Communication at a distance, especially the electronic transmission of signals via the telephone
Telecommunication
A new bill could finally ban predatory inmate phone costs
March 8, a bipartisan group of US Senators introduced the Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act that aims to restore federal authority to crack down on what prison reform advocates call the “usurious,” “abusive,” and “exploitative” business practices of a small handful of companies that dominate the $1.2 billion US prison phone industry. For Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who introduced the bill, addressing the problem of predatory prison phones rates is a practical, as well as moral, imperative.
Verizon, CWA settle New York copper network dispute, agree on repairs, improvements
Verizon and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have reached a settlement requiring the telco to repair and make improvements to its copper network infrastructure throughout New York state. Under the terms of the agreement, the service provider agreed to repair 54 central offices across the state; replace bad cable, defective equipment and faulty backup batteries; and take down 64,000 double telephone poles.
Critics on both the left and right say Ajit Pai’s FCC is hurting poor people
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai says he wants to help poor people. “I have often said that my highest priority as chairman is closing the digital divide–the gap between those who have access to next-generation technologies and those who don’t,” he told a Senate committee in September when talking about reforms to a subsidy program called Lifeline. But critics say he’s doing the opposite, including with that very program. Unlike in the net neutrality debate, critics of Chairman Pai’s latest efforts are now coming from the left and the right.
From AT&T to Cable One: Who has the highest data caps in wireline, wireless and cable?
In this report, we consider which carriers have implemented data caps and how large those caps are. Each provider is ranked by the size of the data cap they offer and the charge they incur for exceeding it. Service provider groups that have no caps are ranked according to company size.
Remarks of Commissioner Clyburn, "The FCC's War on the Poor", at Voices for Internet Freedom Coalition
The last time we spoke, you kindly permitted me to go off-script, to talk about how the Federal Communications Commission is proposing to destroy the Lifeline program. Now that proposed rollback is centerstage, along with my key priority, inmate calling service reform. But, I am heartened that the public outcry about the majority’s assault on Lifeline is coming from nearly every corner. And while it may be clear to those assembled here, that the FCC needs to pump the brakes on gutting Lifeline, what it does need to hit the gas on is inmate calling services reform.
Sen Duckworth and Others Introduce Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act
[Press release] Sens Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act to strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system by helping families keep in touch with incarcerated family members, which studies have shown can help reduce recidivism rates and thereby save taxpayer dollars. This targeted legislation would address long-standing concerns regarding predatory inmate calling rates at prison facilities across the US and would affirm the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to address a m
Consumer Alert: Protect Yourself Against 'Neighbor Spoofing', Scam Callers Placing Phone Calls That Appear To Be Local
The Federal Communications Commission is warning consumers about “neighbor spoofing” scams where thieves manipulate caller ID information in ways that make calls appear to have been placed locally. In general, scammers use such spoofing to increase the likelihood that consumers pick up
the phone and to increase the consumer’s trust in the call.
Consumer Tips:
Chairman Pai’s supporters say he’s gone too far with plan that hurts poor people
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai can usually count on support from broadband industry lobbyists and conservative think tanks each time he announces a new policy. But Chairman Pai's proposal to limit broadband choices for poor people who rely on a telecommunication subsidy program is coming under fire from all directions. Chairman Pai wants a major overhaul of Lifeline, a federal program that lets poor people use a $9.25 monthly household subsidy to buy Internet and/or phone service.
In light of recent decisions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), I invite you to join the Voices for Internet Freedom Coalition, a coalition of organizations fighting to protect the digital rights of communities of color, for a lunch briefing focused on Lifeline, Net Neutrality, and other recent FCC decisions. The briefing will be held Thursday, March 8th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm in Rayburn 2044.
Congressional Leaders Announce FCC Reauthorization and Spectrum Agreement
House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) announced a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on legislation reauthorizing the Federal Communications Commission and spurring the deployment of next-generation wireless services. The legislation, RAY BAUM’S Act (H.R. 4986), will be voted on in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. The legislation would: