Smart TVs from leading TV brands."

Once launched, Spectrum Video customers can install the Spectrum TV App on their Fire TV device and seamlessly log in to the app without credentials while inside their home. The Spectrum TV App will be available on Amazon Fire TV devices running Fire OS 6+ or Vega OS, including the Fire TV 4K Select, Fire TV 4K Max, Fire TV Omni QLED Series, Hisense U6, TCL QM64L Series, and Panasonic Z95B.

In addition to Amazon Fire TV devices, the Spectrum TV App is available on Xumo Stream Box, as well as Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Tablets, LG smart TVs, Roku, Samsung smart TVs, VIZIO smart TVs, Xbox and Xumo TV.

I can still remember the first time I clipped a lavalier microphone on someone for a TV broadcast. It was during my internship at AT&T Corporate Television in 1978, back when razor blades were still used for editing and the smell of hot glue meant progress.

The mic was a Sony ECM-50, a small, rugged piece of engineering that quickly became my favorite. It needed a quirky little “N” battery that you could only find in specialty stores, but it sounded beautiful.

A few months later, I met what felt like pure science fiction: my first professional wireless microphone system. It was a Sony UHF transmitter and receiver paired with that same ECM-50 element, and for the first time, I could capture sound without being chained to a cable. The audio was clear, the signal was stable, and there were no wires to trip over. It just worked.

For a long time, wireless microphones felt like magic. Today, they feel more like triage. The magic has been replaced by management. Behind every concert, broadcast, or corporate event, there’s now a quiet war being fought over invisible real estate: radio spectrum.

The Shrinking Airwaves
Wireless microphones used to have plenty of room to breathe. For decades, most systems operated comfortably within the UHF television range from 470-806 MHz. These frequencies offered the perfect balance of power, antenna size, and propagation. But that was before governments realized the commercial value of those airwaves.

The first big hit came in 2009, when the transition to digital television freed up the 700 MHz band. The Federal Communications Commission auctioned that space to mobile broadband carriers like AT&T and Verizon, shrinking the number of open TV channels available for wireless microphone use. A few years later, it happened again with the 600 MHz band, much of which went to T-Mobile. Each time, the usable spectrum for professional microphones shrank.

While those auctions raised billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury, none of that windfall ever found its way back to the professional audio community that once depended on those frequencies. Wireless microphone users—from broadcasters to theaters to houses of worship—lost access to critical portions of the spectrum without compensation or assistance to transition. The mobile carriers that won the auctions gained valuable assets, while production teams were left scrambling to replace equipment and redesign systems at their own expense. In effect, it was a one-sided trade: Culture and communication ceded ground so commerce could expand.

What had once been an open field is now a narrow alley. In most major cities, there may be only one or two available TV channels left for unlicensed wireless microphones. The rest belong to high-power mobile networks or other licensed users. As one engineer put it, “It’s like trying to park 50 trucks in a two-car garage.”

Problems and Solutions
I recently sat down with Mike Sinclair, a professional sound designer, to chat about problems and possible solutions. He's worked on everything from live events to concerts to corporate audio and described it bluntly: “You can plan every cue, map every signal path, and test every channel, but if you don’t have enough frequencies to manage the production there’s very little you can do.”

Even when you do find enough open frequencies, it doesn’t mean it will stay quiet. Modern environments are packed with devices that share or spill into the same spectrum. Multiple digital services are now actively competing for what is ultimately the same limited bandwidth.

The problem isn’t just about congestion; it’s about unpredictability. What used to be simple “set and forget” gear now requires active management. Sound engineers who once mixed audio now find themselves either running RF scans, plotting frequency tables, and negotiating for airspace—or spending a boatload of additional cash buying wireless systems that will do the investigating and hopping for you. Every production feels like a temporary truce with chaos.

The answer is often counterintuitive. You might think throwing more power and more money at the problem would make things easier, but in many cases, it doesn’t. As Sinclair told me, when multiple wireless systems have to coexist in tight spaces, very close together—like, for example, Broadway theaters—the solution is precision, not brute force. Engineers have to be surgical, using highly directional antennas and carefully tuned devices that keep their signals tightly contained to avoid interference.

Devices Fight Back
To survive in this new landscape, manufacturers have had to reinvent their technology. Early wireless microphones operated on fixed frequencies. Modern systems can tune across wide ranges, automatically scan for open spectrum, and adjust power output on the fly.

One possible approach could be treating each microphone as a separate radio signal, using one wide channel to transmit dozens of audio streams using time-division multiplexing. In simple terms, it sends tiny slices of each audio channel in rapid succession so that multiple mics can share a single piece of spectrum without stepping on each other. Sennheiser, one of the world’s leading innovators in professional wireless audio, has been at the forefront of developing new spectrum-efficient technologies, such as Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS).

Joe Ciaudelli, the company’s director of spectrum and innovation, explained that WMAS technology "occupies a broader bandwidth but transmits multiple audio channels within that space using time-division multiplexing. This design dramatically increases spectral efficiency, enabling dozens of microphones to operate in a single TV channel.”

Solutions like this allow both microphones and in-ear monitors to operate in the same RF channel, dynamically allocating bandwidth based on priority. A lead performer can get full-fidelity, low-latency audio, while a backstage communication channel can tolerate higher latency and lower quality. For large productions, this means far more microphones can coexist peacefully in the same space.

For high-profile events, technology alone isn’t always enough. On-site professional frequency coordination can offer productions peace of mind by managing and accounting for each frequency.

Companies like Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) provide RF management and coordination for various events, including major productions like the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Jim Van Winkle, general manager at PWS, emphasizes that their competitive edge lies in on-site experience. He notes that an experienced RF coordinator is a "game-changer," bringing invaluable knowledge for pre-planning and crucial troubleshooting if issues arise.

For smaller or budget-limited productions, advanced technology safeguards can still help avoid chaos. One such approach uses wireless transmit/receive pairs that continually search for and stand by with clean backup channels. If interference or dropouts are detected on the main channel, the devices automatically switch to that backup while beginning a new search for the next available path.

Another company that has fully embraced the need for adaptability is Wisycom, a manufacturer long respected for its RF engineering in broadcast, live performance, and location sound. Its CEO, Davide Morsiani, said RF coordination has become "one of the biggest challenges in modern production—not because engineers lack skill, but because the spectrum itself is shrinking and unpredictable. Every location behaves differently, and even the same venue can change throughout the day. Our goal is to give users visibility and flexibility across the widest possible tuning range, so they can adapt instantly rather than rely on luck."

And one final approach that should be mentioned, despite its quixotic nature, would be for the FCC to actually begin policing the use of approved frequencies, as it's clear that everyone isn’t playing nicely in the sandbox.

Unified Voices
Technology alone isn’t enough. The professional audio industry has also learned that it needs a stronger and more unified voice in the policy arena. Shure led the formation of the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA), bringing together manufacturers, engineers, and end users to create a coordinated front at a time when spectrum access continues to shrink.

Shure has been deeply involved in the development of regulations in the United States and other countries, with spectral efficiency as the center point of its advocacy. According to Prakash Moorut, Shure’s global head of spectrum and regulatory affairs, WMSA now provides a platform for the industry to proactively educate policymakers about preserving wireless microphone access to spectrum, even as manufacturers innovate to use the remaining airwaves more efficiently.

The WMSA's work is already gaining traction. With more than 200 members, it has begun drawing attention in Washington at a critical moment, as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and later welcome the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, two enormous global events that will rely on hundreds of wireless microphones for live performance, broadcast, and ceremony production.

Its outreach spans the White House, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), FCC, and Congress, reinforcing how essential wireless microphones are to live performance, broadcast, cultural storytelling, religious services, and civic engagement. As Sinclair put it, “We can innovate all we want, but without spectrum, we’re just building better paperweights.”

Sinclair also floated an idea that goes beyond better microphones and smarter antennas—fixing the imbalance at its source. Many parts of the radio spectrum are still occupied by legacy government systems that haven’t been modernized in decades. Instead of pleading for scraps of spectrum, the professional audio industry could partner with agencies to modernize their outdated communications equipment, offering better technology in exchange for access to cleaner airwaves.

He suggested manufacturers and private sector innovators could help by providing modern replacements for that aging infrastructure, freeing up underused bands for shared, coordinated access. “There are military and public safety systems out there still running gear designed in the 1970s,” Sinclair said. “They’re holding huge chunks of spectrum hostage because no one’s upgraded them.”

As Moorut noted, during the 600 MHz auction, broadcasters—one of the largest groups of professional wireless microphone users—received roughly half of the auction’s proceeds, around $10 billion. That scale of compensation underscores how valuable this spectrum is to the wider media ecosystem, why the wireless production community must be included when national spectrum decisions are made, and how meaningful funding already exists to support the kind of modernization Sinclair is calling for.

Engineering Creativity Under Constraint
Despite the challenges, the show always goes on. Engineers have adapted by developing meticulous coordination strategies that resemble air traffic control. Frequencies are planned weeks in advance, with backup sets pre-programmed and tested. Large events can involve dozens of engineers managing hundreds of transmitters and receivers, all synchronized to avoid collisions.

Sinclair recalled a recent broadcast where every spare frequency was spoken for. “We had to label each transmitter like it was a boarding pass," he said. "One mistake and someone’s mic would vanish mid-sentence.” Some productions have even started reverting to wired microphones for reliability, not as a nostalgic choice but as a practical one.

It’s a strange twist: The technology that once symbolized freedom now represents a kind of scarcity. Yet within those constraints, creativity thrives. It forces precision, collaboration, and a renewed respect for the craft of live sound.

If history is any guide, the demand for wireless bandwidth will only grow. Each new generation of mobile networks (5G, 6G, and beyond) will hunger for more spectrum. Without deliberate protection for professional audio, the remaining white spaces could vanish entirely.

Spectrum is a shared public resource. Every wireless signal, from a singer’s microphone to a teenager’s smartphone, travels through the same air. What’s at stake isn’t just bandwidth, it’s the ability to express and connect through live sound.

The professional audio community has always been inventive, finding ways to make art work under constraint. But the next chapter will depend on collaboration—engineers pushing technology forward, manufacturers sharing innovation, and policymakers ensuring that culture has a place in the spectrum. The future of wireless audio won’t be about finding empty space. It will be about learning how to share it wisely.

This op-ed originally appeared on our sister brand AV Networks/Systems Contractor News.

The following is an opinion piece from Michael Petricone, SVP, Government & Regulatory Affairs with the Consumer Technology Association:

Broadcasters benefit from one of the largest government giveaways in American history: free, exclusive access to the public airwaves. As Americans increasingly consume content in new ways, it’s time to rethink that approach and consider reallocating the spectrum to serve consumers and the broader economy.

During the first half of the 20th century, radio and television were breakthrough technologies. Spectrum allocated for broadcasting helped connect the country with local news, information, and entertainment in a way that had never been possible before. That access was always a temporary license to serve the public interest, subject to renewal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Today, fewer than 9% of Americans access broadcast TV programming solely using an antenna, with many instead using streaming, mobile, and on-demand platforms to get the same local content. Despite this declining viewership of over-the-air TV, broadcasters still control vast swaths of prime spectrum that could be put to more efficient use.

Now, broadcasters want even more, including looser ownership rules so they can merge, consolidate, and entrench their position. Before Congress hands out new favors, it should look at reclaiming underused broadcast spectrum. We can’t afford to reward inefficient use of public airwaves and shut the door on more efficient uses of spectrum – especially when unlicensed spectrum is so valuable. The limited amount of unlicensed spectrum available today generates $95.8 billion per year in sales to our economy.

Spectrum powers many of the technologies we rely on today, and next-generation advances in AI, advanced manufacturing, precision health, 6G, autonomous mobility, and defense systems will require expanded access to it.

It’s long past time to reset the system. At CES 2026, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested that “if you want to continue broadcasting without the public interest obligation, then let everyone have a fair and free shot at purchasing that spectrum.” He’s right.

An “Incentive Auction 2.0” would allow the federal government to reclaim this spectrum, auction it openly, and let the market allocate it to its highest and best uses, while generating needed government revenue. Policymakers should start asking broadcasters some tough questions and looking for opportunities to put spectrum to its highest value use.

Everyone should compete on equal terms. No more freebies. No more special favors that distort the market and advantage legacy broadcasters over their competitors. If a business model works, it will survive without government protection.

We know this approach works. When the FCC began auctioning spectrum in the 1990s, it sparked one of the greatest waves of investment and innovation in modern history. Wireless networks expanded, smartphones emerged, and the mobile economy took off.

