FCC leader says agency is no longer independent as he’s grilled by Democrats over Kimmel controversy
Read full article: FCC leader says agency is no longer independent as he’s grilled by Democrats over Kimmel controversyDemocratic senators are criticizing the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission for pressuring broadcasters to take ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air.
FCC moves to end discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivity
Read full article: FCC moves to end discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivityThe Federal Communications Commission voted to end discounts for library and school Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs on Tuesday, drawing criticism from lawmakers and librarians who say the move will make it more difficult for people who are low-income or live in rural areas to access the internet.
Kimmel's future hangs in balance after ABC suspends his late-night show over Charlie Kirk comments
Read full article: Kimmel's future hangs in balance after ABC suspends his late-night show over Charlie Kirk commentsJimmy Kimmel’s television future is hanging in the balance after ABC suspended his late-night show following the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
Paramount and Skydance close their $8 billion merger, kicking off reign of new entertainment giant
Read full article: Paramount and Skydance close their $8 billion merger, kicking off reign of new entertainment giantSkydance and Paramount officially closed their $8 billion merger on Thursday — kicking off the reign of a new entertainment giant after a contentious, over year-long endeavor to get the transaction over the finish line.
Paramount gets green light for $8 billion merger. But what is the psychic cost for company?
Read full article: Paramount gets green light for $8 billion merger. But what is the psychic cost for company?Executive at Paramount Global can breathe a sigh of relief with FCC approval of its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Federal regulators approve Paramount's $8 billion deal with Skydance, capping months of turmoil
Read full article: Federal regulators approve Paramount's $8 billion deal with Skydance, capping months of turmoilFederal regulators on Thursday approved Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance, clearing the way to close a deal that combined Hollywood glitz with political intrigue.
Supreme Court seems likely to OK $8 billion phone and internet subsidy for rural, low-income areas
Read full article: Supreme Court seems likely to OK $8 billion phone and internet subsidy for rural, low-income areasThe Supreme Court seems likely to preserve the $8 billion a year the government spends to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas.
Trump seeks greater control of independent regulators with his new executive order
Read full article: Trump seeks greater control of independent regulators with his new executive orderPresident Donald Trump is moving to give the White House direct control of independent federal regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.
Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services
Read full article: Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone servicesThe Supreme Court has stepped into a major legal fight over the $8 billion a year the federal government spends to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas, in a new test of federal regulatory power.
Trump names Brendan Carr, senior GOP leader at FCC, to lead the agency
Read full article: Trump names Brendan Carr, senior GOP leader at FCC, to lead the agencyPresident-elect Donald Trump has named the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband.
After millions lose access to internet subsidy, FCC moves to fill connectivity gaps
Read full article: After millions lose access to internet subsidy, FCC moves to fill connectivity gapsThe FCC voted in July to allow schools and libraries to use federal money to loan out WiFi hotspots to students and patrons.
Company that sent AI calls mimicking Joe Biden to New Hampshire voters agrees to pay $1 million fine
Read full article: Company that sent AI calls mimicking Joe Biden to New Hampshire voters agrees to pay $1 million fineA company that sent deceptive calls to New Hampshire voters using artificial intelligence to mimic President Joe Biden’s voice has agreed to pay a $1 million fine, federal regulators said.
FCC pursues new rules for AI in political ads, but changes may not take effect before the election
Read full article: FCC pursues new rules for AI in political ads, but changes may not take effect before the electionThe Federal Communications Commission has advanced a proposal that would require political advertisers to disclose their use of artificial intelligence in broadcast television and radio ads.
Appeals judges rule against fund used to provide phone services for rural and low-income people
Read full article: Appeals judges rule against fund used to provide phone services for rural and low-income peopleA federal appeals court in New Orleans has ruled unconstitutional a method the Federal Communications Commission uses to fund telephone and broadband services for rural and low-income users.
Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls posts bail on first 6 of 26 criminal charges
Read full article: Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls posts bail on first 6 of 26 criminal chargesA political consultant who sent artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice has made an initial court appearance in New Hampshire, where he is charged with voter suppression and impersonating a candidate ahead of the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary.
T-Mobile to buy almost all of U.S Cellular in deal worth $4.4 billion with debt
Read full article: T-Mobile to buy almost all of U.S Cellular in deal worth $4.4 billion with debtT-Mobile is buying U.S. Cellular’s wireless operations and certain spectrum assets in a deal valued at $4.4 billion, and further consolidating the industry.
Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls faces $6 million fine and criminal charges
Read full article: Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls faces $6 million fine and criminal chargesA former New Hampshire Democratic Party chair whose phone number was spoofed in artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden's voice ahead of New Hampshire's presidential primary says today's charges related to the case show the steep price for trying to interfere in elections.
