Net Neutrality rules have been announced by the FCC, and now I am sure that they will end up in court so it will be some time before we know if they will stick. I still have an issue with the total Capacity of both the Internet and wireless broadband and believe that if there is no incentive to build more back-bone, at some point we will run out of capacity. Others disagree, and there seems to be a general feeling that the Internet is an unlimited resource. To that I say, if you remember having to wait to call you mother via wired landline on Mother’s day, there is no such thing as unlimited capacity.
FirstNet continues to make progress I am, however, still concerned that NITA’s strangle hold on FirstNet will result in FirstNet not finding the partners they need. I was shocked to find out that the Inspector Generals office of the Department of Commerce has requested a number of new Staff members which are needed to “monitor FirstNet!” The FirstNet board and Staff are the most dedicated people I have met in a very long time. The IG’s request is just another slap in the face to the professionals serving for virtually nothing as FirstNet board members. Something is VERY wrong with this entire scenario. I am not sure what it will take to make the changes in the NTIA and Department of Commerce’s overbearing oversight of FirstNet but if it does not change and if FirstNet is not permitted to do the job it was charged by Congress to do, the Public Safety community will not realize the benefits of the new Broadband Spectrum anytime soon.
US Wireless Spectrum Auction Raises $44.9 Billion – Slashdot Jan 30 10:15 An anonymous reader writes: The FCC’s recent wireless spectrum auction closed on Thursday, and the agency has raked in far more money than anyone expected. Sales totaled $44.89 billion, demonstrating that demand for wireless spectrum is higher than ever. The winners have not yet been disclosed, but the FCC will soon make all bidding activity public. “The money will be used to fund FirstNet, the government agency tasked with creating the nation’s first interoperable broadband…
Net Neutrality May Be Here to Stay, No Thanks to GOP Efforts – Huffington Post Feb 6 15:15 After months of what seemed like endless amounts of money and ignorant comments from politicians receiving said money from Internet Service Providers to squash net neutrality, it looks like there’s some hope on the horizon. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the internet may remain the wild frontier of free expression and innovation it was originally intended to be. Net neutrality is the idea that Internet service providers (like Comcast and Verizon) should treat all web content equally. Net neutrality supporters think Internet service should operate like electricity. Consumers pay a fee to an…
FCC Chief’s plan saves net neutrality as AT&T gears up to sue – Network World Fusion Feb 6 11:37 Even before FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote “This is how we will ensure net neutrality” on Wired, proposing that the FCC use its Title II authority to implement and enforce open internet protections, AT&T was gearing up to sue the FCC. Today Wheeler said: Using this authority, I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open internet protections ever proposed by the FCC. These enforceable, bright-line rules will ban paid prioritization, and the blocking and throttling of lawful content and services. I propose to fully apply”for the first time ever”those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights…
Cooperation wins the day on new 9-1-1 rules – The Hill via Google Alerts Feb 6 10:40 And fortunately, many aspects of the public safety roadmap were incorporated into the FCC’s final rules on this matter. As the use of cell phones and …
Sen. Shaheen says Homeland Security showdown could impact first responders – The Union Leader via Google Alerts Feb 6 02:50 Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., voted for the funding bill that previously passed the House of Representatives. It would fund Homeland Security through the end …
Net neutrality rules will fully apply to mobile operators for first time – Mobile World Live via Google Alerts Feb 5 23:50 And mobile operators fall squarely under the new regulation. While the FCC’s 2010 open internet rules had limited applicability to mobile broadband, the …
Public Safety Feedback & Real-World Incident Show Need for NPSBN At California Town Hall – FirstNet via Google Alerts Feb 5 20:50 … California, that focused on the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN). I would like to thank the state’s single point of contact (SPOC), …
Fiber optics starting to replace microwave – Burnett County Sentinel via Google Alerts Feb 5 15:40 … Company has now turned its attention to the new emergency communication towers and the technological puzzle of narrowband radio frequencies.