The same holds true for convening another auction of broadcast spectrum, which would boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and help American companies compete against global rivals. As China reallocates spectrum aggressively to strengthen its technological edge, the United States cannot afford to let ours sit idle.

The airwaves belong to the American people. It is time for the FCC to take the spectrum back and allow the market to determine its most efficient use.

What do you think? Drop us a line at tvtechnology@futurenet.com

The National Association of Broadcasters knows the Federal Communications Commission is going to reallocate 100 MHz of the upper C-band, which it is legally mandated to do.

But the association warns that any clearing beyond that minimum threshold poses a significant risk to the nation’s critical broadcast infrastructure.

In its newly-filed reply comments, NAB contended that the upper C-band (3.98 to 4.2 GHz) is currently optimized and lacks the “headroom” for extensive clearing.

[This article was originally published in our sister publication, Radio World. They've also covered NAB’s previous filings during the comment filing period tied to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the commission opened in November. Read one of those stories here.]

The deadline to file reply comments with the commission in Docket 25-59 was on Wednesday.

“Upper C-band is mission-critical to broadcasting and is already operating at its practical limit,” NAB told the commission.

“Insatiable” wireless carriers

The upper C-band is used by earth station operators, including broadcasters, whose operations have already been curtailed by prior auctions of the lower C-band to wireless operators.

The commission is required by statute to auction a minimum of 100 MHz of the upper C-band (2.98 – 4.08 GHz) spectrum no later than July 2027, but the FCC has proposed auctioning up to 180 MHz through competitive bidding.

The spectrum auction is expected to generate billions of dollars.

But NAB contended that outside of the “insatiable nationwide wireless carriers and a small subset of proponents focused on speculative future uses,” commenters in the docket overwhelmingly caution that additional clearing would jeopardize broadcast distribution, increase systemic risk and undermine public-interest services.

Even with the loss of 100 MHz of spectrum, NAB said a repack will inevitably cause some disruption to incumbent users in part because compressing services into less spectrum creates a “Tetris-like” problem.

Keep it in the C-band

SES, the major provider of C-band services to broadcasters in the U.S., previously stated that most incumbent users can be repacked quickly into a reduced C-band if reallocation is limited to 100 MHz.

In addition, repacking all or most users within C-band will be far less disruptive than forcing incumbents out of the upper C-band into other satellite spectrum or alternative platforms, NAB told the commission.

NAB rejected claims from wireless companies that other technologies are suitable “one-for-one” replacements for C-band spectrum. Those alternative platforms include IP, fiber and Ku-band, which broadcasters and satellite operators say “are neither universally available nor functionally equivalent, particularly for point-to-multipoint distribution, rural service, and live event coverage.”

“Relocation out of C-band presents far greater uncertainty. The costs to transition may be many multiples higher,” it said.

NAB said two other major stakeholders in this proceeding – the satellite operators and the aviation industry – agree that clearing any portion of the upper C-band will require significantly longer timelines than the lower C-band transition.

The FCC proposed to clear incumbent earth station operators from the band over a five and a half-year period and, as with the prior migration to the Upper C-Band, the commission will reimburse incumbent earth station operators for their transition costs via money raised from an auction of the spectrum.

The FCC previously stated there are approximately 20,000 registered earth stations used by radio and TV broadcasters to receive satellite transmissions.

Substantially the same

NAB emphasized the FCC should follow precedent set in the order that forced incumbents to relocate from the lower C-band in 2020.

“The Lower C-band Order repeatedly stated that incumbents would be provided substantially the same service, which must again be assured,” NAB wrote in its comments.

“The commission previously rejected an all-fiber (or nearly all-fiber) deployment as carrying a bevy of challenges,” the association continued. “Ku-band, while a valuable improvement over terrestrial fiber, remains more susceptible than C-band to weather-related degradation and would require years of satellite launches and costly retrofits to approach current C-band reliability.

In fact, NAB pointed to the Communications Act, which it says does not permit the commission to substitute “theoretical alternatives for actual continuity of service,” according to NAB.

Merely accessing a different technology that performs adequately under ideal conditions is not acceptable, NAB asserted. It said the commission has long recognized that the act does not permit license modifications that affect a “fundamental change” in a licensee’s authorization.

Section 316 permits license modification, but not fundamental alteration of the essential rights conveyed by an FCC authorization, according to the recent filing.

NAB also asked the commission to implement a direct-pay or upfront reimbursement mechanism to replace the previous framework of the lower C-band transition where operators had to front costs and wait years for repayment.

“Commenters consistently warn that further upper C-band clearing beyond 100 MHz would jeopardize the reliability of the nation’s video distribution infrastructure, impose disproportionate harm on small entities, and undermine services the public relies upon for news, emergency information, and live events,” NAB concluded.

Comments in Docket 25-59 can be read at www.fcc.gov.

[This article was originally posted in our sister publication, Radio World. Their extensive Business and Law coverage is available here]

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has announced it will hold an Open Meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the agency.

The FCC described the items on the tentative agenda as follows:

TITLE: Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization (WC Docket No. 11-42); Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers (WC Docket No. 17-287); Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support (WC Docket No. 09-197); Affordable Connectivity Program (WC Docket No. 21-450); and Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (WC Docket No. 20-445)

SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on reforms to the Lifeline program to ensure that federal dollars go to eligible Americans, enhance program integrity, ensure that service providers comply with the Commission’s rules and regulations, and streamline Lifeline rules.

TITLE: Maximizing the Potential of the 900 MHz Band (WT Docket No. 24-99) SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would enable broadband deployment on all ten megahertz of the 900 MHz band (896–901/935–940 MHz band), facilitating additional spectrum access by utilities, critical infrastructure, and other enterprises for private wireless broadband deployments that drive innovation and stimulate the American economy.

TITLE: Proposing Application Limit in Upcoming NCE Reserved Band FM Translator Filing Window (MB Docket No. 26-20)

SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Public Notice to propose and seek comment on eligibility restrictions and a general limit of ten applications filed by any applicant entity in the upcoming 2026 filing window for new noncommercial educational reserved band FM translator stations.

TITLE: Reforming Legacy Rules for an All-IP Future (WC Docket No. 25-311); and Accelerating Network Modernization (WC Docket No. 25-208)

SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on proposed reforms to intercarrier compensation, interexchange services and CAF ICC support aimed at accelerating network deployment and modernization.

Materials relating to items on the agenda can be found here.

The meeting will be webcast at: www.fcc.gov/live and on the agency's YouTube channel.

WASHINGTON—With major U.S. events like the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, America 250, and the 2028 Olympics becoming ever more important for broadcasters, the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA) has been highlighting the need for spectrum to operate wireless microphones. This spectrum is particularly critical for high-profile events that include global broadcasts, multiple live performances, in-game/in-event announcements, and more, the group said.

The push to raise awareness about the importance of spectrum for the production of major events comes at a time when the Federal Communications Commission is planning to auction off more c-band spectrum and the U.S. Congress has authorized spectrum sales.

WMSA was formed last year to raise awareness with the FCC, Congress, the White House, and NTIA about how critical wireless microphones are to live performance, broadcast, and cultural events. Comprised of a coalition of manufacturers, audio engineers and broadcast professionals, WMSA’s mission is to preserve and protect spectrum for professional wireless use so events like these can proceed with superior and uninterrupted audio quality.

For example, the events surrounding Super Bowl 2026 create a tremendous demand on radio frequency (RF) spectrum for wireless microphones. It is the most amount of wireless deployed for a single sporting event and these requirements continue to increase.

For such events, WMSA noted that producers require:

• Massive Scale: Hundreds of wireless channels are needed for talent, crew, referees, and sideline personnel.
• Frequency Coordination: Game Day Coordinators (GDCs) allocate spectrum, prioritizing operations, venue, teams, and broadcasters.
• Interference Mitigation: Professional audio engineers use techniques like multiplexing, directional antennas, and meticulous frequency planning to help prevent signal clashes.
• Equipment: High-end wireless systems, specialized software, and robust distribution gear are essential.

WMSA is dedicated to protecting dedicated spectrum for wireless microphones to operate during sporting events, concerts, theater, broadcasts, and more. Whether on a global stage or a community platform, the importance of preserving access to spectrum is vital for many reasons.

An ecosystem of industries relies on it to successfully produce their events, which is a significant source of revenue, generating and maintaining thousands of skilled jobs, fostering technological innovation, and acting as a nexus for creativity that is exported all over the world.

Wireless microphones are a vital part of media production that forms an integral part of American culture and society and is fundamental to the country’s global leadership in media. Across all platforms, their use supports content creation sectors valued at over two trillion dollars in economic value globally and poised to crest three trillion dollars by 2025, according to A. Guttman.

WMSA believes that spectrum is under threat as the remaining spectrum accessible to wireless microphones in the 470–608 MHz band – which is shared with broadcasters, white space devices, public safety operations, etc. – is insufficient.

For example, spectrum scans taken in various U.S. cities after 2017, following the incentive auction and loss of access to the 600 MHz band, show limited or no available TV channels for wireless microphones.

This has necessitated an increasing reliance on Special Temporary Authority (STA) grants by the FCC to access spectrum typically not allowed for wireless mics in order to support medium and large-sized events. However, STAs are ad hoc, unpredictable, burdensome on staff and simply not a viable long-term solution to this continuing and growing need.

Without sufficient availability of suitable spectrum for wireless microphones, medium- to large-scale events which utilize all available spectrum in the TV-UHF band, plus spectrum authorized via STAs, will simply become unviable in many cities.

Data from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games revealed that 89 percent of all audio links used were within the 470–694 MHz range.

WMSA has recently met with the FCC and other organizations in Washington, D.C., to work on solutions for this to help preserve existing spectrum and get access to new spectrum for wireless microphones. WMSA is encouraged by the progress of those meetings.

The current focus on spectrum for commercial 6G use is on bands above 2.5 GHz and not on the TV-UHF band used by wireless mics. However, WMSA continues to remain vigilant that the focus does not shift to the TV-UHF frequency range.

With the current TV-UHF band being insufficient for major events like Super Bowl 2026, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic games at many locations, WMSA has successfully engaged with relevant U.S. Federal agencies to secure access to additional spectrum. This collaboration is important for the future of live events.

More information is available at visit www.wmsa.org.

WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced a tentative agenda for the February Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Documents relating to the items on the agenda are available here.

The FCC described the items on the tentative agenda as follows:

• Strengthening the Integrity of the Lifeline Program. The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on reforms to the Lifeline program to ensure that federal dollars go to eligible Americans, enhance program integrity, ensure that service providers comply with the Commission’s rules and regulations, and streamline Lifeline rules. (WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 17-287, 09-197, 21-450, 20-445)
• Maximizing the Potential of the 900 MHz Band. The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would enable broadband deployment on all ten megahertz of the 900 MHz band (896–901/935–940 MHz band), facilitating additional spectrum access by utilities, critical infrastructure, and other enterprises for private wireless broadband deployments that drive innovation and stimulate the American economy. (WT Docket No. 24-99)
• Proposing Application Limit in Upcoming NCE Reserved Band FM Translator Filing Window. The Commission will consider a Public Notice to propose and seek comment on eligibility restrictions and a general limit of ten applications filed by any applicant entity in the upcoming 2026 filing window for new noncommercial educational reserved band FM translator stations. (MB Docket No. 26-20)
• Reforming Intercarrier Compensation. The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on proposed reforms to intercarrier compensation, interexchange services and CAF ICC support aimed at accelerating network deployment and modernization. (WC Docket Nos. 25-311, 25-208)

The Open Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.

Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter Communications’ Spectrum brand has expanded the range of devices that can offer 4K content on the Spectrum TV app to compatible Apple TV 4K and Roku devices.

The Spectrum TV app's 4K content is already available on the Xumo Stream Box, which is a joint venture between Charter and Comcast.

The move will give Spectrum TV customers with Apple TV and Roku devices access to 4K content when it is being offered by ESPN, Fox and NBC.

"With the addition of Apple TV 4K and Roku, more Spectrum customers can enjoy the clarity that 4K brings, all within the Spectrum TV App," said Elena Ritchie, senior vice president, video at Spectrum. "Viewers can experience their favorite 4K live events with stunning picture quality, vibrant colors, and razor-sharp detail, making their viewing experience more immersive and enjoyable."

In the upcoming weeks, Spectrum said that the following 4K programming would be available:

• ESPN College Football's 4K Game of the Week, with select games in 4K throughout the season
• FOX's Big Noon Kickoff, select Saturdays during the college football season (check local listings)
• Syracuse vs. Notre Dame college football, November 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC
• Indiana vs. Purdue college football, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
• Spectrum TV customers can find available 4K content in a dedicated section on the home screen of the Spectrum TV App. Additionally, when using a Xumo Stream Box, customers viewing HD content that is also available in 4K will be prompted with an on-screen message providing the option to switch to the 4K channel.