FCC will consider rules for AI-generated political ads on TV and radio, but can't touch streaming
Read full article: FCC will consider rules for AI-generated political ads on TV and radio, but can't touch streamingThe nation’s top telecommunications regulator is introducing a proposal to require political advertisers to disclose when they use content generated by artificial intelligence in broadcast TV and radio ads.
🌐Internet bill confusing? New Broadband ‘Nutrition Labels’ now required by FCC to help compare prices
Read full article: 🌐Internet bill confusing? New Broadband ‘Nutrition Labels’ now required by FCC to help compare pricesThe FCC is ordering internet service providers to give consumers clearer information on broadband costs and speeds
FCC fines wireless carriers for sharing user locations without consent
Read full article: FCC fines wireless carriers for sharing user locations without consentThe Federal Communications Commission has leveraged nearly $200 million in fines against wireless carriers AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon for illegally sharing customers’ location data without their consent.
Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers
Read full article: Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providersThe Federal Communications Commission has voted to restore rules to prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others — for instance, by slowing or blocking certain content or by offering higher speeds to customers willing to pay extra.
Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC says
Read full article: Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC saysInternet service providers will be required to be more transparent about the cost and performance of their internet service packages, thanks to new FCC rules that take effect this week.
US looks at regulating connected vehicles to prevent abusers from tracking victims
Read full article: US looks at regulating connected vehicles to prevent abusers from tracking victimsThe agency that regulates U.S. telecommunications is considering a rule that could stop domestic abusers from tracking their partners through vehicles that are connected wirelessly.
AI-generated voices in robocalls can deceive voters. The FCC just made them illegal
Read full article: AI-generated voices in robocalls can deceive voters. The FCC just made them illegalThe Federal Communications Commission is outlawing robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence.
Affordable internet program could end unless Congress provides more money
Read full article: Affordable internet program could end unless Congress provides more moneyThe federal government’s program to make internet service more affordable for millions of American households could end as early as April of this year unless Congress allocates more money to keep the program going.
FCC chair asks automakers about plans to stop abusers from using car electronics to stalk partners
Read full article: FCC chair asks automakers about plans to stop abusers from using car electronics to stalk partnersThe top U.S. telecommunications regulator is asking automakers how they plan to protect people from being stalked or harassed by partners who have access to vehicle location and other data.
FCC adopts rules to eliminate 'digital discrimination' for communities with poor internet access
Read full article: FCC adopts rules to eliminate 'digital discrimination' for communities with poor internet accessThe Federal Communications Commission is implementing new rules banning internet providers from discrimination in how they provide service to communities based on income level, race and other protected classes.
White House releases plan to grow radio spectrum access, with possible benefits for internet, drones
Read full article: White House releases plan to grow radio spectrum access, with possible benefits for internet, dronesThe White House is releasing a strategy to potentially expand the availability of radio spectrum needed for cellphones, satellites, navigation, space travel and other emerging technologies.
White House holds first-ever summit on the ransomware crisis plaguing the nation's public schools
Read full article: White House holds first-ever summit on the ransomware crisis plaguing the nation's public schoolsThe White House held its first-ever cybersecurity “summit” on the ransomware attacks plaguing U.S. schools.
The Biden administration announces a cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices
Read full article: The Biden administration announces a cybersecurity labeling program for smart devicesThe Biden administration and major consumer tech players are launching an effort to put a nationwide cybersecurity certification and labeling program in place.
After several turbulent days, flight disruptions ease despite worries about 5G signals
Read full article: After several turbulent days, flight disruptions ease despite worries about 5G signalsAirline passengers who have endured tens of thousands of weather-related flight delays this week got a welcome respite from the headaches Saturday, despite concerns about possible disruptions being caused by new wireless 5G systems rolling out near major airports.
US FCC bans sales, import of Chinese tech from Huawei, ZTE
Read full article: US FCC bans sales, import of Chinese tech from Huawei, ZTEThe U.S. is banning the sale of communications equipment made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE and restricting the use of some China-made video surveillance systems, citing an “unacceptable risk” to national security.
Airlines cancel some flights after reduced 5G rollout in US
Read full article: Airlines cancel some flights after reduced 5G rollout in USSome flights to and from the U.S. have been canceled even after AT&T and Verizon scaled back the rollout of high-speed wireless service that could interfere with aircraft technology that measures altitude.
Here’s why airlines are sounding the alarm over 5G service
Read full article: Here’s why airlines are sounding the alarm over 5G serviceThe airline industry is raising the stakes in a showdown with AT&T and Verizon over plans to launch new 5G wireless service this week, warning that thousands of flights could be grounded or delayed if the rollout takes place near major airports.