FCC unanimously approves rules to locate indoor wireless 911 callers – FedScoop via Google Alerts Jan 30 10:45 “By working together with wireless carriers, the public safety community has succeeded in forging an agreement that will drive faster deployment of …
FCC Redefines Broadband in Net Neutrality Prelude | US News – the Net economy via Google Alerts Jan 30 10:21 The question is, ‘Whose Internet is it?’ How are we going to make sure that in the broadband future there are yardsticks in place to determine what is …
FCC says it will ‘act against’ hotels that block Wi-Fi hotspot access – xmlpush Jan 30 10:15 The Federal Communications Commission issued an enforcement advisory this week informing hotels that blocking personal Wi-Fi hotspots is prohibited. The move comes as major hospitality chains attempted to block guests’ personal Wi-Fi networks, claiming they posed a security threat. Travelers fought back, complaining that hotels simply wanted to charge them outrageous fees to use in-house Wi-Fi networks. “The Enforcement Bureau has seen a disturbing trend in which hotels and other commercial establishments…
FCC redefines advanced broadband as 25Mbps, Republicans blow a gasket – InfoWorld Jan 30 09:01 The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has redefined advanced broadband as having 25Mbps download speeds, up from 4Mbps, giving the agency new authority to pass rules to encourage deployment across the country. The FCC, in a 3-2 party-line vote Thursday, also determined that this newly defined advanced broadband wasn’t being rolled out in a timely manner across the U.S. The agency released a notice of inquiry asking how it can accelerate broadband deployment, but didn’t offer concrete plans on how it will proceed. [ Get your websites up to speed with HTML5 today using the techniques in InfoWorld’s HTML5 Deep Dive PDF…
Mayors of Boston, Seattle, KC, others: No more muni broadband restrictions, please – InfoWorld Jan 30 09:01 A group of 38 mayors and other elected officials from cities like Boston, Seattle, and Kansas City Thursday urged the FCC to strike down state laws that restrict the development of public high-speed Internet services and allow municipal networks to flourish. In an open letter to the FCC commissioners, the Next Century Cities group emphasized the importance of universal access to high-speed Internet services. [ Get your websites up to speed with HTML5 today using the techniques in InfoWorld’s HTML5 Deep Dive PDF how-to report. | Get the latest insight on the tech news that matters from InfoWorld’s Tech Watch blog . ] +ALSO…
German govt announces 700 MHz frequency auction – Telecompaper via Google Alerts Jan 30 04:55 Jochen Homann, president of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA or BNA) said Germany will be the first country in Europe to sell 700 MHz …
Why the Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger Is Dead – Bloomberg View via Google Alerts Feb 6 17:21 The Federal Communications Commission has decided to regulate broadband service like a utility and enforce, to some degree, equal access to the …
FCC – Michigan Public Safety Communications System Public Safety Towers – Colorado Media.Net via Google Alerts Feb 6 16:20 From the FCC: Michigan Public Safety Communications System Public Safety Towers; Application for Review Denied the Application for Review …
Broadband speeds get a boost from the FCC – Reuters Blogs via Google Alerts Feb 6 15:20 I propose to fully apply for the first time ever those bright-line rules to mobile broadband. My proposal assures the rights of internet users to go …
Republicans Vow to Fight FCC Broadband Proposal – WSJ: Technology Feb 6 12:45 Republican lawmakers are vowing to fight the Federal Communications Commission’s new proposal to heavily regulate broadband Internet.
