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FCC Formalizes Foreign Investment Reviews; More National Security Actions Likely to Follow

By Matthew DelNero, Yaron Dori, Janine Slade and Brian Wiliams on Posted in Broadcasting & Cable, FCC, Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications, Transactions
Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) unanimously adopted an order formalizing the referral and review process associated with “Team Telecom”—the group of national security and law enforcement agencies responsible for assessing foreign investment in U.S. telecommunications, submarine cable licensees, and broadcast licensees. The order adopts rules and procedures that will govern what has long been … Continue Reading

FCC Releases Draft Order Formalizing “Team Telecom” Process

By Matthew DelNero, Yaron Dori and Corey Walker on Posted in Broadcasting & Cable, FCC, Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications, Transactions
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission circulated a draft order that will formalize its coordination with what has been known as “Team Telecom”—the national security review process for foreign investments in U.S. telecommunications companies.  The draft order, which the FCC will consider for adoption at its September 30 Open Meeting, includes rules and procedures governing … Continue Reading

IoT Update: FCC’s February Meeting Features Several 5G and IoT-Related Items

By Corey Walker on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications, Uncategorized
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has again demonstrated that enabling the 5G ecosystem that, among other things, will drive breakthroughs in the Internet of Things (IoT), remains an agency priority. In a meeting late last week, the FCC adopted multiple items aimed at expanding spectrum availability and access for 5G applications and services, as well … Continue Reading

U.S. AI and IoT Quarterly Legislative Update: Fourth Quarter 2019

By U.S. AI and IoT Legislative Tracking Team on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Vehicles, Congress, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), Privacy & Data Security, Spectrum & Mobile
U.S. federal policymakers continued to focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”) in the fourth quarter of 2019, including by introducing substantive bills that would regulate the use of such technology and by supporting bills aimed at further study of how such technology may impact different sectors. In our fourth AI … Continue Reading

IoT Update: DOT Introduces Fourth Round of Automated Vehicles Guidance (AV 4.0)

By Jake Levine and Rebecca Yergin on Posted in Autonomous Vehicles, Innovation, Internet of Things (IoT), Privacy & Data Security, Spectrum & Mobile
This month, situated among foldable tablet computers and flying taxis, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (“CES”) the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (“DOT”) long-anticipated fourth round of automated vehicles guidance, “AV 4.0.”  Formally entitled, “Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies,” AV 4.0 is less regulatory guidance and more … Continue Reading

Multiple Bipartisan 5G Wireless Bills Advance in Congress

By Holly Fechner, Matthew Shapanka and Judith Foo on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
5G wireless technology has captured the attention of Congress.  At least 30 5G-related bills have been introduced in the House and Senate this Congress, signaling widespread interest by lawmakers in 5G. Several of these bills, addressing a range of issues including national security concerns, the promotion of U.S. leadership in international 5G standards-setting bodies, and … Continue Reading

IoT Update: Flurry of Federal 5G Activity Indicates Important Growth Opportunities for the IoT Ecosystem

By Thomas Parisi and Rebecca Yergin on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Vehicles, Innovation, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile
From the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to Congress to the White House, the federal government has continued to push the importance of investment and innovation in fifth-generation (“5G”) wireless technology. This push bodes well for the many industries that rely on the Internet of Things (“IoT”), such as transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing—to name a few. … Continue Reading

IoT Update: Building Out the “Cutting Edge” for an Infrastructure Package

By Jayne Ponder, Rebecca Yergin and Layth Elhassani on Posted in Autonomous Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to reinforce the need for legislation to update the nation’s infrastructure. In the speech, he urged both parties to “unite for a great rebuilding of America’s crumbling infrastructure” and said that he is “eager to work” with Congress on the issue. Significantly, he … Continue Reading

IoT Update: Council of the European Union adopts the European Electronic Communications Code and BEREC Regulation

By Jonathan Benjamin on Posted in Digital Single Market, European Electronic Communications Code, European Union, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
On 4 December 2018, the Council of the European Union (the “Council”) formally approved a major reform of the European telecom regulatory framework, the European Electronic Communications Code (the “EECC”). The Council also approved an associated regulation on the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (“BEREC Regulation”).… Continue Reading

IoT Update: Navigating the Course of Spectrum for Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies

By Rebecca Yergin on Posted in Autonomous Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has a key role to play in driving the development of connected and automated vehicles (“CAV”) technology. As we explained in a recent CAV IoT Update, the FCC has been studying the risks associated with specific CAV technologies that could provide unique channels for potential cyberattacks. This post examines the … Continue Reading

IoT Update: Who’s at the Wheel? Connected and Automated Vehicles Stakeholders Weigh In from the Mcity Congress

By Jake Levine, Suzanne Bell, Brandon Palmen, Sarah Wilson, Jennifer Johnson and John Buchanan on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT), Privacy & Data Security, Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
Last week, Covington dispatched a team of connected and automated vehicles (“CAV”) practitioners to participate in the Mcity Congress, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Lawyers from our Technology and IP Transactions, Public Policy, Product Safety and Liability, and Insurance practice groups presented a series of observations and insights around mitigating liability in the CAV industry, and … Continue Reading

Net Neutrality Update: California and the United States Agree to Stay Further Proceedings Pending Review of FCC Order

