[ad_1] Many carriers that serve rural areas use relatively inexpensive ZTE and Huawei equipment. After the FCC started collecting data about that in February, more than 50 carriers have told the agency they or their subsidiaries have tech from those companies in their networks. However, it might be prohibitively expensive for them to tear all […]
Category: federal communications commission
US wireless carriers pledge to suspend cancellations amid outbreak
[ad_1] At the moment, approximately 70 companies have agreed to honor the pledge. The list includes all four of the big wireless carriers — AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon (Engadget’s parent company) — as well as internet service providers (ISPs) like Comcast and Google Fiber. “As the coronavirus outbreak spreads and causes a series of […]
FCC commits $20.4 billion to help close the rural digital divide
[ad_1] In the first phase, beginning later this year, the FCC will make up to $16 billion available to areas that are “wholly unserved.” It will demand broadband speeds of at least 25 Mbps, and the funding will be made available through reverse-auction, a practice meant to drive competition. An estimated six million rural homes […]
FCC rolls out a $9 billion fund for rural 5G connectivity
[ad_1] “We must ensure that 5G narrows rather than widens the digital divide and that rural Americans receive the benefits that come from wireless innovation,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement. The 5G Fund will be available through “reverse auction,” and it will replace the $4.5 billion Mobility Fund Phase II, which was […]
US Senators ask the FCC to review licenses with China-owned telecoms
[ad_1] In May, the FCC rejected China Mobile’s application to become a telecom provider in the US, citing “substantial and serious” law enforcement and security risks. In their letter, the Senators reportedly warn that China Telecom and China Unicom could pose similar threats and could reroute communications traveling on their networks through China. When the […]
FCC approves Nexstar’s $6.4 billion acquisition of Tribune Media
[ad_1] To comply with TV ownership rules, Nexstar will sell 21 of its local TV stations. Those sales were also approved today. The FCC says the proposed merger will benefit both Nexstar and Tribune customers. The Tribune stations will now have access to Nexstar’s Washington D.C. news bureau and state news bureau, and Nexstar has […]
FCC wants to fine CBS for using fake emergency alert in ‘Young Sheldon’
[ad_1] To avoid confusion and to make sure viewers and listeners don’t brush off alerts as false alarms, the agency doesn’t allow EAS tones or simulations of them to be broadcast outside of public service announcements, official tests or genuine emergencies. “CBS’s modifications to the EAS tones did not make broadcasting such tones permissible because […]
FCC proposes ‘988’ for quick access to national suicide prevention line
[ad_1] Those services are already provided by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, but users must dial a 10-digit number, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). In 2018, Lifeline counselors answered over 2.2 million calls and 100,000 online chats. But the FCC’s report, which was mandated by the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018, found that a 3-digit number […]
FCC chairman Ajit Pai endorses T-Mobile / Sprint merger
[ad_1] Today, I circulated an order that would approve, subject to conditions, the proposed merger of T-Mobile and Sprint. The deal would advance fast #5G across the country, help close #digitaldivide, and put critical mid-band spectrum to use. My full statement: https://t.co/fBKvLnPgmm pic.twitter.com/21r3Us9cUG — Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) August 14, 2019 He added that, under the […]
Elizabeth Warren reveals $85 billion rural broadband plan
[ad_1] She plans to earmark $85 billion in federal funding to expand broadband networks in rural areas. Currently, the Federal Communications Commission offers $4.6 billion/year to fund rural broadband infrastructure, while the Rural Utilities Service doles out $800 million/year in grants and loans. Under Warren’s plan, the $5 billion funding for expanded broadband on Native […]