Communication at a distance, especially the electronic transmission of signals via the telephone
Telecommunication
Tackling consumer confusion about broadband technology
Ofcom issued new guidance to broadband providers to ensure consumers are given clear information about their service when signing up to a new deal. Full-fibre networks are currently being deployed at pace, meaning customers are increasingly able to choose from a range of different network technologies for their broadband service. However, the term ‘fibre’ is being applied inconsistently by the telecommunications industry and is often used to describe different types of networks, leading to confusion among customers.
Federal Communications Commission Acts Against Video Service Junk Fees
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate video service junk fees from cable operators and direct broadcast satellite providers and to study the impact of these practices on consumer choices. Early termination fees require subscribers to pay a fee for terminating a video service contract prior to its expiration date, making it costly for consumers to switch services. Because these fees may have the effect of limiting consumer choice, they may reduce competition for video service.
Industry groups, internet service providers weigh in on Federal Communications Commission pole attachment proposal
As the Federal Communications Commission gets ready to vote on pole attachment reforms, industry groups and internet service providers submitted a fresh round of comments weighing in on what changes need to be made. The FCC has had an open proceeding on pole attachments since 2017, but it has yet to adopt new rules.
Cable lobby to Federal Communications Commission: Please don’t look too closely at the prices we charge
The US broadband industry is protesting a Federal Communications Commission plan to measure the affordability of Internet service. The FCC has been evaluating US-wide broadband deployment progress on a near-annual basis for almost three decades but hasn't factored affordability into these regular reviews.
Brightspeed’s Plans to Invest That $2 Billion in Its Network
Brightspeed’s origin story isn’t typical for the telecommunications industry, at least not for a company of its size. It all started with an investment premise that Apollo Global Management wanted to test. That premise: “If we invested in an under-invested wireline company, could we turn it into a growth company?” Apollo negotiated a deal to buy CenturyLink’s local service business in 20 states, which appeared to be an excellent place to test the premise. Only 2 to 3 percent of the footprint that Apollo bought from CenturyLink had been upgraded to fiber when the ownership was transferred.
Verizon’s TracFone to pay $23.5 million in Lifeline, Emergency Broadband Benefit settlement
Verizon’s TracFone Wireless subsidiary reached a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau to resolve an investigation into whether the company violated the agency’s Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program rules. According to the FCC, TracFone’s internal systems: 1) improperly considered a subscriber’s receipt of an inbound text message to constitute qualifying Lifeline usage and 2) improperly claimed support for a group of customers who were enrolled jointly in both the Lifeline and EBB programs, but did not use one of the services in
Verizon’s Joe Russo talks about capacity planning for fixed wireless access (FWA)
Verizon President of Global Networks and Technology Joe Russo said that Verizon does manage its network capacity on a sector-by-sector basis, which has become especially important with the rollout of its fixed wireless access (FWA) service. T-Mobile has been very transparent about managing its network capacity on a sector-by-sector basis in areas where it introduces FWA, to make sure that FWA doesn’t in any way degrade the experience of T-Mobile’s regular mobile customers. But Verizon has only said that it’s always managing the capacity needs on its mobile network, without getting into spec
Measuring Global Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2023
Steady but uneven progress in global Internet connectivity highlights the disparities of the digital divide and is leaving people in low-income countries behind. Approximately sixty-seven percent of the world's population, or 5.4 billion people, is now online.
Massachusetts becomes fifth state in nation to make prison calls free
Massachusetts will become the fifth state in the nation to make prison and jail calls free. Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) signed a bill that will go into effect December 1, 2023. The move is a victory for advocates and legislators who have sought to lessen the burden on prisoners communicating for years. In July 2023, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a state budget that included a requirement for corrections officials to make phone calls free for incarcerated people, but Gov. Healey pushed back to give more time to implement the program.
FCC December 2023 Open Meeting Agenda
Here’s what to expect at the Federal Communications Commission's December open meeting.
- We’re going after junk fees that harm consumers and hamper competition.
- We’re cracking down on illegal robotexts.
- We’re making smartphones more accessible to consumers with hearing loss.
- We’re removing barriers to broadband deployment.
- We’re improving health care in rural communities.
- We’re protecting consumer data.
- We’re protecting local TV programming.
- We will also consider an item from our Enforcement Bureau.