Shomik Mukherjee
Why are Comcast and AT&T trying to block millions in state money to boost Oakland’s high-speed internet?
Internet giants Comcast and AT&T are trying to prevent Oakland from receiving $14 million to build out its capacity for high-speed internet, the latest obstacle to the city’s efforts to close longstanding gaps in online access for its residents. In objections to Oakland’s latest share of a $3.87 billion California spending package, the two companies argued to the California Public Utilities Commision (CPUC) that the neighborhoods slated for enhanced fiber-optic infrastructure already enjoy faster internet speeds. Their evidence for that assertion has been kept confidential to everyone b
Access Humboldt anxious as FCC prepares to reduce local public media funding
Community public television stations like Access Humboldt and other community services — including free internet at the library — could be throttled by a forthcoming Federal Communications Commission vote to hamper local regulation of cable companies. Companies like Suddenlink Communications are required by local jurisdictions to pay “franchise fees” to support community access stations, but the FCC vote would allow Suddenlink to lump other contributions into its obligations, which are capped at 5% of the company’s local revenue.