To watch 4K content through the Spectrum TV App, Spectrum said that customers need a Spectrum TV package that includes access to the ESPN, Fox or NBC network carrying the 4K event. Additionally, they must have a 4K TV connected to a Xumo Stream Box, Apple TV 4K 2nd generation and later, or compatible Roku TV or Roku streaming device, using a 4K-supporting HDMI cable. The picture resolution settings on the device should be set to 4K or 2160p, depending on the device.

STAMFORD, Conn. —Charter Communications’ Spectrum News has reached a deal with Comcast to expand distribution of its local news channels to Xfinity TV customers in Connecticut, Northern New Jersey and Orlando and Tampa, Fla.

Spectrum News had previously launched in California in response to the Los Angeles wildfires and, under the deal, will remain available to Xfinity TV customers throughout the state, with local news for viewers in Sacramento and San Francisco.

The launches will create more local news competition for broadcasters in those markets. The Xfinity launch is part of an ongoing effort to expand the reach of the local and regional versions of Spectrum News, which were originally available only in certain markets serviced by Charter's Spectrum footprint.

“We are always looking for ways to bring our community-driven reporting to even more people, and this is an exciting opportunity to reach new viewers in some of the country's largest markets,” said Mike Bair, executive vice president of Spectrum Networks. “Unbiased local journalism is a key pillar of our society and, while local news coverage across the country is shrinking, Spectrum News is expanding to provide more access when people need it most.”

In the coming weeks, various local versions of Spectrum News will become available in these Xfinity markets:

• Spectrum News NY1 will be made available to Xfinity TV customers in northern New Jersey and Connecticut.
• Spectrum News 13 will launch to Xfinity TV customers in Orlando.
• Spectrum Bay News 9 will be seen by Xfinity TV customers in Tampa.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Spectrum, the broadband arm of Charter Communications, today announced a successful joint demonstration of next-generation Wi-Fi technology with Broadcom, achieving peak throughput of nearly 10 Gbps to a single Wi-Fi device.

This was achieved by combining the full 6-GHz band with 125 MHz of spectrum in the 7.125–7.25 GHz band. Presented at SCTE TechExpo25 in Washington, D.C., the demonstration took place in the NCTA booth on the show floor and will be available for viewing throughout the event.

The live demonstration showcased how an additional 125 MHz of unlicensed spectrum could be combined with the full 6-GHz band to enable four 320-MHz channels or two 640 MHz channels, unlocking the speed, capacity and reliability needed to meet Americans’ record-shattering wireless data consumption and the growing number of connected devices in homes across the country, Spectrum said.

Using this technology across this band of spectrum will enable speeds approaching 20 Gbps to Wi-Fi devices like mobile phones, AR/VR devices, gaming systems, and computers, Spectrum said, ensuring that Wi-Fi in U.S. homes and businesses does not become a bottleneck for the high-speed broadband infrastructure being deployed across the country. This demonstration was showcased alongside Spectrum’s award-winning Advanced Wi-Fi 7 routers, which support 320 MHz-wide channels.

“This milestone highlights the power of combining Wi-Fi 7 technology with forward-looking spectrum policy,” Spectrum Executive Vice President, Technology Strategy and Innovation Justin Colwell said. “Proactive spectrum decisions need to be made to both maintain America’s technological leadership and allow providers and manufacturers to keep pace with evolving and intensifying consumer demands. Together with Broadcom, we are showing what is possible when we combine the unparalleled success of 6-GHz Wi-Fi with adjacent 7 GHz unlicensed spectrum.”

The results highlight how spectrum policy directly drives innovation and demonstrate a critical opportunity for the U.S. government to propel its American-grown technology and industry to achieve global connectivity leadership, Spectrum said. By enabling new unlicensed allocations above 7.125 GHz, regulators can ensure that U.S. consumers and businesses are the first to benefit from the next era of wireless performance.

“Broadcom is proud to partner with Spectrum to showcase next-gen WiFi performance that matches the fastest wired broadband speeds,” said Manny Patel, vice president of marketing for Broadcom’s Wireless Communications and Connectivity Division. “This demonstration underscores how additional unlicensed spectrum in the 7 GHz band is critical to enabling 10 Gigabit and beyond whole-home coverage.”

The demo is being held in the NCTA booth on the show floor (Booth F600) during the show, Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr announced the appointment of Andy Hendrickson as chief of the agency’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET).

In the new role, Hendrickson, who has held senior tech jobs at the FCC and Verizon Communications, will serve as the agency’s principal technical adviser helping to shape spectrum policy, guide equipment authorization, and ensre regulatory standards reflect the rapidly evolving communications landscape.

Ira Keltz, who has served as the FCC’s acting chief of OET since last October, will resume his prior role as deputy chief of OET.

“I am delighted that Andy has agreed to transition into this new role as the Chief of OET.,” Carr said. “As the FCC’s Build America Agenda ramps up, our work will benefit greatly from Andy’s understanding of both the technical foundations and real-world impact of our decisions. I look forward to drawing on his expertise to leverage transformative technologies like 5G, next-gen satellite, and AI to better serve the public interest. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Ira Keltz for serving in this role in an Acting capacity over the last several months and am pleased that he will continue his public service as a Deputy Chief in OET.”

Hendrickson brings more than 20 years of technical leadership across telecommunications and large-scale digital infrastructure. Most recently, he served as CTO in the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, where he guided field operations, consulted on emerging tech, policy, enforcement, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, 911, and network-outage mitigation.

Prior to joining the FCC, Hendrickson was senior director of technology at Verizon Communications, participating in the rollout of Verizon’s 5G network and overseeing engineering and operations for the Verizon Cloud Platform. He also led global technology initiatives at Esri Inc. and taught environmental geomatics at Rutgers University. He holds dual degrees from Rutgers University’s Schools of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Communication and Information.

Within the broader tech community, Hendrickson is active with the Linux Foundation, Open Infrastructure Foundation, and the Network Time Foundation. He is also on the Board of the Rutgers School of Communication & Information Alumni Association, the FCC said.

WASHINGTON—Following an Executive Order issued by President Donald Trump that appointed Federal Communications Commission Chair Brandan Carr to a White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics, Carr issued a statement saying the regulatory agency is already at work on spectrum management and other issues related to the games.

“I want to express my thanks and appreciation to President Trump for the opportunity to join the White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics,” Carr said. “The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles offers an opportunity to showcase America’s athletic excellence and the patriotism of our great nation. To get there and to fully realize this opportunity, a lot of work needs to take place – including here at the FCC. In keeping with the President’s action today, the FCC will bring our expertise to bear to meet the spectrum needs and other operational requirements of this historic event. I look forward to working with the Task Force and all stakeholders to deliver on the President’s goal of making this one of the most successful sporting events in history. The FCC’s talented staff have already been hard at work, and today’s Executive Order recognizes their important contributions.”

The FCC noted that the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in the United States, bringing together over 50 sports, 800+ events, and more than 3,000 hours of live action across more than 40 venues around Los Angeles, southern California, and Oklahoma City.

The scale of the Games raise a number of critical issues relating to spectrum management given the large crowds and fact that many wireless devices will be operating simultaneously within the RF spectrum during the games. These devices include critical applications such as timing apparatus for events, radio communications for event coordination and security, and broadcast operations that are vital to seamless, world-wide, coverage and the overall success of the Games, the agency said.

To address those issues the FCC said it will work alongside our Federal, state, and local partners, as well as the LA28 Olympic Committee and other stakeholders to help ensure robust, reliable communications and that its staff has been actively working with partners across the U.S. government and the LA28 Olympic Committee in preparation for the Games. These efforts are led by the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, with support the Enforcement Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Office of Engineering and Technology, and others, the agency said.

The Games also raise some questions about the potential impact of upcoming spectrum auctions that the FCC is planning and proposals for a sunset of ATSC signals in Feb. 2028 for the top 55 markets, which would include L.A.. In the past, broadcasters have argued that a cutoff date would allow them to offer many new features in their coverage. During the 2024 Olympics, broadcasters used 3.0 capabilities offer HDR and other features in 55 markets.

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter’s Spectrum, Xumo and EverPass Media have reached a deal that will see the launch of the EverPass app on the Xumo Stream Box for Spectrum Business TV customers. Xumo is the streaming joint venture between Charter and Comcast.

"Live sports have the power to transform any venue, and at EverPass, we’re making that transformation simpler than ever," said Alex Kaplan, CEO of EverPass Media. "Through our expanded partnership with Spectrum, we’re delivering a plug-and-play streaming solution via Xumo Stream Box for Business that puts premium sports content just a click away. It’s a faster, more flexible way for businesses to captivate fans, drive traffic and create unforgettable game-day experiences."

Launched initially as the exclusive distributor of NFL Sunday Ticket to commercial establishments in the U.S., EverPass was founded in 2023 in partnership with RedBird Capital Partners and 32 Equity, the strategic investment arm of the National Football League. TKO Group Holdings, parent company of UFC and WWE, joined as an investor in 2024.

Spectrum Business customers who subscribe to Spectrum Sports Fan TV, the Company’s sports video package for bars and restaurants, can use Xumo Stream Box for Business to stream a lineup of more than 45 sports networks and Amazon “Thursday Night Football” on the Spectrum TV App. With the addition of the EverPass app, they will now also have seamless access to NFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass subscriptions on the same device.

“Bars and restaurants need a fast and reliable way to access the sports content their patrons care most about,” said Keith Dardis, executive vice president of Spectrum Business. “By bringing EverPass to Xumo Stream Box for Business, and in addition to the Spectrum TV App, Spectrum Sports Fan TV offers a single solution that makes it easier than ever for businesses to find and stream the games their customers want to see, making Spectrum a go-to sports destination for businesses.”

The offering builds on EverPass’ existing partnership with Spectrum, which began providing its business customers in the restaurant and hospitality space access to NFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass through EverPass in 2024. It also represents the first commercial sports streaming app to launch on Xumo’s platform.

The deal further strengthens Spectrum Business’ sports offerings. Now, with the combination of the Spectrum TV App, Xumo Stream Box for Business and EverPass, Spectrum Business TV customers will have access to a comprehensive live sports streaming experience that includes NFL, college football, NBA, NHL and MLB games, Spectrum reported.

In addition, customers get access to EverPass’ marketing platform that engages patrons through promotions and interactive content.

The Xumo Stream Box for Business is now available to Spectrum Business customers for a $5-per-month fee that will cover all support needs for the customer.

“At Xumo, we're focused on delivering a flexible, premium streaming experience that adapts to the unique needs of every operator,” Michael Gatzke, senior vice president, affiliate development at Xumo, said. “With the EverPass app now available on the Xumo Stream Box, Spectrum can deliver its Business TV customers an unmatched live sports experience with the simplicity and reliability they expect.”

STAMFORD, Conn. —Amid a growing number of attacks on critical telecommunications infrastructure across the country, Charter Communications said its Spectrum operations in Missouri have suffered a 200% year-over-year increase in felony attacks through July on network infrastructure that has cut off services and impacted redundancy for homes, businesses and emergency services.

“Our teams work tirelessly to provide the highest level of service and reliability to our customers and these felony, criminal attacks cause outages that go far beyond the inconvenience of lost connectivity,” Charter Executive Vice President of Field Operations Tom Monaghan said. “The impact is that of domestic terrorism, cutting off access to critical services, preventing vital communications during times of emergency and crisis, creating a pervasive and persistent threat to families and businesses in Missouri and across the country. This criminal activity must not be allowed to continue. We need the continued support of law enforcement, an increased commitment to prosecuting the criminals behind these attacks and help from the public by reporting suspicious activity when they see it.”

The problems in Missouri follow a June 15 attack on a Spectrum communications network in Van Nuys, Calif., that the company also described as an act of domestic terrorism.

The early morning attack, which severed 13 cables, including more than 2,600 individual fibers, disrupted connectivity and impacted redundancy to emergency services, including a U.S. military base, emergency dispatch and 911 communication services, local fire and police departments, financial institutions, court buildings, health care facilities and hospitals, educational institutions and cell towers providing mobile services. In total, more than 50,000 residential customers and more than 500 business customers were affected for up to 30 hours.

Those attacks come as the telecommunications industry has been reporting a notable increase in critical infrastructure attacks impacting telecommunications providers across the country. Between June and December of 2024, the collective industry suffered nearly 6,000 intentional incidents of critical communications infrastructure attacks putting access to life-saving public resources at risk.

