FCC studying impact on chips shortage on U.S. communications sector

WASHINGTON: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday said it was seeking comments on the impact the continuing global shortage of semiconductors is having on the U.S. communications sector.

The supply shortage has especially hit the U.S. auto industry hard, the FCC noted, as automakers have sharply cut production because of a lack of chips. Ford Motor Co has warned the shortage could halve second-quarter production.

An industry group warned in April that broadband providers were facing chip delays, resulting in delays delivering some cable TV boxes and seeing delayed “network switches, routers, and servers.”