fcc's archive
Government Enforces the Status Quo With Broadband Stimulus Bucks
The two national agencies responsible for allocating $7.2 billion in broadband grants as part of the stimulus bill today released the rules governing the process and said the government would provide about $4 billion in loans for the first of three funding rounds. That money will start flowing to projects in November. It’s a […]
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Embarq and CenturyTel Merge, Become CenturyLink
CenturyTel and Embarq today announced the completion of their $11.6 billion merger, which results in a phone company that will serve 7.5 million customers in 33 states. The combined company will now be known as CenturyLink — and the aging copper-based DSL lines it offers to most of its subscribers will certainly act as a […]
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It’s Official: Julius Genachowski Is FCC Chair
The congratulations are rolling in after the Senate today confirmed Julius Genachowski as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The Senate also confirmed Robert McDowell for his second term, leaving only two spots remaining to be filled on the five-member commission. The confirmation by the full Senate came one week after the Commerce […]
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Ending Handset Exclusivity Won’t Mean a Phone That Can Roam
FCC acting chairman Michael Copps said yesterday afternoon that the agency would investigate exclusivity deals between carriers and handset makers, and “take action” if they were found to cause harm to consumers. While the largest cellular carriers are protesting the probe, consumer advocates are thrilled. However with two of the four largest U.S. […]
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Senate Commerce Committee Approves Julius Genachowski
Julius Genachowski is one step closer to becoming the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The Senate Commerce Committee approved Genachowski and Robert McDowell, who is going to serve as an FCC commissioner for the second term. Now the Senate is going to vote for a final approval. We think Julius is going to […]
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FCC Nominee Favors Creative Spectrum Use
At his confirmation hearing this afternoon, Julius Genachowski, the nominee for the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, spoke out in favor of using spectrum creatively for providing mobile broadband. In response to questions by Sen. Maria Cantwell on how he planned to handle decision-making around white spaces broadband, Genachowski said he “applauds the creative […]
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FCC Confirmation Hearings Set for June 16
The Senate Commerce Committee set a hearing yesterday to consider the nomination of Julius Genachowski as the next Federal Communications Commission chairman for June 16. At that time, it will also consider reappointing Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell. This is great news, given that the current administration is spending billions on broadband in the next 15 […]
FCC Makes Phone Number Portability Even Faster
The Federal Communications Commission issued an order today that makes number portability faster. Carriers now have one day instead of four to switch phone numbers when requested by a customer’s new carrier. Large carriers have nine months to comply with this rule. The new order impacts the U.S. phone companies more, for they are […]
We Need an FCC Chief and We Need Him Now
Last week Congress delayed the confirmation hearings for Julius Genachowski, who was nominated as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, until after the Memorial Day congressional recess. Apparently there’s some political wrangling happening here because traditionally the Republican nominees are also in place for the confirmation hearings so the new FCC can get […]
Can New York Save Broadband?
When it comes to technology, California leads the way, but when it comes to pro-consumer efforts related to broadband access, New York appears to have taken up the cause. On Friday, the state’s chief information officer filed comments with the FCC related to the federal agency’s mandate to collect broadband penetration data, asking for several […]
Carriers Aim to Keep Rural Broadband Under Their Thumb
As the Federal Communications Commission tries to formulate a National Broadband plan, wireless carriers are seeking to classify their networks as an acceptable alternative to wired broadband, especially in rural areas. At the same time, those wireless carriers are also trying to convince the FCC that they don’t need to abide by principals of network […]
Why You Should Pay Attention to the National Broadband Plan
The Federal Communications Commission will open up on Wednesday a Notice of Inquiry for the forthcoming National Broadband Plan, kicking off what interim FCC chair Michael Copps calls “an open, participatory, public process.” I hope it is, but traditionally our citizens have been quicker to complain to the providers of web-based services than to […]
FCC’s April Meeting Will Be a Big One
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday released the agenda for its April 8 open meeting, and developing a national broadband plan topped the list. Another big item is a notice that the FCC will be soliciting data for its annual video competition report that discusses how people get their video. The FCC has not gathered this data […]
Broadband Policy Plans Kicked Off in D.C.
