Blogs

Benton Editorial

Chairman’s Year End Message 2014

I believe deeply that our media and telecommunications can and must serve the public interest and enhance our democracy. On this bedrock faith, the Benton Foundation seeks policy solutions that support the values of access, diversity and equity; demonstrates the value of media and telecommunications for improving the quality of life for all; and provides informational resources to policymakers and advocates to inform communications policy debates.

Op-ed

The Biggest FCC Vote Ever

We start off the new year with the good news that the Federal Communications will likely vote on net neutrality at its late February meeting. So we might—just might—be on the cusp of a decision to reverse the disastrous misclassification of broadband that the FCC made in 2002 for cable modem and a couple of years later for the rest of telecommunications.

Weekly Digest

A Year in Review (and a Look Ahead): Time for Lifeline Reform

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has been on the job for just over a year. And with 2014 coming to a close, we look back at the accomplishments of the FCC in his first year. Today we look at the FCC’s Lifeline program which provides discounts on monthly telephone service for eligible low-income subscribers.

Weekly Digest

A Year in Review: Bringing Big Broadband to Better Education

As 2014 comes to a close, we’re looking at the major accomplishments of the Federal Communications Commission and the first year of Tom Wheeler’s chairmanship.

Benton Editorial

Benton Foundation Applauds FCC’s Big Broadband Boost for Education

“We cannot always build the future for our youth,” said President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “but we can build our youth for the future.” Today, the Federal Communications Commission improved education for all our young people by providing the tools to connect every school and library to high-capacity broadband -- and Wi-Fi connectivity that delivers critical education tools right to students’ desks.

This is a huge win for U.S. education.

Op-ed

A Book for Now

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” philosopher George Santayana once said. It’s an old adage but apt as ever—particularly pertinent for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as it sets about deciding the fate of the Open Internet.

Weekly Digest

A Year in Review: The FCC and the U.S. Phone Transition (Part II)

In part I of this article, we looked at the Federal Communications Commission's fast start under Chairman Tom Wheeler to address the transition of the phone system from traditional, landline service over copper wires to a broadband- and wireless-based system. With other issues pressing for attention at the FCC, momentum slowed during the summer of 2014.

I. The Full Plate

Weekly Digest

A Year in Review: The FCC and the U.S. Phone Transition

Introduction

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has been on the job for just over a year. And with 2014 coming to a close, we look back at the accomplishments of the FCC in his first year.

Analysis

Congress and the FCC: An Uneasy Relationship

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

December 1, 2014

Digital Beat


Congress and the FCC: An Uneasy Relationship