Tag: FCC
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FCC Sticks With its Decision to Reject Starlink Bid for $900 Million in Internet Subsidies
The Federal Communications Commission on Monday said it reaffirmed its previous decision to reject Starlink’s application for $900 million in subsidies from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund due to the company failing to meet the program’s requirements. Starlink had applied for $885 million in federal subsidies from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which uses scarce…
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Cable TV Companies Say the FCC’s Proposed Investigation Into Broadband Affordability Is ‘Inappropriate’
Cable TV companies are pushing back on the Federal Communications Commission proposal to look into the overall affordability of broadband. At its next congressionally required review of broadband deployment, the Commission wants to analyze internet service providers’ monthly prices, data overage charges, and other fees. The investigation could also create an affordability benchmark, which would…
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The Affordable Connectivity Program Runs Out of Money in April. The FCC is Urging Congress to Act Now
Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is calling on Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, ACP. The program, which helps over 20 million Americans pay their internet bills, is set to run out of money by April 2024. “Across the country, I have met with people who have been able to get online…
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DISH Network Gets FCC Approval to Merge With EchoStar As It Looks For Cash
Back in October DISH Network announced a deal to merge with its sister company EchoStar. DISH, the parent company of Sling TV has been struggling for cash for some time now and is hoping this deal could help it complete its 5G buildout. Now the FCC has approved this merger which clears a major obstacle…
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SpaceX Gets FCC Approval To Test Phone Calls From Space
SpaceX on Monday was partially cleared by the Federal Communications Commission to start deploying its cellular Starlink system for short tests. SpaceX is allowed to deploy a “modified version” of its Gen2 Starlink satellite only to verify that the radio signals on the satellites work, according to the FCC’s ruling, obtained earlier by PCMag. The…
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The FCC Bans Cable TV Companies from Offering À La Carte Options For Local ABC, CBS, NBC, & FOX Stations
Last week, DIRECTV made news by pushing Tegna to allow them to offer their channels as an add-on in what could be a landmark fight between locals and pay-TV providers. DIRECTV is governed under 1999 laws made for satellite companies wanting to offer locals. Cable TV companies though are governed by 1992 laws that say…
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The Recap: Another DIRECTV Blackout, ESPN and MLB Lose Tons of Subscribers, and More
DIRECTV subscribers were hit hard by another blackout, this time with ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliates owned by Tegna. Meanwhile, there’s more indication of cable TV’s struggles, along with some tough numbers to swallow for ESPN and the MLB Network. As always, there was a lot going on in the world of cord cutting.…
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The FCC is Going After Radio Pirates
The Federal Communications Commission is declaring war on pirates — of the radio variety. The agency on Friday said it issued nine warnings to landowners in the Boston for hosting illegal radio broadcasts from their properties. The warnings come with a threat of fines exceeding $2 million if those broadcasts don’t cease. Even in the…
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Local ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Owners Want YouTube TV & Others Turned Into Cable TV Companies But The FCC May Not Have That Power
Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology subcommittee held a hearing on FCC oversight of broadband. This included the possibility that the FCC may reclassify streaming services like YouTube TV into cable TV companies. This comes as recently 20 US Senators joined a growing number of local TV station owners to ask the Federal…
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Verizon Will Pay $23.5 Million For TracFone FCC Low-Income Funding Program Violations
The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau reached a settlement with TracFone Wireless, resolving an investigation into whether the Verizon subsidiary violated rules for its Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit programs. After being acquired by Verizon in 2021, TracFone self-identified certain occurrences where the company was found to have violated Lifeline and EBB rules. After reporting…