SpaceX’s Starlink project faced a setback this week as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to maintain its decision to deny funding from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). The initial award in late 2020 aimed to extend broadband coverage to nearly 643,000 premises in 35 states.
In a significant move applauded by consumer advocacy groups, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted decisively to reinforce regulations on telemarketing calls. Advocates from the National Consumer Law Center, Public Knowledge, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) commend the FCC for taking a stand against the misuse of consumer consent by lead generators.
The FCC recently reiterated its denial of Starlink’s bid to gain nearly $900M in support from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program. Despite Starlink’s impressive technology, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel questioned the wisdom in subsidizing the still evolving tech until 2032. Starlink had initially received the lofty sum in a 2020 auction but was later deemed inadequate in verifying its capabilities.
In a recent move, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has chosen to prolong the waiver exempting broadband providers from the requirement of having their broadband data collection (BDC) filings certified by professional engineers. This decision has sparked a mixed reaction within the telecommunications industry.
The FCC is poised to address digital equity, introducing measures aimed at eliminating any biased broadband service access. However, controversy surrounds these new regulations, with critics framing them as an invasive expansion of FCC control. Intriguing dialogue likely awaits in their upcoming November meeting.
The FCC plans to reassess the current broadband state in the U.S, looking to upgrade from the outdated 25/3 Mbps standard and set long-term gigabit speed goals. This broad evaluation, reinforced by recent Congressional directives, seeks to uncover inequities in affordability, availability, and adoption of broadband nationwide. With the new Broadband Data Collection, the commission gains greater insight into specific regional broadband accessibility, helping shape the future of telecommunications in the country. Additional industry developments highlight the continued evolution of this crucial sector.
As the Federal Communications Commission refocuses on airway ownership, the conversation around midband spectrum control heats up. Telecom leaders differ: AT&T calls for a review of midband acquisitions, while T-Mobile criticizes this as self-serving. Dish joins the debate, advocating a 25% national screen to encourage competition. Amid conflicting viewpoints, the FCC must forge a path in balancing market sense and fairness.
In an effort to address the growing concern of AI-powered robocalls, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on a Notice of Inquiry, proposed by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The inquiry aims to examine how existing consumer protections, particularly the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, can combat scammers and spammers using AI technology.
The FCC has set the wheels in motion to reinstate open internet protections, sparking dynamic public conversations around net neutrality. They aim to frame both fixed and mobile broadband as imperative telecommunication services by the Communications Act. This move could effectively address the recurring issue of broadband outages impacting significant sectors like jobs, education, healthcare, safety, and more. However, the proposal doesn’t stop there, it also plans to ensure stringent nationwide open internet regulations to prevent ISPs from manipulating content accessibility based on payment.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set its sights on reshaping the allocation of approximately $9 billion earmarked for rural 5G expansion. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the move, emphasizing the need to bridge the digital divide across underserved areas of the United States.
