The sneak preview of the August FCC agenda was an accurate sneak preview, and what it means for broadcasters is at most a seat in the bleachers as perhaps an interested 3rd party as any American citizen might be, or it means no particular interest at all. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing.
The Open Meeting will be held Tuesday 8/9/11 at 10:30 eastern.
The FCC will look at the issue of foreign ownership, but it is specifically related to common carrier and aeronautical frequencies related to a pair of proposed Verizon acquisitions, and just in case anybody suspected for an instant that the FCC may be considering opening the door to broadcast investment from abroad, the Commission stated, “This item does not address issues related to foreign ownership of broadcast licensees.”
The other item involves broadband, microwave and wireless backhaul.
Here is the agenda:
TITLE: Amendment of Part 101 of the Commission’s Rules To Facilitate the Use of Microwave for Wireless Backhaul and Other Uses and To Provide Additional Flexibility to Broadcast Auxiliary Service and Operational Fixed Microwave Licensees (WT Docket No. 10-153), and Petition for Rulemaking filed by Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition To Amend Part 101 of the Commission’s Rules to Authorize 60 and 80 MHz Channels in Certain Bands for Broadband Communications (RM-11602)
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider as part of its Broadband Acceleration Initiative a Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Memorandum Opinion and Order addressing several proposals to remove regulatory barriers to the full and effective use of certain spectrum bands for wireless backhaul to promote broadband deployment. The item also addresses other ways to make additional spectrum available for wireless backhaul.
TITLE: Review of Foreign Ownership Policies for Common Carrier and Aeronautical Radio Licensees under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1964, as Amended
SUMMARY: As part of the regulatory reform efforts, the Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline the review process for foreign ownership of common carrier radio licensees (e.g., wireless phone companies) and certain aeronautical radio licensees under section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act, while ensuring the Commission continues to receive the information it needs to serve the public interest. This item does not address issues related to foreign ownership of broadcast licensees.
TITLE: Applications of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless and Rural Cellular Corporation for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses, Authorizations, and Spectrum Manager Leases, and Petitions for Declaratory Ruling that the Transaction is Consistent with Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act (WT Docket No. 07-208), and Applications of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless and Atlantis Holdings LLC for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses, Authorizations, and Spectrum Manager and De Facto Transfer Leasing Arrangements, and Petition for Declaratory Ruling that the Transaction is Consistent with Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act (WT Docket No. 08-95)
SUMMARY: As part of its efforts to provide greater clarity regarding foreign ownership review procedures, the Commission will consider an Order on Reconsideration addressing two section 310(b)(4) foreign ownership rulings granted to Verizon Wireless in two proceedings approving its acquisitions of Rural Cellular Corporation (RCC) and Alltel Corporation (Alltel).
