Author: Philip Palermo
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Overwatch, Call of Duty Esports Leagues Among Those Moving to Online-Only Matches
With the ongoing limitations on large gatherings due to the spread of the coronavirus, many sports leagues have postponed or canceled their slate of matches across the country. Several esports leagues, which can draw huge crowds to major tournaments, have also made adjustments, including canceling local events — with some reworking their formats for online…
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AT&T, T-Mobile, Comcast, Cox, Verizon, and More Take FCC’s Pledge to Maintain Customer Service During Coronavirus Pandemic
Today, the Federal Communications Commission announced nearly 80 broadband and telephone services providers and commissions have signed on to what it’s calling the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.” The agreement is aimed at ensuring residents and small businesses don’t lose broadband and phone service during the current Coronavirus pandemic, which has led to many service and…
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Concern Over Data Caps Grows as Coronavirus Fears Keep People at Home
As responses and precautions to the ongoing Coronavirus threat evolve, many are staying indoors — working from home during the day and opting to spend evenings in. The increase in video conferencing and streaming video is putting more demand on home internet usage, potentially raising the risk of hitting and exceeding monthly data usage caps.…
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Comcast, AT&T Announce Service Expansions, Fee Waivers in Wake of Coronavirus Precautions
With Coronavirus precautions keeping many of us at home instead of at work or school, Comcast announced it’s boosting and expanding its Internet Essentials program, which offers internet access to low-income families at a more affordable rate. “We also know that for millions of low-income Americans who don’t have internet service at home, this uncertain…
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Google’s Smart TV Turf War With Amazon Extends to Android TV Partners
The ecosystem battle between Google and Amazon has been going on for years — YouTube, for instance, finally arrived on Fire TV models just last year. But a new Protocol report details how Google is currently preventing its Android TV partners from also supporting Fire TV, potentially blocking some key TV makers from working with…
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Commission Updates Guidelines to Prep for 5G Expansion
An international commission issued updated exposure guidelines aimed at keeping pace with the ongoing rollout of 5G networks, tweaking recommendations it started issuing back in 1998. In a press release this week, the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) discussed its effort to modernize its guidelines to account for 5G, especially its use of…
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AT&T Targets Early 2022 for 3G Sunset
While 5G may be grabbing all the attention and headlines these days, mobile carriers have been working on plans to move away from older networks and, they hope, convert existing customers to their latest tech. Case in point: the venerable 3G network, which came online in the US in the early 2000s. Various companies are…
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State, Local Groups Call for Large-Scale Broadband Expansion
Groups representing state governors and cities issued a press release this week urging Congress to use the planned C-band spectrum auction as a way to invest in a more robust broadband network. The Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) plans to auction off a portion of the spectrum currently used by leading satellite companies, potentially paving the…
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Video Gaming Survey Suggests Binge Sessions, Interest in Streaming Options on the Rise
Results from a new video game study suggest most gamers have played for more than four straight hours at least once, and many younger respondents would rather game than watch TV or a movie. The survey, conducted by Limelight Networks, leverages input from 4,500 respondents in nine countries to offer a glimpse into the habits…
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Roku’s Bet on Smart TV Appears to be Paying Off
Roku TV, the company’s smart TV platform, has been gaining traction and adding partners since its debut a few years ago. It essentially takes the software and user experience Roku’s offered in its streaming boxes and HDMI sticks, and embeds it directly in TVs from a number of manufacturers. This week, The Motley Fool’s Adam…