Photo of Jocelyn Jezierny

Jocelyn Jezierny

Jocelyn Jezierny is an associate in Covington’s Technology and Communications Regulation practice group, where she counsels clients on a broad range of matters in the technology, media, and communications industries.

In particular, Jocelyn advises clients on a wide range of issues before the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and state public utility commissions, including licensing matters, transaction approvals, and rulemaking proceedings. Jocelyn assists telecommunications and media clients in responding to investigations before both the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and in participating in proceedings before an Administrative Law Judge. Jocelyn has significant experience in matters involving foreign investment in FCC-regulated companies.

Jocelyn also advises on regulatory and legal considerations related to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and the Internet of Things (“IoT”).

Jocelyn maintains an active pro bono practice in which she advises on a variety of issues, including assisting U.S. military veterans in seeking upgrades to their medical benefits and advising small media organizations and independent journalists on a variety of legal and regulatory matters.

Prior to joining Covington, Jocelyn was an Attorney-Advisor in the FCC’s International Bureau (now the Office of International Affairs), where she worked on matters pertaining to the licensing of foreign-owned U.S. telecommunications services providers. Jocelyn has developed significant experience in working for and with federal agencies.

On November 20, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (the “Commission”) issued a Second Report and Order in which it adopted rules (“the Order”) to facilitate the transition to from Dedicated Short Range Communications (“DSRC”) technology to Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (“C-V2X”) technology for the Intelligent Transportation System (“ITS” also referred to as the “connected vehicle ecosystem”).  Notably, the Order was adopted by a unanimous, bipartisan vote.  In a press release, the Commission said that the Order will “accelerate the automotive industry and federal government plans for transitioning from dated technology to the more advanced C-V2X automobile safety technology.”

The Order follows a 2020 Order in which the Commission retained the upper 30 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band for ITS operations and required the ITS service to transition from DSRC-based technology to C-V2X-based technology.  The Order expands on that transition by addressing the transition timeline, communications prioritization, channel bandwidth, communication zones, C-V2X standards, and additional matters.Continue Reading FCC Adopts Rules Facilitating the Transition to C-V2X Technology for the Connected Vehicle Ecosystem

Over the past few months, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has received requests from U.S. Senators asking the FTC to investigate the data collection practices of several automotive manufacturers.  Last week, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to the FTC asking the agency to investigate several automakers for “deceiving their customers by falsely claiming to require a warrant or court order before turning over customer location data to government agencies.”  Among other things, the letter alleges inconsistent data collection and retention practices in the industry, asserting that some automakers only collect location data for a “critical safety event” (e.g., collision, air bag deployment, or automatic emergency braking event) while others “routinely collect[] and retain[] vehicle location data.”  The letter also states that only one automaker has a policy of informing consumers about legal demands for their data.  The letter refers to the FTC’s recent geolocation “crack down” in other contexts and urges “the FTC to investigate these auto manufacturers’ deceptive claims as well as their harmful data retention practices” and to, “in addition to taking appropriate action against the companies, . . . consider holding these companies’ senior executives accountable for their actions.”Continue Reading Data Collection by Auto Manufacturers under Scrutiny

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

Last week, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that she expects to circulate a proposal shortly that will authorize the FCC and/or certain national security agencies to periodically evaluate the foreign ownership of FCC licensees in light of national security considerations.  She made this announcement in a speech that focused on

Continue Reading FCC Chairwoman to Propose More Frequent Foreign Ownership Review of FCC Licensees for National Security Purposes

Last week, in remarks at an industry conference, Republican FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington proposed that the FCC consider requiring electronic device manufacturers to “take reasonable steps” to protect device security, including requiring them to issue software or firmware updates to patch security flaws and ensure that devices are designed to be easily patched.

His remarks

Continue Reading FCC Commissioner Simington Proposes Mandatory Security Updates for Devices

On November 25, 2022, the FCC effectively banned certain Chinese telecom and video surveillance devices from the U.S. market – demonstrating the power of its authority over virtually all electronics equipment, which until last week’s decision had been exercised only to address technical, scientific and engineering concerns. With Congressional backing, the FCC now has established

Continue Reading FCC Bans “Untrustworthy Communications Equipment” from the U.S. Market; Measure Could Have Broader Implications for All Device Manufacturers

Last Friday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) took a major step in furtherance of the Biden Administration’s goal of connecting all Americans to broadband by releasing its widely anticipated Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) for the landmark $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (“BEAD”) Program, along with NOFOs for two smaller programs. 

Continue Reading Federal Government Issues Multi-Billion Dollar Notices of Funding Opportunity for Broadband Programs