Can AM Radio Be Saved? Should It Be?
Media
Can AM Radio Be Saved? Should It Be?
2023-06-02 17:28:03
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Nearly 60 years after an edict by the Federal Communications Commission inadvertently began the long, slow decline of AM radio, Congress suddenly appears to be besotted with a broadcast band many radio listeners left largely for dead decades... Read More

FCC Commits Over $2.5M in Funding for Schools and Libraries
Education
FCC Commits Over $2.5M in Funding for Schools and Libraries
2023-04-13 20:30:17
by TWN Staff

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday announced it is committing over $2.5 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.  In a press... Read More

FCC Shortens Length of Time Satellites Allowed to Remain in Orbit
Space
FCC Shortens Length of Time Satellites Allowed to Remain in Orbit
2022-09-30 15:18:15
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Low-earth satellites must be deorbited after five years, the Federal Communications Commission decided Thursday at its monthly meeting. This rule change severely shortens the amount of time satellite operators have to remove their instruments from the skies. They... 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

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 Makes $427M From Spectrum Auction
Telecom
FCC Makes $427M From Spectrum Auction
2022-09-01 20:58:12
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission just closed its 2.5 GHz spectrum auction, raking in $427 million for selling most of its licenses. The auction, which was the first of its kind selling county-based licenses, kicked off in late July.... Read More

FCC Asks Congress for Universal Service Fund Reform
Telecom
FCC Asks Congress for Universal Service Fund Reform
2022-08-16 17:51:25
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is asking Congress to help reform how it collects money to expand and provide telecom services to every American. The reason? The Universal Service Fund is stuck in a “death spiral,” according to FCC... 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 Investigates Commercial Activities in Space
Space
FCC Investigates Commercial Activities in Space
2022-08-09 17:12:24
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is looking into the possibilities of assembling and manufacturing in space through a new notice of inquiry adopted in a unanimous vote at its August meeting. Looking into this category, called In-Space, Assembly, and... Read More

Rural Broadband Companies Face Fines
Regulation
Rural Broadband Companies Face Fines
2022-07-26 20:07:17
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission proposed $4.35 million in fines against 73 rural broadband companies that applied and received government funding to build their rural networks but never did. The companies had all won bids in 2020 for areas... Read More

Former FCC Chairs: Commissioner Needs to Be Confirmed
Regulation
Former FCC Chairs: Commissioner Needs to Be Confirmed
2022-07-20 23:16:59
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Throughout the various iterations of the Federal Communications Commission, its members have essentially had to answer one question: “How do you make sure technology as it develops and evolves can be enjoyed by everyone in the country?” said... Read More

Updating Broadband Speeds Could Help ‘Future-Proof’ Investment
Broadband
Updating Broadband Speeds Could Help ‘Future-Proof’ Investment
2022-07-19 23:05:07
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The proposal to change the Federal Communications Commission’s definition of broadband speeds by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last week could help “future-proof” the country’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to build broadband infrastructure, said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of the Rural Broadband Association.... Read More

FCC Changes Rules to Help Expand Wireless in Rural America
Broadband
FCC Changes Rules to Help Expand Wireless in Rural America
2022-07-15 21:47:58
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Thursday on a rule change that will make it easier for smaller cellphone carriers and tribal nations to expand their wireless networks in rural areas where there is no cell service. The... Read More

FCC Attempts to Halt Spam Auto Warranty Caller
Regulation
FCC Attempts to Halt Spam Auto Warranty Caller
2022-07-08 18:58:54
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission asked phone companies to cut off a business they believe is behind billions of those pesky robocalls saying “We’ve been trying to reach you concerning your car’s extended warranty.” On Thursday the commission sent... 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 Announces $37M for Schools, Libraries
Technology
FCC Announces $37M for Schools, Libraries
2022-04-19 21:32:06
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — Schools and libraries are getting $37 million more from the Federal Communications Commission because of Emergency Connectivity Fund support. “This program has opened doors for thousands of students who lacked connectivity to get the tools they need to... Read More

Creating the Broadband Nutrition Label
Broadband
Creating the Broadband Nutrition Label
2022-04-18 21:49:05
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — When an internet connection fizzles out or slows down significantly it causes disruptions for work, medical care, education and many other aspects of everyday life that have gone online because of the pandemic. And it’s frustrating to people... Read More

Warning of Cyberattacks on Backup Power Devices
Cybersecurity
Warning of Cyberattacks on Backup Power Devices
2022-04-07 22:21:23
by Madeline Hughes

