The FCC kicked off its annual inquiry into whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to all Americans, pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecom Act. The notice of inquiry approved by commissioners Thursday contemplates retaining the agency's 25/3 Mbps broadband definition for terrestrial fixed services while seeking comment on whether the commission should include terrestrial mobile and satellite fixed services in its broadband assessment, FCC officials and a release said.
The FCC kicked off its annual inquiry into whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to all Americans, pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecom Act. The notice of inquiry approved by commissioners Thursday contemplates retaining the agency's 25/3 Mbps broadband definition for terrestrial fixed services while seeking comment on whether the commission should include terrestrial mobile and satellite fixed services in its broadband assessment, FCC officials and a release said.
The Senate Commerce Committee will investigate ways to obtain more spectrum, at its Wednesday hearing on the topic, its chairman told us. “We’re obviously interested in freeing up as much spectrum as we possibly can,” Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said in an interview Tuesday. “Every issue that we deal with in front of the committee or for that matter, for any of the committees I serve on, kind of comes back to the need for more spectrum.”
The Senate Commerce Committee will investigate ways to obtain more spectrum, at its Wednesday hearing on the topic, its chairman told us. “We’re obviously interested in freeing up as much spectrum as we possibly can,” Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said in an interview Tuesday. “Every issue that we deal with in front of the committee or for that matter, for any of the committees I serve on, kind of comes back to the need for more spectrum.”
The FCC sought comment on proposed changes to rules for its evaluation and approval of radiofrequency devices, in a Tuesday NPRM approved by the full commission. Comment deadlines will be released in an upcoming Federal Register notice.
The FCC sought comment on proposed changes to rules for its evaluation and approval of radiofrequency devices, in a Tuesday NPRM approved by the full commission. Comment deadlines will be released in an upcoming Federal Register notice.
The FCC sought comment on proposed changes to rules for its evaluation and approval of radiofrequency devices, in a Tuesday NPRM approved by the full commission. Comment deadlines will be released in an upcoming Federal Register notice.
Consumers need more access to public Wi-Fi, said Travis Litman, legal adviser for FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, during a broadband summit sponsored by the 706 Joint Conference. The FCC also needs to keep tabs on innovative broadband access programs across the country and modernize the Lifeline program, he said. “More than half of us online have used public Wi-Fi at some point and for many American households, it’s their only means of getting online,” Litman said. “So having more Wi-Fi in more places means more opportunities for students to get their homework done.” Rosenworcel was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the multiple-panel event held Wednesday afternoon after the NARUC summer committee meetings came to a close, but was pulled away by other business at the last minute. The panels focused on high-speed technology and the availability of services, broadband service adoption and innovation.
Consumers need more access to public Wi-Fi, said Travis Litman, legal adviser for FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, during a broadband summit sponsored by the 706 Joint Conference. The FCC also needs to keep tabs on innovative broadband access programs across the country and modernize the Lifeline program, he said. “More than half of us online have used public Wi-Fi at some point and for many American households, it’s their only means of getting online,” Litman said. “So having more Wi-Fi in more places means more opportunities for students to get their homework done.” Rosenworcel was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the multiple-panel event held Wednesday afternoon after the NARUC summer committee meetings came to a close, but was pulled away by other business at the last minute. The panels focused on high-speed technology and the availability of services, broadband service adoption and innovation.
President Barack Obama is leaning on finances from industry and other groups to launch a pilot project the administration is calling ConnectHome, promising to help to connect to the Internet for 275,000 low-income households and just under 200,000 children. The White House will coordinate with industry players including CenturyLink, Cox Communications and Google Fiber to focus on 28 communities -- 27 cities and the Choctaw tribal nation -- to deliver broadband access for free or at heavily subsidized rates.