By Jake Levine and Jadzia Pierce on Posted in Broadcasting & Cable, Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
In exchange for a stay of the proceedings in both United States v. California and American Cable Association v. Becerra, California has agreed not to enforce its new net neutrality law, SB 822, pending the resolution of Mozilla Corp. v. FCC, the lawsuit challenging the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order (“Order”).  The Order had repealed … Continue Reading

IoT Update: BEREC launches public consultation on the ‘Data Economy’

By Siobhan L.M. Kahmann on Posted in Competition Law, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
On the 10th October 2018, BEREC (the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications) launched its public consultation on the ‘Data Economy’. This comes at a time when different regulators are increasingly discussing the importance of big data, including the opportunities and risks that it brings about, how these may evolve, and how (and increasingly … Continue Reading

California Adopts Net Neutrality Law; Court Hearing Scheduled for Nov. 14

By Jadzia Pierce and Jake Levine on Posted in Broadcasting & Cable, Political, Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
On September 30, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill to apply net neutrality rules to Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) operating in that state.  California is not the first state to enact legislation on net neutrality, but its bill contains the most stringent requirements yet.  The Trump Administration and multiple ISPs have sued to prevent … Continue Reading

IoT Update: FCC Efforts to Encourage 5G Infrastructure Investment

By Thomas Parisi on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
5G deployment and availability will greatly expand and enhance the Internet of Things (IoT). As we explored in a prior post, apart from spectrum availability, one of the other primary keys to promoting 5G development is increased investment in both wireless and wireline infrastructure. Without the necessary infrastructure (e.g. small cells, fiber backhaul) to support … Continue Reading

Covington AI/IoT Update: EPA and NHTSA Seek Comment on Autonomous and Connected Vehicles

By Jake Levine on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT), Political, Privacy & Data Security, Spectrum & Mobile
On Friday August 24, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (“Proposed Rule”).  83 Fed. Reg. 42817. The long-anticipated rulemaking has garnered media attention for … Continue Reading

IoT Update: The European Electronic Communications Code – Developing the Future of IoT in the EU

By Katarzyna Lasinska on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
The European Commission estimates that the global market for the Internet of Things (“IoT”) will grow to 75.4 billion devices by 2023. It also estimates that the economic value of spectrum enabled services is at present worth €500 billion per year. This is expected to increase by 200% – up to €1 trillion a year … Continue Reading

Covington Internet of Things Update: The FCC Gets Ready for 5G Spectrum Auctions

By Thomas Parisi on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
As we explained in a prior post, 5G deployment will be a critical component to the ever-evolving Internet of Things (IoT). On April 17, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Public Notice seeking comment on the competitive bidding procedures for auctions involving spectrum in the 28GHz and 24 GHz bands. The auction of 28 … Continue Reading

UK House of Lords Inquiry on ‘The Regulation of the Internet’

By Kevin Coates and Siobhan L.M. Kahmann on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Privacy & Data Security, Social Media, Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
The UK House of Lords Select Committee on Communications has recently opened a Public Consultation on ‘The Regulation of the Internet’, with submissions being accepted until Friday 11 May. The Call for Evidence can be accessed here. The nine questions posed are relatively broad in scope, including: whether there is a need to introduce specific … Continue Reading

Covington Internet of Things Update: BEREC Confirms European 5G Strategy Priority and Opens Public Consultation on the European Net Neutrality Rules

By Siobhan L.M. Kahmann on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
BEREC, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, recently held its 34th public debriefing in Brussels. It confirmed, among other developments, that it has made 5G a strategic European priority for the next 3 years, and has opened a public consultation on the European Net Neutrality Rules – which will run until April 25 … Continue Reading

Covington Internet of Things Update: 5G at the FCC, and What That Means for IoT

By Thomas Parisi on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
Thermostats you control remotely with your phone. Watches that track runs and provide turn-by-turn navigation. Cars that drive themselves. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a remarkable ecosystem providing innovative and sometimes unexpected functions. But as the number and sophistication of connected devices increases, so too does the need for the infrastructure to handle increased … Continue Reading

States Battle to Resurrect Net Neutrality Rules

By Jake Levine and Jadzia Pierce on Posted in Broadcasting & Cable, Political, Social Media, Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
On December 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) voted along party lines to adopt a 210-page Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order (the “Restoring Internet Freedom Order” or “Order”) geared towards overhauling the net neutrality framework established during the Obama administration in 2015 (the “2015 Order”).  On February 22nd, the Order was officially … Continue Reading

Covington Internet of Things Update: China’s regulatory environment steps up for Low-Power WAN IoT deployment

By Ruixue Ran and Alexander Wang on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intellectual Property, Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
In 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), China’s telecom regulator and industrial policy maker, issued the Circular on Comprehensively Advancing the Construction and Development of Mobile Internet of Things (NB-IoT) (MIIT Circular [2017] No. 351, the “Circular”), which sets out the policy goals and plans for NB-IoT development in China and concrete … Continue Reading

FCC: Bitcoin Mining Equipment is Causing Interference to T-Mobile in Brooklyn

By Yaron Dori and Matthew DelNero on Posted in Internet of Things (IoT), Spectrum & Mobile, Telecommunications
Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission sent a letter to an individual in Brooklyn, New York, alleging that a device in the individual’s residence that is being used to mine Bitcoin is generating spurious radiofrequency emissions, causing interference to a portion of T-Mobile’s mobile telephone and broadband network. The letter states that on November 30, 2017, … Continue Reading
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