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Corey Walker

Corey Walker advises clients on a broad range of regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters in the media, technology, satellite and space, and telecommunications sectors. Corey also provides strategic counsel to leading media, sports, and technology companies on gaming matters, with a focus on sports betting, fantasy sports, and online gaming.

Corey represents clients before the Federal Communications Commission in connection with a range of policy and compliance issues, including satellite and earth station operations, radiofrequency (RF) spectrum use and availability, and experimental licensing for new and innovative technologies. He also advises clients on structuring transactions and securing regulatory approvals at the federal, state, and local levels for mergers, asset acquisitions, and similar transactions involving FCC and state telecommunications licensees and companies holding private remote sensing space system licenses issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Corey also maintains an active gaming and sports betting practice, and routinely counsels companies on state licensing and compliance matters, including those that pertain to fantasy sports and online gaming.

Updated October 1, 2024.  Originally posted September 19, 2024.

Last month, far-reaching proposals to regulate sports betting were introduced in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Paul Tonko which mark “the first comprehensive legislation that would address the public health implications inherent in the widespread legalization of sports betting.”  The bills, called the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act, would establish a broad federal scheme imposed on State gambling authorities to limit sports betting advertising, address problem gambling, and focus on other “public safety” measures. 

The SAFE Bet Act would establish a general nationwide prohibition on sports betting with an exception for States that receive approval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to operate a sports betting program consistent with the requirements of the proposed legislation.  DOJ approval of a State’s application would be valid for three years and would be renewable.  To receive approval, a State would have to show that it meets minimum federal standards related to sports betting advertising, controls on customer deposits, general consumer-protection requirements, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by sports betting operators.  The following is a high-level summary of the key standards.Continue Reading Bills to Regulate Sports Betting Introduced in Senate and House

On Thursday, July 25, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing new requirements for radio and television broadcasters and certain other licensees that air political ads containing content created using artificial intelligence (AI).  The NPRM was approved on a 3-2 party-line vote and comes in the wake of an announcement made by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel earlier this summer about the need for such requirements, which we discussed here

At the core of the NPRM are two proposed requirements.  First, parties subject to the rules would have to announce on-air that a political ad (whether a candidate-sponsored ad or an “issue ad” purchased by a political action committee) was created using AI.  Second, those parties would have to include a note in their online political files for political ads containing AI-generated content disclosing the use of such content.  Additional key features of the NPRM are described below.Continue Reading FCC Proposes Labeling and Disclosure Rules for AI-Generated Content in Political Ads

Updated May 28, 2024.  Originally posted May 10, 2024.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to reopen the public comment period on potential further amendments to its orbital debris mitigation rules, providing space industry stakeholders with a new opportunity to provide input on regulations with far-reaching implications.  Further illustrating the FCC’s commitment to leadership in regulating commercial space operations, stakeholders have until Thursday, June 27 to provide input on the agency’s regulation of orbital debris.  Today’s Federal Register sets this comment deadline, as well as a cutoff of Friday, July 12 for any reply comments.Continue Reading FCC’s Space Bureau Seeks Further Input on Regulation of Orbital Debris; Comments Due June 27

Updated April 30, 2024.  Originally posted March 18, 2024.

In March, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a licensing framework that authorizes satellite operators to partner with terrestrial wireless providers to develop hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks intended to provide ubiquitous network connectivity, including in “dead zones” and other hard-to-reach areas.  Today’s Federal Register publication confirms that this new “Supplemental Coverage from Space” (SCS) regime will become effective Thursday, May 30, 2024, which will enable satellite operators to serve as a gap-filler in the networks of their wireless provider partners by using their satellite capability combined with spectrum previously allocated exclusively to terrestrial service.Continue Reading FCC’s “Supplemental Coverage from Space” Rules Take Effect May 30; New Licensing Framework Expands Satellite-to-Smartphone Coverage