Today, the three agencies responsible for allocating the $7.2 billion in stimulus funds for broadband met in Washington, D.C. The bottom line appeared to be a lot of hot air, including FCC promises of an open process to deliver a national broadband strategy within one year, and a lot of unanswered questions, such as how […]
Julius Genachowski Nominated As New FCC Chairman
As expected, President Obama has nominated Julius Genachowski as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and a much needed and much awaited replacement for Kevin Martin, arguably one of the more biased-towards-phone-companies commissioner. Genachowski was a co-founder of LaunchBox Digital, a Washington, D.C.-based startup accelerator and in the past has worked for […]
Broadband Stimulus Package Nears Finish Line
The House and Senate held a pre-Valentine’s Day love fest last night and produced a compromise stimulus package; the two houses must now approve the conference bill, after which it would be sent to the president. For details on the full $789 billion plan, you can check out the legislation. We’ve outlined what the $7.2 […]
FCC Asks if Comcast Slows Rivals’ VoIP Traffic
Looks like Comcast’s new network management plan is drawing the ire of competing Voice over IP providers and the scrutiny of federal regulators. The plan, which is detailed here, basically slows bandwidth hogs broadband speeds during times of congestion at a particular node. Apparently, it also has the unfortunate side effect of lowering voice quality […]
What the New FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Must Do
President-elect Obama will reportedly name Julius Genachowski as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, replacing Kevin Martin. Genachowski will have to work hard to shift the focus away from incumbents telecommunication providers, and to come up with a broadband strategy befitting a country that has long been a technology leader and innovator. Instead of focusing on today’s access technologies of DSL and cable, the new FCC must focus on nurturing future opportunities. We’ve talked to some of our most trusted sources to come up with a detailed technology and broadband task list for the new administration to tackle.
Are You The Next Sue Crawford?
If you can’t get a position at the FCC, perhaps you can put your talents to use at the other governmental telecom agency, which is looking for a few intelligient people like Sue Crawford help shape the broadband policy of the US:
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking nominations of individuals to represent the business community, public interest groups, and other appropriate groups interested in serving on the NTIA Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG) for a single fifteen (15) month term to commence in January 2009. At the conclusion of the working group’s term, the OSTWG will provide a report to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator and to Congress on ways to promote and to preserve a safe environment for children using the Internet.
DATES: Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before December 12, 2008.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 10, 2008, the President signed into law the ”Broadband Data Improvement Act” (the Act), Pub. L. No. 110-385. Section 214 of that Act directs NTIA to establish the OSTWG to review and evaluate: READ here…
Who is Sue Crawford? Read her bio here. Besides being a law professor, she is on the board of ICANN. Her writings are very articulate and logical - until the ramblings you read from me. I understand that she is part of the Obama transition team, but I can’t confirm that.
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Converter Coupon Expired?
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Robert McDowell recently fielded questions from the public about the DTV transition in Philadelphia, including this one:
“I thought I lost my converter coupons I received in the mail, but later found them in my desk drawer at work, the coupons had expired and I was told I could not get replacement, even though I told them I could send back the coupons I received. Is there a way to receive another coupon or am I just out of luck? Thanks for your help.”
McDowell: “Great question. Congress mandated that the coupons expire within 90 days. So your best recourse is to find a friend, neighbor or relative who does not need a coupon to order one for you and give it to you. Of course, if you don’t need the coupon to be able to purchase the box, you can just buy one outright. They cost as little as $40.”
Less than 100 days remain before the nation’s analog broadcast television system is shut down for good. Thus far, the federal government has mailed nearly 32 million $40 coupons for the digital-to-analog converter boxes necessary to keep old TV sets working without cable or satellite. Of that 32 million, nearly a third have expired; 13.5 million have been redeemed, and the rest are floating around or sitting at the bottom of a drawer.
Stations have been doing dry runs for months to get folks prepared for the transition, and one of the most prevalent issues involves reception. The antennas that pulled in mostly low-VHF channels don’t necessarily do the trick for digital signals, many of which will be UHF.
Where will you be when they pull the plug?
More at Television Broadcast.
