FCC Bans Robocalls Using Voices Generated by Artificial Intelligence
Regulation
FCC Bans Robocalls Using Voices Generated by Artificial Intelligence
2024-02-09 21:47:55
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission released a decision Thursday to ban robocalls with voices generated by artificial intelligence. The FCC said the robocalls play key roles in rising rates of sophisticated scams, such as calls before the New Hampshire... Read More

FCC Votes to Advance Bid to Restore Net Neutrality
Technology
FCC Votes to Advance Bid to Restore Net Neutrality
2023-10-19 21:26:18
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to proceed with a proposal to restore net neutrality and at the same time, potentially, broaden the agency’s reach. The 3-2 party-line vote — with all Democratic commissioners voting in favor... Read More

Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Planned for Wednesday
Emergency Management
Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Planned for Wednesday
2023-10-03 20:43:48
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency and Wireless Emergency Alert systems on Wednesday afternoon. The agencies said the test will begin at about 2:20... Read More

FCC Chair Moves to Rekindle Net Neutrality Fight 
Telecom
FCC Chair Moves to Rekindle Net Neutrality Fight 
2023-09-27 21:17:12
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday kick-started the process to restore “net neutrality” regulations, declaring that “no one can have a fair shot at 21st century success” without “fast, open and fair” access to the internet.... Read More

Poor, Less White Areas Get Worst Internet Deals
Broadband
Poor, Less White Areas Get Worst Internet Deals

A couple of years into the pandemic, Shirley Neville had finally had enough of her shoddy internet service. “It was just a headache,” said Neville, who lives in a middle-class neighborhood in New Orleans whose residents are almost all Black... Read More

Schools and Libraries Impacted by Storms to Net Lion’s Share of $96M in Connectivity Funding
Funding
Schools and Libraries Impacted by Storms to Net Lion’s Share of $96M in Connectivity Funding
2022-10-05 20:03:15
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Schools and libraries impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian will net the lion’s share of $96 million in new funding through the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund. The new funding will support applications for broadband services and... Read More

Companies Face Removal From Key Database for Skirting Anti-Robocall Rules
Telecom
Companies Face Removal From Key Database for Skirting Anti-Robocall Rules
2022-10-05 19:08:49
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Seven voice service providers face removal from a key database managed by the Federal Trade Commission if they fail to demonstrate they’re taking concrete steps to comply with the agency’s anti-robocall rules. The first-of-their-kind FCC Enforcement Bureau orders... Read More

FCC Updates Emergency Alert System
Emergency Management
FCC Updates Emergency Alert System
2022-09-29 20:34:08
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — As Hurricane Ian raged through Florida Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to make the emergency alerts seen and heard on television, radio and through text messages easier to understand. “Climate change is making storms more frequent,... Read More

FCC Rule Change Poised to Help Deaf Inmates
Regulation
FCC Rule Change Poised to Help Deaf Inmates
2022-09-28 21:01:23
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is looking at ways to help deaf incarcerated people connect better with their families through improved telecommunications services, including video chatting, in prisons and jails throughout the country. “Incarcerated people face considerable barriers to... Read More

FCC Continues to Crack Down on Robotexts and Calls
Regulation
FCC Continues to Crack Down on Robotexts and Calls
2022-09-28 17:32:16
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission continues to crack down on pesky scam calls and texts with new proposed rules and international partnerships announced this week. “The American people are fed up with scam texts, and we need to use... Read More

21 Broadcasters Face Fines for Violating Child TV Protections
Regulation
21 Broadcasters Face Fines for Violating Child TV Protections
2022-09-23 21:07:24
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Twenty-one broadcasters are being fined for violating children’s television programming rules to the tune of $3.4 million, the Federal Communications Commission announced Wednesday. The broadcasters aired advertisements for Hot Wheels Super Ultimate Garage during episodes of “Team Hot... Read More

FCC Makes Progress on Broadband Maps
Broadband
FCC Makes Progress on Broadband Maps
2022-09-02 20:48:42
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission has taken a large step in creating its newest and most accurate broadband maps that intend to lay out, location by location, the homes, businesses, civic centers and other places without internet.  “For the... Read More

FCC Launches Investigation Into Cellphone Companies
Telecom
FCC Launches Investigation Into Cellphone Companies
2022-08-25 19:55:47
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is launching an investigation into how the country’s top cellphone providers use geolocation data. “Our mobile phones know a lot about us. That means carriers know who we are, who we call, and where... Read More

DC Circuit Court Upholds FCC Spectrum Reallocation
Telecom
DC Circuit Court Upholds FCC Spectrum Reallocation
2022-08-12 18:13:45
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday solidified the Federal Communications Commission’s ability to reallocate spectrum that went largely unused. "I am pleased with the court's decision, which upholds the FCC's broad authority to manage the nation's... Read More

FCC Rejects Subsidies for Musk’s Starlink, LTD Broadband
Business
FCC Rejects Subsidies for Musk’s Starlink, LTD Broadband
2022-08-11 12:59:18
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission officially denied applications from SpaceX to deploy Starlink satellites to help bridge the broadband gap and from another company, LTD Broadband, that would expand its wireless internet. “After careful legal, technical and policy review,... Read More