Biden says deal with telecoms avoids flight disruptions
Read full article: Biden says deal with telecoms avoids flight disruptionsTelecom giants AT&T and Verizon have agreed to postpone the launch of a new slice of 5G wireless service after airlines and aviation groups complained that the networks can interfere with systems on board planes.
Several TV stations pull 'Oz' show as host runs for Senate
Read full article: Several TV stations pull 'Oz' show as host runs for SenateTV stations in Philadelphia, New York City and Cleveland are taking down the “Dr. Oz Show,” now that the show’s host, Mehmet Oz, has formally become a candidate for U.S. Senate.
T-Mobile to pay $20M after outage led to failed 911 calls
Read full article: T-Mobile to pay $20M after outage led to failed 911 callsWireless carrier T-Mobile is paying $19.5 million in a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission over a 12-hour nationwide outage in June 2020 that resulted in thousands of failed 911 calls.
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Conservative hoaxers face $5.1M fine for election robocalls
Read full article: Conservative hoaxers face $5.1M fine for election robocallsTwo conservative hoaxers face a record $5.1 million fine for allegedly making illegal robocalls to wireless phones without the owners' consent in the 2020 election.
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EXPLAINER: What the $65B broadband service plan will do
Read full article: EXPLAINER: What the $65B broadband service plan will doThe Senate’s $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan includes a $65 billion investment in broadband that the White House says will “deliver reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to every household.”.
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Congressional leaders urge FCC to perform equity audit
Read full article: Congressional leaders urge FCC to perform equity auditCongressional leaders and a media advocacy organization are urging the Federal Communications Commission to investigate how policy decisions have disparately harmed Black Americans and other communities of color, according to a letter sent Tuesday to the acting FCC chair.
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Appeals court upholds FCC subsidy ban for Huawei purchases
Read full article: Appeals court upholds FCC subsidy ban for Huawei purchasesA federal appeals court has refused to hear Chinese tech giant Huawei’s request to throw out a rule used to bar rural phone carriers on national security grounds from using government funds to purchase its equipment.
Application process with FCC for discount on broadband internet to begin this week
Read full article: Application process with FCC for discount on broadband internet to begin this weekThe application process with the Federal Communications Commission for a discount on broadband internet will begin on Wednesday.
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NY: Broadband cos paid for 8.5M fake net neutrality comments
Read full article: NY: Broadband cos paid for 8.5M fake net neutrality commentsThe Office of the New York Attorney General said in a new report that a campaign funded by the broadband industry submitted millions of fake comments supporting the 2017 repeal of net neutrality.
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Justices uphold FCC's easing of local media ownership limits
Read full article: Justices uphold FCC's easing of local media ownership limitsThe Supreme Court has unanimously upheld federal regulators’ decision to ease ownership limits on local media, rejecting a claim that the change would hurt minority and female ownership.
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EXPLAINER: California's net neutrality law springs to life
Read full article: EXPLAINER: California's net neutrality law springs to lifeIn response, seven states and Puerto Rico enacted their own net neutrality policies. In response, seven states and Puerto Rico enacted their own net neutrality policies. Nine states have introduced net neutrality bills this session, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Ad___WHAT TELCOS WANTBig telecom companies hate the stricter regulation that comes with the net neutrality rules and have fought them fiercely in court. They say they prefer a national approach to a state-by-state one, but the industry has fought prior federal net neutrality rules.
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China slams US plan to expel phone carriers in tech clash
Read full article: China slams US plan to expel phone carriers in tech clashFILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, people wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus look at a display from Chinese telecommunications firm China Unicom at the PT Expo in Beijing. China's government on Thursday called on Washington to drop efforts to expel three state-owned Chinese phone companies, including China Unicom Americas, a unit of China Unicom, from the United States in a new clash over technology and security. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)BEIJING – China’s government on Thursday called on Washington to drop efforts to expel three state-owned Chinese phone companies from the United States in a new clash over technology and security. The latest action targets China Unicom Americas, a unit of China Unicom Ltd.; Pacific Networks Corp. and ComNet (USA) LLC, a unit of Pacific Networks. Trump also blocked access to most U.S. technology for telecom equipment giant Huawei Technologies Ltd. and some other Chinese tech companies.
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SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites, misses booster landing
Read full article: SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites, misses booster landingCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – SpaceX plans to continue weekly launches of 60 Starlink satellites at a time with the latest batch launching Monday night. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base Monday night carrying more Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. [RELATED COVERAGE: New internet option emerges as SpaceX expands Starlink service to more customers | SpaceX to launch NASA’s lunar Gateway on Falcon Heavy]However, about 8 minutes after launch, the Falcon 9 booster missed its landing opportunity on a drone ship at sea, breaking SpaceX’s successful landing streak. Up range, another Falcon 9 is scheduled to liftoff in the early hours of Wednesday at 12:55 a.m. from Kennedy Space Center Launchpad 39A, also with about 60 Starlink satellites. The Starlink constellation is part of CEO Elon Musk’s plan to create a space-based internet using a network of, eventually, 42,000 satellites.
