In a recent episode of AD Nauseam, a podcast episode discussed the rise of junk fees and the ripple effects this trend has on both businesses and consumers. The discussion featured hosts Amy, Daniel, and Jack who shared insights on regulatory action toward this malpractice and progressing conversation on lawsuits in the US, according to…
The conversation on diversity and inclusivity among law firms continues to gain momentum. The legal industry is facing increasing pressure from in-house counsel, who expect more diversity from their outside partners but are finding that expectation often unmet. A clear incident was described, of a multinational networking and telecommunications company, Ericsson, which hired a law…
On November 1, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated the Seventeenth Notice of Inquiry (NOI) as outlined under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The purpose of this inquiry is to assess the state of broadband availability for all Americans, marking a critical juncture in the evolution of national digital connectivity. Wiley…
In an intriguing move, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a waiver effectively softening its irrevocable standby letter of credit (LOC) requirements for the expansive $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The information was originally sourced from an article on JDSupra. For those unaware, the BEAD program is a…
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled with a 6-1 majority that the mandatory minimum sentencing for child luring offenses is unconstitutionally violating the right against cruel and unusual punishment as stated under the Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. The judgment came out of two separate child luring cases, where the…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated a draft Notice of Inquiry (NOI), aimed at investigating the potential effects of emerging Artificial Intelligence technologies on its mission to curb unwanted and illegal calls and texts, under the mandate of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This is seen to be in line with the White…
The FCC Enforcement Monitor for October 2023 is now available for review. This monthly publication, compiled and released by Pillsbury’s communications lawyers, has been an invaluable resource for legal professionals specialising in the communications sector since its inception in 1999. This monitor is indispensable for anyone seeking detailed information on significant FCC enforcement actions against…
In a remarkable development, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed to reclassify broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service in their latest net neutrality proceeding. The move could essentially reinstate 2015’s Open Internet Rules, drawing attention from legal professionals across the globe. For an in-depth look on the matter, you can visit the detailed…
On Thursday, Amnesty International urged the Guinean government to drop charges against 13 journalists arrested following their participation in peaceful demonstrations on October 16th. These reporters were advocating for the abolition of restrictions on access to certain news websites in the country. Subsequent to the protests, the journalists were arrested and charged with “unlawful assembly…
As legal professionals working within some of the world’s biggest corporations and law firms, we understand the complexity of regulatory changes and their wider impacts on industry practices. One regulatory development that has sparked substantial discussion is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) broadband label requirements, set to take effect as soon as April 10, 2024….
The Federal Communications Commission is currently poised to reinstate its net neutrality rules, which could see broadband reclassified as a telecommunications service. Proposed rules would prevent broadband providers from controlling or throttling internet traffic. These propositions are almost exact replicas of those the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld in 2016. In…
Nishimura & Asahi, the largest law firm in Japan by headcount, has grown its corporate offering in Thailand. M&A lawyer Christopher Osborne, lately a partner and head of the Thai corporate practice at Watson Farley & Williams in Bangkok, has joined the Big Four Japanese firm as a partner. More information regarding the hire was…
Ligado Networks has recently filed a $39 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government of the United States, naming the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Commerce Department as defendants. The complaint alleges that these institutions took “unlawful actions” to seize the firm’s L-band spectrum granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2020 without compensation,…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking notable steps towards cracking down on unfair or deceptive fees, often referred to as junk fees. In a recent notice of proposed rulemaking, the FTC suggested a new rule aimed to curb such practices. This proposition if approved, would lay significant implications on companies across industries, emphasizing the…
On September 29, 2023, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued its first two decisions regulating online broadcasting companies. These decisions will significantly impact many online businesses in Canada. Notably, it mandates that such entities register with the CRTC. This ruling not only encompasses video and audio streaming services but also social media services….
In a decisive move, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently filed charges against three former executives of telecommunications and cloud software company, Pareteum Corporation. This action by the SEC forms part of its fiscal-year-end enforcement surge, according to a news report by JD Supra. The accused, who held senior positions in the…
On October 19, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stands poised to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). This critical step is expected to propose the reclassification of broadband internet access service as a “telecommunications service” under Title II of the Communications Act. There’s much anticipation in the air as this long-awaited stride paves the…
The recently concluded Mobile World Congress (MWC) Las Vegas 2023 offered a new insight into the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors. As it took center stage, many discussions addressed its incredible benefits, along with the associated regulatory challenges, underscoring AI as a vital tool in our interconnected world. According to several…
In a significant move, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued its inaugural decisions regulating online broadcasting operations on September 29, 2023. These decisions encompass video and audio streaming services as well as social media services. Such resolutions from the CRTC mark a new chapter in Canadian regulations and present noteworthy implications for numerous…
Attention legal professionals handling corporate telecommunications and regulatory law: please be advised of an important announcement regarding the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in the United States. As reported by JD Supra, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 4, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in collaboration…
In the October 2023 wireless industry report, our focus will be centered on key developments and deadlines, with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) heavily anticipated draft being the highlight. The FCC has finally released the much-anticipated draft of its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on net neutrality. The NPRM signifies a significant shift in the…
On September 28, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the release of a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). As per the Wiley Rein LLP’s report , the NPRM, if adopted, would largely impact the regulation of broadband in the United States. Specifically, it proposes to reclassify both broadband internet access service and mobile…
Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president, Islam Karimov, has been indicted on multiple corruption charges by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland. She now faces charges of money laundering, bribery, and active involvement in a criminal network. Karimova’s suspected illicit activities were initially reported in 2012, which led to a…
Liberty Global Inc. (“LGI”) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are currently locked in a vigorous legal battle, focusing primarily on the interpretation of the economic substance and step transaction doctrines. The crux of the issue lies in a transaction, LGI claimed a dividends received deduction for $2.4 billion relating to the proceeds from the…
Earlier this week, the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) revealed plans to revisit the legislation surrounding net neutrality. These plans were long-anticipated; it marks a new chapter in the enduring debate over the regulation of broadband providers’ networks and business practices. The net neutrality issue has been brought back into the limelight by…