That has also prompted a political push by the industry to increase penalties and enforcement.

Thus far, 28 states—including Missouri—have passed legislation making these attacks on critical communications infrastructure felony offenses. Eleven states have passed such measures this year.

In Missouri, Charter reported that emergency services, emergency dispatch and 911 communication services, local fire and police departments, federal agencies, financial institutions, court buildings, healthcare facilities and hospitals, educational institutions, as well as cell towers providing mobile services, have all been impacted by one or more of the 148 outages recorded just by Spectrum in Missouri this year.

“These attacks are more than mere acts of vandalism; they are disrupting access to critical emergency services and creating potentially life-threatening situations,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the St. Louis field office. “Combating this threat requires a coordinated effort, and we urge the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Together, we can help bring those responsible for endangering public safety to justice.”

To thwart this growing threat, Spectrum also announced that it is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information related to these criminal infrastructure attacks that lead to an arrest. Anyone with information can contact Spectrum at 833-404-TIPS (8477) or reach out to local law enforcement.

NEW YORK—Charter’s Spectrum Reach advertising sales division has promoted Dan Callahan to senior vice president and chief revenue officer. He succeeds Jason Brown who was named executive vice president of Spectrum Reach earlier this year.

In the new role Callahan will be responsible for all revenue generation activities at Spectrum Reach. He will continue to report to Brown and is based in New York City.

Callahan joined Spectrum Reach in 2023 as group vice president of national advertising sales, overseeing traditional, streaming, addressable, programmatic, political, unreserved and client direct channels. 

"Dan's commitment to enhancing the next generation of advertising capabilities has been instrumental in driving revenue growth within the evolving landscape," said Brown. "His strong focus on collaboration and innovation will play a vital role in advancing our data-driven, highly targeted advertising strategies for clients.”

Prior to joining Spectrum Reach, Callahan spent nearly a decade at Fox Networks Group where he held multiple senior advertising sales positions. In his most recent role as senior vice president of data strategy and sales innovation, he was responsible for developing cross-screen audience-based sales strategies and go-to-market materials to enhance advertiser results. Previously he held various positions at Fox News Digital Media including director of programmatic sales. Callahan holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters highlighted the “hidden” importance of spectrum in the production of major sporting events and described what’s at risk as U.S. policymakers consider regulatory changes to rules governing how spectrum is used in a blog posted Friday.

In the June 13 blog titled “Spectrum: The Hidden Infrastructure Behind Major Sports Broadcasting,” Alison Martin, the NAB’s vice president of innovation and strategy, notes, “When 5 billion people worldwide tune in to watch the FIFA World Cup next year, they’re not just witnessing athletic excellence—they’re experiencing the culmination of some of the most complex spectrum management on the planet.”

In that coverage, she explains, C-band satellites and 6-GHz Broadcast Auxiliary Services play a particularly important role that could be harmed by recent regulatory decisions.

“When lawmakers and regulators around the world make spectrum policy decisions – whether about 6 GHz sharing rules, satellite band protection or interference standards – they’re not just shuffling around abstract frequencies,” she wrote. "They are making choices about the reliability and resilience of communications infrastructure that billions of people depend upon.”

At the end of 2024, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously adopted new rules to expand very-low-power device operations across all 1,200 MHz of the 6-GHz band alongside other unlicensed and Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

The rules were adopted despite opposition from NAB and other parties, who argued that opening up the spectrum would create problems for fixed microwave links, satellite uplinks and broadcast auxiliary services that use this spectrum.

“Here’s where spectrum policy gets interesting: that same 6 GHz frequency band, parts of which were previously reserved primarily for broadcasters’ newsgathering operations, now also accommodates unlicensed users, including Wi-Fi 6E devices,” the blog says. “Picture this scenario: you’re a broadcast engineer managing 30-plus wireless cameras during a World Cup final. And suddenly, your licensed, professional-grade equipment must contend with thousands of consumer Wi-Fi devices. Since the FCC’s recent proceeding granting those unlicensed devices access to the 6-GHz frequencies, these devices now have every legal right to operate in that spectrum band. Of course, they aren’t allowed to cause harmful interference, but let’s be real—that limitation doesn’t quite reflect reality.

“Indeed, NAB members have reported interference to their 6 GHz devices at many major sports venues, including four NFL sites, one MLB site and numerous NCAA basketball sites,” Martin wrote. “Broadcasters suspect this interference is coming from unlicensed 6 GHz installations at those venues, but the source of interference can be very hard to track down—especially when you are simultaneously trying to air a live broadcast. For now, broadcasters make heavy use of 2-GHz BAS spectrum to keep the pristine pictures flowing, but we are also sharing that spectrum with the Department of Defense, adding to an already complex frequency management problem.“

TORONTO—The North American Spectrum Alliance has submitted two filings to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) addressing the Upper C-band proceeding and the “Delete, Delete, Delete” proceeding (GN Docket No. 25-133) that urge the agency to preserve valuable spectrum needed for media production and distribution across the United States.

The group was founded in January of 2025 with anchor members that include Sennheiser, FOX Sports, the NFL, MLB, CP Communications, Wisycom, PSSI, ATSC and others. It aims to provide a strong, unified voice for protecting spectrum required for content creation and distribution.

The group strongly opposes further reallocation of broadcast-related spectrum in the United States, which has eroded significantly over the years.

In its Upper C-band filing (GN Docket No. 25-59), the North American Spectrum Alliance argued that the remaining 3.98- 4.2 GHz of C-band spectrum must be retained for incumbent users, as it is irreplaceable for the high-quality, reliable media distribution North Americans have come to expect for live sports events, news and entertainment programming.

The group reminded the FCC that broadcasters and related incumbents have already lost 60% of the C-band during the 2021 auction and noted that further reallocation would cause significant interference, degrade service and result in untenable costs on both large networks and small businesses alike. The Alliance requests that, if an Upper C-band reallocation proceeds, all incumbents be fully reimbursed for replacement services and associated costs.

In the Alliance’s second filing, submitted in response to the “Delete, Delete, Delete” public notice, it urged the FCC to take a more modernized approach to wireless microphone usage, including temporary authorities. The Alliance characterized the current Special Temporary Authorization (STA) system as “outdated, unnecessarily burdensome and unpredictable,” especially as live productions increasingly rely on spectrum that is being reallocated and diminished.

The North American Spectrum Alliance suggests that specific low-power guard bands, such as 616-617 MHz and 805-806 MHz, be permanently open for licensed wireless microphone usage free of STA requirements. Additionally, it suggests removing the 50-device minimum for Part 74 licenses due to declining TV White Space devices and the dynamic needs of event producers.

More information about the North American Spectrum Alliance is available on its website.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has set its agenda for the Monday, April 28, 2025 Open Meeting, which is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the FCC building, 45 L St. N.E., Washington.

The FCC described the main items on the agenda as follows:

• Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband (SB Docket No. 25-157). The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would promote efficient spectrum sharing between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems. To take account of today’s satellite technology and operations and to promote efficient coexistence and expanded services to American consumers, the item would review power limits developed in the 1990s on non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service systems for the protection of geostationary satellite networks.
• Utilizing the Lower 37 GHz Band (WT Docket No. 24-243); Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz for Mobile Radio Services (GN Docket No. 14-177). The commission will consider a Report and Order, Sixth Report and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing a licensing framework for use of the 37–37.6 GHz band (Lower 37 GHz band).
• Caller ID Authentication on Non-IP Networks to Block Robocalls (WC Docket No. 17-97). The commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to develop a framework for evaluating whether non-IP caller ID authentication solutions are developed and reasonably available, as required by the TRACED Act, proposes to conclude that certain existing solutions satisfy those requirements, and proposes to require that providers that continue to rely on non-IP networks implement non-IP caller ID authentication solutions.
• Clarifying Foreign Ownership Rules (GN Docket No. 25-149). The commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would set clear expectations about its review under section 310(b) of the Act of foreign investment in common carrier wireless, aeronautical radio and broadcast licensees to reduce unnecessary burdens on industry while continuing to protect the public interest, including national security, law enforcement, foreign policy and trade policy.

While the public may attend the Open Meeting, the FCC headquarters building is not open access and all guests must check in with and be screened by security at the main entrance on L Street. Open Meetings are streamed live at: www.fcc.gov/live and on the FCC’s YouTube channel.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter Communications has promoted Chris Fulton to senior vice president, customer operations and experience for Spectrum Business, its commercial services operation.

Fulton succeeds Greg King, who is retiring after 30 years in the industry.

Fulton, a 25-year industry veteran, had been regional vice president of field operations for Spectrum’s Northwest Region. His new role holds him responsible for technical support, customer service, service delivery and billing for Spectrum Business customers across Charter’s 41-state operating footprint. He will begin his new role immediately and be based in Stamford.

“The combination of Chris’ customer and field operations expertise will serve us well as we accelerate our growth as the top connectivity provider for businesses of all sizes,” said Keith Dardis, executive vice president of Spectrum Business, to whom Fulton will report. “With his customer-focused mindset, Chris will be instrumental in ensuring we deliver every day on the promises we make to our customers—exceptional service, value and flexible, scalable solutions for businesses across all key verticals.”

As Spectrum’s field operations leader in the Northwest, Fulton headed a team of 1,700 employees serving cable customers in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Central and Northern California.

Fulton was Charter’s group vice president of call center operations from 2017 to 2024, overseeing customer services across 18 technical support call centers. For four years before that, he served in several field operations roles.

He joined Spectrum in 2013 after 13 years with Cablevision Systems, where he worked in various field operations and customer-service leadership positions in multiple markets.

Fulton holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Metropolitan State University in Denver.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., and NEW YORK—PubMatic and Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales business of Charter Communications, have announced a new partnership that will see Spectrums ad inventory made available in PubMatic’s CTV Marketplace.

The two companies said that the partnership will bring increased demand and efficient buying to Spectrum Reach’s advertising inventory while strengthening PubMatic’s curated packages with local news and live sports offered through its Connected TV (CTV) Marketplace.

“Our partnership with PubMatic gives brands and agencies a new path to execute their campaigns and allows us to transact with marketers in their preferred marketplace of choice,” said Jason Brown, Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer for Spectrum Reach. “The combination of our premium streaming ad inventory across entertainment, live sports and news and PubMatic’s programmatic marketplace strengthens our ability to deliver more value and efficiency for our advertisers.”

Spectrum Reach offers access to more than 450 streaming and traditional networks and publishers and is already a leading streaming solution in its footprint, reaching nearly 90 percent of viewers watching, based on Comscore CTV household viewing data of content accessed through televisions connected to the internet.

The partnership with Spectrum will give advertisers who use PubMatic access to audiences across Spectrum Reach’s entire footprint.

The two companies described the key benefits of the integration as follows:

• Enhanced Curation: By integrating Spectrum Reach’s robust advertising inventory into PubMatic’s CTV Marketplace, advertisers will gain access to highly engaged audiences across Spectrum Reach’s linear and digital footprint.
• Increased Transparency: Spectrum Reach’s privacy-focused data will provide buyers transacting in PubMatic’s marketplace with industry-leading transparency into where their ads are running.
• Higher Fidelity Data: Buyers will gain access to first party and audience data from Spectrum Reach, enhancing their addressable targeting and measurement capabilities at scale in a privacy-focused manner.
• Access to a Broader Network of Buyers: Spectrum Reach will benefit from PubMatic’s extensive network of buyers, including major brands and agencies, which will drive higher demand.
• Increased Efficiency and Optimization: PubMatic’s supply path optimization (SPO) capabilities will further streamline the ad buying process, bringing buyers and Spectrum Reach even closer together.
• Advanced Technology and AI capabilities: PubMatic’s AI tools for publishers will offer Spectrum Reach the ability to enhance monetization, reduce infrastructure demands, streamline workflows and enable smarter, faster decision-making and improved audience engagement.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Spectrum Reach, a true innovator in the advertising space,” said Abbie Reichner, regional vice president, customer success, CTV at PubMatic. “As a trusted source of news and entertainment across the U.S., we are excited to help Spectrum Reach maximize their advertising revenue so they can continue to invest in valuable content creation. This collaboration will enable us to elevate programmatic advertising by providing advertisers with even more capabilities to reach their target audiences effectively and efficiently.”

The two companies also reported that the worldwide marketing agency Dentsu supported the idea.

