The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Tuesday sought comment on a NorthStar Alarm Services petition seeking Telephone Consumer Protection Act clarity. The company asked the commission to clarify that “calls using recorded audio clips specifically selected and presented by a human operator in real-time, a tool generally referred to as ‘soundboard technology,’ do not deliver a ‘prerecorded message’” under the TCPA, the bureau said. Comments are due March 15, replies March 29 in docket 02-278.

Cisco completed buying Luxtera. The tech company said Wednesday night it paid $660 million in cash and assumed equity awards, as expected (see personals section of Dec. 20 issue). Luxtera is a semiconductor company whose silicon photonics are used by data centers, service providers and other customers.

SGS North America, a testing and certification company, asked the FCC to take quick action to define telemarketing and “dual purpose” calls with respect to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. SGS met Travis Litman, aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “Limited guidance” on these terms “requires immediate clarification,” SGS said in docket 02-278. The fix is easy, it said. “The content of the communication itself must control this determination,” SGS argued. “Confirm that a call is subject to the prior express written consent requirements only if it advertises the commercial availability or quality of any property, good, or service, or encourages the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, or services within the four corners of the communication itself.” SGS also reported on a call with Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau staff.

Tidal Wave Telecom asked the FCC to waive rules barring "non-Video Relay Service" providers from getting access to a telecom relay service numbering directory. TWT wants such access to "deploy technology solutions," including to enable jails and prisons "to identify incoming and outgoing VRS calls received and made by deaf or hard-of-hearing ... inmates where such monitoring is permitted," it petitioned, posted Wednesday in docket 03-123. It said the request is similar to VTC Secure's, approved in January 2017 (see 1701190038), and will "decrease costs and abuse of the TRS fund, increase security at correctional facilities, and promote lawful communications."

Ethernet switches, routers and network cards made in China but programmed in the U.S. are of American origin for government procurement purposes, Customs and Border Protection said. The U.S. is "where the non-functional devices are substantially transformed as a result of downloading performed in the United States, with software developed in the United States," the agency said in Tuesday's Federal Register.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is traveling to Louisiana and Texas to speak at conferences for the National Association of Tower Erectors and NTCA, said a release Monday: Pai will visit a telemedicine program in New Orleans and a 911 call center, meet with healthcare officials, and “meet with business leaders to discuss 5G technology.”

NTIA announced preliminary funding allocations for the 911 grant program with $110 million for states, territories, tribal organizations and the District of Columbia to upgrade to next-generation 911. Complete applications for the three-year program are due April 2, said a Friday revision to a notice of funding opportunity by the Commerce and Transportation departments. Top allocations are to California ($10.5 million), Texas ($10.1 million), Florida ($5.8 million), Illinois ($4.9 million) and Pennsylvania ($4.5 million).

Broadcom joined the Semiconductor Industry Association, SIA said Thursday. It expects Broadcom Chief Legal Officer Mark Brazeal to be elected to the SIA board at the association’s next directors' meeting April 4.

Industry Form 477 broadband and voice data filings are due March 8, said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice Thursday in docket 11-10. Data is due on broadband and voice deployment and subscriptions as of Dec. 31 from providers of facilities-based broadband connection services to end users, wired and fixed-wireless local telephone exchange services, interconnected VoIP services, and facilities-based mobile voice services.

Silicon Labs shares closed down 14 percent to $76.85 Wednesday after revenue was $5 million short of low-end Q4 revenue guidance. Citing “macro uncertainty and volatility,” the company scaled back Q1 guidance to $183 million-$193 million, said Chief Financial Officer John Hollister on a call. IoT, infrastructure, broadcast and access are projected to be lower. CEO Tyson Tuttle attributed shortfalls to the macro environment and “not to share loss,” citing China’s “difficult environment” due to a slowdown in gross domestic product and factory activity as customers move production elsewhere on tariff concerns. Economic conditions are “decelerating in major markets,” leading to a semiconductor industry “down cycle,” Tuttle said. Noting it has been a decade since the last “macro correction,” Hollister said: “The question is, is this one going to be short-lived with a quick rebound, or is it going to be more protracted?” Some of that will be determined by the U.S.-China relationship and "Huawei, ZTE, in terms of the tariffs,” he said. Tuttle called geopolitical and trade factors “much more turbulent now." Wireless products now comprise more than 60 percent of total IoT revenue. Weakest sequential revenue performance was in the Americas, led by declines in wireless and other businesses.