WASHINGTON — There’s a new warning about cyberattacks on uninterruptible power supplies — essentially the backup batteries that allow near-continuous operation when there is a power failure. The Federal Communications Commission issued this warning Thursday to communications companies that often... Read More

More Than 10 Million Households Sign Up for Broadband Affordability Program
Broadband
More Than 10 Million Households Sign Up for Broadband Affordability Program
2022-02-14 15:49:20
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce Tuesday that more than 10 million households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest ever broadband affordability program, since the bipartisan infrastructure bill was signed into law... 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

Broadcasters Say Media Ownership Rules Are Detrimental to Competition, Diversity
Media
Broadcasters Say Media Ownership Rules Are Detrimental to Competition, Diversity
2021-09-04 18:07:26
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON -- Regulations governing the ownership of broadcast radio and television stations harms broadcasters’ ability to compete in the marketplace, stymies service to local communities and fails to promote diversity in ownership, the National Association of Broadcasters said in a... Read More

Over 5 Million Households Enrolled in Emergency Broadband Discount Program
Technology
Over 5 Million Households Enrolled in Emergency Broadband Discount Program
2021-08-27 14:11:33
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON -- More than five million households have enrolled in the emergency broadband benefit program since its launch in mid-May, the Federal Communications Commission said Friday. Coinciding with this milestone, the agency also began releasing more granular enrollment data to... Read More

Conservative Hoaxers Face $5.1M Fine for Election Robocalls
Law
Conservative Hoaxers Face $5.1M Fine for Election Robocalls

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Two conservative hoaxers face a record $5.1 million fine for allegedly making illegal robocalls to wireless phones without the owners' consent in the 2020 election. The Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday that the proposed fine for... Read More

FCC Affirms $25,000 Fine on Mobile Relay Associates
Telecom
FCC Affirms $25,000 Fine on Mobile Relay Associates
2021-07-13 19:56:58
by Victoria Turner

The Federal Communications Commission affirmed a $25,000 fine Tuesday against Mobile Relay Associates for overuse of a shared spectrum channel and causing interference to other FCC licensees.  The first notice of violation against the radio communications company was issued in... Read More

Federal, State Laws Should Bolster Social Media Accountability, Carr says
Technology
Federal, State Laws Should Bolster Social Media Accountability, Carr says
2021-07-12 17:12:25
by Victoria Turner

Reforming Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act is not enough to curb the power of social media platforms, and should be bolstered by federal and state laws to enforce transparency, accountability and anti-discrimination, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said. ... Read More

Broadcasters Group Asks FCC to Toss Request for New Low-Power FM Class
Media
Broadcasters Group Asks FCC to Toss Request for New Low-Power FM Class
2021-07-07 20:05:23
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - The National Association of Broadcasters is urging federal regulators to reject a request for a new class of low-power FM radio stations. The Federal Communications Commission established low-power FM radio in 2000 to create opportunities for more voices... Read More

Congressional Leaders Urge FCC to Perform Equity Audit
Congress
Congressional Leaders Urge FCC to Perform Equity Audit

Congressional leaders and a media advocacy group are urging the Federal Communications Commission to examine how policy decisions and programs have disparately harmed Black Americans and other communities of color, according to a letter sent Tuesday to the acting FCC... Read More

FCC Launches Largest Emergency Funding Effort to Close the Homework Gap
Education
FCC Launches Largest Emergency Funding Effort to Close the Homework Gap
2021-06-28 20:49:31
by Victoria Turner

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated $7.2 billion toward a new Federal Communications Commission program, the Emergency Connectivity Fund. Starting Tuesday, June 29, and ending Aug. 13, the ECF will accept applications from schools and libraries to receive... Read More

Broadband Deployment Needs Flexibility, Not More Federal Red Tape
Technology
Broadband Deployment Needs Flexibility, Not More Federal Red Tape
2021-06-17 14:24:13
by Victoria Turner

A small community in Lincoln County, Maine, was recently denied a broadband deployment grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as satellite service provider ViaSat had already won the area in a Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction by the Federal... Read More

FCC’s Broadband Program Reaches 2.3 Million Households in Three Weeks
In The News
FCC’s Broadband Program Reaches 2.3 Million Households in Three Weeks
2021-06-07 18:15:20
by Victoria Turner

WASHINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission announced today that 2.3 million households have enrolled in its Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, not even a month after its launch.    The subsidy program provides eligible households with discounted, high-speed broadband service as well... Read More

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