The agency, which partners with PubMatic for its supply path optimization, media curation, sell-side data and identity solutions, will now have direct access to Spectrum Reach’s premium ad inventory through PubMatic. "We are excited to see how this partnership with PubMatic will amplify the reach and impact of Spectrum Reach's inventory,” said Cara Lewis, chief investment and activation officer for Dentsu. “Streaming has unleashed powerful audience engagement opportunities, and by integrating Spectrum Reach's premium CTV and addressable linear inventory with PubMatic's advanced technology, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value to our clients.”

More information is available at www.pubmatic.com.

WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the April Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025.

With the FCC still deadlocked with two Republicans and two Democrats, the agenda is set to include votes on foreign ownership, licensing lower 37 GHz band spectrum, satellite broadband and robocalls.

The FCC described the items to be considered as follows:

• Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would promote efficient spectrum sharing between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems. To take account of today’s satellite technology and operations and to promote efficient co-existence and expanded services to American consumers, the item would review power limits developed in the 1990s on non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service systems for the protection of geostationary satellite networks. (SB Docket No. 25-157)
• Utilizing the Lower 37 GHz Band – The Commission will consider a Report and Order, Sixth Report and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing a licensing framework for use of the 37–37.6 GHz band (Lower 37 GHz band). (WT Docket No. 24-243; GN Docket No. 14-177)
• Caller ID Authentication on Non-IP Networks to Block Robocalls – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to develop a framework for evaluating whether non-IP caller ID authentication solutions are developed and reasonably available, as required by the TRACED Act, proposes to conclude that certain existing solutions satisfy those requirements, and proposes to require that providers that continue to rely on non-IP networks implement non-IP caller ID authentication solutions. (WC Docket No. 17-97)
• Clarifying Foreign Ownership Rules – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would set clear expectations about the Commission’s review under section 310(b) of the Act of foreign investment in common carrier wireless, aeronautical radio, and broadcast licensees to reduce unnecessary burdens on industry while continuing to protect the public interest, including national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy. (GN Docket No. 25-149)

The Open Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. While the Open Meeting is open to the public, the FCC headquarters building is not open access, and all guests must check in with and be screened by FCC security at the main entrance on L Street. Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.

STAMFORD, Conn. and NEW YORK—Charter’s Spectrum pay TV operations are continuing its previously announced strategy of adding more streaming services to its programming packages with the news that Spectrum TV Select customers now have access to ad-supported AMC+, AMC Networks' streaming service, at no extra cost to customers.

The service normally retails for $6.99 per month. The addition was made possible by a programming distribution deal with AMC announced last Sept. It builds on recent streaming additions, including last week's announcement adding Peacock to the package.

"Offering AMC+ as part of Spectrum TV Select is part of our overall customer-first philosophy to provide customers with flexibility and choice to watch what they want, when and on what platform at the most competitive price," said Tom Montemagno, executive vice president, programming acquisition for Spectrum. "As we continue adding streaming services to our video packages, we are providing approximately $80 in retail app value and a convenient way to watch it all in one place, including the Xumo Stream Box. Our continued partnership with AMC allows us to not only simplify but enhance the viewing experience for our mutual customers."

AMC+ offers an extensive array of premium content from AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV and the targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited. The service provides same-day access to all original AMC series, plus streaming-only exclusives like the new Lianne Moriarty adaptation "The Last Anniversary" and new movies premiering every Friday.

"Core to our strategy is working with partners to make our popular and critically acclaimed content available to viewers wherever and however they want to consume it, and this collaboration with Spectrum is a perfect example of how to meet viewers where they are with the shows and films they love," said Kim Kelleher, chief commercial officer of AMC Networks. "AMC+ is the home of premium original storytelling for adults, including our biggest franchises, iconic library titles like 'Mad Men,' the best in horror and independent film and other favorites. We are thrilled to expand the universe of viewers who have access to this premium service by including it in Spectrum TV Select packages at no additional cost to the customer through this forward-looking agreement."

Spectrum customers who had subscribed to Ad-Free AMC+, which retails for $9.99/month, and who have TV Select will see a $7 discount on their next bill, representing the monthly price for Ad-Supported AMC+ that is now included with Spectrum TV Select.

Along with AMC+, Spectrum TV Select customers can use the Xumo Stream Box to immediately begin streaming ad-supported Max, Disney+, ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, ViX and Tennis Channel, with more streaming services to be included later this year. Customers can learn more and activate their AMC+ subscription at www.spectrum.com/getapp.

NEW YORK—The advertising sales business of Charter Communications, Spectrum Reach, has announced the full-market rollout of its newest planning tool, Audience Reach Optimizer (ARO).

The ARO advertising planning tool is designed to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of advertisers' campaigns, delivering their TV ads to their intended audience, the sales unit reported.

ARO leverages Spectrum Reach’s unique data insights in a privacy-focused way to simplify the process for advertisers to target audiences more efficiently at the household level. The new planning tool identifies new opportunities for multiscreen engagement across traditional TV and streaming platforms, maximizing campaign impact and audience engagement.

"We are delivering solutions that make it easier for advertisers in today’s competitive advertising landscape," said Jason Brown, senior vice president, chief revenue officer for Spectrum Reach. “By providing unique, data-driven insights on campaign reach and frequency through tools like ARO, we empower advertisers to fine-tune their targeting strategies, optimize media spend and maximize audience engagement with information they cannot access elsewhere. Ultimately, this insight drives better business outcomes for our clients.”

Spectrum Reach began piloting ARO in key markets in 2024 and has since run over 5,600 reports providing advertisers with full access to performance data. ARO sources its broadcast ad log data from Spectrum Reach partner MediaRadar, now including the data and capabilities of Vivvix, and its cable ad log data from Spectrum’s campaign orders.

By combining its unique broadcast and cable ad log data sources at scale, the company said that ARO gives Spectrum Reach’s clients a broader view of their campaigns, helping them to identify more targeted opportunities to connect with potential customers.

For example, Spectrum Reach found in a sample that more than 80% of advertisers' quarterly broadcast-only campaigns underdelivered to households in the overall market, whereas shifting their spend to cable increased audience engagement.

That was the case for Matter Brothers, a high-end furniture store chain in Tampa, Florida, the company added. By using ARO, Matter learned that their intended customers were spending more than 70% of their time watching cable networks as opposed to local broadcast channels, where they had been heavily investing in advertising. With this insight, Matter adjusted their TV spending, leading to sales that exceeded the furniture industry benchmark by more than 10%.

“When we first started working with Spectrum Reach, they identified inefficiencies in our ad campaigns,” said Kim Dominguez, marketing director for Matter Brothers. “With ARO, we found that more than 60% of our local broadcast investment was targeting only 8% of sales. To address this, we shifted our ad budget from local broadcast to cable to better connect with our intended audience. We are already seeing the benefits through improved results and increased audience engagement.”

Spectrum Reach also reported that ARO includes several features that differentiate it from other ad planning tools on the market. For example, it uses well-defined methodologies and transparent definitions, allowing advertisers to see exactly how their ads are performing and make better decisions. ARO also provides exclusive data that no other planning tool offers by tracking ad views on both traditional TV and the Spectrum TV App. This gives advertisers the most relevant and valuable information for their campaigns.

More information about Spectrum Reach is available at www.spectrumreach.com.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter Communication’s Spectrum operating brand has announced the promotion of Keith Dardis to executive vice president, Spectrum Business, the company's new business operation that combined Charter's legacy SMB and Enterprise groups and serves commercial customers of all sizes, from local small businesses to mid-market and large-scale companies.

“Keith’s leadership will be pivotal to ensuring the successful evolution of our product offerings for current and future Business customers,” said Adam Ray, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Spectrum, to whom Dardis will continue to report. “With his extensive industry experience and commitment to top-notch customer service, we will fully leverage our complete suite of connectivity products and solutions for businesses of all sizes, growing our share in the highly competitive business services marketplace.”

In the new role, Dardis will oversee all sales and business operations, including customer service, product, human resources and business planning for Spectrum Business, as well as the execution of our industry-leading Customer Commitment for businesses. He most recently led the sales and business division for the same operation. Dardis’ new role is effective immediately. He will continue to be based in Stamford.

A 30-year industry veteran, Dardis previously served as senior vice president for Spectrum Community Solutions, Spectrum’s multi-dwelling unit (MDU) business since 2021. He also held various residential and business direct sales and strategic channel sales roles at the Company. Prior to joining Spectrum in 2015, he held several sales leadership roles at Sprint (now T-Mobile), including vice president of Northeast Business, and he also was head of U.S. sales at Bluewater Information Convergence. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Villanova University.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter Communication’s Spectrum brand has announced that it will commit $1 million to Spectrum Digital Education in 2025, raising its total investment in the program to more than $11 million since 2017.

Spectrum Digital Education distributes grants to nonprofits that create opportunities for community members by expanding access to digital tools, skills training and resources. Nonprofit organizations can learn more about Spectrum Digital Education and apply for a grant from March 3 at 9 a.m. ET through March 28 at 5 p.m. ET.

Spectrum Digital Education partners with nonprofits across the operator's 41-state service area that share a common mission of leveraging connectivity to create personal, professional and educational opportunities for unserved and underserved individuals. The program provides devices to recipients and teaches community members how they can use connected devices to improve their lives.

“Connectivity is the foundation for strong and thriving communities – it's how students complete assignments, job seekers find careers and seniors stay engaged in our digital world,” said Rahman Khan, group vice president, community impact at Spectrum. “By supporting nonprofits that share our belief in the unlimited power that connectivity holds, Spectrum Digital Education is creating opportunities and driving positive change within the communities we serve.”

Since 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has awarded 327 grants to 170 unique organizations, benefiting over 173,000 community members across Spectrum’s service area. With grant funding, nonprofits have distributed more than 18,700 laptops and other devices and sponsored over 42,000 classes focused on digital education.

To be eligible for a Spectrum Digital Education grant, organizations must serve communities within Spectrum’s 41-state service area and have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. More information on how to apply is available on the Spectrum Digital Education grants page.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter’s Spectrum Business has announced new packages, pricing, improved internet speeds for new business customers and free internet speed lifts for some current business customers.

The company reported that the moves are part of its plans to extend its “Customer Commitment” efforts, which launched last September to residential customers, to its small business consumers. The operator’s Customer Commitment includes delivering reliability, transparency and outstanding service, backed by money-back guarantees to small business customers, the company reported.

The Customer Commitment was launched last year at a time when cable operators faced increased competition from 5G fixed wireless services that have cost them broadband internet subs.

“We understand the unique challenges small businesses face, and the important role our internet, mobile and video services play in the success of their day-to-day operations,” said Adam Ray, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Spectrum. “We created new, flexible packages with faster internet speeds and price guarantees to give small businesses more options to choose the Spectrum connectivity services they need to thrive.”

The company’s new, flexible pricing and packaging for Business customers also includes guaranteed pricing for up to three years when multiple services are bundled with Ultra or Gig Internet, whole-dollar prices and more package options. It also said that it is providing faster internet speeds for some existing Spectrum Business customers.

As part of the changes, new small business customers can get Spectrum Business Internet with 500 Mbps starting speeds for $40/month for 12 months when bundled with any two other business products, including Spectrum Business Voice, Business Connect, Spectrum Mobile or Business TV. In addition, they can get a three-year price guarantee if they level up to 750 Mbps or 1 Gig speeds as part of that bundle. Current Spectrum Business Ultra Internet customers will see their download speeds increase automatically by 25% at no additional cost – from 600 Mbps to 750 Mbps.

“Our small business customers play a vital role in the communities we serve,” added Cliff Hagan, Executive Vice President, Customer Operations for Spectrum. “By extending our first-of-its kind Customer Commitment to them, we are promising businesses reliable connectivity, transparency and an exceptional experience they can depend on to continue serving their customers, and if we fall short, we’ll make it right with money-back guarantees.”

Spectrum described the Business Customer Commitment as follows:

• “Reliable Connectivity: We are committed to keeping our customers connected 100% of the time. If a business’ neighborhood experiences an outage of Spectrum services that lasts more than two hours, our agents will give a credit for that full day (excluding power outages, natural disasters and overnight scheduled maintenance).
• "Exceptional Service: We are committed to providing exceptional customer experiences. We provide 24/7, 100% U.S.-based customer service support; if a business customer needs help or a professional installation, a technician will be available within 4 hours if requested before 5 p.m.
• "If a business customer is not completely satisfied with any of their services within the first 30 days, we’ll give them their money back. If a business customer is not completely satisfied with their new mobile device within the first 14 days, we’ll give them their money back.
• "Transparency at Every Step: We will provide clear and simple pricing and timely communications. If we identify a service interruption in a business customer’s area, we will notify them within 15 minutes and work as quickly as possible to resolve it.
• "We do not have annual contracts for any of our small business services.
• "Aways Improving: We will listen to our business customers’ feedback to improve our products and customer service.
• "We are building a network capable of delivering symmetrical and multi-gigabit speeds to meet the connectivity demands of today and tomorrow.
• "We will continue to deliver greater value and flexibility, providing them the fastest wireless and WiFi speeds on a network that can support up to 200 devices today and more in the future – designed, owned and operated in the USA. We are expanding our network to reach more than 1.7 million unserved and underserved businesses and homes across the country."

