Despite expressing some misgivings, Democratic FCC commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines Friday to approve what Chairman Tom Wheeler called a “watershed” E-rate modernization order that will provide $1 billion annually for the next five years for Wi-Fi connections within schools and libraries. In moves observers saw as having been made to forge a commission majority, while giving a nod to concerns from Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. (WID July 9 p6), and others that the Wi-Fi commitment could endanger funding for connecting schools and libraries to broadband, the order underwent a few changes from Wheeler’s original draft (WID July 2 p7).
The term of Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly expired June 30 (WID July 3 p8), which will slowly set in motion gears of the presidential nomination process, several observers said in interviews Thursday. O'Rielly was sworn in last November to finish the term of Robert McDowell, who stepped down and joined the Hudson Institute as a visiting fellow. O'Rielly is widely expected to have full FCC commissioner authority for the next year and a half, in accordance with statutes that allow commissioners to serve until the end of the subsequent session of Congress once their terms expire. Some observers suggest the possibility of pending re-nomination may instill caution in O'Rielly.
The term of Republican FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly expired June 30 (CD July 3 p8), which will slowly set in motion gears of the presidential nomination process, several observers said in interviews Thursday. O'Rielly was sworn in last November to finish the term of Robert McDowell, who stepped down and joined the Hudson Institute as a visiting fellow. O'Rielly is widely expected to have full FCC commissioner authority for the next year and a half, in accordance with statutes that allow commissioners to serve until the end of the subsequent session of Congress once their terms expire. Some observers suggest the possibility of pending re-nomination may instill caution in O'Rielly.
The FCC, working through its Technological Advisory Council, will identify solutions to attack the growing problem of cellphone theft, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler promised Thursday during an FCC workshop. Wheeler said he is giving TAC until the end of this year to identify “specific, actionable” measures. Wheeler said if industry working with TAC doesn’t come up with a voluntary solution, the FCC is not afraid to step in and impose regulation.
The FCC, working through its Technological Advisory Council, will identify solutions to attack the growing problem of cellphone theft, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler promised Thursday during an FCC workshop. Wheeler said he is giving TAC until the end of this year to identify “specific, actionable” measures. Wheeler said if industry working with TAC doesn’t come up with a voluntary solution, the FCC is not afraid to step in and impose regulation.
The Telecommunications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council and CEA jointly went on the record in favor of expanding in-flight mobile connectivity (IMC), including voice calls on commercial flight, in reply comments filed at the FCC. With the FCC’s comment period wrapped up, FCC officials say it’s hard to predict next steps on what has been one of the most controversial proposals under Chairman Tom Wheeler.
The Telecommunications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council and CEA jointly went on the record in favor of expanding in-flight mobile connectivity (IMC), including voice calls on commercial flight, in reply comments filed at the FCC. With the FCC’s comment period wrapped up, FCC officials say it’s hard to predict next steps on what has been one of the most controversial proposals under Chairman Tom Wheeler.
The FCC, as expected, voted 3-2 Thursday to explore the potential of Internet fast lanes. But Chairman Tom Wheeler wanted to make one point clear: Fast lanes for some will not mean slow lanes for others. “I don’t like the idea that the Internet could become divided into haves and have nots,” he said. “I will work to see that does not happen.” Wheeler said he wants rules in which, if an ISP slows speeds below what the consumer bought, “it would be commercially unreasonable and therefore prohibited.” Republican commissioners said net neutrality rules are a government solution in search of a problem.
The FCC voted 3-2 Thursday to explore the potential of Internet fast lanes, as expected (WID May 15 p1). But Chairman Tom Wheeler wanted to make one point clear: Fast lanes for some will not mean slow lanes for others. “I don’t like the idea that the Internet could become divided into haves and have nots,” he said. “I will work to see that does not happen.” Wheeler said he wants rules in which, if an ISP slows speeds below what the consumer bought, “it would be commercially unreasonable and therefore prohibited.” Republican commissioners said net neutrality rules are a government solution in search of a problem.
The FCC voted 3-2 Thursday to explore the potential of Internet fast lanes, as expected (CD May 15 p1). But Chairman Tom Wheeler wanted to make one point clear: Fast lanes for some will not mean slow lanes for others. “I don’t like the idea that the Internet could become divided into haves and have nots,” he said. “I will work to see that does not happen.” Wheeler said he wants rules in which, if an ISP slows speeds below what the consumer bought, “it would be commercially unreasonable and therefore prohibited.” Republican commissioners said net neutrality rules are a government solution in search of a problem.