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A filing at the FCC suggests that Google is not letting go from its television plans, with the appearance of a new device. The item, described in the filing as a "media player," has been submitted for various tests, though there is little in the way of details for the device to be found inside the multiple PDF documents on the FCC website.
As rumored yesterday, President Obama has nominated former wireless lobbyist Tom Wheeler to replace outgoing FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. An acting chair has also been named to serve until the Congressional approval process is complete -- Mignon Clyburn, four-year veteran of the agency will stand as head of the agency in the interim.
A new act was introduced to the House of Representatives yesterday seeks to update the "Lifeline" FCC program. The intent of the legislation is to expand the Lifeline program, and offer recipients the option of discounted telephone, mobile, and now, internet broadband access. The FCC chairman-supported bill was introduced on April 24 by representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Anne Eshoo (D-CA).
The BlackBerry Q10 has passed through FCC-mandated testing, ahead of a yet-to-be announced United States launch. The filings, made available earlier today, suggests that the first device with a keyboard running on BlackBerry 10 OS will be appearing on US carriers in the near future, alongside the touchscreen-based Z10 flagship.
The US Federal Aviation Administration is hoping to announce looser restrictions on in-flight use of portable electronics by the end of 2013, according to sources for the New York Times. The people belong to an industry working group set up by the FAA, and add that the latter is specifically considering allowing reading devices during takeoff and landing, including tablets and e-readers. Devices may still have to be set to Airplane mode, though, and cellphones are expected to remain off-limits.
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, has announced he is stepping down from the position. Head of the FCC after being nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2009, Genachowski will depart from the role in the next few weeks.
In a frustrated letter to FAA director Michael Huerta on Thursday, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) expressed concern with Huerta's "lack of direct engagement" on the subject of in-flight use of personal electronic devices. The senator is proposing a bill to greatly increase the usage window of cellphones, tablets, music players, and other electronic devices before, during, and after the flight, including during takeoff and landing.
The Federal Communications Commission has begun a 45-day public trial of Google's white-space spectrum database. The test run is designed to verify the accuracy of the system, which identifies unused portions of television spectrum, known as white spaces, that could be used for alternative forms of communication.
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has weighed in on the Internet response to the expiration of the exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which now bans the unauthorized consumer unlock of cell phones. Speaking to TechCrunch, Julian Genachowski said that he believes that the ban "raises competition concerns; it raises innovation concerns" and the agency would look into what they could do about the matter.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently pushing to allocate additional spectrum for Wi-Fi devices, in an attempt to decrease hotspot congestion and improve performance. The proposal also aims to help accelerate the growth of the latest Wi-Fi technology that is capable of achieving wireless speeds in excess of one gigabit per second, likely referring to 802.11ac equipment that has begun to arrive on the market.
The Federal Communications Commission has established a set of rules that will govern cellphone signal boosters, in response to concerns over network interference. The regulations have been drafted in collaboration with all four major US carriers, along with many of the smaller players, which have agreed to share the use of their licensed spectrum if booster manufacturers agree to implement safeguards that will protect network operation.
Technologies being developed to aid in communications between cars may be affected by the Federal Communications Commission's plan to increase Wi-Fi spectrum. Bands reserved since 1999 for car-to-car communication may become collateral damage in the FCC's search for more wireless spectrum, and potentially puts the future of self-driving vehicles at risk.
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed the creation of "super Wi-Fi" networks across the US. The networks, in theory would be powerful enough to allow people to access the Internet through them without needing separate coverage via a carrier, has seen a number of parties within the wireless industry lobbying against such a proposal.
Google is intending to build an experimental wireless service around its Mountain View headquarters, for currently unknown purposes. The search company has sent a request to the FCC for a license to allow the radio service to operate, and plans to test up to 50 base stations and 200 user devices during the licensed period.
Today at the US Conference of Mayors' Winter Meeting, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski called for construction of at least one "gigabit community" similar to Google's Kansas City fiber project, in all 50 states by 2015. Genachowski believes that "establishing gigabit communities nationwide will accelerate the creation of a critical mass of markets and innovation hubs" enabled by the ultra-fast Internet connectivity.
At the Consumer Electronics Show, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced a proposal before the FCC to open up a "substantial" quantity of additional wireless spectrum for Wi-Fi, which would in theory allow for increased speed on wireless devices. The spectrum to be made available currently belongs to several Federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, and is mostly unused at present.