More information about Spectrum Business is available at www.spectrum.com/business.

NILES, Ill.—Shure Incorporated has announced that it is forming the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA), a coalition that will work to ensure access to RF spectrum for wireless microphones. This alliance will include end users, content creators, live production service providers, equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders.

The group has not, as yet, announced any other members.

In launching the group, Shure noted that wireless microphones are essential for a wide variety of activities, including concerts, events, corporate presentations, houses of worship, sports, film production, television, music, conferences, community meetings, and more across the United States. They are also used in events that are a significant source of revenue for media companies and others.

To protect scarce spectrum for their operations, WMSA will advocate for access to the RF spectrum that allows those events to operate using wireless microphones. More specifically, the group said its mission will be to:

• Preserve RF Spectrum: Ensure the availability of spectrum for wireless microphone users across various industries
• Raise Awareness: Through education, highlight the critical importance of spectrum for concerts, live sports, live events, concerts, the film industry, broadcast, theater, worship and other content creators
• Foster Collaboration: Create a platform for stakeholders to join forces in advocating for spectrum preservation
• Engage Policymakers: Work closely with the FCC, Congress, and other policymakers to advocate for sufficient spectrum allocations for current and future wireless microphone use
• Conduct Public Outreach: Encourage public involvement through outreach and events that demonstrate the necessity of wireless spectrum and the impact its loss would have on various productions

In addition, the group stressed that without proper spectrum availability for wireless microphones, many cities may not be able to successfully operate large-scale sporting events like the Super Bowl or the Olympic Games. Wireless microphones are used extensively for a wide variety of activities during these events, including:

• Press conferences
• Onsite TV and radio production
• Pre-show concerts
• Fundraisers/community events
• National anthems
• Halftime shows
• Broadcast microphones
• Referee/official microphones
• Public address and public safety microphones
• Many other activities that require adequate spectrum for wireless microphones

RF spectrum for wireless microphones will also play an important role in the U.S. for such upcoming major events as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games, the group said.

Shure said that organizations interested in joining this effort can contact Prakash Moorut (global head of spectrum and regulatory affairs at Shure) at moorutp@shure.com.

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter Communications' Spectrum has announced that veteran advertising executive David Kline, who is currently executive vice president at Charter and president of Spectrum Reach, will retire in May.

The company also announced that Kline will be succeeded in May by Jason Brown, Spectrum Reach’s current senior vice president and chief revenue officer. The two executives will work closely together over the next months to ensure a seamless transition.

Kline is a well-known industry figure who has been involved in a host of innovations in the ad and ad tech space during his long 46-year career that have helped shape the advertising landscape across traditional, digital and streaming platforms.

As an executive at Charter, Cablevision (now Altice USA), Ensequence and Visible World (now FreeWheel), he spearheaded the launches of many industry firsts, including linear household addressability, interactive TV applications at scale, and data-infused media campaigns using automation and multi-screen deterministic attribution.

Other innovations include deployment of programmatic advertising across political ads in the 2024 election cycle and the re-selling of local inventory from some of the largest streaming services inside Spectrum’s footprint. Additionally, Spectrum Reach has modernized its total ad infrastructure and platforms to transact media campaigns in impressions, as well as traditional ratings across all platforms.

Since Kline joined the Company in 2015, Spectrum Reach has dramatically grown its advertising business into a nearly $2 billion annual P&L business providing solutions for local, regional and national advertisers to deliver effective, addressable and programmatic campaigns across multiple platforms, Charter reported.

"David is an industry pioneer whose visionary leadership and relentless dedication have been instrumental in transforming Spectrum Reach into an advertising powerhouse,” said Rich DiGeronimo, Charter’s president, Product and Technology. “His contributions continue to drive our success, and his strong relationships have helped us set new standards in and for the industry. He leaves a lasting legacy, and we wish him the absolute best in his well-deserved retirement."

When Kline retires in May, Brown will be responsible for all advertising sales, marketing, product and technology operations for Spectrum Reach. The Reach organization operates in 36 states and 91 markets, with nearly 3,000 employees across the country, providing customized advertising solutions for over 23,000 local, regional and national clients.

“Jason’s deep experience, forward-looking mindset and demonstrated ability to drive revenue growth in the dynamic advertising landscape will be instrumental as Spectrum Reach continues shaping the future of advertising on streaming and linear TV,” added DiGeronimo, to whom Brown will report. “Jason will be an invaluable asset to drive Spectrum Reach to create new growth opportunities and to remain the provider of choice by delivering data-driven, highly targeted and customized advertising solutions for our clients."

Brown joined Spectrum Reach in 2023 and brings nearly three decades of experience in the advertising sales space. Most recently, he served as senior vice president, advertising sales at DirecTV Advertising, where he oversaw all revenue lines for DirecTV and DirecTV Stream products. Prior to the relaunch of DirecTV Advertising, he led sales efforts for WarnerMedia’s addressable business as senior vice president, addressable, local, and political, and was chief revenue officer for Xandr, the advertising and analytics division of AT&T.

Before Xandr, Mr. Brown served as senior vice president, national and local sales for DirecTV from 2012-2019. For the decade prior, he held various executive leadership roles in the media and sales industry, innovating marketplace models for networks in industries such as cinema and digital place-based media. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Skidmore College in New York.

In response to a comment on his social media platform X, Elon Musk has called the idea of auctioning off broadcast spectrum to pay down the national debt a “great idea.”

Musk could have an influential role in government regulation if Donald Trump is elected. Trump has promised to put Musk, the billionaire who has become a major campaign donor, in charge of a “government efficiency commission” that would make recommendations for cutting spending and changes in government rules.

Musk has also clashed with the FCC in the past over its denial of subsidies to his Starlink broadband service and could profit from changes in those policies.

Musk made the comments in response to a post from venture capitalist David Sachs, who wrote: The major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) operate on free licenses of public spectrum in exchange for requirements to serve the public interest. They no longer do, and this is an obsolete model anyway. The spectrum should be auctioned off, with the proceeds used to pay down the national debt. Of course, the networks can bid on the spectrum, and they will win if broadcast networks are still the most highly valued use. What’s more likely to happen is that valuable spectrum will be reapportioned to the next generation of wireless applications, unleashing many more interesting options for consumers and businesses. The networks can continue to operate on cable, like hundreds of other redundant channels.”

The posts were first reported by Policyband.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced the tentative agenda for the September Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The FCC described the agenda items as follows: 

• Improving Access to Video Conferencing Services – The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in video conferencing, including by the use of telecommunications relay services (TRS).  (CG Docket Nos. 23-161, 10-213, 03-123)
• Bolstering Protections Against Robocalls and Texts –The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would bolster current FCC rules on blocking and robocall mitigation in key areas, including by expanding requirements to block calls based on reasonable do-not-originate lists and by creating new financial penalties for carriers who fail to protect consumers from illegal calls.  (CG Docket Nos. 17-59, 21-402)
• Freeing Up Spectrum to Support Satellite Broadband Service – The Commission will consider a Report and Order that will provide 1300 megahertz of spectrum in the 17 GHz band for non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) space stations in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) while also protecting incumbent operations. The Order provides a more cohesive global framework for FSS operators and maximizes the efficient use of the 17 GHz band spectrum.  (IB Docket No. 22-273) 
• Improving Digital FM Radio Service – The Commission will consider a Report and Order implementing a streamlined process for authorizing digital transmissions at different power levels on the upper and lower digital sideband in order to enhance digital FM radio coverage and prevent interference.  (MB Docket No. 22-405)

The commission also said it plans to vote on seven unspecified enforcement actions. 

The FCC noted that publicly releases the draft text of each item expected to be considered at the next Open Commission Meeting.  Drafts of items under consideration that involve specific, enforcement-related matters, which can include restricted proceedings and hearing designation orders, will not be publicly released.  One-page cover sheets are included in the public drafts to help summarize each item.  All these materials will be available on the FCC’s Open Meeting page: www.fcc.gov/openmeeting. 

The Open Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.  Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.

STAMFORD, Conn. and NEW YORK—Spectrum and EverPass Media have inked an agreement offering Spectrum Business customers the ability to get NFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass via EverPass Media throughout Spectrum Business' 41-state footprint. 

As EverPass' first Official Channel Partner, Spectrum will offer new and existing business customers such as bars, restaurants and hotels access to stream NFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass, the companies reported. 

Spectrum also announced it will again carry Thursday Night Football for Spectrum Business customers this season and that it is launching a new sports video tier aimed at commercial establishments. The Spectrum Business Sports Fan TV package features more than 40 live and local sports channels. New business customers can get Sports Fan TV for the introductory price of $79.99/month as a standalone service or $59.99/month when bundled with another Spectrum service, for 12 months.

"We know how important it is for small business customers to have access to a broad portfolio of sports content so their patrons can watch all their favorite live events," said Tom Montemagno, executive vice president, programming acquisition for Charter Communications, Inc., which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity services. "The combination of NFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass via EverPass and our new Sports Fan TV tier means we can offer businesses a sports solution that includes almost all NFL games, college football, and professional basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer and more."

NFL Sunday Ticket is a premium sports package that broadcasts all out-of-market Sunday afternoon National Football League games not available on local CBS or FOX affiliate stations. EverPass holds the exclusive rights to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to commercial establishments across the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Peacock Sports Pass provides commercial businesses with exclusive access to premier live sports events from Peacock, including Big Ten football and basketball, Premier League matches and the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Brazil, a Friday night primetime game in Week 1 on September 6.

"We are thrilled to partner with Spectrum Business as our first official channel partner," said Alex Kaplan, EverPass CEO. "EverPass was founded with the goal of innovating the out-of-home sports and entertainment viewing experience while also empowering business owners to have complete control of the content their customers desire. This strategic relationship allows us to tap into Spectrum Business' extensive network and expand access to NFL Sunday Ticket and Peacock Sports Pass for commercial establishments, further positioning EverPass as the preeminent live sports and entertainment content platform for businesses across the U.S."

More information about Spectrum Business Internet and TV offerings for bars, restaurants, hotels and other business establishments is available at www.spectrum.com/Sunday. 

STAMFORD, Conn.—Spectrum News has launched a streaming service Spectrum News+ on Xumo Play, the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service. 

The launch illustrates how streaming continues to transform pay TV channels. Previously available only to Spectrum customers, the national news network draws on more than 30 Spectrum local news networks and features a unique mix of objective localized reporting, national headlines, and weather forecasts. With the launch, network is now available beyond Spectrum’s service area and to non-Spectrum customers.

“This marks a significant milestone in Spectrum News’ mission to bring its trusted news and information to a broader audience, expanding access to quality, unbiased reporting,” said Alison Hellman, senior vice president & general manager, Spectrum News.  “Our Spectrum News reporters embedded throughout the communities we serve and in our nation’s capital deliver extensive coverage of the major issues and local stories that really matter to our viewers. And in any national election year, we have the unique ability to make the national conversation locally relevant.” 

This announcement follows the successful rollout of Spectrum’s Xumo Stream Box in the fall of 2023, which also features the Spectrum News App, further broadening access to Spectrum News’ trusted coverage. 

“The launch of Spectrum News+ on Xumo Play gives our viewers another great option for staying informed on the latest events and happenings, especially during a critical election year,” said Stefan Van Engen, vice president, programming and partnerships, Xumo. “News is one of the most-viewed genres on Xumo Play, and the addition of Spectrum News+ further enriches our lineup and demonstrates our commitment to delivering quality programming for viewers.” 

Spectrum News+ joins hundreds of other ad-supported linear channels available on Xumo Play. Xumo Play anchors the free content offering on Xumo devices and is available on all other major streaming platforms including Amazon, Android, Apple, Roku, Samsung, Sony, and more. Xumo is a joint venture between Comcast and Charter, which operates under the Spectrum brand. 

Spectrum News+ initially launched in 2023 and, along with all local Spectrum News networks, is available to Spectrum customers via the Spectrum News App on mobile, Xumo Stream Box, and Roku and Apple TV streaming devices. 