FCC rules to enforce net neutrality and the ECB rules to cut off Greek collateral – RT via Google Alerts Feb 6 12:20 Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler’s suggestion to lump wireless networks in with wired-broadband was arguably the …
FCC chairman says broadband should be treated as utility for net neutrality – Network World Fusion Feb 6 11:37 The chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has proposed net neutrality rules based on reclassifying broadband as a regulated public utility and will ask fellow commissioners to approve that approach later this month. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, as expected, will offer net neutrality rules that reverse a long-standing agency practice of treating broadband as a lightly regulated information service, instead reclassifying it as a regulated common carrier under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. “I am submitting to my colleagues the strongest open Internet protections ever proposed by the FCC,” Wheeler wrote in a Wired.com opinion piece published Wednesday. “…
After Wheeler unveils proposal, what’s next for net neutrality? – Network World Fusion Feb 6 11:37 A flurry of activity will follow the plan from U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler to reclassify broadband as a regulated public utility as the foundation for new net neutrality rules. Wheeler’s plan would reclassify broadband from a lightly regulated information service to a more regulated telecommunications service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act, reversing the FCC’s broadband policy for the past decade. Still, Wheeler’s plan has the agency forbearing from most traditional telecom regulations under Title II, including rate regulations, contributions to the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, and requirements to share their networks with competitors. To read…
New wireless industry video says opposing net neutrality is totally hip – Boy Genius Report Feb 6 08:45 Your wireless carrier would love to give you all sorts of crazy-cool stuff… but now the mega-bogus FCC is trying to spoil the party. Bummer! The CTIA Wireless Association has put out a new video arguing against FCC chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposal to reclassify both wireline and wireless broadband services under Title II of the Telecommunications Act and it tries to make the case that opposing this move is a totally hip thing to do. FROM EARLIER: If AT&T hates the FCC’s net neutrality plan, it has only Verizon to blame The video starts off with a cool dude in…
Decoded: Net Neutrality and the ‘New’ Broadband – Tom’s Guide via Google Alerts Feb 6 08:20 FCC Chairman Wheeler at a Net neutrality rally | Credit: Gigi Sohn, FCCDespite comedian John Oliver calling a Federal Communications Committee …
FCC commissioner opposes Obama’s Internet plan – CNBC via Google Alerts Feb 6 04:45 FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai says President Obama’s plan for Internet regulation will make for slower broadband, increase Internet bills and reduce …
MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report – 74.63.161 via Google Alerts Feb 6 00:50 American Airlines Receives Notice of Violation for Fire Agency Interference (2/5/15). The FCC issued a notice of violation to American Airlines Group, …
About Us – New Mexico Department of Information Technology via Google Alerts Feb 5 20:50 … (SWIP) Program is designed to assist regional, state, local, and tribal governments to plan for a nationwide public safety broadband network.
NYC startups played key role in swaying FCC on net neutrality – xmlpush Feb 5 15:15 Yesterday, I told you about Verizon Communications Inc.’s (NYSE: VC) alarmed response to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler’s plan to regulate broadband as a public utility. Now it’s the tech startups’ turn to celebrate, which is what longtime venture capitalist Fred Wilson did in a brief, understated blog post today. He notes this remarkable Wall Street Journal story detailing the long, secretive path from tech corridors to the White House that led to…
FCC endorsing Title II for mobile broadband – Slashdot via Google Alerts Feb 5 13:55 It should be for all broadband, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Here’s What People Are Saying About the Net Neutrality Proposal – WSJ: Digits Feb 5 13:50 FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler unveiled a proposal that would subject mobile and fixed broadband providers to utility-like regulations. Here’s what people are saying:
FCC chairman says broadband should be treated as utility for net neutrality – Network World via Google Alerts Feb 5 13:20 Wheeler’s original proposal came after a U.S. appeals court decision early last year appeared to suggest that approach to net neutrality rules.
Provider consortium seeks FCC funding to boost broadband services – FierceHealthIT via Google Alerts Feb 5 11:45 While telemedicine adoption is on the rise, many providers find their Internet speeds can’t keep up with increasing use of technology necessary to …
NTIA Notice FR Doc. 2015-02087 – Federal Register Watch.com via Google Alerts Feb 5 00:30 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; …
Broadband continues upward spiral as narrowband declines in June-Sept 2014 – DreamDTH via Google Alerts Jan 30 11:05 NEW DELHI: The number of narrowband Internet subscribers declined from 190.31 million at the end of June 2014 to 178.67 million at the end of …
FCC’s New Broadband Definition Draws Cable TV Fire – Investor’s Business Daily Jan 30 07:00 The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday raised the definition of high-speed Internet service to 25 megabits per second (mbps), up from the current of 4 Mbps, in a move that could have implications for Comcast’s (CMCSA) proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable and may lead to tougher regulation of broadband services, some Wall Street analysts worry. Under the current definition, cable TV firms are the biggest providers of broadband
In Advanced Broadband Era, Rural America Left Behind – Billing World and OSS Today Jan 30 06:30 The data likely would paint a different picture if broadband were defined as 4Mbps (download)/1Mpbs (upload), the standard set by the FCC in 2010. …
verizon fios – Cloud Review HQ via Google Alerts Jan 30 02:35 The FCC has a dream, but it needs to dream bigger. In the February issue of Maximum PC magazine, I wrote about the lack of true broadband speeds …