The FCC is poised to release the first batch of unlicensed wireless spectrum in 25 years, called white spaces, tomorrow, which could lead to “Wi-Fi on Steroids,” giving consumers, device makers, entrepreneurs and service providers more connectivity over wider areas. Here’s what you need to know. Read more »
There’s a very good chance that most people in America will soon have just one choice for truly high-speed Internet access suitable for watching video — their local cable monopoly. With cable’s DOCSIS 3.0 as an intermediate step, we’re reaching the era of true convergence. Read more »
The FCC today released a new report, Internet Access Services, which gives the state of Internet in the US — at the end of June 2009. The problem is that the report has data that is 14 months old, which makes it pretty much worthless. Read more »
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is poised to take action on “white spaces” by appeasing TV broadcasters interference concerns. Given successful trials, the final hurdle for widespread use of this unlicensed spectrum may be cleared, birthing a entirely new wireless industry and long-range wireless hotspots. Read more »
In November 2007, I remember reading then-Senator Obama’s Technology and Innovation Platform for the first time. I was amazed that a candidate had said that he understood what net neutrality was about and that he knew it was important to the nation’s economy and culture. Read more »
On Monday Google and Verizon announced a controversial framework for compromise on the contentious issue of network neutrality–the idea that ISPs shouldn’t discriminate against web traffic. But for those who really want to dig into the issue, read what the web is saying. Read more »
As expected, Google and Verizon have agreed to make network neutrality enforceable on wireline networks, without extending the same to wireless. However, the agreement does ask for transparency in network management on wireline and wireless networks, and leaves a place for operators to offer managed services. Read more »
It can be a real hassle putting an audiobook into iTunes when it’s split into many different files. Lucky for you, I have a method, absolutely free, to make listening to books a pleasure again by combining all the separate files into one audiobook file. Read more »
Google has reached an agreement with Verizon over Internet traffic management. It is the first step in what would amount to slow asphyxiation of network neutrality. The deal apparently prevents Verizon from blocking traffic but allows prioritization of certain types of traffic. Read more »
Today on the Net: Akamai has a new president, Swisscom uses your Facebook friends in a personalized movie trailer, local libraries loan more DVDs each day than Netflix, YouTube is playing with a new playlist bar, and more. Read more »
Participants of a public FCC hearing on the proposed Comcast-NBC Universal joint venture warned today that a lack of regulation could be a catastrophic for the online video space. They made references to BP’s oil spill, but also pointed to Comcast’s interference with BitTorrent transfers. Read more »
Apple has gone all-in for streaming as the primary means of getting content onto its devices. That has distinct strategic advantages for Apple, but it’s not without risks, especially for ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Today on the Net: Dish Network sues the FCC over requirements to carry high-definition feeds of non-commercial channels, Disney releases an iPad app to allow users to purchase and download movies and Comcast has rolled out its multiroom DVR service in more than 20 markets. Read more »
The Finnish telecommunications regulator today said that the country’s citizens have a basic right to broadband speeds of 1 Mbps and suggested that the operators who have to supply such a service could charge between 30 to 40 Euros ($36.70 and $48.90) per month. Read more »
President Barack Obama today has signed a memorandum supporting the release of 500 MHz of spectrum for mobile broadband services. As gestures go, this is a nice one akin with the president’s support for network neutrality. It’s a big endorsement, but ultimately could mean little. Read more »
Today on the Net: The FCC stops the shot clock in its review of the Comcast-NBCU deal, enterprising businesses are looking to offer FaceTime sex chat services on the iPhone 4 and Canoe Ventures is launching its first interactive ads with Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Read more »
Google turns to smart grid applications as the latest effort to win over hearts and minds to the elusive and much-debated white space technology. Will an application like the digital power grid help unlock the massive potential behind the unused TV broadcast ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The FCC today kicked off what it’s calling “Wireless World Travel Week,” complete with include a daily informational video, blog posts explaining service strategies while abroad and a useful communications tip sheet for travelers. Topics range from overseas calling options to less expensive VoIP services. Read more »