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) announced a deadline of Monday, January 22, 2024 for all holders of international Section 214 authority to respond to a one-time information request concerning their foreign ownership.  Most telecommunications carriers hold international Section 214 authority (i.e., authorization to provide telecommunications services from points in the United States to points abroad), so virtually all carriers should prepare to respond by next month’s deadline.  Financial or strategic investors focused on the telecommunications space should prepare, as well – e.g., private equity funds with investments in telecommunications companies may be asked by these portfolio companies to provide ownership information necessary to comply with the FCC’s reporting requirement by the January 22, 2024 deadline.Continue Reading FCC Sets January 22, 2024 Deadline for All International Section 214 Holders to Provide Updated Foreign Ownership Information

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued new guidance and adopted new rules intended to expedite the processing of satellite and earth station license applications.  In a corresponding move, the agency adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) seeking comment on additional policy changes concerning satellite and earth station licensing.  These actions, which are part of the FCC’s new Space Innovation agenda, highlight the agency’s ongoing commitment to increasing its role in the regulation of a growing commercial space economy. This latest space-related FCC action consists of two parts: (1) a Report and Order (“R&O”) issuing new guidance and adopting new rules concerning the Space Bureau’s processing of satellite and earth station license applications, and (2) an FNPRM proposing further policy changes. 

This latest space-related FCC action consists of two parts: (1) a Report and Order (“R&O”) issuing new guidance and adopting new rules concerning the Space Bureau’s processing of satellite and earth station license applications, and (2) an FNPRM proposing further policy changes. Continue Reading FCC Takes Action to Expedite Satellite Licensing as Part of Agency’s Space Innovation Agenda

Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) announced a limited exemption from the obligation that holders of international Section 214 authority respond to a forthcoming one-time information request concerning their foreign ownership.  The narrow exemption provides relief from the reporting obligation for international Section 214 licensees that have made foreign ownership disclosures to the Executive Branch agencies known as “Team Telecom” within the last three years, subject to certain conditions.Continue Reading FCC Announces Limited Exemption from Forthcoming One-Time Foreign Ownership Disclosure for International Section 214 Licensees

Updated August 8, 2023.  Originally posted May 1, 2023.

Last week, comment deadlines were announced for a Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that could have significant compliance implications for all holders of international Section 214 authority (i.e., authorization to provide telecommunications services from points in the U.S. to points abroad).  The rule changes on which the FCC seeks comment are far-reaching and, if adopted as written, could result in significant future compliance burdens, both for entities holding international Section 214 authority, as well as the parties holding ownership interests in these entities.  Comments on these rule changes are due Thursday, August 31, with reply comments due October 2.Continue Reading Comments Due August 31 on FCC’s Proposal to Step Up Review of Foreign Ownership in Telecom Carriers and Establish Cybersecurity Requirements

Updated April 12, 2023. Originally posted March 23, 2023.

In March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that seeks public comment on a proposed licensing framework that would enable multiple satellite operators to supplement the network coverage of terrestrial wireless service providers.  Termed “Supplemental Coverage from Space” (SCS), this service would authorize certain satellite systems to use spectrum licensed to a terrestrial network provider partner to provide expanded coverage to the provider’s wireless customers, even in remote areas. Comments on the NPRM, which appeared in today’s Federal Register, are due Friday, May 12, with reply comments due the following month, on Monday, June 12.Continue Reading FCC Seeks Comment on “Supplemental Coverage from Space” Rules, Responding to Growing Trend towards Partnerships between Satellite Operators and Wireless Network Providers

Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the agency will officially establish a new Space Bureau with a kickoff event scheduled for Tuesday, April 11.  The announcement, though largely a symbolic move (it likely will take additional time for the actual reorganization to occur), highlights the agency’s commitment to increasing its role in regulating a fast-growing space economy. 

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in November announced plans to form the new Space Bureau, which will be spun off from the agency’s International Bureau, the bureau currently responsible for satellite and earth station licensing matters.  A new Office of International Affairs will take over the non-space-related duties currently handled by the International Bureau, which will cease to exist following the reorganization.Continue Reading FCC Announces Launch of New Space Bureau, Advancing Plans for Increased Regulatory Role in Growing Space Economy