Broadcasters will get another month off when the FCC commissioners convene their May open meeting – in fact, all terrestrial communications applications will be off the agenda as the Commission looks issues involving the airplane level and higher.
The agenda was announced by Chairman Julius Genachowski – and one of the few points of interest for broadcasters is whether or not he will be still around to preside over it when the commissioners gather 5/9/13 at 10:30 AM eastern.
The presence of Commissioner Robert McDowell is also in question. He too announced his departure. As yet no ETDs have been announced for either.
From the Commission, here’s what’s on the menu:
* Expanding Broadband Access for Passengers on Planes: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking to improve consumer access to broadband aboard aircraft and encourage innovation through establishment of an Air-Ground Mobile Broadband service in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band, while ensuring that existing users are protected from interference.
* Promoting Commercial Space Operations: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry to ease access to spectrum for commercial space operators and enable increased federal government use of commercial satellite services, and seek comment on streamlining processes, eliminating unnecessary burdens, and identifying future communication and spectrum needs of the commercial space sector.
