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FCC Releases Final Regulatory Fees With Some Relief for Broadcasters

The FCC has released its finalized schedule of annual Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2019, and thanks to the collective efforts of all 50 State Broadcasters Associations and the National Association of Broadcasters, there is some good news for radio stations and satellite television stations. But before we get to…

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Large Telecom Companies and State Attorneys General Agree on Anti-Robocall Principles

Twelve large telecom companies and the attorneys general of 50 states and the District of Columbia announced yesterday an agreement on eight voluntary principles that the companies will adopt to combat illegal and unwanted robocalls.  The announcement comes as regulators, telecom companies, and legislators continue to grapple with a worsening…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ July 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published 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: Pennsylvania AM Station’s “Shenanigans” in Connection With Tower Violations Lead to $25,000 Fine Georgia and North Carolina Radio Station Licenses…

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Don’t Wait to File Distant Signal Copyright Claims

As we noted in last week’s post, television stations eligible to file 2018 distant signal copyright royalty claims with the United States Copyright Royalty Board must do so by July 31, 2019.  While that due date still seems far away (especially to those accustomed to the FCC’s real-time electronic filing…

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FCC Seeks Comment on Accelerating Broadband Deployment in Multi-Tenant Buildings and Preempts Wire-Sharing Requirement in San Francisco Ordinance

The availability of broadband Internet service in apartment buildings, condominiums, and office buildings, or what the FCC calls multiple tenant environments (MTE), was the subject of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Declaratory Ruling released on Friday of last week. Prior FCC decisions have attempted to strike a balance…

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A Look at This Week’s Changes to the FCC’s KidVid Rules

At its July 2019 Open Meeting this week, the FCC voted to make several changes to its Children’s Television Programming rules.  It released its final Order adopting the changes this afternoon.  Although characterized by Commissioner O’Rielly as “modest” changes, the revised rules are likely to alter television broadcasters’ compliance efforts…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ June 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published 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: Investigation Into Undisclosed Radio Station Owner With a History of Felonies Leads to Hearing Designation Order FCC Settles With Alaskan…

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In Battle Against Robocalls, FCC Opens the Door to More Aggressive Call Blocking

For many consumers, answering a phone call from an unknown number has effectively turned into a gamble. Is it a potential new client? A medical emergency? Or, more likely, is it an incredible offer-to-stay-at-a-Caribbean-resort-of-your-choosing-please-hold-for-a-representative? Not surprisingly, no issue generates more complaints at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ May 2019

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published 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 Settles With Golf Club Operator Over Unauthorized Transfer of 108 Private Wireless Licenses FCC Warns Traffic Management Company Over…

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Next National EAS Test Is August 7, and Comes With a Twist

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formally notified the FCC that FEMA has scheduled the next nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for August 7, 2019 at 2:20 p.m. FEMA states that this year’s test will differ from the nationwide tests that have been conducted over…