Trump, Executives Discuss Infrastructure, Tax Reform

President Donald Trump met with about 20 CEOs, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, on Tuesday in a strategic and policy forum. The executives spoke with five cabinet secretaries about issues like infrastructure, tax reform and job creation. The meeting occurs as Congress is on a two-week break. The White House confirmed the meetings but did not immediately disclose all the participants.

“We’re going to reduce taxes, we’re going to eliminate wasteful regulations … we’re doing a major streamlining” of the income tax system, President Trump told reporters afterwards, according to Fox News. Continue Reading

Wireless Companies Want ‘Seamless’ Repack Says CTIA

 
Wireless companies are eager to get their hands on spectrum being cleared by television broadcasters. CTIA VP Regulatory Affairs Scott Bergmann said more than once during a hearing last week on future spectrum needs, the organization supports a smooth 39 month repacking process.

Wireless companies hope the process “is not delayed,” he said, noting that “your oversight of the 600 MHz transition” is key as “the U.S. wireless industry is poised to invest $275 billion over the next decade, add three million new jobs, and contribute half a trillion dollars to our economy.” Continue Reading

FCC Broadband Deployment Committee to Hold First Meeting April 21

The first meeting of the FCC’s new Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is set for April 21. The Commission received 380+ applications for the group.

“I’m excited that the Committee will soon be getting to work on recommendations that will help break down barriers to broadband deployment,” Chairman Ajit Pai said. “Closing the digital divide across America is my top priority, and the work of this committee will be a crucial step toward meeting that goal.” Continue Reading

Industry Urges Lawmakers to Focus on Spectrum, Infrastructure Siting for 5G

On average, it takes roughly 13 years to reallocate spectrum for wireless use. Congress can do several things to speed that up to help wireless providers prepare to deploy 5G. That’s according to representatives of CTIA, Ericsson and Ruckus Wireless who spoke with lawmakers during a House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing Wednesday about how the federal government can help meet the country’s growing spectrum needs.   Continue Reading

What Nixed the FirstNet Bid for Rivada?

Why did the U.S. Court of Federal Claims favor AT&T for the FirstNet contract? Inside Towers reported the award was made last week for partial funding and the right for the carrier to build, deploy and operate the nation’s first nationwide wireless broadband network.

At the formal contract award ceremony AT&T Chairman/CEO Randall Stephenson called the bidding process “transparent.”  Continue Reading

St. Louis Ballpark Hits Home Run With Upgraded Wireless Equipment

As Opening Days occur all around the U.S., baseball fans, particularly those in St. Louis, will be experiencing better wireless coverage at the Cardinal’s season opener this year. AT&T increased wireless capacity by 60 percent at the baseball club’s Busch Stadium. OzarksFirst.com reported significant changes in the wireless coverage since Opening Day one year ago. John Sondag with AT&T Missouri says the improvements to the stadium’s network will shorten the distance data will travel, making data transfers faster as games are played. Continue Reading

Major Telco Infrastructure Issues on the FCC’s Docket for April

April is infrastructure month at the FCC. Chairman Ajit Pai plans to have four telco-related items teed up for a vote at the April 20 meeting.
 
“ Infrastructure Month will present several chances for the FCC to promote deployment and benefit consumers across America. Infrastructure might not be as flashy as a flux capacitor, but it’ll be a 1.21 gigawatt jolt for the digital economy,” said Pai in a blog post. Continue Reading