By John Eggerton, Multichannel News, 10-21-21

Computer companies are pushing back on a proposal by broadcasters to extend the user fees broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite companies pay the Federal Communications Commission to Big Tech companies that benefit from unlicensed spectrum the FCC oversees.

The Consumer Technology Association responded to the National Association of Broadcasters‘ proposal in a comment to the Commission.

The CTA said that extending the fees would “defy precedent, undermine innovation and hurt consumers, app developers, device makers and small businesses that rely on unlicensed spectrum.“ It also said such fees would be, by their nature, arbitrary, which would violate the prohibition on federal-agency actions found to be arbitrary and capricious.  » Read More