Comcast and NBC secured a number of well-know supporters for their proposed merger, but today’s FCC comment filing deadline was also used by a number of companies, labor unions and public interest groups to express opposition to the idea of both companies joining forces. Read more »
The Federal Communications Commission today voted 3-2 to issue a notice of inquiry that will formally begin the process of reclassifying broadband and enabling the agency to continue its efforts to regulate network neutrality and implement aspects of the National Broadband plan. Read more »
At least someone things FCC is doing a bang-up job, indicated by financial investments in emerging competitors to traditional broadband and mobile industry incumbents. “I understand that there has been a fair amount of debate about the regulatory framework that the FCC has chosen for broadband […] Read more »
The enormous economic impact of Silicon Valley’s edge and cloud companies isn’t adequately reflected in the policy debates taking place in D.C. But the Valley can no longer simply come up with tech solutions to get around what’s going on in Washington. Read more »
Not long ago, digital rights management and copy protection seemed to be on their last legs. But DRM is poised to make a major comeback, and copy restrictions could soon be a bigger of TV viewing than ever. ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Internet service providers, Microsoft, Intel and Google have created a broadband technical advisory group to provide an engineering perspective on issues associated with broadband networks. But the group’s lack of focus makes it hard to know if this is a good thing or not. Read more »
Critics of Apple’s iPhone intrusive notification system have new hope for more efficient and less bone-jarring alerts — Rich Dellinger left Palm to rejoin Apple last month. Among other UI contributions, Dellinger invented the superbly elegant and highly effective notification system used by Palm’s webOS. Read more »
The issue of network neutrality is a big one for Silicon Valley, but you might never know it given the head-in-the-sand response from tech executives whose very livelihood depends on their ability to send the content they develop to millions of consumers over broadband pipes. Read more »
The FCC is seeking input so it can allocate airwaves currently used primarily by weather balloons and weather satellite for wireless broadband. It is the first step toward getting 35 more megahertz so operators can support Farmville on the iPhone or Pandora on cell networks. Read more »
Some 80 percent of respondents don’t know the actual broadband speed to their homes, an FCC broadband survey finds. To educate and gather more data, the agency is looking for 10,000 volunteers to use a hardware box for speed testing. Will you join the broadband army? Read more »
The FCC, as part of its effort to boost competition by lowering the cost of switching providers, today released a survey showing that early termination fees influence consumer behavior and how unexpectedly higher phone bills hurt consumers, especially younger phone users. Read more »
Ookla, the 3-year-old company behind Speedtest.net introduced a broadband index today that tabulates the results of more than 1 million speed tests done each day. The global broadband speed is 7.69 Mbps while the U.S. speeds average 10.12 Mbps. For the top 10 cities, click through. Read more »
The day after the FCC released its wireless competition report AT&T said as of June 1 it will raise the early termination fee on the iPhone to $325. Is it a sign of the carrier’s imminent loss of iPhone exclusivity, or a lack of wireless competition? Read more »
The FCC today released a 237-page report detailing the state of competition in the wireless industry. The report offers no conclusions, but I’ve taken several of the images provided in the report to paint a picture of the industry that shows it’s very profitable. Read more »
The growing anti-Apple alliance between Google and Adobe is likely to extend beyond mobile devices and apps, however. One collaboration that is surely in the works, even if its not ready to be announced this week, is the integration of Flash into Google’s new Smart TV ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
FCC chairman Julius Genachowski today defended to cable industry executives the agency’s plan’s to reclassify broadband, pitching the commission’s “Third Way” for regulation and attempting to assure the audience that the agency would continue to operate in good faith. Read more »
Verizon Wireless is in talks to share its spectrum with rural wireless carriers, according to the Wall Street Journal. Any spectrum sharing agreements would help Big Red roll out its LTE network to more places, more quickly, and may also provide rural citizens with better broadband. Read more »
