By John Eggerton, Multichannel News, 6-4-21
Broadcasters joining the call for the FCC to start assessing its regulatory fees on Big Tech – computer companies, streamers, and other edge providers – saying they should not have to pay for computer company efforts – Microsoft in particular – to “degrade” their service.
In comments to the FCC on its proposed fees for fiscal year 2021, the National Association of Broadcasters said that the base of payors should be expanded to include unlicensed spectrum users that also take up a “substantial” amount of FCC resources but don’t have to pay for the privilege.
The FCC supports itself through annual user fees levied on broadcasters and cable operators and satellite operators and their use of licensed spectrum. The fee is calculated according to how many full-time employees (FTEs) are employed to regulate the various services. » Read More