June 2024

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a collective penalty of $367,436 against ASUSTeK Computer and its wholly owned subsidiary, Asus Computer International for marketing a WiFi adapter, the PCE-AC51, and a WiFi router, the GT-AXE11000, in apparent violation of the FCC's equipment marketing rules. ASUSTeK, without seeking the required authority from the FCC, modified both equipment models to operate in excess of their previously authorized power limits, in apparent violation of section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, and sections 2.803(b), 2.1043(a), and 15.407(a)(5

In 2023, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called for a new Learn Without Limits Initiative spearheaded by the FCC. Initially, this meant expanding E-Rate––a Universal Service Fund program that helps to make telecommunications services more affordable for schools and libraries––funding to support Wi-Fi on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots at libraries, school libraries, and schools for patrons or students in need.

The impossible has happened: A welfare program ended. Congress created a web-welfare program on an “emergency” basis during the Covid pandemic, and, in classic Washington form, politicians tried to make it permanent. They rebranded it the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and gave it billions in extra funding. The ACP paid its last benefits on May 31, and all funding for it has been exhausted. Are millions of people losing internet access? No. We knew that wouldn’t happen, even though ACP supporters were fearmongering that it would.