fcc - SlashGear

T-Mobile gets $40 million fine for fake ring tones, connections

JC Torres | Apr 17, 2018

Just because you hear the other line ringing doesn't necessarily mean the other line is actually ringing. Especially if the caller is on T-Mobile. It seems that the Un-carrier has been "faking it" when it comes to connecting calls in rural areas, using fake ring tones and connections to make it seem like they were connecting and just failing. That lie is now going to cost T-Mobile $40 million in fines and a whole lot more in criticisms.

The gold iPhone X just got exposed

Chris Davies | Apr 13, 2018

The gold iPhone X may not have made it to Apple Stores, but it did get to the FCC, according to a newly-revealed filing that shows the unreleased smartphone. A third color option of the iPhone X was among the early rumors around the smartphone, but failed to materialize at its 2017 launch event.

This “Google” 4K Android TV dongle is making us suspicious

Chris Davies | Apr 10, 2018

Sightings of a Google-branded 4K Android TV dongle have reignited speculation that the company will take on the Apple TV and Fire TV again. The horseshoe-shaped gadget was spotted passing through the FCC, complete with a voice-enabled remote control bearing a dedicated Google Assistant button.

Senate aims to stop FCC from stripping internet assistance from the poor

Chris Burns | Apr 4, 2018

Back in November of 2017 we took a look at a bit of legislation from the FCC that'd all but destroy the program called Lifeline. Lifeline was created all the way back during the Reagan administration to help the poor afford telephone service. The FCC during the W Bush administration updated Lifeline to include wireless internet, then the FCC during Obama's presidency updated Lifeline to include broadband. Now the Trump FCC wants to gut Lifeline like a fish.

SpaceX Starlink global satellite Internet project gets FCC approval

Brittany A. Roston | Mar 29, 2018

The FCC has granted SpaceX's application to use satellites for providing Internet service to regions around the world. According to the FCC, this is the first approval for a "US-licensed satellite constellation" that will use low-Earth orbit satellites to offer "broadband services." The system may contain more than 4,000 satellites, and was confirmed by SpaceX back in May 2017.

After Huawei’s Best Buy snub, now the FCC may make things worse

Chris Davies | Mar 23, 2018

Huawei's US struggles could grow even further, with reports that the FCC is considering new rules that would actively dissuade carriers from using the Chinese company's products. The claims follow leaks earlier this week, which suggested retail behemoth Best Buy - one of a handful of stores offering Huawei's smartphones, in addition to other products - was planning to cease sales of the brand in the coming weeks.

Startup accused of launching tiny satellites without permission in FCC doc

Brittany A. Roston | Mar 12, 2018

A startup currently operating in stealth mode called Swarm Technologies has been accused of launching four small satellites without permission, it has been revealed. The revelation was stitched together based on FCC documents, which were recently published on the Commission's website. In them, one document mentions an "apparent unauthorized launch" of four small satellites.

Beware neighbor spoofing calls says FCC in scammer tactic advisory

Brittany A. Roston | Mar 8, 2018

The FCC has issued a letter warning the US public about "neighbor spoofing" -- that is, scammers who are calling people using numbers that appear to be local. This has become a big problem, according to the FCC, which says it lobbed more than $200 million in fines last year against telemarketers found to use the neighbor spoofing tactic.

When Net Neutrality dies: FCC final rule release

Chris Burns | Feb 22, 2018

February 22nd, 2018 was the day when the FCC released their "final rule" document to destroy Net Neutrality. This document came with the name "Restoring Internet Freedom Order" attached to it. It announced the date when the effective enforcement of the elimination of rules imposed by the Title II Order. Effective date for this order's enforcement is April 23rd, 2018.

Verizon phone locking is 2018’s unwelcome return

Eric Abent | Feb 12, 2018

Verizon has started the week by making a big announcement, revealing today that it will begin locking phones later on this year. This is somewhat surprising because Verizon has historically offered its phones unlocked from the start, putting it in distinct contrast to the three other big carriers in the US. However, this may not be as big of a change as it seems at first blush, and on the surface, Verizon has at least a somewhat justifable reason for doing so.

Huawei P20 Lite at FCC has an unusual screen, small battery

JC Torres | Feb 8, 2018

Thanks to Samsung’s declaration of an MWC 2018 press event, which will most likely be about the Galaxy S9 and S9+, other OEMs seem less enthusiastic about making a big splash there as well. LG is definitely sitting this one out but Huawei isn’t passing up the opportunity for attention. Instead, it is reportedly holding its own event far away from Barcelona. And while it’s expected to unveil the Huawei P20 there, it might also have a P20 Lite in store, a lesser flagship with some odd features.

Embrace Watch smartband gets FDA approval for detecting seizures

Brittany A. Roston | Feb 6, 2018

Empatica has announced that its Embrace smartband, which was first introduced in 2014, has been approved by the FDA as a medical device. The smartband is able to detect seizures, among other things, sending alerts to caregivers so that rapid support can be provided. The FDA has very strict requirements for a gadget to get a medical device designation, but Embrace has managed to satisfy them.