Spectrum News has consistently outperformed the major cable and broadcast news networks among Spectrum customers, averaging 1.8 million daily viewing households in 2024 across its linear and digital platforms spanning California, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin, the company reported. 

PRINCETON, N.J.—Triveni Digital has launched GuideBuilder XM Guest Station Edition, which the company will show with other ATSC 3.0 innovations at the 2024 NAB Show, April 13-17, in Las Vegas.

GuideBuilder XM Guest Station Edition is a management solution for broadcasters in an ATSC 3.0 channel-sharing environment that offers 3.0 guest stations full control over their allotted NextGen TV bandwidth independent from the host station, the company said.

It enables stations to optimize video quality, digital rights management and delivery of revenue-generating services, such as datacasting, Triveni Digital said.

"Prior to this version of GuideBuilder, guest stations had to work directly with the host station to configure their ATSC 3.0 services, which was more time-consuming," said Ralph Bachofen, vice president of sales and marketing at Triveni Digital. "With the guest station edition of GuideBuilder XM, we're drastically simplifying ATSC 3.0 operations, enabling NextGen TV guest stations to have total control over their own destiny within a channel sharing ecosystem."

The solution gives guest stations the ability to manage input listing services and outputs via a direct Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) of a Data Source Transport Protocol (DSTP) link to the host station's Triveni Digital Broadcast Gateway or third-party scheduler. It offers guest stations in an ATSC 3.0 ecosystem greater autonomy and control over broadcast operations while ensuring compatibility and coordination with the primary lighthouse station's infrastructure, it said.

GuideBuilder XM Guest Station Edition provides a seamless migration path and is a simple, cost-effective solution for station management. It allows guest stations to make an easy upgrade to a full GuideBuilder XM during their transition to ATSC 3.0. 

See Triveni Digital in NAB Show booth W3051.

More information is available on the company’s website.

NILES, Ill—Shure has unveiled its strategy for spectrum used for wireless audio after the U.S. National Spectrum Strategy recently identified more than 2,700 MHz of spectrum to study for innovative new uses by the private sector and government agencies.

The pro audio company notes that while many other companies provided input as this strategy was developed, Shure was the only company that provided feedback on the needs of wireless audio.

Shure says it applauds the work of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their work on the strategy and the opportunity to provide input.

Shure touted its strong record of collaborating with the wireless microphone community and representing the interests of content creators in these regulatory discussions, adding that its active participation in the regulatory discussions around Wireless Multi-channel Audio System (WMAS) and other technologies reflect the company’s commitment to spectrum efficiency and coexistence with other systems. 

Shure supports integrated standards that enable innovation to ultimately benefit end users and has outlined four key points in its feedback for the U.S. National Spectrum Strategy: 

• Program Making & Special Events (PMSE), that includes wireless microphones and In-Ear Monitor systems is of critical importance to the U.S. economy
• Continued access to spectrum around 1 GHz for audio PSME is critical for its long-term future
• Potential future technology for audio PMSE cannot completely overcome the lack of spectrum
• Shure supports spectrum sharing

“We want to ensure that spectrum needs are considered so that the right support can be provided for events and content creation, which are vital to the economy,” said Prakash Moorut, Global Head of Spectrum & Regulatory Affairs, Shure. “The U.S. needs to continue to be a leader on spectrum sharing, which is allowing so many applications like PMSE to flourish.”

Shure is showcasing wireless audio product’s use of spectrum to regulators from around the world at the four-week World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai that wraps up Dec. 15.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—Spectrum SportsNet and the Los Angeles Lakers have launched Spectrum SportsNet+, a direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service that is delivering a 24/7 feed of Spectrum SportsNet programming, including live Lakers games and behind-the-scenes Lakers content, to sports enthusiasts. 

The launch means that fans in the Lakers regional coverage territory of Southern California, Hawaii and Southern Nevada without access to Spectrum SportsNet can purchase Spectrum SportsNet+ for $19.99 per month or $179.99 per season. 

Existing Spectrum, DIRECTV and Cox pay TV customers who have access to Spectrum SportsNet programming will be able to watch via the Spectrum SportsNet app at no additional cost, and with authenticated access to Spectrum SportsNet+.

SportsNet+ is an experience within the NBA App and NBA.com and can be viewed on NBA.com and the NBA App. It is not a new separate app. 

“With the start of the NBA regular season, the launch of Spectrum SportsNet+ will allow even more fans to enjoy live Lakers games and in-depth, unique coverage of their favorite team, with or without a pay TV subscription,” said Dan Finnerty, senior vice president and general manager, Spectrum Sports. “By offering a variety of packages, we’re giving fans more choice and flexibility and taking another step towards evolving the Regional Sports Network model in this new era of sports viewing.”

“This new service gives Lakers fans another way to watch their favorite team in action on the court," said Tim Harris, president of business operations, Los Angeles Lakers. “The launch of Spectrum SportsNet+ brings the premium, in-depth coverage, analysis and behind-the-scenes content to more fans across the region, allowing us to reach more people every day and grow the next generation of Lakers fans.”

Users can watch the service across a wide range of devices including iPhone, iPad, Roku, Android mobile, Android TV, Amazon Fire, Hisense, PlayStation and Xbox. Spectrum SportsNet+ will be powered by the NBA’s Next-Gen integrated digital platform, the company reported. 

Spectrum SportsNet is a Southern California regional sports network that has an exclusive partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). 

WASHINGTON D.C.—The role of artificial intelligence in optimizing spectrum efficiency was an important theme today during a gathering at FCC headquarters here exploring how AI can be used for the benefit of networks and consumers alike.

Organized jointly by the Federal Communications Commission and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the program, called “The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Communications Networks and Consumers,” brought together representatives from the agency, NSF, academia, public interest, advocacy and industry.

Leading off the day, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel branded herself as an optimist about AI despite recent concerns raised by the release of generative AI and warnings from prominent technologists.

“From my perch at the head of our nation’s expert agency on communications, I cannot help but be an optimist about the future of AI," she said. 

“My optimism comes from where I sit because every day I see communications network power our world,” she said. 

“I know how their expansion and evolution can enhance modern civic and commercial life. I also know the power of those communications networks is going to grow exponentially when we use AI to understand how to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our networks,” she said.

“The day is not all that far off when we will be able to use this technology to help self-configure, self-optimize and self-heal facilities,” said Rosenworcel.

NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan, who followed Rosenworcel, pointed out the foundation has invested more than $800 million in AI, including funds for 25 AI institutes around the country to drive innovation.

Margaret Martonosi, NSF lead of computer and information science and engineering, delivered the keynote discussing the role the foundation has and is playing in promoting development of AI. “NSF is an agency that is about making sure the right seeds get planted and the right trees get nurtured over many decades,” she said. 

Martonosi offered several examples of how the foundation is supporting AI and wireless development. One, AI-EDGE, or the AI Institute for Future Edge Networks and Distributed Intelligence, is receiving $20 million in NSF funding. Led by Ohio State University, AI-EDGE is looking into how AI can be used in networks to improve how they flow, she said.

“I want you to think about it in a bidirectional way,” she said. “Some of the research is about using AI for networks to improve how networks flow, to improve the virtualization, to improve the routing and management of traffic and management of the security,” she said. 

‘The other thing is about using those networks for AI to improve data collection and analysis—how we can do more of the analysis at the edge to save on bandwidth and energy.”

The first panel of the day focused on AI application trends and how AI research is advancing them. Joining the panel were Nageen Himayat, senior principal engineer at Intel; Randy Berry, chair and professor of ECE at Northwestern University; Harold Feld, senior vice president at Public Knowledge; Lisa Guess, senior vice president of solutions engineering at Ericsson; and Ness Shroff, chaired professor of ECE and CSE at Ohio State University. Martin Doczkat, chief of the Technical Analysis Branch of the Office of Engineering and Technology at the FCC moderated.

Shroff, who explained that 11 U.S. universities, five international universities, machine learning and wireless networking companies and Department of Defense labs are partners in Ohio State University’s AI-EDGE effort, said the institute is looking to leverage “synergies that exist between AI and networks.”

“To control and design for the next generation of networks, we will need foundational AI advances that take into account the very specific constraints [of those]… networks,” he said. Research is needed into “non-stationality” so that an autonomous vehicle doesn’t make an unwanted lefthand turn off the road, for example.

AI also has many roles to play in more efficient use of spectrum. Radio access networks are an example. “[T]housands of control knobs” are present in RAN base stations today, he said.

““If you look at the open RAN paradigm, there is a special entity called the Radio Intelligence Controller, which is meant to execute these AI/ ML modules to perform various actions, to learn about the traffic, to make decisions on traffic control,” said Shroff.

The role of AI today is at a high level, but the focus is shifting to introduce AI more deeply into protocol stacks, said Himayat.

“There is success in terms of using AI to actually replace certain functions, certain parts of functions, looking at parameters that could be estimated better to improve performance of existing algorithms,” she said.

Beam forming and prediction of reflection paths in cellular transmission are areas where AI could improve the efficiency of wireless networks, said Feld.

“[AI] has the potential to do much more…particularly in terms of interference mitigation,” he said.

Artificial intelligence also has a role to play in helping companies monetize machine-to-machine communications as network patterns change, said Guess. “We are going to need to leverage AI to take what we have today in order to squeeze every little bit that we can out of it [the spectrum],” she said.

Another possible role for AI is to make wireless networks more environmentally friendly by predicting where it might be possible to reduce power in parts of the network that may exhibit lower usage, she said.

Berry suggested there may be some new roles for the FCC when it comes to AI. For example, increasingly access relies on a combination of the network, storage and compute. “When we think about what does it mean to provide universal access does this mean we have to think about storage and compute as well –not just about how much bandwidth someone has?” he asked rhetorically.

As panelist discussed, spectrum sharing can benefit from AI, but before that can be fully realized the FCC may need to get involved. “…[Y]ou need the data. Where do you get that data for that [to promote spectrum sharing]? Are the incumbents going to show the data? That again feels like something the FCC might want to think about,” said Berry.

The second panel of the day was focused on consumer issues that might benefit from AI, such as better customer service, combatting robocalls, spoofing and other scams and making telecommunications networks and services more accessible for those with disabilities and minorities.

Panelists included: Elham Tabassi, chief of staff at the Information Technology Laboratory; Greg Bohl, chief data officer at Transaction Network Services; Alisa Valentin, senior director for telecom policy at the National Urban League; Jorge Amar, senior partner at McKinsey & Company; and Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. Arpan Sura, senior counsel in the FCCC Wireless Bureau moderated.

FCC commissioners Nathan Simington and Geoffrey Starks also addressed the gathering. 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—Spectrum Networks has announced a new, multi-year distribution agreement with DirecTV for regional sports networks Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA.

At a time when pay TV operators have been looking for ways to cut costs and have been dropping regional sports networks, this new agreement offers a significantly lower penetration threshold, giving DirecTV the ability to provide more affordable and flexible options to customers not interested in premium sports programming while still serving those who want live NBA Los Angeles Lakers and MLB Los Angeles Dodgers games.

“While viewing habits continue to shift, it’s clear that regular season professional sports programming remains extremely popular with a core base of traditional cable, satellite, and OTT customers,” said Dan Finnerty, senior vice president and general manager, Spectrum Networks. “That said, given these customers represent a relatively small percentage of the overall video subscriber base, and recognizing the marked increase in direct-to-consumer choices, the model for RSNs needs to evolve to reflect the realities of the current marketplace. With this agreement, we are taking a step to shift the business model so that customers have more control.”

As usual, financial terms of the distribution agreement were not revealed. 

Under the new deal, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and U-verse customers throughout Southern and Central California, portions of Nevada including Las Vegas, as well as Hawaii will continue to enjoy live coverage of future Dodgers and Lakers games, pregame and postgame analysis, as well as exclusive studio and original programming such as “Backstage: Dodgers” and “Backstage: Lakers.” 

“DirecTV continues to believe in the power of local sports, while also recognizing the demands of the many homes we serve with other diverse programming interests,” said Rob Thun, chief content officer of DirecTV. “This agreement with Spectrum Networks achieves three key objectives – putting consumers first, recognizing local value, and enabling both parties to extend their relationship with long-term, mutual benefits.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) have announced a joint memorandum of understanding with the Department of Defense to allow non-exclusive access to commercial spectrum at 2025-2110 MHz at 26 U.S. military sites. 

The bases were selected for their ability to provide streamlined access to spectrum used by broadcasters for electronic newsgathering and other purposes. DoD activities at these bases will include test and training missions to assure readiness and enable critical communications. 

