Telecommunication

On Aug 17, Public Knowledge joined Common Cause, Center for Rural Strategies, and the Benton Foundation in filing comments with the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau in response to a Public Notice seeking comment on the state of fixed wireline competition. Public Knowledge contends that as the FCC prepares its first annual Communications Marketplace report in compliance with the RAY BAUM’s Act of 2018, the agency should measure fixed and mobile broadband as distinct -- and separate -- product markets.

In this notice, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announces that there is sufficient funding available to fully meet the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) estimated demand for category one and category two requests for E-Rate supported services for funding year 2018. 

US broadband service, already slower and more expensive than in many other countries, could get even pricier. That's because major internet providers such as AT&T and Verizon want the Federal Communications Commission to scrap a key provision that some say helps keep broadband costs low for small businesses and consumers. Under the rule, large telecommunication companies must allow smaller rivals to piggy-back on their networks at rates set by the government.

The Trump administration's consideration of tariffs on Chinese printed circuit assemblies and connected devices would cost the economy $520.8 million and $2.4 billion annually for the 10 percent and 25 percent tariffs, respectively, according to a new study commissioned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

On August 2, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Third Report and Order (Third R&O) and Declaratory Ruling in its on-going wireline and wireless infrastructure proceedings aimed at removing barriers to broadband deployment. In the Third R&O the FCC significantly revised its rules and regulations governing the pole attachment “make-ready” process, including the establishment of a one-touch make-ready (OTMR) process.

Across the country, Americans depend on reliable phone service to stay in touch with friends and family, conduct business, and access vital public services. Although all Americans should have confidence that calls made to or by them will be completed, for those living in rural or remote areas, too often this is not the case.

A survey from Consumer Reports finds that only 38 percent of those with paid TV subscriptions with cable or satellite providers said they were very or completely satisfied with their service. Consumer Reports said most of the larger cable companies ended up in the bottom half of the 25 companies on the ratings list. Google Fiber broke away from the pack on the TV front, though, receiving top marks in areas like technical support, customer service and equipment ease of use.

In its recent Declaratory Ruling, the Federal Communications Commission declared that, with rare exceptions, moratoria on the acceptance, processing, or approval of applications or permits for telecommunications services or facilities violate Section 253 of the Communications Act. AT&T urges the FCC to further use its authority to interpret Sections 253 and 332(c)(7) to clarify the types of municipal regulations that “have the effect of prohibiting” the provision of wireless service, primarily as they affect small cell deployments.

Charles "Chip" Pickering, a conservative Republican former member of Congress and CEO of a telecommunications-industry group called Incompas, supports net neutrality. Under Pickering's leadership, Incompas has been a steadfast defender of 2015 rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission that ban broadband providers like Comcast and Verizon from blocking or discriminating against lawful content. That’s placed it at odds with other industry groups working to undermine efforts to mandate net neutrality.Incompas  itself is something of a paradox.

People who end up in jail in New York City will now be able to use the phones there for free, after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill into law that will eliminate the charge. The city had been collecting about $5 million per year from calls made by incarcerated people and their families.