U.S. regulators on Thursday adopted data roaming rules that would allow smartphones to access the Internet in areas across the country not covered by their wireless carrier. The rules set by the Federal Communications Commission in a 3-2 vote would force wireless carriers like AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless to offer “reasonable” roaming rates. Get the full story »
Inside these posts: FCC
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Planned Internet wireless network threatens GPS
A new, ultra-fast wireless Internet network is threatening to overpower GPS signals across the U.S. and interfere with everything from airplanes to police cars to consumer navigation devices.
The problem stems from a recent government decision to let a Virginia company called LightSquared build a nationwide broadband network using airwaves next to those used for GPS. Manufacturers of GPS equipment warn that strong signals from the planned network could jam existing navigation systems. Get the full story »
April 4 at 1:56 p.m.
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Filed under: Consumer electronics, Consumer news, Internet, Litigation Court dismisses challenges to ‘open’ Net rules
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia dismissed on Monday challenges to an “open” Internet order adopted by the Federal Communications Commission last year.
The court said the challenges filed by Verizon Communications Inc. and MetroPCS Communications Inc. were premature, knocking down the companies’ claims that the rules would modify wireless licenses they hold. Get the full story »
FCC to use rural phone subsidies for broadband
Government regulators are planning to overhaul the $8 billion federal program that subsidizes telephone service in poor and rural areas to pay for high-speed Internet connections.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to begin drafting a blueprint to bring the federal program, the Universal Service Fund, into the digital age. Get the full story »
FCC asks court to dismiss net neutrality suits
The Federal Communications Commission filed Friday to dismiss challenges to its new Internet traffic rules, an agency official said. Get the full story »
Verizon challenges FCC’s ‘network neutrality’ rules
Verizon Communications Inc. on Thursday filed a legal challenge to new federal regulations that prohibit broadband providers from interfering with Internet traffic flowing over their networks.
In a filing in federal appeals court in the District of Columbia, Verizon argues that the Federal Communications Commission overstepped its authority in adopting the “network neutrality” rules last month. Get the full story »
Comcast wins FCC approval to take over NBC
The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday gave Comcast Corp., the country’s largest cable company, the green light to take over NBC Universal, home of the NBC television network.
Four of the commission’s five members voted to let Comcast buy a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co. for $13.8 billion in cash and assets. Michael Copps, one of the commission’s three Democrats and an opponent of media consolidation, voted against the deal. Get the full story »
FCC reportedly set to approve Comcast-NBC deal
Federal regulators are on the verge of announcing approval of Comcast Corp.’s deal to acquire control of NBC Universal from General Electric Co. , according to people close to the review.
Federal Communications Commission officials spent the weekend making last-minute revisions to an order approving the deal. FCC commissioners are expected to approve it on a 4-1 vote, with Democratic commissioner Michael Copps, an opponent of media consolidation, voting against. Get the full story »
Court tosses out $1.2M indecency fine against ABC
A federal appeals court on Tuesday tossed a $1.2 million indecency fine the Federal Communications Commission imposed against ABC Television affiliates for airing a 2003 episode of “NYPD Blue,” which showed a woman’s naked bottom.
It was just the latest in a series of victories for broadcasters, who have spent the last few years challenging the U.S. government’s effort to police airwaves and fine stations for racy content. Get the full story »
FCC chief sets conditions for Comcast, NBC deal
The head of the Federal Communications Commission is laying out regulatory conditions to ensure that cable giant Comcast Corp. cannot stifle video competition once it takes control of NBC Universal.
The conditions are intended to guarantee that existing subscription television services and new online video services can still get access to NBC content. Get the full story »
FCC OKs ‘Open Internet’ regulations
U.S. communications regulators adopted Internet traffic rules on Tuesday that prevent providers from blocking lawful content but still let them ration access to their networks.
The rules aim to strike a balance between the interests of Internet service providers, content companies and consumers, but some industry analysts think a court challenge is still likely. Get the full story »
FCC has votes for open-Internet rules
The Federal Communications Commission is poised to adopt Internet traffic rules on Tuesday that would ban the blocking of lawful content, but allow high-speed Internet providers to manage their networks, senior agency officials said. Get the full story »
Congress acts to shush loud TV ads
Here’s a message TV viewers may not want to mute: The days of getting blasted out of the easy chair by blaring TV commercials may soon be over.
The House on Thursday gave final congressional approval to a bill that would prevent advertisers from abruptly raising the volume to catch the attention of viewers wandering off when regular programming is interrupted. Get the full story »
FCC to take up net neutrality at December meeting
U.S. telecommunications regulators plan to tackle at a Dec. 21 meeting contentious Internet traffic rules intended to prohibit broadband providers from blocking or slowing some traffic.
The Federal Communications Commission announced on Wednesday a tentative agenda for its next meeting that included an order to adopt regulations “to preserve the open Internet as a platform for innovation, investment, competition and free expression.” Get the full story »
FCC confirms privacy probe of Google Street View
The Federal Communications Commission is investigating whether Google Inc. broke federal laws when its street-mapping service collected consumers’ personal information, joining a lengthy list of regulators probing what Google says was inadvertent harvesting of private data sent over wireless networks.
The FCC opened its investigation this year, an FCC official confirmed Wednesday. An FCC spokeswoman didn’t immediately have comment on the agency’s investigation. The FCC generally doesn’t publicly disclose details of its investigations. Get the full story »
