BROWSING: Policy

4G Americas: Spectrum is an important component in 5G push

5G deployments set to require broad swath of spectrum support The race toward “5G” is propelling headlines and technology advances, but the need for sufficient spectrum to support the next generation of mobile technology could trip up the rush. Looking to get out ahead of the...

Obama orders national strategic computing initiative

In an executive order issued July 29, President Obama outlined policy steps designed “to maximize benefits of high performance computing research, development and deployment …” As outlined, the National Strategic Computing Initiative aims to create a new supercomputer that performs 100 times faster than what’s...

M2M, IoT crossover–real or imagined? – IoT Innovation: Episode 10

IoT Innovation is brought to you by Anritsu. Download the free white paper: Understanding 5G. Watch the latest episode of IoT Innovation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYl1Rdn8Lrc This week IoT Innovation host Chris Hare is joined by James Brehm of James Brehm & Associates, based in San Antonio, Texas. James and Chris talk about how the...

FCC opens 600 MHz white spaces for unlicensed use

FCC move could bolster Wi-Fi services The 600 MHz spectrum band is set to garner some unlicensed neighbors as the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules allowing unlicensed devices access to so-called “white spaces” within the band. The move comes as part of a claimed modernization of...

FCC releases 600 MHz auction rules, stomps T-Mobile increased reserve request

FCC sets aside 30 megahertz for auction set to begin March 29, 2016 The Federal Communications Commission released its highly anticipated bidding rules for the planned 600 MHz incentive auction, which is officially on the docket to begin March 29, 2016. The rules include confirmation that...

Windstream gets $175M for rural broadband

Expansion to 400,000 unserved locations funded by federal Connect America project Communications service provider Windstream this week announced receipt of $175 million from the Connect America Fund that’s earmarked for providing broadband to 400,000 rural locations in 17 states. Connect America is an initiative governed by...

FCC 5G spectrum plans to focus on specific ‘millimeter wave’ bands

The FCC set to promote 5 blocks of high-band spectrum at upcoming WRC event The Federal Communications Commission is looking at both low-band and high-band spectrum resources in its attempt to bring more capacity to a domestic wireless market eager to push beyond "4G" toward...

Pending bill could give NSA carte blanche on personal data

Ever heard of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act? Not many people have, but the bill, which is progressing through the legislative process, could give government agencies access to huge amounts of personal data held by private companies like Google and Facebook. The potential approval has...

Despite fraud, FCC is committed to expand Lifeline

WASHINGTON – A recent undercover report by a CBS affiliate in Denver exposed what appears to be blatant abuse of the government’s Universal Service Fund Lifeline program, the federal initiative that provides free-of-charge cellphones to low-income Americans. The Lifeline program has become a partisan issue in...

Sprint presses open Internet, wireless competition

Sprint chief network officer talks balance of security and access, along with innovation Sprint, in a heated battle with AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US and Verizon Wireless for market share, has been a strong advocate for competition in the domestic wireless space and, in a new...

UK eyes Internet tax to fund rural broadband

Aiming for 100% coverage with super-fast broadband by next general election in 2020 Authorities in the United Kingdom are looking to deliver broadband access to what it calls the final 5% of the population who live in areas so remote or rural they do not...

AT&T fighting $100M data throttling fine from FCC

The carrier is arguing that the FCC is trying to "coerce" settlement and that fine was pulled "out of thin air" AT&T Mobility is fighting a $100 million fine levied last month by federal regulators charging the carrier with throttling data speeds to unlimited data...

Net neutrality could raise costs for ISPs, customers

WASHINGTON – Net neutrality may have been grudgingly accepted among Internet service providers and lobbyists, but the Title II order of the net neutrality rules remains an issue of contention. As Internet Innovation Alliance Honorary Chair and former Virginia Congressman Rick Boucher explained to RCR...

Verizon workers setting wheels in motion for strike

Workers set to rally, walk off jobs There are 38,000 Verizon Communication workers in the Northeast putting the wheels in motion to strike. The Communication Workers Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are set to hold a rally on July 25 in New York City in...

AT&T acquisition of DirecTV garners Wheeler’s approval, with conditions

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler circulates approval for AT&T acquisition of DirecTV AT&T long-simmering plans to acquire DirecTV took a significant step forward as Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated an approval recommendation to his fellow commissioners late Tuesday . Wheeler said the proposal includes “a...

Verizon Communications releases transparency report

Verizon Communications released its transparency report for the first half of 2015 in which it details the demands for customer information from the U.S. and international governments. The carrier said it received 150,000 information requests from U.S. law enforcement, up about 10,000 from the last half of 2014. Subpoenas accounted...

FCC looks to keep 600 MHz incentive auction on schedule

FCC filing shows potential March 29 start date for complex auction proceedings The Federal Communications Commission appears committed to beginning its highly anticipated 600 MHz incentive auction during the first quarter of next year. According to the Broadcast Law Blog, the FCC noted a March 29,...

As FCC adds regulations, it closes field offices

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission has approved a proposal to modernize its Enforcement Bureau, which includes the closure of 11 of FCC field offices across the country while simultaneously retooling its Enforcement Bureau into a more flexible and nimble operation. According to the Commission’s plan,...

Dish stock slides after reports of T-Mobile US merger trouble

Shares of Dish Network have tumbled by 3.9% since it was reported last week that the Federal Communications Commission may reject a portion of the spectrum discounts received by two of its backed companies and that its pending merger with T-Mobile US has stalled. Dish is...

T-Mobile fined record $17.5M tied to 911 outages

Pair of 2014 outages lasted 3 hours, impacted T-Mobile US’ nationwide network The Federal Communications Commission said it has reached a record $17.5 million settlement with T-Mobile US connected to a pair of 911 service outages last year. In addition to the fine, T-Mobile US...

FCC DE program reform looks to bolster rural service, eliminate fraud

The FCC adopted a Report and Order to reform its DE program following claims of fraud While the Federal Communications Commission pushed off specific rulemaking tied to the planned 600 MHz incentive auction scheduled for early next year, the FCC did move forward with plans...

Nuke deal could open door for Apple in Iran

The recent historic agreement to eliminate Iran's nuclear program could have fallout beyond a safer world. Part of the terms of the agreement include lifting sanctions on trade, which may open the door for the iPhone and other Apple products to make their way...

FCC: Tips to stay connected during a hurricane

The Atlantic hurricane season, which has yet to yield any major storms – knock on wood – kicked off on June 1 and runs until Nov. 30. Regulators at the Federal Communications Commission have published a number of tips for how to stay connected...

FCC drops today’s 600 MHz incentive auction vote

Duplex gap concerns force FCC to postpone today’s vote on 600 MHz incentive auction rules The Federal Communications Commission has dropped plans to vote today on rules for the planned 600 MHz incentive auction. The vote was set to be part of an open meeting, and...