Tags: converter boxes, converter coupons, dtv transition, fcc
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Jun 22, 2006
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Obama’s FCC Transition Team Co-chair a WoW Player
Last week, President-elect Obama appointed Kevin Werbach, assistant professor of legal studies and business ethics at Wharton, and Susan Crawford, who teaches communications and Internet law at the University of Michigan, to co-chair his FCC transition team. In preparation for his incoming administration, the two, both seasoned Net Neutrality advocates, will be tasked with providing information on U.S. government Internet and telecom policies, along with advising on budgetary and personnel matters.
This is clearly good news for Net advocates, and as it happens, it could also be good news for online gamers. The Wharton professor is a hardcore World of Warcraft player, a member of two guilds:
“One of them,” he wrote on his blog in 2006, “was started by my friend and inveterate tech connector, Joi Ito…The other guild is very different — it’s composed primarily of academics and other thinkers who study and write about virtual worlds.”
Werbach’s involvement in WoW is worth noting as it raises the possibility that in the coming months, he and Crawford will craft strategic policy positions relevant to online games and worlds, including broadband usage, content regulation, etc. Along with Ito and like-minded academics, Werbach sees both as important to the future of work and technology:
“What [Warcraft] does,” he continued in that post, “is provide an incentive for people to develop new software and ideas for collaborative production. Many of those ideas will translate to other group activities, including those within the business world. I think MMOGs will be, at a minimum, a significant testbed for these new technologies, because users see a direct benefit and are willing to experiment with new things.”
Unsurprisingly, this perspective extends to virtual worlds like Second Life, which has been an important component in Werbach’s Supernova technology conference. On her own blog, Professor Crawford, a board member at ICANN, also counts herself “a huge fan of Second Life” for the way it lets users retain IP rights to their content (though she confesses to difficulty when it comes to moving her SL avatar around.)
What all this means for specific FCC policies Crawford and Werbach may recommend is too early to tell, of course, but one thing is clear: For perhaps the first time, FCC policies will be drafted by a team who clearly understand the potential of online worlds in a fundamental, and first-hand, way.
Photo of Werbach by Joi Ito, from his Flickr stream.
Obama and NAB
I don’t know how this ended up in front of me this morning, but it was an interesting piece about Obama and Radio Localism. Obviously, conservatives don’t want localism because it gets in the way of profit. You can’t profit if you have to pay a DJ in each market AND report some local news. Sheesh! Why do you think we get these licenses anyway - Profit. The guys at NAB are ready to fight Localism.
Unfortunately for NAB, word is getting out that license renewal is NOT automatic and even one complaint can derail the process and cost you money. (This was news to me). And during the media ownership workshops, despite broadcasters trying to fill seats, too many folks showed up to report about the total lack of local news in their communities. Even though Martin had a pre-determined gift for NAB, the workshops were too powerful to allow the steamroller to work.
NAB needs to realize that the FCC’s job is not to insure that some businesses have a profit or even stay in business. The FCC’s main duty is to protect the consumer and to mandate the spectrum equitably. (Congress needs to remember this as well). If TBO.com companies started going backrupt, I am certain that another entity would take its place.
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For FCC Chair, Obama Should Look Outside the Beltway
BusinessWeek today has a short list of the people being considered to head up the Federal Communications Commission. The decision as to who will be appointed FCC Chair is a critical one, for in coming years the country faces some major issues that will need to be addressed head on — not from a corporate, but from a citizen perspective, including Network Neutrality, the availability of broadband, telecom competition and privacy. Among those in the running are:
- Julia Johnson: Florida consultant and chairperson of the Video Access Alliance who also sits on the board of the networks builder MasTec.
- Mignon Clyburn: Commissioner for the Public Service Commission of South Carolina and daughter of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.
- Blair Levin: Managing director at investment firm Stifel Nicolaus and former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt’s chief of staff.
- Scott Blake Harris: Managing partner with law firm Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis, where he has represented technology and telecom companies.
- Larry Strickling: Currently works for policy think tank Aspen Institute, a Harvard Law School grad, and previously worked for Broadwing, which was acquired by Level 3.
The Obama team is taking recommendations from former FCC Chairmen Bill Kennard and Reed Hundt, along with Henry Rivera, a lawyer who works for the law firm Wiley Rein and represents companies including AT&T, Verizon, Viacom and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Those three folks, with their links to powerful communication companies, represent the old guard. And that is why I am really scared that we might be getting yet another ineffectual, bureaucratic FCC chair who puts special interests ahead of taxpayer needs. Current Chairman Kevin Martin just happens to be one of the more disappointing of the bunch.
