Tag: FCC
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FCC Says 20 Million Households Are On its Affordable Broadband Program
The Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program hit an internet accessibility milestone. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said on Monday that more than 20 million U.S. households have signed up for the program, which subsidizes the cost of internet service for those meeting a certain income threshold. The ACP, which is funded by the Infrastructure Investment…
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FCC Slams Robocallers With Nearly $30 Million in Penalties
Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued the largest-ever fine against two scammers who conducted over five billion auto warranty robocalls. The fines totaled nearly $30 million. Roy M. Cox and Aaron Michaels Jones ran a complex international scheme to sell auto service contracts under the guise of selling warranties. The pair made over five…
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The FCC Will Now Offer $75 Off Your Home Internet If You Qualify
Today the FCC announced a measure to offer $75 a month off of home internet services for qualifying customers in high-cost areas through the Affordable Connectivity Program as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act). This is for customers who qualify for the program but can demonstrate that the standard $30 monthly…
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FCC Proposal Could Lead To Sharper Sounding FM Radio And Better Reception
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to empower FM radio stations with the ability to increase their digital power levels, which could result in better audio and reception indoors. The agency released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Tuesday to grant digital FM and Low Power FM stations more flexibility to increase digital power…
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Local ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Owners Again Push The FCC to Reclassify YouTube TV, Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, & More As Cable TV Companies
Local TV station owners have formed a new Coalition for Local News to push the FCC to force cord cutting services to be treated like cable TV companies. If the FCC agrees to change the rules it would force YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo, and more to strike deals directly with the owners of local TV…
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FCC Just Shut Down a Major Pipeline For Robocalls
The Federal Communications Commission said it identified a large source of robocalls and has cracked down on the company. The FCC said on Tuesday that its Robocall Response Team identified One Owl Telecom as a gateway company that has let international robocalls flood in. The commission sent a notice to telephone providers advising them to…
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FCC’s Proposed Redefinition of Broadband May Mean You Don’t Actually Have Broadband
The FCC is considering changing the definition of what actually is broadband internet. A proposal submitted by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sets a new standard of 100 megabits per second as the new minimum standard for download speeds and 20Mbps for upload speeds. The current standard to qualify as broadband internet is 25Mbps download and 3Mbps…
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The FCC Invests $13.9 Million in The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program to Expand Internet Access
The Federal Communications Commission is investing over $13.9 million in an Emergency Connectivity Fund Program directed toward schools and libraries. The program aims to provide resources for around 35,000 students in 52 schools and districts across the country, including California, New York, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia to name a few. The program…
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FCC Implements New Rules to Stop Robocalls & Scammers
The Federal Communications Commission has been cracking down on unwanted spam calls in recent years. Last Friday, The FCC’s Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR) and Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (SHAKEN) protocols fully went into effect. STIR/SHAKEN requires all IP-based voice service provider networks must adhere to the spoofed robocall defense protocols and…
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FCC Discusses Plans to Shutdown ATSC OTA TV 1.0 As it Moves to ATSC 3.0 Nextgen TV
At the Advanced Television System Committee‘s 40th anniversary meeting, the future of NetGen TV’s ATSC 3.0 was discussed. 3.0 is currently available in over 60 markets. Could this mean 1.0 will soon shut down as 3.0 takes over? The Federal Communications Commission has already made known its plans to end 1.0 since last April, though a…