The agreement follows nearly seven years of technical study, and laboratory and field testing. The memorandum of understanding is designed to ensure the coexistence of newsgathering and other broadcast operations with critical military training missions. 

The spectrum was identified for potential sharing in advance of a spectrum auction that the FCC conducted in 2014 that raised more than $44 billion by converting Federal spectrum to flexible commercial use. House Energy and Commerce member and vice chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-06), led the effort that identified this spectrum.

The joint agreement demonstrates the commitment of broadcasters and DoD to advance both the nation's economic prosperity and national security interests, while maintaining public access to critical news and information provided by broadcasters, the parties said. 

"This innovative agreement between the DoD and broadcasters will enable important military communications and newsgathering operations to coexist by balancing ever-increasing demand for spectrum access,” said Robert Weller, vice president for Spectrum Policy at NAB. “America's radio and television broadcasters are committed to collaborative spectrum usage that best serves the interests of our country and the millions of listeners and viewers who depend on us every day. We thank the DoD and SBE for working with us to reach an amicable arrangement that ensures a sustainable model for frequency allocation.”

"Frequency coordination is one of the foundation pillars of the Society of Broadcast Engineers,” added SBE president Andrea Cummis said. “In addition to coordination among broadcasters in a market, the SBE has worked with commercial groups and government agencies in the past to minimize if not eliminate interference in the limited RF spectrum available for broadcast operations. This agreement provides our partners at the DoD and the NAB and the SBE the tools to ensure the public is best served through the shared use of this spectrum."

At a number of locations, broadcasters were able to identify "home channels" -- spectrum where DoD will have presumptive access, while some locations will require active coordination as is done at major media events such as the Super Bowl. The SBE has set up a national frequency management office headed by RJ Russell, national frequency coordination manager, at the Society of Broadcast Engineers to handle coordination requests. That office will ensure consistent analysis and response timing. Previously, coordination was handled at the local level.

The Society of Broadcast Engineers is the professional organization of television and radio engineers and those in related fields. The SBE has nearly 5,000 members in 116 chapters across the United States and in Hong Kong and Eastern Europe. There are also members in more than 25 other countries. 

For more information about the SBE, contact James Ragsdale, executive director, at jragsdale@sbe.org or 317-846-9000, or visit the SBE website, sbe.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have announced an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies on spectrum coordination. 

The new agreement marks the first time the MOU has been updated in nearly twenty years and will help revitalize interagency cooperation on spectrum issues, the Federal agencies said. 

The revised MOU also comes at a critical time in the nation’s efforts to expand access to high-speed internet, protect national security, promote economic growth, and advance the progress of science and technology the agencies said.

The MOU was signed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson.

“Next-generation spectrum innovation is going to require next-generation spectrum coordination.  This updated MOU embraces the idea that no single entity can meet this challenge alone,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “We need a whole of government approach—one that draws on the strengths in our national DNA: our hard-wired belief in the creative possibilities of the future, the power of coordination, and the rule of law.  This effort, as part of our broader Spectrum Coordination Initiative, helps make that possible.  I am grateful to have the leadership and partnership of Assistant Secretary Davidson in this important work.”

“A spectrum coordination agreement that pre-dates the smartphone is not sufficient to meet the challenges facing our agencies today,” said Assistant Secretary Davidson. “This updated MOU between NTIA and the FCC will deepen our collaboration and improve our ability to anticipate and mitigate serious spectrum issues. I salute Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s leadership and support in charting a course for sustained coordination for years to come.”

In February 15, 2022 the two agencies announced a Spectrum Coordination Initiative and the new MOU provides for a better framework for managing spectrum. Key features of the MOU include: 

• Formalized High-Level Planning.  For the first time, the FCC Chair and Assistant Secretary will hold formal meetings to conduct joint spectrum planning at least quarterly.
• A Longer-Term Spectrum Outlook.  FCC and NTIA staff will meet at least monthly to exchange information.  Where possible, the agencies will share their planned spectrum activities for the next 12 months.  
• Greater Coordination.  The agencies have committed to coordinating more of their spectrum activities than was required under the prior MOU, including when the agencies are considering taking actions that would create new spectrum adjacencies.  The updated MOU also extends the amount of time for coordination.
• Improved Transparency and Data Sharing.  Both agencies will endeavor to share information, concerns, or views as early in the spectrum planning process as possible, supported by technical data and analysis that is based on sound engineering principles.  For NTIA, this includes sharing information, concerns, or views of other federal agencies as well.  
• Clearer Dispute Resolution.  FCC and NTIA will work together to develop and implement a process for escalating any disputes for consideration by agency leadership.

Going forward, the agencies also said that they revisit the MOU every four years to ensure that it is keeping pace with the nation’s spectrum needs.  

The completed MOU is available here. 

DALLAS, Texas—A Jury has issued a $7 billion penalty verdict against Charter Communications in a civil lawsuit involving an elderly woman who was killed by a technician employed by Charter’s Spectrum cable operation.  

In June, the Dallas Texas jury held Charter responsible for $337.5 million in compensatory damages for the December 2019 murder of Betty Jo McClain Thomas, according to USA Today. 

Roy Holden, a Charter technician, plead guilty to the murder and is now serving a life sentence in Texas. 

The new $7 billion dollar award is meant to punish the company for systemic safety failures that led to the robbery and stabbing death of an 83-year-old woman by a cable repairman and for using forged documents to try to keep a jury from hearing the lawsuit, attorneys for the plaintiffs said. 

Charter has said it will appeal the verdict and has expressed 

In a statement to Next TV, Charter responded by saying “Our hearts go out to Mrs. Thomas’ family in the wake of this senseless and tragic crime. The responsibility for this horrible act rests solely with Mr. Holden, who was not on duty, and we are grateful he is in prison for life. While we respect the jury and the justice system, we strongly disagree with the verdict and will appeal."

“The law in Texas and the facts presented at trial clearly show this crime was not foreseeable — and the plaintiffs’ claims of wrongdoing by Charter are categorically false," Charter added. "We are committed to the safety of all our customers and took the necessary steps, including a thorough pre-employment criminal background check — which showed no arrests, convictions or other criminal behavior. Nor did anything in Mr. Holden’s performance after he was hired suggest he was capable of the crime he committed, including more than 1,000 completed service calls with zero customer complaints about his behavior.”

In a press release following the verdict, the lawyers for the murdered woman’s family laid out some of the key claims that led to the verdict. 

"This was a shocking breach of faith by a company that sends workers inside millions of homes every year," said trial lawyer Chris Hamilton of Dallas-based Hamilton Wingo in the press release announcing the verdict. "The jury in this case was thoughtful and attentive to the evidence. This verdict justly reflects the extensive evidence regarding the nature of the harm caused by Charter Spectrum's gross negligence and reckless misconduct. For the safety of the American public, we can only hope that Charter Spectrum and its shareholders are listening."

The attorneys for the family of the murdered woman said that trial testimony revealed that Charter Spectrum hired Roy Holden without verifying his employment history, which would have revealed that he had lied about his work history. In the weeks before he robbed and murdered Betty Thomas inside her Irving home, supervisors ignored a series of red flags, including Mr. Holden's own written pleas to upper management for help because of severe distress over financial and family problems.

Jurors agreed that Charter Spectrum's actions were the "proximate cause" of Ms. Thomas death, and found Charter Spectrum 90% responsible for the death, given Charter Spectrum's continued refusal to correct its negligent safety practices despite a repeated pattern of violence against innocent customers by its field techs over a period of years, the attorneys said. 

The attorneys noted that Holden performed a service call in Ms. Thomas' home the day before her Dec. 2019 murder. Although Charter contended he was off-duty the following day, he managed to learn that Ms. Thomas had reported that she was still having problems with her service and used his company key card to enter a Charter Spectrum secured vehicle lot and drove his Charter Spectrum van to her house. Once inside, while fixing her fax machine, the victim, Ms. Thomas, caught the field tech stealing her credit cards from her purse. The Charter Spectrum field tech, Roy Holden, then brutally stabbed the 83-year-old customer with a utility knife supplied by Charter Spectrum and went on a spending spree with her credit cards, the attorneys reported. 

Charter Spectrum's employees admitted at trial the field tech's theft and crimes against the victim began while he was on duty and in the course and scope of his employment the day before, the attorneys said. 

The company's employees further admitted that there was a pattern of thefts by Charter Spectrum employees against customers (more than 2,500 in the preceding several years), which the company refused to investigate or report to police, the attorneys said. 

STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter’s Spectrum Enterprise unit has launched Enterprise Network Edge (ENE), a new solution designed to help businesses simplify the management and migration of complex, larger-scale networks. 

"Organizations require a reliable, secure and high-performance network in order to support demanding software applications," said Bob Schroeder, vice president of enterprise data product management at Spectrum Enterprise. "Enterprise Network Edge provides the support, flexibility, security and efficiencies that cloud-first and large-scale clients need to ensure effective digital experiences while moving to hybrid network architectures and distributed operating models across locations, clouds and users."

ENE offers advanced security and SD-WAN capabilities along with a portfolio of connectivity options and co-management capabilities through a cloud-based portal, the Spectrum Enterprise unit explained. 

The solution, which is designed to meet the needs of enterprises as they digitize, uses Fortinet Security-driven Networking technologies, including Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, to converge networking and security to uniquely deliver integrated and secure WAN and LAN services.

Enterprise Network Edge provides IT teams with the capabilities to manage their current network infrastructure while also allowing them to modernize and digitize at their own pace. The ENE solution supports hybrid WAN configurations across various locations that may include a mix of legacy WAN and new SD-WAN infrastructure, offering a great deal of flexibility.

Other key benefits include: 

• Network Edge provides Fortinet Secure SD-WAN with advanced routing to quickly direct and prioritize network traffic and protect against threats.
• Virtual Edge and Remote Access deliver simple and secure connectivity to applications by leveraging the power of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform, allowing organizations, remote workers included, to connect to their public cloud as well as experience the benefits of traffic prioritization and application aware routing.
• LAN Management enables networks to improve traffic flow on the local area network, expand capacity, centralize administration and extend network protection.
• A cloud-based portal allows for real-time insights and administration of the network, including traffic flow and bandwidth capacity.
• The solution offers custom design and implementation, including professional install and 24/7/365 US-based support.

WASHINGTON D.C.—The Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration have announced a new initiative to improve U.S. government coordination on spectrum management.

As part of the Spectrum Coordination Initiative, both agencies will work together to strengthen the processes for decision making and information sharing and to work cooperatively to resolve spectrum policy issues.

The FCC and NTIA jointly manage the nation’s radio spectrum resources.

“Now more than ever we need a whole-of-government approach to spectrum policy,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. “Over the past few years we’ve seen the cost of not having one—and we need a non-stop effort to fix that.  I appreciate Assistant Secretary [Alan] Davidson’s leadership and his willingness to work with me to revitalize the interagency coordination process so that it once again is able to produce results for consumers and the economy.”

“The FCC and NTIA have an opportunity today to build a common vision for spectrum management and coordination that serves federal users, private actors, and the American people,” said Assistant Secretary Davidson. “I am excited to launch this initiative with Chairwoman Rosenworcel. I value her leadership on spectrum policy and her collaboration as we work to accomplish our shared goals.” 

As part of the initiative, the two agencies also outlined some initial steps they will take to improve the way they work together on spectrum policy and to address gaps in governmental coordination. These include: 

• Reinstate High Level Meetings. For the first time, the Chair of the FCC and the Assistant Secretary will hold formal, regular meetings, beginning monthly, to conduct joint spectrum planning. This will go above and beyond the existing statutory requirement, as well as the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies, which provides that the Chair and the Assistant Secretary meet twice each calendar year.
• Reaffirm Roles and Responsibilities. Building on NTIA’s statutory role as manager of the federal government’s use of spectrum, the FCC and NTIA will update the nearly twenty-year-old Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies to address gaps in government coordination and to better reflect today’s spectrum opportunities and challenges.
• Renew Efforts to Develop a National Spectrum Strategy. To secure America’s leadership, the FCC and NTIA will collaborate to help inform the development of a national spectrum strategy, increase transparency around spectrum use and needs, and establish long-term spectrum planning and coordination. 
• Recommit to Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking. The FCC and NTIA will work cooperatively to develop processes for spectrum engineering compatibility analysis. These will include a compilation of principles, guidelines, accepted technical standards, interference protection criteria, propagation models, and other characteristics. 
• Revamp Technical Collaboration. The FCC and NTIA will foster proactive technical exchange and engagement with industry and other federal agencies by participating in cross-agency advisory groups. To start, the FCC will participate as an observer in the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, and NTIA will participate as an observer in the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council and the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.