If I had to pick from the above-mentioned short list, Levin and Strickling would be on my short list of candidates. Nevertheless, President-elect Obama should look outside the beltway and find someone who truly represents the taxpayers.
Tom Evslin, who is a retired telecom executive, is the kind of person I would expect to be in the FCC. He knows the machinations of the big companies and at the same time is an Internet liberal who can keep broadband providers and their anti-consumer tricks under check.
Who would you like to see named as chair?
Money for Nothing and Your Spectrum for Free
Google may be getting all the advantages of the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to start opening up more radio spectrum without even having to bid big at an expensive spectrum auction. The FCC’s decision earlier this week to open up white space spectrum, the slivers of bandwidth between what’s being made available for the coming digital television stations, could eventually net the Mountain View, Calif.-based search giant as much as $5 billion more a year.
Google President and Co-founder Larry Page said today at the Wireless Communications Alliance conference in San Jose., Calif., that using those so-called white spaces for broadband could lead to 20 percent to 30 percent more revenue — which means Google’s vocal support of spectrum openness is already looking like money in the bank. The company pulled in revenue of $16.6 billion in the last financial year.
Google has been frank about why it wants better public access to broadband, but Page made the case again. If it’s easier for people to search the web, he said, “we’d make a lot more money without changing anything about what we do as a business.”
During both an on-stage tete-a-tete with FCC chair Kevin Martin and a press conference afterwards, both men agreed there’s a general trend in industry, and even among regulators, to address ways to bring cheap and widely available broadband to as many people as possible. Verizon, for example, has to stick by FCC conditions about allowing gadgets other than its phones to operate on its network when it comes to its recently acquired 700 MHz-band win. But the company would probably extend those conditions to other bandwidths it owns, Martin said.
In terms of devices, Page argued that making $5 Wi-Fi radio chips that talk on all bands and protocols would help the push for openness. “We should do that. And we probably can,” he said. That also means regulators need to look more closely at where current spectrum policy is outdated, he added.
It’s Going to be Limiting
AT&T is testing broadband caps in Nevada. First, cable now Ma Bell. In both cases, the reason may have to do preserving TV revenue than anything. There is concern. It even popped up as a LinkedIn question.
DSL Prime is outraged over the cap and has a different view of what it means. (See here)
This is just further proof that duopoly competition doesn’t work. The TIA is begging Congress for a Broadband Stimulus bill that they say will generate $1B in economic growth. Meanwhile, WISPA lobbied for a license-lite proposal for the “white spaces” spectrum, which was granted. WISPA members (mainly wireless ISPs) wouldn’t mind some largesse from the government either to build out more towers and wireless links to actually bring broadband to places without it (you know, crossing the Digital Divide) — or to offer a third pipe. (The Clearwire-Sprint-Nextel merger was approved today as well, but that company is funded to the tune of billions. Give th
Tags: broadband, congress, digital divide, duopoly, fcc
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FCC Voted Today too
The FCC voted today too. They took the Inter-Carrier Compensation and USF off the agenda, much to Martin’s dismay.
“Federal regulators have approved a plan to open up unused, unlicensed portions of the television airwaves known as “white spaces” to deliver wireless broadband service.” [Y! news] [fcc.gov]
FCC approved, with conditions, the mergers of Sprint-Nextel/Clearwire and Alltel-Verizon. [fcc.gov]
FCC opened an investigation into the pricing policies of major cable operators and Verizon. “The agency wants to ensure the companies’ customers are getting treated fairly, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in an interview with The Associated Press.” [Y! news]
Tags: alltel, clearwire, fcc, inter-carrier compensation, mergers, sprint, usf, vzw
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AT&T Trials Tiered Broadband in Nevada
What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas …? Is that the same for Reno?
Followin
g in the footsteps of Time Warner Cable, Frontier Communications and several UK Internet service providers, AT&T has unveiled a tiered broadband service in Nevada.
According to a Friday filing with the Federal Communication Commission, AT&T executives met with the legal adviser to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to discuss “usage-based pricing” as a form of network management.
