fcc

It seems that the fight for net neutrality is back on, and just like last time, John Oliver is trying to rally people to the cause. In a segment during Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver lambasted the new FCC chairman Ajit Pai as he looks to rollback Obama-era net neutrality protections. With the FCC now accepting comments from the public on the matter, it seems John Oliver saw a chance to strike.

Continue Reading

It isn't unusual for new administrations to overturn the decisions, mandates, and thrusts of the previous, especially when they come from opposite side. So far, the FCC, under the new chair Ajit Pai has undertaken the process of undoing Net Neutrality rules. Now it is taking aim at another controversial old FCC stance. Although still to be put to a formal vote, Pai has already made it formally known that he intends to maintain rule that bans making phone calls while a plane is in flight.

Continue Reading

As you've likely heard by now, Congress voted earlier this week to reverse FCC rules that prevented internet service providers from selling personal customer data like browsing history. Understandably, many Americans are upset by this. Now several ISPs like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon are getting proactive in reassuring customers that their privacy matters, releasing statements that say they will not be selling users' internet browsing data.

Continue Reading

With MWC 2017 out of the way, the next big mobile event we're waiting for is Samsung unveiling of the Galaxy S8 later this month. That is, unless Apple suddenly holds its iPad earlier than speculated. With just weeks before the next "Unpacked" event, sources are hunkering down information regarding the two high-profile smartphones. Even the FCC is getting a dose of Samsung, with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ passing through the agency, confirming that the smartphones will be available from all US carriers and even in unlocked models.

Continue Reading

There's no lack of streaming radio apps available for your smartphone, but one thing that is still mysteriously in short supply is access to FM radio. Most smartphones today have FM radio antennas built into them, but those antennas are only active in about half of smartphones here in the US. The FCC's new commissioner, Ajit Pai, would like to see that change.

Continue Reading

Under its new director, the FCC has wasted no time in reversing policies put in place under the previous administration. New FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that nine companies won't be allowed to participate in a federal program called Lifeline. With this program, low income customers can receive a monthly $9.25 credit that helps them pay for high-speed broadband internet.

Continue Reading

Right through December of last year, the FCC had ongoing investigations into telecom giants including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile over their use of zero-rated data services, viewing them anti-competitive and in violation of net neutrality rules. Unfortunately, these investigations were opened under outgoing FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, and part of President Trump's restaffing has been appointing Ajit Pai as the new head. In turn, the agency has also revealed that it's dropping the investigations.

Continue Reading

It appears Amazon may be up to another one of its mysterious, experimental projects. It's been discovered that the company has filed a request with the FCC for permission to test wireless communication technology in areas of Washington, all without stating the exact purpose. There are a few hints that the tests could be related to Amazon's desire to begin drone deliveries, but the company only says it involves "innovative communications capabilities and functionalities."

Continue Reading

Zero-rated services are becoming increasingly popular among carriers and companies, giving customers a way to consume certain content without using up their high-speed data allotment. Such arrangements have raised concerns about net neutrality in the past, and while the FCC isn't necessarily against zero-rated offerings, it has expressed concerns with some of them. Verizon and AT&T are, once again, the focus of that concern.

Continue Reading

Nintendo Switch recently made a stop at the FCC, and though we didn't glean a whole lot of new information from this filing, we did discover one important tidbit. As it turns out, the battery within the Nintendo Switch may not be easily removable. This could cause some problems for players in the later stages of the Switch's life, especially for those who buy at launch and play it for a number of years afterward.

Continue Reading

What is probably Nintendo's most interesting console since the original Wii is really coming and soon. If there were any doubt about that, the Nintendo Switch's presence at the FCC should banish all that. Of course, it doesn't really give us a solid date for the curious handheld console's retail launch, but it at least hints that the ball continues to roll. While Nintendo already publicly committed to a March launch, the gaming giant might do a publicity tour of the Switch first as early as January next year.

Continue Reading

Before this year’s presidential elections became the major factor dividing the US tech industry, it was “net neutrality” that split camps along lines of for or against. And if you thought the (legal) battle is over, you are definitely wrong. Although the FCC already ruled in favor of net neutrality last year, the changing of the guards opens up the real possibility, nay an explicit objective even, of undoing all that. The net neutrality debates are about to be reignited and, whichever side of the camp you stand on, the results will inevitably affect everyone.

Continue Reading