Kelcee Griffis
Newest FCC commissioner talks AI, internet affordability
At her first Federal Communications Commission meeting since gaining Senate confirmation, it became clear that Commissioner Anna Gomez would be a changemaker.
Internet assistance program cuts subsidy payments ahead of funding draught
Regulators and members of the telecom industry are ratcheting up the pressure on Congress to renew an expiring internet subsidy program, which just downgraded its monthly subsidies from $30 to $14 as it enters its final month of operation. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will fully cease providing financial support at the end of May if lawmakers fail to imbue the program with new funds. If nothing changes, more than three-quarters of participating households said they’ll have to change their internet plan or forgo service entirely, according to a Federal Communications Commission
Millions of Americans stand to lose their subsidized home internet connection this year
When Dorothy Burrell’s lupus flares, she has days she can’t walk or get out of bed.
New subsea cable project aims to stabilize internet connections in South Pacific
When an underwater volcanic eruption severed a key internet conduit in 2022, the island nation of Tonga lost most of its connection to the outside world for more than a month. Thanks to a new subsea cable project Google unveiled on January 17, South Pacific islanders are less likely to be cut off from the global internet in the future.
How one IoT company is improving dairy production
When Alisa Gusterer tells farmers that her company’s technology can flag that their cows are getting sick before it actually happens, the most common response is happy disbelief.
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3 Things To Know About Sohn's FCC Confirmation Chances
Gigi Sohn, a progressive nominated by President Joe Biden for an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission, is facing some friction in her confirmation bid. Here's what you need to know about Sohn's prospects for joining the FCC heading into Thanksgiving weekend. The Senate Commerce Committee explore Sohn's qualifications to fill the fifth and final FCC seat in a session directly following the vote.
Provider Info Gaps, Price Hikes Top List Of Emergency Broadband Benefit Gripes
The Federal Communications Commission is receiving consumer complaints concerning the disconnects between benefits touted as part of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and the frequent failure of broadband internet access service providers to deliver on those promises. Some providers are forcing consumers to change plans in order to get the $50 monthly subsidy or not validating customers' already-established eligibility to participate. About 19% of the complaints reported service-tier issues that complicated the participation in the program.
Senators Urged To Invest In Variety Of Broadband Technologies
During a hearing titled "Building Resilient Networks," lawmakers on the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband were asked to boost the reliability of the nation's broadband networks by spreading infrastructure funding among a variety of technologies such as fixed wireless and mobile broadband rather than limiting it solely to fiber. Wireless Infrastructure Association President Jonathan Adelstein testified that a singular focus on fiber broadband networks that can deliver "symmetrical" speeds of 100 megabits per second would prioritize a sometimes c
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FCC Split Over Who Gets Emergency Broadband Funds First
Federal Communications Commissioners appeared divided on Feb 17 over how the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program funding should be distributed to Americans hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic — either by evenly prioritizing the funding to affected groups or targeting the money specifically to students.
ISPs Say They Kept Virus Pledge, But Customers Disagree
At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission pushed internet service providers to promise they wouldn't penalize customers who struggled to pay their internet bills when they needed connectivity the most. More than 800 companies signed onto the Keep Americans Connected pledge, a commitment to not disconnect customers who were behind on their bills or charge late-payment fees that drew effusive praise from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.