AT&T has hinted that this was coming for the last few months. From the filing:
In particular, AT&T plans to initiate a broadband Internet access usage trial in Reno, Nev., beginning in November. Consistent with AT&T’s belief that consumers should have clear information about the capabilities of their broadband Internet access services and any meaningful limitations on those service, AT&T will be providing written notice to customers involved in the trial explaining that their broadband service will be subject to a certain monthly usage tier for the total amount of data they may send and receive, as well as a per gigabyte charge in the event they exceed the usage tier.
I thought the Internet was meant to be free …?
Get more at GigaOM.
Tags: AT&T Wireless, FCC, Frontier, tiered broadband, Time Warner Cable
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FCC Demands VoIP E911
The Federal Communications Commission issued regulations this week for voice-over-IP service providers to offer Enhanced 911 emergency call services to all customers. The rules were required under the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, which was signed into law in July.
DUTIES.–It shall be the duty of each IP-enabled voice service provider to provide 9-1-1 service and enhanced 9-1-1 service to its subscribers in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission, as in effect on the date of enactment of the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 and as such requirements may be modified by the Commission from time to time.
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“Licensed-Lite” White Spaces by WISPA
Washington, D.C. - October 27, 2008 - Many Americans, especially those living in rural areas have never had affordable broadband Internet access. In a letter filed with the FCC last week, WISPA, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (www.wispa.org), showed the FCC how it can make valuable TV White Space spectrum available for new services. The FCC is scheduled to vote on November 4 on how this spectrum can be used after the DTV transition occurs in February 2009.
WISPA offered a detailed “licensed-lite” solution for unused TV channels. Unlike expensive spectrum auctions and “noisy” unlicensed spectrum, the “licensed-lite” approach relies on a spectrum sharing system that enables all users to operate without interference. It would benefit the public by allowing the development of new and innovative types of unlicensed broadband devices and services. It would also benefit WISPs by improving the service range of their existing networks, thereby allowing WISPs to reach new customers. WISPA’s proposal also ensures that consumers will continue to receive over-the-air television signals without interference.
Rick Harnish, WISPA’s President, said “We believe adoption of our “licensed-lite” proposal will stimulate rural economies around the nation by enabling low cost ubiquitous broadband service from local and regional operators. Children growing up in small towns deserve the same opportunities created by broadband adoption as those children in metropolitan areas. Small businesses and rural entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of a growing economy and we encourage the FCC Commissioners to do their part in reviving Rural America.”
Jack Unger, WISPA Secretary and Chair of WISPA’s FCC Committee, added, “We believe that there are enough White Space frequencies for all wireless users to share, without creating interference. Our “licensed-lite” proposal adopts a “common-ground” approach that benefits all users without relying on controversial “spectrum-sensing” techniques. Our technical solution uses a geolocation database that makes frequency sharing work. We urge the FCC Commissioners to adopt our “licensed-lite” proposal at their November 4th meeting because we believe it truly represents a “win-win” solution for all parties.”
Since 2004, over 30,000 comments have been filed with the FCC suggesting how the White Space frequencies should be used. Broadcasters want to be sure that new White Space users will not create interference with television reception. Silicon Valley firms favor unlicensed use for personal/portable devices that would rely on the controversial “sensing” technologies opposed by broadcasters. WISPA’s “licensed-lite” approach represents a middle-of-the road solution that accommodates all of these interests.
FOR MORE INFORMATION - CONTACT:
- Jack Unger, Chair WISPA FCC Committee 818-227-4220
- Stephen Coran, Principal, Rini Coran, PC 202-463-4310
Tags: fcc, white spaces, wispa
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FCC Doing Heavy Lifting
The FCC is holding a meeting on Nov. 4. On the agenda: Inter-Carrier Compensation, Alltel-VZ merger, Clearwire-Sprint merger, and a vote of White Spaces. Lots of heavy lifting on this agenda. Martin wants to give his pals at VZ one more gift before he goes.
The VZ-Alltel merger is big, but the topic that can really rock telecom is the Inter-carrier Comp issue, which has been a stagnant FCC docket for years.
