1. Monthly archive
  2. December 2021

December 2021

Massachusetts State Rep Calls Comcast’s Abandonment of Data Caps and Penalties ‘a Huge Win’

Comcast, which postponed its planned data caps and penalties on northeast customers when it came under fire at the peak of the current pandemic, has abandoned the plan altogether. Haverhill Rep Andy Vargas (D-MA) said he received word directly from Comcast in early December after following up on the company’s plan to charge those without unlimited plans $10 for every 50 gigabytes they use over the 1.2 terabyte limit, up to a maximum of $100 a month. “The latest we have is that they have no intention of reintroducing the data caps at all, which is a huge win,” Vargas said.

European Parliament Passes Digital Markets Act

The European Parliament passed the Digital Markets Act to ensure a level playing field for all digital companies, regardless of their size. The regulations will lay down clear rules for big platforms - a list of “dos” and “don’ts” - which aim to stop them from imposing unfair conditions on businesses and consumers. Such practices include ranking services and products offered by the gatekeeper itself higher than similar services or products offered by third parties on the gatekeeper's platform or not giving users the possibility of uninstalling any preinstalled software or app.

Conversations with Municipal Leaders: Digital Equity in Cities

Congress has made unprecedented federal investments in broadband infrastructure and digital equity. This moment is not just about installing conduit under streets and fiber on poles — it is about achieving and ensuring digital equity for our country as a whole. Conversations with Municipal Leaders: Digital Equity in Cities, a report by the National League of Cities, captures the combined perspectives and experiences of 22 US cities, towns and villages working to achieve digital equity.

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