Tag: FCC
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T-Mobile’s Wireless Outage Will Be Investigated by FCC
On Monday, thousands of wireless customers across the country reported disruptions in service. Down Detector confirmed the outage with over 93,000 reports from T-Mobile customers. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai commented on the outage on Twitter Monday night, saying “The T-Mobile network outage is unacceptable. The @FCC is launching an investigation. We’re demanding answers—and so are…
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FCC Unsure SpaceX Satellites Can Hit Low-Latency Goals
This week, the Federal Communications Commission expressed uncertainty over whether SpaceX and other companies developing low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks for internet delivery can offer latencies below 100 milliseconds (ms). Hitting that mark could allow satellite providers to apply for rural broadband funding as low-latency providers, but the FCC’s latest statements cast doubt on whether…
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FCC Declares TV Ownership Rules Don’t Apply to ATSC 3.0’s ‘Broadcast Internet’
This week, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that existing television station ownership rules won’t apply to efforts to build out what FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has described as “broadcast internet.” The decision came in the form of a declatory ruling, with the FCC stating that stations can lease spectrum to provide broadcast internet service without…
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FCC Extension Means ISPs Can Keep Charging ‘Rental’ Fees on Customer-Owned Gear Until December
The Federal Communications Commission has stepped in to delay a June 20th deadline that would have required broadband and TV providers to stop charging so-called rental fees for customer-owner equipment. The FCC’s move means companies can continue those charges into December. At issue is the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019, which was signed into…
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NAB Asks FCC to Revisit New Broadcast Internet Rules with ATSC 3.0
The National Association of Broadcasters has asked the FCC to consider creating new rules for broadcasters to offer broadcast internets services with the launch of NextGen TV, according to a report from TV Technology. We reported on the FCC’s plans to use ATSC 3.0 to offer internet service in May when Commissioner Brendan Carr said…
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Despite Carrier Pledge, FCC Says It’s Received Hundreds of Consumer Complaints
While hundreds of broadband providers and telcos have signed on to the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge, the commission has reportedly received hundreds of complaints so far. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told the House Energy and Commerce Committee that of the roughly 2,000 complaints the commission has received connected to the ongoing coronavirus…
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FCC to Vote on Plan to Use ATSC 3.0 for ‘Broadcast Internet’
The Federal Communications Commission is planning to take a close look at the possibility of using the new ATSC 3.0 standard to offer internet service. Commissioner Brendan Carr said the FCC will discuss his plans for what’s being billed as “broadcast internet.” “Broadcast internet services are poised to offer a new and competitive broadband pipe,”…
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FCC Eases Lifeline Eligibility Rules for Internet, Voice Service Discounts
The Federal Communications Commission announced a temporary waiver aimed at making it easier for low-income families to apply for discounts on internet and voice services through the Lifeline program. The change means consumers don’t have to provide three consecutive months of income records to apply. “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our economy,” FCC…
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Comcast Extends Coronavirus Policies to June 30 as Original End Date Nears
Following Verizon’s announcement earlier today, Comcast is also opting to extend its suite of coronavirus response policies to the end of June. The two companies are among those taking part in the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge, which calls on companies to enact specific policies to aid customers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.…
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Verizon Extends Fee Waivers, No-Termination Pledge to June 30
In what will almost certainly be one of several similar announcements over the next few days, Verizon has announced it will extend late-fee waivers and its promises not to terminate service due to coronavirus impacts out to June 30th. The company was among hundreds of broadband providers and telcos to sign on to the Federal…