If companies can show high costs, they will continue to benefit from the subsidy program. Martin also wants to eliminate wireless providers’ right to claim government subsidies for offering service in hard-to-reach areas. Martin wants all companies, wireless included, to show they have incurred losses in providing rural service before they can collect the subsidy. Without those changes, Martin worries that the subsidy fund will collapse of its own weight and rates will go up anyhow. [CNN]
It depends want the Compromise looks like — and it will be a large compromise. Democrats want one thing. Republicans another. Cellcos versus Wireline. Rural versus Urban. Inter-Carrier Comp even bleeds into the USF issue. How? Because rural carriers count on both Universal Service Fund subsidies AND rather high call termination charges to keep afloat.
Why now? The ISP inter-carrier comp rule has been in court for six years. Earlier this year, the DC Court ruled that the FCC had to get off the pot:
The court set the deadline for an order from the FCC at November 5, 2008, six months from the date of oral argument, stated it will not grant an extension and warned that if an appropriate order is not timely issued, it will vacate the interim inter-carrier compensation rules.
Consumer groups are against another largess for the monopolies at the expense of the ratepayers.
The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants a massive overhaul of the fees that phone companies pay each other when they connect calls. Supporters say the reforms will help fund improved broadband Internet access for rural America, but consumer advocates question how much the plan will raise people’s phone bills. “This could be potentially a billion-dollar giveaway to phone monopolies, paid for out of consumers’ pocketbooks,” said Chris Murray, an attorney with Consumers Union. [AP]
Intercarrier comp is how the various phone companies pay each other for traffic. VoIP providers and cellular carriers, especially Sprint, would like a fairer shake. The old RBOCs would like the Rural LEC’s to stop getting so much money. (see Free Conference services not getting paid by RBOCs).
The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, which represents small phone carriers, told FCC officials earlier this month that a new rate of $0.0007 per minute puts many of their members’ livelihoods at risk.
And then there is the White Spaces issue. When broadcasters make the DTV transition in 1Q09, there will be unused spectrum that the Wireless World would like to use for its own bandwidth needs. However, due to bleed over (interference) with cordless microphones and other broadcasting devices, the NAB is opposed. [see dailywireless]
All of this is at one meeting while America votes.
Tags: fcc, inter-carrier compensation, mergers, white spaces
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Wireless Free Internet: Thank You FCC!
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released an engineering report that opens the door for the FCC to apportion a chunk of wireless spectrum for free Internet services across the nation. 
“We need to reserve some spectrum for free broadband services,” FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said. “This would be a lifeline broadband service that would be designed for lower-income people who may not otherwise have access to the Internet.”
T-Mobile had warned that the FCC’s proposed launch of an advanced wireless service (AWS) in the 2155-MHz to 2180-MHz band would interfere with the 3G wireless services it operates in an adjacent slice of the spectrum. However, lab tests conducted last month demonstrated that devices operating at FCC-designated power levels would not present “a significant risk of harmful interference,” the commission said.
Several aspects of the FCC’s AWS proposal owe their origin to an application submitted two years ago by M2Z Networks, which envisioned earning money primarily by offering a premium wireless Internet service operating at speeds of up to three megabits per second. However, the Arlington, Va.-based startup also proposed to provide a free lower-speed service that would pay for itself by generating advertising revenue.
The FCC now says that the ultimate winner of its AWS spectrum auction must use up to 25 percent of its capacity to provide free, two-way broadband Internet service at data rates of at least 768 kilobits per second in the downstream direction. Moreover, the commission has embraced M2Z’s call for the use of a network-based filtering mechanism to block Web content deemed unsuitable for children.
Read more about it NewsFactor.com.
Tags: aws, fcc, free broadband, free internet, kevin martin, t-mobile
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Digital TV Transition Already Has Hiccups
Earlier this week, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin flipped an oversize, symbolic switch in Wilmington, NC, to celebrate the city’s early transition to all-digital TV signals.
The first! 
And guess what, by later that day, the FCC had already fielded several hundred calls from local residents who weren’t able to watch TV. 
All of which did not seem to surprise Martin: “I’m sure we’re still going to hear from people who weren’t prepared,” he said early in the day. “But the bigger question is: What did we learn here that we can replicate around the country?”
Indeed!
Will shall see … Sometimes those lessons take a while to sink in.
Read more about it in The Washington Post.
Tags: all-digital television, FCC, Kevin martin
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