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Articles Posted by Elizabeth Craig

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Permissionless Innovation: The FCC’s Conceptual Shift for Space and Earth Station Licensing in the United States

The FCC unanimously adopted an NPRM proposing a comprehensive restructuring and reform of its long-standing space and earth station licensing rules (Part 25). The NPRM proposes to wholly replace its “Part 25 – Satellite Communications” rules with a new “Part 100 – Space and Earth Station Services” rule section. Comments…

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FCC Proposes to Recalibrate the UMFUS Framework to Expand Satellite Access

The rapid expansion of the commercial space economy over the last decade has resulted in demand on spectrum far exceeding the Commission’s expectations at the time it devised and adopted its Upper Microwave Flexible Use Spectrum (UMFUS) sharing framework. At the same time, negligible adoption of millimeter wave bands by…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor — November 2025

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published the FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others.  This month’s issue includes: FCC Extends Consent Decree After New “Issues” Arise FCC Resolves Pirate Radio Investigation With 20-Year Consent Decree Spurious Emissions…

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Annual EEO Public File Report Deadline for Stations in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont

December 1 is the deadline for broadcast stations licensed to communities in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont to place their Annual EEO Public File Report in their Public Inspection File and post the report on their station…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor—The Government Shutdown Edition

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published the FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue is a special edition: FCC Enforcement Monitor—The Government Shutdown Edition While shutdowns of the federal government have become depressingly common,…

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A Simulcast Sunset on the Horizon as FCC Adopts NextGen TV NPRM

At today’s Open Meeting, the FCC unanimously adopted a Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to accelerate the transition to the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard (NextGen TV).  The NPRM sets the stage for significant progress towards a nationwide transition, proposing to shift from mandatory to voluntary ATSC 1.0 simulcasting…

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2025 Third Quarter Issues/Programs List Advisory for Broadcast Stations

Broadcasters’ next Quarterly Issues/Programs List (“Quarterly List”) must be placed in stations’ Public Inspection Files by October 10, 2025, reflecting information for the months of July, August, and September 2025. Content of the Quarterly List The FCC requires each broadcast station to air a reasonable amount of programming responsive to…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor September 2025

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published the FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others.  This month’s issue includes: $7,000 Consent Decree for National Cell Phone Provider Marketing Unauthorized Smartphone FCC Pursues Missouri Property Owners Over Pirate Radio…

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Deadline for Regulatory Fee Payments Just a Week Away

On August 29, 2025, the FCC released its Report and Order establishing the annual regulatory fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.  The Commission followed that release with a Public Notice announcing that regulatory fees must be paid no later than 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time on September 25, 2025. The…

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Annual EEO Public File Report Deadline for Stations in Alaska, American Samoa, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, the Mariana Islands, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington

October 1 is the deadline for broadcast stations licensed to communities in Alaska, American Samoa, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, the Mariana Islands, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Washington to place their Annual EEO Public File Report in their Public Inspection File and post the report on their…