Google abused its dominant position in several European online search markets and must pay a fine of about $2.7 billion (2.4 billion euros), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled Tuesday. The decision is a "pivotal shift" in how digital companies are regulated, said EC Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager at a briefing. It highlights the power of EU competition law, some observers said. Google termed the ruling disappointing. The European Commission determined the amount of the fine.

California should shut down AT&T’s deregulation bid, consumer groups argued in briefs to the California Public Utilities Commission Friday. After denying AT&T relief from carrier of last resort (COLR) obligations in June (2406200065), the state commission is weighing AT&T’s separate application to relinquish its eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation (docket A.23-03-002). AT&T claimed that the CPUC has no choice but to grant the application for statewide relief.

Disney's demand for a "clean slate" provision and a covenant not to sue in its retransmission consent negotiations should be declared bad-faith negotiating, DirecTV told the FCC in a complaint filed Sunday. DirecTV also indicated another complaint, about Disney's bundling demands, could follow.

With Congress back for a three-week sprint before Election Day, Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan remains convinced lawmakers will fully fund a program that removes unsecure gear from U.S. networks. In an interview, Donovan also said he expects at least some groups will seek reconsideration of the FCC’s recent order creating a 5G Fund.

The FCC has rejected proposed caps on or phase-in of increased regulatory fees for space and earth station fee payers for FY 2024. In its FY 2024 regulatory fees order in Monday's Daily Digest, the agency said a cap or phase-in would mean more regulatory fees on all other regulatory fee payers, though they don't get the benefit of additional Space Bureau staff devoted to oversight and regulation of satellites. Members of the satellite industry issued multiple calls for phasing in the fee hikes stemming from establishing the Space Bureau (see 2407300027).

Hundreds of commenters opposed a proposal from NextNav that would reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band and "enable a high-quality, terrestrial complement” to GPS for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services (see 2404160043). Amateur radio operators weighed in early and often (see 2408120024). Joining them were many other groups whose members use the band. Comments were due Thursday in docket 24-240. NextNav on Friday defended its petition seeking a rulemaking.

In a dissent attached to a combined $3.6 million forfeiture against Sinclair Broadcast and others over kidvid violations, FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington has vowed he will dissent from monetary forfeitures until the agency “formally determines the bounds of its enforcement authority.” Simington's move comes in the wake of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision SEC v. Jarkesy. The order was approved 3-2, with Commissioner Brendan Carr also dissenting. The forfeiture order was adopted Aug.14, but not released until Thursday. The FCC didn't immediately comment on the delay. “I call on the Commission to open a Notice of Inquiry to determine the new constitutional contours of Commission enforcement authority,” Simington wrote. “The statutory structure governing the FCC’s forfeiture power is quite different from that of the SEC,” the FCC said in a footnote in the order, arguing that the agency’s enforcement actions don’t violate the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial as SCOTUS ruled the SEC’s do.

A controversial AI safety bill in California isn't expected to have major consequences for the telecom sector, though some lawyers said last week it could have indirect effects. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto SB-1047, which the legislature passed last month (see 2408290005). The measure would require large AI developers and those providing computing power to train AI models to implement protections for preventing critical harms. Several top tech associations oppose signing the bill into law despite support for it from consumer groups and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

Under a draft FCC order tackling robocalls and robotexts, related issues will need addressing before consumers will trust telecom networks again. The FCC released the draft Thursday, along with an order on using 17 GHz spectrum for satellite broadband and an order and a Further NPRM on accessibility in videoconferencing. Commissioners are set to consider the items at their Sept. 26 open meeting.

Verizon will purchase Frontier in a $20 billion all-cash valued transaction, the companies announced Thursday. The deal is expected to close in 18 months, subject to regulatory and Frontier shareholder approval. Verizon will gain 2.2 million fiber subscribers, extending the company's network reach to 25 million locations across 31 states and Washington, D.C., as a result. Frontier also renewed a commitment to build out an additional 2.8 million fiber locations by the end of 2026.