1. Monthly archive
  2. March 2019

March 2019

Chairman Pai’s Response to Concerns About the Proposed T-Mobile Sprint Merger

On February 12, 2019, 9 senators wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging the FCC to reject the proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. The senators said the deal is likely to raise prices for consumers, harm workers, stifle competition, exacerbate the digital divide, and undermine innovation. "Furthermore, we remain unconvinced that the merger would speed up the deployment of next-generation 5G networks or extend affordable coverage to all Americans," they wrote.

Chairman Pai’s Response to Rep. Biggs Regarding Unlicensed Spectrum

On December 20, 2018, five Members of Congress wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to urge the FCC to move forward with its 5.9 GHz proceeding and enable access to unlicensed technologies. On Feb 28, Chairman Pai answered saying the FCC would move forward to ensure that the 5.9 GHz band is put to its highest and best use taking into account current uses and new opportunities for increased use.

Members of Congress Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put Wi-Fi on School Buses and Help Close the Digital Divide

Sen Tom Udall (D-NM) and Reps Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Deb Haaland (D-NM) introduced a bill to make it easier to put wireless internet on school buses in order to help students without broadband access at home get online to study, learn, and complete homework. The legislation would require the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate Program to reimburse school districts that place Wi-Fi technology on school buses carrying students to school or school-related extracurricular activities.

Benton Foundation, EducationSuperHighway Highlight E-rate Administration Flaws

The Benton Foundation and EducationSuperHighway met with Federal Communications Commission Wireline Competition Bureau staff and separately with legal advisors to Chairman Pai and Commissioners Rosenworcel and Starks on March 7, 2019, to discuss a white paper on E-rate.

Deere Stresses Need for Broadband Connectivity on Cropland

Deere & Company met separately with advisors to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Pai and Commissioners Carr, Starks, Rosenworcel, and O'Rielly on March 6, 2019 to discuss the deployment of mobile and wireline broadband services and facilities that cover underserved rural areas of agricultural operations, including cropland. Deere said today’s high precision agriculture and smart farm technologies require broadband connectivity.

News Blues

I have a bad case of news blues. Journalism is fast becoming a vast wasteland. Newsrooms across the land are hollowed out, or in many cases shuttered.

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