New FCC Programs Tackle Affordability Gap in Digital Divide
Technology
New FCC Programs Tackle Affordability Gap in Digital Divide
2022-08-05 21:06:39
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission Friday unanimously approved two new grant programs for its Affordable Connectivity Program.  So far 13 million households have signed up for the program that gives Americans stipends of $30 for internet access each month.... Read More

FCC Opens Spectrum Auction
Telecom
FCC Opens Spectrum Auction
2022-07-29 22:47:15
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Friday morning the Federal Communications Commission kicked off a spectrum auction, allowing telecommunications companies to possibly buy more than 8,000 licenses in the 2.5 GHz band. The licenses are mostly available in rural parts of the country, according... Read More

FCC Issues $116M Fine to ‘ScammerBlaster’
Telecom
FCC Issues $116M Fine to ‘ScammerBlaster’
2022-07-14 17:17:33
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is fining the company responsible for about 10 million robocalls that directed customers to call “ScammerBlaster” — which scammed customers. The commissioners voted unanimously to fine the company $116 million at their monthly meeting... Read More

FCC Plans to Address 911 Location Issues
Emergency Management
FCC Plans to Address 911 Location Issues
2022-06-09 17:07:15
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — North Carolina is in the process of implementing its newest 911 technology that will connect callers to emergency call centers “almost immediately — when a caller takes their finger off the last one it is ringing,” said L.V.... Read More

FCC Increases Speed for Rural Broadband Program
Broadband
FCC Increases Speed for Rural Broadband Program
2022-05-19 21:13:53
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Higher internet speeds are coming to the most rural places in America, as the Federal Communications Commission changed the definition of “high-speed” internet at its meeting Thursday. The four commissioners voted unanimously and across partisan lines to change... Read More

FCC Rule Cracks Down on Foreign Robocalls
In The News
FCC Rule Cracks Down on Foreign Robocalls
2022-05-19 19:13:37
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Americans will soon get fewer robocalls from abroad because of a new Federal Communications Commission rule.  “Robocalls are aggravating. What is worse is when we crack down on these junk calls, the scam artists behind them find new... Read More

More School Buses Could Get Wi-Fi
Education
More School Buses Could Get Wi-Fi
2022-05-13 21:04:20
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Adding Wi-Fi to school buses could be easier for school districts because of a proposed rule change by the Federal Communications Commission. The new rule, if adopted, would allow districts to apply for funding to connect school buses... Read More

FCC to Reform Spectrum Receivers, Opening Airwaves
Telecom
FCC to Reform Spectrum Receivers, Opening Airwaves
2022-04-22 21:01:56
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Spectrum technology is at the core of modern wireless communication, enabling the seamless transmission of information between major systems and devices like cell phones, televisions, GPS and radars. Like all communication technology, spectrum has a transmitter and a... Read More

New Faces at the FCC
Regulation
New Faces at the FCC
2022-04-04 20:59:09
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — In the coming weeks Narda Jones will take over as chief of staff for Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Jones comes to the FCC from the White House where she was the director of Legislative Affairs for... Read More

FCC to Hold Next 5G Mid-Band Spectrum Auction Beginning July 29
Telecom
FCC to Hold Next 5G Mid-Band Spectrum Auction Beginning July 29
2022-03-21 22:27:00
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Bidding will start in the next auction of 2.5 GHz band licenses for 5G wireless services beginning on July 29, the Federal Communications Commission announced Monday. The ascending clock format auction will offer approximately 8,000 new flexible-use, county-based... Read More

Broadcasters Accuse FCC of Overreach with Rules on Foreign Disclosures
Media
Broadcasters Accuse FCC of Overreach with Rules on Foreign Disclosures
2022-02-22 18:29:24
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is defending itself in court against allegations from U.S. broadcasters that the agency exceeds its authority with new rules on business transactions with foreign governments. The rules approved by the FCC last spring require... Read More

New FCC Rules on Write-In Candidates to Go Into Effect March 14
Campaigns
New FCC Rules on Write-In Candidates to Go Into Effect March 14
2022-02-18 20:54:35
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Broadcast stations will have to take a few additional steps in assessing political advertising from purported write-in candidates beginning March 14, including conducting a review of the candidates’ social media presence and whether they’ve created campaign websites. The... Read More

Biden FCC Pick to Face Renewed Scrutiny at Wednesday Hearing
U.S. Senate
Biden FCC Pick to Face Renewed Scrutiny at Wednesday Hearing
2022-02-07 16:42:27
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — President Biden’s controversial pick to join a vacant seat on the Federal Communications Commission will face renewed scrutiny this week after the Senate panel considering her nomination yanked a vote on it last week and scheduled a second... Read More

<strong>Staff Changes at FCC as Agency Announces New Bureau Heads</strong>
Telecom
Staff Changes at FCC as Agency Announces New Bureau Heads
2022-01-31 23:13:49
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Four new bureau chiefs and the naming of a familiar face to serve as permanent general counsel were announced by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday. “Ensuring modern communications reach every corner of the country isn’t possible without... Read More

DC Circuit Upholds FCC Decision to Clear Path for Next-Gen Wi-Fi
Telecom
DC Circuit Upholds FCC Decision to Clear Path for Next-Gen Wi-Fi
2021-12-28 22:10:15
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a 2020 decision by the Federal Communications Commission to free up the 6 GHz band for next-generation Wi-Fi. Writing for the unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for... Read More

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