FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn promised she will continue efforts to ensure the USF Lifeline program is expanded to cover broadband. Clyburn spoke Thursday to the National Urban League annual convention and the FCC posted her remarks. Many “people of color” say they're making more money online “than they ever did when they were pounding the pavement and knocking on doors,” Clyburn said. But many can't afford to be connected, she said. “Too many of our schools and libraries have inadequate broadband speeds. Too many children lack broadband at home to complete homework.” The conventional wisdom is that cost alone isn't the biggest factor keeping people from subscribing to broadband, Clyburn said. “But as community leaders, you know firsthand that when you ask that proud senior on a fixed income whether she wants to sign up for broadband, her dignity will never allow her to admit that she cannot afford it,” she said. “She will tell you that she does not need it, but we know that is just not true.” The Pew Research Center recently said African-Americans have adopted broadband faster than any other group the past 15 years, she said. But Pew “also reported that of the majority of those without broadband have household incomes lower than $30,000 a year,” she said. “We are committed to ensuring that cost is no longer a barrier to broadband adoption, but this will only happen through partnerships with industry, the government, and you.” Clyburn cited the FCC approval of AT&T’s buy of DirecTV (see 1507280043). Less well known, Clyburn said, is that her office worked with AT&T to design a program that will offer individuals and families eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program the ability to buy 10 Mbps of broadband for $10 a month. “At that speed, you could download instructional videos, get wellness care through telemedicine, and start and maintain an online business,” she said.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn promised she will continue efforts to ensure the USF Lifeline program is expanded to cover broadband. Clyburn spoke Thursday to the National Urban League annual convention and the FCC posted her remarks. Many “people of color” say they're making more money online “than they ever did when they were pounding the pavement and knocking on doors,” Clyburn said. But many can't afford to be connected, she said. “Too many of our schools and libraries have inadequate broadband speeds. Too many children lack broadband at home to complete homework.” The conventional wisdom is that cost alone isn't the biggest factor keeping people from subscribing to broadband, Clyburn said. “But as community leaders, you know firsthand that when you ask that proud senior on a fixed income whether she wants to sign up for broadband, her dignity will never allow her to admit that she cannot afford it,” she said. “She will tell you that she does not need it, but we know that is just not true.” The Pew Research Center recently said African-Americans have adopted broadband faster than any other group the past 15 years, she said. But Pew “also reported that of the majority of those without broadband have household incomes lower than $30,000 a year,” she said. “We are committed to ensuring that cost is no longer a barrier to broadband adoption, but this will only happen through partnerships with industry, the government, and you.” Clyburn cited the FCC approval of AT&T’s buy of DirecTV (see 1507280043). Less well known, Clyburn said, is that her office worked with AT&T to design a program that will offer individuals and families eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program the ability to buy 10 Mbps of broadband for $10 a month. “At that speed, you could download instructional videos, get wellness care through telemedicine, and start and maintain an online business,” she said.
Fifteen small rural telcos would lose almost $9 million in annual USF subsidies under preliminary FCC findings to phase out support where carriers completely overlap with unsubsidized broadband competitors. A Wireline Bureau public notice posted Wednesday in docket 10-90 sought comments by Aug. 28 and replies by Sept. 28 on the initial determinations.
The FCC order approving AT&T’s takeover of DirecTV was released Tuesday, laying out the conditions it imposed. The 241-page order includes 59 pages of "merger simulation model" analysis and 17 pages of conditions that appear to track commission descriptions over the last week (see 1507210078, 1507220076, 1507230059, 1507240055 and 1507270074) but with more specifics. For instance, while the conditions generally last four years, if AT&T doesn’t complete a required fiber buildout within that time frame, all the conditions will remain in effect until it does. In addition, if the FCC finds AT&T has violated any conditions, it can extend the terms of such conditions for two years.
The FCC order approving AT&T’s takeover of DirecTV was released Tuesday, laying out the conditions it imposed. The 241-page order includes 59 pages of "merger simulation model" analysis and 17 pages of conditions that appear to track commission descriptions over the last week (see 1507210078, 1507220076, 1507230059, 1507240055 and 1507270074) but with more specifics. For instance, while the conditions generally last four years, if AT&T doesn’t complete a required fiber buildout within that time frame, all the conditions will remain in effect until it does. In addition, if the FCC finds AT&T has violated any conditions, it can extend the terms of such conditions for two years.
The U.S. wireless industry is “more vibrant and vigorously competitive than ever before” and the FCC should recognize that in its next wireless competition report, CTIA said in comments. Other industry commenters offered the same take in docket 15-125. But industry observers told us they see little chance the FCC will change course and agree with them. The first seven wireless competition reports didn't include any conclusions on whether the industry was effectively competitive, though the next six reports concluded it was. All reports since 2010 have not drawn a conclusion.
The U.S. wireless industry is “more vibrant and vigorously competitive than ever before” and the FCC should recognize that in its next wireless competition report, CTIA said in comments. Other industry commenters offered the same take in docket 15-125. But industry observers told us they see little chance the FCC will change course and agree with them. The first seven wireless competition reports didn't include any conclusions on whether the industry was effectively competitive, though the next six reports concluded it was. All reports since 2010 have not drawn a conclusion.
The U.S. wireless industry is “more vibrant and vigorously competitive than ever before” and the FCC should recognize that in its next wireless competition report, CTIA said in comments. Other industry commenters offered the same take in docket 15-125. But industry observers told us they see little chance the FCC will change course and agree with them. The first seven wireless competition reports didn't include any conclusions on whether the industry was effectively competitive, though the next six reports concluded it was. All reports since 2010 have not drawn a conclusion.
Chairman Tom Wheeler said the FCC would offer its own rate-of-return USF overhaul plan absent rural LEC industry consensus, expects to move an Internet video program-rights order and a broadband privacy NPRM this fall, and would hold the broadcast incentive auction in Q1. Offering a broadband overview at the Brookings Institution Friday, Wheeler said the FCC would continue to protect and promote competition but wouldn't require "network unbundling." He also said many telco and cable providers continue to invest despite the threats of "a few big dogs" to "starve investment" due to the recent broadband reclassification. Wheeler's speech largely tracked prepared remarks.
Chairman Tom Wheeler said the FCC would offer its own rate-of-return USF overhaul plan absent rural LEC industry consensus, expects to move an Internet video program-rights order and a broadband privacy NPRM this fall, and would hold the broadcast incentive auction in Q1. Offering a broadband overview at the Brookings Institution Friday, Wheeler said the FCC would continue to protect and promote competition but wouldn't require "network unbundling." He also said many telco and cable providers continue to invest despite the threats of "a few big dogs" to "starve investment" due to the recent broadband reclassification. Wheeler's speech largely tracked prepared remarks.