1. Monthly archive
  2. March 2020

March 2020

Verizon will help customers and small businesses disrupted by impact of coronavirus

During this unprecedented period challenging the world’s health and economy, Verizon announced March 13, for the next 60 days, it will waive late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus. In addition, the company will not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus.  Verizon also signed onto the Federal Communications Commission’s new “Keep Americans Connected” pledge. 

Chairman Pai Welcomes Increase in Rural Health Care Funding

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order to fully fund all eligible Rural Health Care Program services for the current funding year with an additional $42.19 million in funding. This action will help ensure that healthcare providers have the resources they need to promote telehealth solutions for patients. The total Rural Health Care Program demand for FY 2019 was $719.48 million, which exceeded the $677.29 million in previously available funding.

Reactions to Chairman Pai's Keep Americans Connected Pledge

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai launched the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. Here's what people think. 

What America Can Do to Strengthen Its Communications Infrastructure

Network reliability and network resiliency are distinct concepts that are inextricably linked. “Network reliability” means that you can rely on the fact that you will have phone service to make and receive phone calls and text messages. As an example, a network can become unreliable from a lack of network maintenance that leads to total degradation, or a lack of preparation to handle technological failure.

Berin Szóka to step down after "poetic justice" tweet

Berin Szóka, president of Washington-based think tank TechFreedom, is stepping down as its president after tweeting that it would be “poetic justice” if President Donald Trump died from the coronavirus. He will take an indefinite sabbatical to write a book on tech policy. Shane Tews, a longtime member of the group's board, will lead the organization in his stead. The move deals a blow to one of the tech industry’s staunchest defenders in Washington, where Szóka has served as its combative and outspoken leader for nearly a decade.

After deregulatory blitz, FCC scrambles to prevent ISP abuse during pandemic

Under pressure from the Federal Communications Commission, Internet service providers pledged to waive late fees and keep customers connected when they miss payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that many ISPs signed his "Keep Americans Connected Pledge." But while the pledge prevents disconnections and late fees, Chairman Pai was unwilling or unable to convince ISPs to waive data caps during the pandemic. Pai's announcement said he "also called on broadband providers to relax their data cap policies in appropriate circumstances." But the pledge doesn't i

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