5G security is the major focus of the FCC’s Dec. 10 meeting, Chairman Ajit Pai blogged. Pai didn’t propose an expected order further liberalizing rules for Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band, which had looked more in doubt in recent days (see our report here).

John Williams, senior counselor at the House Judiciary Committee, leads the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris presidential transition’s FCC review team. Former Commissioner Mignon Clyburn is on the team, as is DLA Piper’s Smitty Smith, a former FCC and NTIA staffer. Rounding out the team is Paul de Sa, former FCC official and analyst, now at Quadra Partners. The FCC was one of the agencies left out last week when other teams were named.

The FCC Wireline Bureau set the Lifeline monthly minimum service standard for broadband at 4.5 GB on delegated authority, after a circulated order that would have done similar didn’t get enough commissioner votes, said an order released Monday. Without FCC action, the MSS would have increased from the current 3 GB to 11.75 Dec. 1, but with the order the 4.5 GB MSS will take effect on that date. The order partially grants a petition for a waiver from the National Lifeline Association, which sought to freeze the MSS at 3 GB.

Democratic leaders of the House Commerce Committee asked FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and FTC Chairman Joseph Simons Tuesday to stop working on major items in light of Joe Biden's election as president, which President Donald Trump is fighting. The House letter (see here and here) was expected (see here). Such requests are known colloquially as "pencils-down" requests.

The Joe Biden-Kamala Harris presidential transition team named members of transition teams through the government. They included volunteers at some agencies, such as the FTC, and departments including Commerce and Justice. An FCC team wasn't listed but one may be forthcoming (see here).

Election Day hasn't brought sweeping telecom regulation changes in state races, although there will be a revamp in one state. And a key state regulator will continue in her job.

Election Day hasn't yet claimed any key members of Congress' panels overseeing tech and telecom. Republicans appeared to be defying prognosticators’ expectations. Vote counts showed them retaining several vulnerable Senate seats and regaining some House seats Democrats took in 2018. Control of the White House and Congress remained unresolved Wednesday morning with millions of votes in Tuesday’s election still being counted.

T-Mobile agreed to pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury to end a probe of Sprint’s compliance with Lifeline rules, the FCC announced Wednesday: It's "the largest fixed-amount settlement the Commission has ever secured to resolve an investigation."

Voters greenlit a sequel to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as expected. Opponents conceded Wednesday.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai confirmed Tuesday commissioners will vote Nov. 18 on their long-awaited order opening the 5.9 GHz band for Wi-Fi and cellular vehicle-to-everything.