A new Windows 8 tablet from Lenovo might be making its way to North American shores, as the ThinkPad Helix convertible tablet has shown up in documents from the FCC. The ThinkPad Helix is an 11.6-inch tablet that plugs into a keyboard dock to enable easy switching between tablet use and Ultrabook function. The version spotted most recently will be compatible with AT&T's LTE bands, meaning the device may appear in a subsidized or carrier-exclusive model when it debuts.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is loosening up restrictions for in-flight Internet technology. Under the newly-adopted framework, the new clearance rules are intended to boost competition and promote "the widespread availability of Internet access to aircraft passengers" according to the agency. The FAA has previously said that the FCC's establishment of universal standards will "help to streamline the process" for more ubiquitous internet access on airplanes.
Following the unanimous approval of Dish Network's waiver to build out a LTE network in a congested area of bandwidth, details have become available detailing the restrictions the buildout will be under. According to the FCC, Dish must complete 40 percent of the proposed network within four years, and 70 percent within seven. If the 70 percent requirement isn't met, then Dish will be prohibited from offering service in the missed area.
The FCC has released an online tool that provides smartphone users a checklist to help protect their handsets. The Smartphone Security Checker, aimed at preventing attacks against mobile phones, has been unveiled ready for the start of the holiday season, where 20 million Americans are expected to receive a new mobile device as a present.
The FCC is calling on the top cellular carriers in the US to implement a text-to-911 system similar to that used throughout Europe, proposing a method called "over the top" messaging (uses either Wi-Fi or 3G/LET depending on what's available) similar to Apple's own Messages service. A text-to-911 service offers a number of advantages that complement traditional phone-based 911, including the ability to send silent texts in dangerous situations, aid for those who cannot speak (or speak clearly in some situations), assistance for the deaf and so on.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski is petitioning the Federal Aviation Administraion (FAA) chief, Michael Huerta, to "enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable devices" during flights in a letter sent on Thursday. Genachowski has pledged to work with the FAA, airlines, and manufacturers to review policies and guidance on in-flight use of the devices.
The FCC has asked cable operators to add support for HD video streaming into their set-top boxes for a second time, after the initial two-year deadline for conformity passes. A filing clarified rules relating to opening up CableCARD services to other devices, following a lack of movement in the industry to obey the original rule changes that took place in 2010.
Netgear's set-top box, the NeoTV Prime, has reached the FCC. Testing documents by the FCC reveals not only the Google TV system's Wi-Fi component, as seen in previous iterations, but also Bluetooth connectivity. There are also a number of photographs of the remote control's double-sided layout. Where the front performs normal remote control functions, the rear houses a QWERTY keyboard.
Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski proposed that the agency greenlight Dish Network's ongoing effort to move into providing wireless communications services. Genachowski expressed his support on the grounds that DIsh's entry into the wireless sector would stoke competition in a segment that, in the United States, is verging on duopoly. Dish Network executives, though, are unsatisfied with the FCC's current proposal for allowing them into the wireless arena, saying the FCC's plan would make it "extremely risky" for them to enter the sector.
An upcoming smartphone should be close to an official announcement as EVLeaks has, yet again, shared a live photo of the Pantech Magnus. The smartphone previously showed up undergoing FCC testing, so it should be ready for launch, with all indications pointing to AT&T offering it. The phone should be fairly advanced, offering quad-band LTE network support and a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor.
Despite an FCC-imposed $700,000 fine just yesterday, AT&T has just detailed plans to invest $14 billion over the next three years to build out its wireless 4G LTE and wireline broadband networks and bring them to more of the population. The carrier promises 250 million US residents will have access to its high-speed mobile broadband offering by the end of 2013, growing to 300 million by the end of 2014. The investment plan is being called Project Velocity IP (VIP), and also includes wireline investment.
(Updated with statement from AT&T) Late Tuesday, the FCC announced that it is compelling AT&T to recompense customers who had been forced from a pay-as-you-go wireless data plan to a monthly contracted plan. The FCC reports that it has spent a year investigating consumer complaints, and that AT&T had applied the new monthly plan to customers who had moved or replaced devices under warranty or insurance.
Hurricane Sandy has caused a quarter of cell towers to go down in 10 states. The Federal Communications Commission also claimed that cell coverage will deteriorate further while the storm continues its devastating path, with high winds causing localized flooding, loss of power, destruction of property, and in some cases, causing fires.
A newly-spotted FCC listing is hinting that a version of the Nexus 7 tablet with a 3G radio onboard will soon hit the market. With this, it's expected that the Google event scheduled for Monday, October 29 will see this tablet officially introduced.
Casio is readying to release another G'zOne handset by getting the needed FCC approval before the phone can be sold in the U.S. Thus far known only by its C811 model name, the filing reveals that the phone will have LTE network support for Verizon's network and an NFC radio. It will also support global GSM networks and of course have Wi-Fi onboard.