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EXPLAINER: Why impeachment evidence tested TV's standards
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why impeachment evidence tested TV's standards(Senate Television via AP)NEW YORK – All the words abounded — the ones that you're not supposed to hear on broadcast television or, for that matter, in a lot of other places. Many of the networks bleeped out the offending language when repeating videos later, but not when they were broadcast live. WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD THAT BROADCAST NETWORKS WILL BE PENALIZED? Networks could argue the same thing with the impeachment trial; it strengthens that point when they “bleeped” out the bad language for later reruns. Given the explicitness of the language used this week, during daytime hours, Levinson said he believes it's a watershed moment in broadcast standards.
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Senate OKs Trump pick for FCC, adding hurdle to Biden plans
Read full article: Senate OKs Trump pick for FCC, adding hurdle to Biden plansThe shield from liability for social media companies has been grounded in Section 230 of a landmark 1996 telecommunications law. Trump and Republican lawmakers have persistently accused the social media companies, without evidence, of suppressing conservative viewpoints, and Trump portrayed his executive order as a remedy for bias. With Simington confirmed to the five-member FCC, there will then be a 2-2 split between Democratic and Republican commissioners. That likely will stymie Biden’s agenda until he’s able to get a fifth, Democratic FCC member confirmed, with an extended delay possible if the Republicans continue to control the Senate after the two Georgia Senate runoff elections. During Pai’s tenure, the FCC worked to free up spectrum for cellphone companies to enable them to roll out 5G.
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Trust Index: Robocall telling people ‘stay home,’ Orange County Democratic chair says
Read full article: Trust Index: Robocall telling people ‘stay home,’ Orange County Democratic chair saysStay safe and stay home.”“This coming on the eve of election, we think is designed to suppress the vote tomorrow,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chair Wes Hodge, while standing across the street from the Supervisor of Elections Office Monday. Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles said he didn’t know there was an issue until he saw Hodge holding a news conference across the street from the elections office. “We do know that Republicans make up a large number of the voters that vote on election day. Who can possibly tell?”“The Florida Department of State has not received any reports regarding a robocall encouraging people to stay home on Election Day,” said spokesman Mark Ard. If anyone has an issue voting on Election Day they can call the Voter Protection Hotline at 833-VOTE-FLA.
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FCC commissioner: Central Florida to have 5G in ‘next couple of years’
Read full article: FCC commissioner: Central Florida to have 5G in ‘next couple of years’ORLANDO, Fla. – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, much of the country, including Central Florida, has relied on telehealth, both patients and doctors. Of that, $7 million went to 14 facilities in Florida to add or upgrade their telehealth capability. So our top priority at the FCC has been to close this digital divide.”What about 5G high-speed wireless internet in Florida? “The FDA is actually one of the expert agencies that looks at this and constantly reviewing the health and safety information when it comes to 5G,” Carr said. “One wireless provider alone has committed to bringing 5G to 99% of the U.S. population within the next couple of years.”
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FCC calls hours-long T-Mobile service outage 'unacceptable'
Read full article: FCC calls hours-long T-Mobile service outage 'unacceptable'NEW YORK The head of the U.S. communications regulator said T-Mobile's nationwide, hours-long outage Monday was unacceptable and that the Federal Communications Commission will investigate. T-Mobile, one of the country's three largest cellphone service providers, said it had a voice and text wireless issue" that began around noon EDT Monday. The company blamed an internet-traffic issue that caused problems with its network for the outage. But calls between their customers and T-Mobile customers could have run into trouble because of T-Mobiles issues, creating the impression of a widespread communications failure. T-Mobile paid a $17.5 million fine for two nationwide service outages on the same day in August 2014, which together lasted three hours and prevented customers from being able to call 911.
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Insurance telemarketers fined $225M for a billion robocalls
Read full article: Insurance telemarketers fined $225M for a billion robocallsThe U.S. communications regulator on Tuesday proposed a $225 million fine, its largest ever, against two health insurance telemarketers for spamming people with 1 billion robocalls using fake phone numbers. The Federal Communications Commission said John Spiller and Jakob Mears made the calls through two businesses. The FCC said the robocalls offered plans from major insurers like Aetna and UnitedHealth with an automated message. The telemarketers faked their calls to make them appear they came from other companies, which then received angry calls and were named in lawsuits from consumers. He declined to provide contact information for Mears and said neither would speak before talking to an attorney.
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