Tag Archives: FCC
New FCC Rule Could Benefit Cord Cutters
The FCC is considering changes that would benefit cord-cutters, people that decided that connecting their laptops and using services like Netflix and Hulu makes satisfies them enough to not have a cable TV account with Comcast, AT&T, etc. The FCC is considering changing the definition of “multichannel video programming distributor” (MVPD) to include websites like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube. MVPDs have always been clearly defined as content providers like satellite and cable companies. Networks are required to sell their content to any MVPD that wants it. If the FCC includes YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix as an MVPD, these websites could purchase content from networks like CBS and the network would be forced to sell. CBS is one out of a few networks that has refused to put their content on Hulu.
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Electronic Privacy Information Center Demands Full FCC Report On Google Street View
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has demanded that the FCC release a complete report on their findings during the Google Street View investigation. EPIC has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to see the full 25-page report. A good amount of the version that the FCC released this past Friday was redacted.
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Google Being Investigated By The Government For Bypassing iOS Security Settings
Late last week, Google was only charged $25,000 for collecting personal information in the Google Street View car case. Now the FTC is investigating Google for bypassing security settings to store cookies on mobile Safari users. In the Google Street View case, Google claimed that they had no idea that data was being collected. This defense likely won’t work when it comes to storing cookies because any cookies that were stored would by default factor into their search algorithms. A decision could be made within 30 days.
FCC Fines Google $25,000 Over Street View WiFi Issues
The Federal Communications Commission has ordered Google to pay a paltry $25,000 for delaying an investigation into reports that the Street View cars were collecting personal information from WiFi networks. Google Street View is a service built into Google Maps and Google Earth that lets you view first-hand what a specific location looks like as captured by a Google Street View car. Sometimes the Street View cars inadvertently captures pedestrians at the worst moments as displayed by our funny Google Street View post. The case against Google started in 2010 when it was discovered that Google Street View cars were collecting personal data such as e-mails and web history from open WiFi networks.
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Categories FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Google, Google Street View
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Telecommunications Companies Creating Centralized Database For Tracking Stolen Mobile Phones
The four major U.S. wireless carriers have made an agreement to work with the FCC for creating a central database to track and disable stolen mobile devices. The database will be designed for tracking phones that are reported as stolen and deny them the ability to access voice and data services.
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Categories AT&T, AT&T Inc., FCC, Sprint, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon Communications Inc.
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FCC Responds To AT&T’s Claims That T-Mobile Could Have Avoided Layoffs
The Federal Communications Commission has rejected a notion that job cuts at T-Mobile are a sign that regulators should have allowed AT&T to buy them out. T-Mobile said that they were closing 7 call centers, which would lead to 1,900 jobs being cut.
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Categories AT&T, AT&T Inc., FCC, Federal Communications Commission, T-Mobile, T-Mobile USA
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FCC Investigating Verizon For $2 Fee
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating the $2 fee that Verizon Wireless will be charging consumers for “convenience.” Verizon was planning on setting up this fee on January 15th to charge people who would be paying for their bill with a credit card through their phone. “On behalf of American consumers, we’re concerned about Verizon’s actions and are looking into the matter,” stated the FCC. [New York Times]
FCC Accepts AT&T’s Request For Withdrawal
The Federal Communications Commission has granted AT&T’s request to withdraw its application to buy out T-Mobile. The FCC also released a 109 page report yesterday about what they think about the merger after much review. The FCC’s report lists more cons about the deal than pros. The FCC said that the merger would cause too many inefficient network issues and job losses. The cost savings generated by the deal wouldn’t be passed on to the customer either.
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Categories AT&T, AT&T Inc., FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Sprint
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AT&T Withdrawing T-Mobile Acquisition Approval Application From FCC
A couple of days ago, I wrote about how the FCC was seeking an administrative hearing of the proposed acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Now AT&T and Deutsche Telekom have pulled their application for approval from the FCC for the acquisition. This does not necessarily mean that AT&T is pulling out of the deal. They will be continuing to pursue the sale of Deutsche Telekom’s “wireless assets.”
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Categories AT&T, AT&T Inc., FCC, Federal Communications Commission, T-Mobile
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The FCC Is Seeking An Administrative Hearing On AT&T’s Acquisition of T-Mobile
The Federal Communications Commission is seeking an administrative hearing for AT&T’s $39 billion acquisition deal for T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG. The administrative hearing was decided by FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. This hearing is add-on litigation for AT&T and T-Mobile, who have already been dealing with the Justice Department in a lawsuit.
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Categories FCC, Federal Communications Commission
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