Policy

FCC halts special access deregulation

August 23, 2012 3:46 pm | by Maisie Ramsay, Wireless Week | News | Comments

The FCC has put the brakes on its deregulation of the special access market, services that provide wireless operators with access to critical backhaul for their networks. The Commission voted 3-2 along party lines in favor of temporarily suspending rules that automatically granted requests to change prices on special access services.

Much of W.Va. lacks high-speed Internet access

August 23, 2012 3:25 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

A Federal Communications Commission report shows West Virginia has the highest percentage of residents in the nation without high-speed Internet, but state and company officials say the report is based on old data. About 845,000 West Virginians, or 46 percent of the state's residents, don't have access to broadband Internet service.

AT&T launches Mobile Share plans amid net neutrality debate

August 23, 2012 3:23 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

AT&T launched its new shared data plans today, capping off a week marked by controversy over its FaceTime policy. Along with the new plans, AT&T has completely overhauled its online account management page, which now offers a quick overview of a user's account.

FCC: 19M Americans lack broadband access

August 22, 2012 3:47 pm | by Maisie Ramsay, Wireless Week | News | Comments

The FCC reports that 19 million U.S. residents still lack access to high-speed Internet service, especially in rural and tribal areas. Even if broadband is available, about 100 million Americans - nearly one-third of the population - still don't subscribe to the service, the agency said in a report on broadband access and adoption.

AT&T: FaceTime policy within FCC net neutrality rules

August 22, 2012 3:45 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

AT&T says its policy to reserve FaceTime use over a cellular connection for those customers who move to its new Mobile Share plans does not violate the FCC's net neutrality rules. An AT&T exec argued that it has not violated the FCC's rules on transparency or blocking by stopping customers who aren’t on a Mobile Share plan from using FaceTime on its cellular network.

AT&T’s FaceTime policy could violate FCC rules

August 21, 2012 12:44 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

AT&T's recent announcement that FaceTime over cellular will be reserved exclusively for those customers who switch to the company's new Mobile Share plans is sure to ruffle a few feathers, and some say it might even be in violation of the FCC’s Open Internet rules.

LightSquared appoints new CEO

August 21, 2012 12:41 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

LightSquared announced that it has appointed Doug Smith as its new chairman of the board of directors and CEO. Smith was previously serving as co-chief operating officer for the company. Smith said LightSquared remains committed to working with all stakeholders to find an equitable resolution to the regulatory challenges that the company has faced this past year.

Liberty boosts Sirius XM stake, aims for control

August 20, 2012 2:53 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Liberty Media said it has boosted its stake in Sirius XM Radio and intends to take control of the satellite radio broadcaster if federal authorities approve. It bought 94.3 million shares in Sirius XM starting in the past week for $234.3 million, raising its stake to 48 percent.

Reaction mixed on FCC, DOJ approval of Verizon AWS

August 17, 2012 3:23 pm | by Maisie Ramsay, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Depending on who you ask, the government's approval of Verizon Wireless' AWS purchase is either a good thing or the end of competition as we know it for certain segments of the telecommunications industry. The head of the FCC said he was prepared to approve Verizon's acquisition of AWS spectrum from Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Comcast.

Dish: Partner needed for wireless rollout

August 17, 2012 3:17 pm | by Maisie Ramsay, Wireless Week | News | Comments

A top Dish Network executive says the company may need to partner with an existing wireless operator to construct its LTE network. Delays securing FCC clearance for its wireless plans may make it necessary to work with an incumbent provider, instead of constructing its own greenfield network.

Comcast closes in on HD DTA deployments

August 17, 2012 12:22 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Comcast is currently in a large field trial with HD digital transport adapters (DTAs), with plans to have them more broadly deployed in customers’ homes later this year.

FCC, DOJ to clear Verizon AWS deal

August 16, 2012 3:40 pm | by Maisie Ramsay, Wireless Week | News | Comments

The FCC and Justice Department are set to clear Verizon Wireless' $3.9 billion purchase of AWS spectrum from a group of cable operators.

Cisco's Q4 earnings rise 56%; company raises dividend

August 16, 2012 3:35 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Cisco Systems, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, is seeing its ambitions cramped by the global economic turmoil, but results for its latest quarter were strong enough that it announced an increase to its dividend. Cisco's sales in the latest quarter rose just 4.4 percent from last year, as customers in Southern Europe were in the grips of a recession and government customers on both sides of the Atlantic held back.

In Perspective - Sprinkles and a cherry

August 16, 2012 2:18 am | by Brian Santo | Articles | Comments

I’ve got an idea on how to improve the regulatory environment for video and other communications services that no one else seems to be suggesting, though I’m sure it will work. I am equally sure it isn’t being suggested because it’s unthinkable.