According to an Amazon spokeswoman, the online retailer has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to sell the 4G version of the Kindle Fire. The 8.9-inch tablet was unveiled last month, but the devices had not yet received FCC clearance, and was required to run disclaimers on web pages and emails promoting the product.
According to FCC Director Julius Genachowski, the FCC has plans underway to make 300MHz of new spectrum available by 2015 to high-speed mobile carriers. The announcement was made on Thursday during a speech given at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. The agency is scheduled to auction several parcels of wavelength in the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band, including a portion where a commercial user would share the spectrum with government users.
In February, Congress passed legislation allowing the FCC to re-allocate wireless spectrum by acquiring it from television broadcasters. The three-phase plan to re-acquire bandwidth has entered the rule-making process on Friday. The reverse auction process will allow the FCC to rearrange the remaining broadcasters to make larger blocks of spectrum available for other uses, such as existing wireless internet technology, or other future technologies. Unallocated spectrum will be placed up for auction, with the government expecting to make more money on the auction that it did buying the bandwidth freed by the shift to digital broadcasting. The FCC is seeking public comment on the details of the plan.
The Federal Communications Commission will investigate if a formal complaint is filed against AT&T over its FaceTime restrictions, according to chairman Julius Genachowski. He tells The Verge that if an effort to resolve the problem earlier "doesn't lead to a resolution and a complaint is filed, we [the FCC] will exercise our responsibilities and we will act." AT&T has come under fire for limiting cellular FaceTime calls, a feature built into iOS 6, to costly Mobile Share subscriptions.
Three organizations have announced their intent to file a complaint with the FCC over AT&T's FaceTime policies, which restrict cellular FaceTime to Mobile Share plans, reports say. Free Press, Public Knowledge, and the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute are all participating, arguing that AT&T's "decision to block FaceTime unless a customer pays for voice and text minutes she doesn't need is a clear violation of the FCC's Open Internet rules." The groups add that while the policies hurt all of AT&T's customers, the deaf and people with foreign relatives are dealt an extra blow.
Expanding a service already in place monitoring traditional wired broadband promises and performance, the US Federal Communications Commission has announced a program to monitor performance of wireless Internet service using actual data collected by volunteers. An open meeting is scheduled for September 21 at the FCC headquarters to discuss the proposal to start a program that will "develop information on mobile broadband service performance in the United States utilizing the collaborative model underlying the success of its fixed broadband program."
Sony's Duo 11 hybrid ultrabook that was introduced at the IFA show in Germany at the end of August has now appeared at the FCC. This means the 11.6-inch convertible tablet is nearing its on-sale date. At the same time, the listing confirms some of its earlier specs.
According to reports, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski plans to order a review of the "spectrum screen" used to analyze whether a company has acquired too much wireless spectrum. The FCC uses the rules to decide whether or not to approve mergers and purchases. Deals that violate the spectrum screen are given closer analysis before approval.
At the currently ongoing IFA show, ASUS took the wraps off a pair of tablets running on Windows 8. Called the Vivo Tab and Vivo Tab RT, they both dock with hardware keyboards to turn them into netbooks of a sort. Each was seen before, with the former carrying the Tablet 810 name when it showed up undergoing FCC testing while the latter was called Tablet 600.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is evaluating a plan to place a new tax on broadband Internet service. The move would generate funds for the Connect America Fund, a subsidy created from the Universal Service Fund in 2011 to expand Internet access to rural and underserved areas. The FCC issued a request for comment on the proposal in April.
The US Department of Justice said on Thursday that it would approve Verizon Wireless' $3.9 billion wireless spectrum purchase. The head of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, said that the FCC would also likely give the deal permission to continue -- albeit with marketing restrictions.
Archos is apparently expanding its tablet lineup with a device called the Family Pad, which has just been spotted undergoing testing at the FCC. It follows up on the theme of the earlier Child Pad and the rumored Child Pad 2. Unlike those 7-inch tablets, however, this one aims to be much larger, perhaps to cater to family viewing and gaming.
On Friday, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) introduced bill HR 6358 to Congress, which could spawn a new national research program to study cell phones and force the FCC and EPA to update the Specific Absorption Rate methodology for determining the potential damage that radio frequency emissions can cause. The bill, should it be passed, will "examine, label, and communicate adverse human biological effects associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields from cell phones and other wireless devices, and for other purposes."
The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that Verizon cannot block tethering apps from being downloaded on phones running on its network. Further, the FCC fined Verizon $1.25 million and required that the carrier modify its data plan pricing model. The decision comes just over year after media reform advocates filed complaints, alleging that Verizon was violating spectrum agreements by blocking tethering apps from being downloaded.
What is believed to be the first of ASUS' promised Windows 8-powered tablets has shown up at the FCC. The Tablet 810 was filed as the TF810C, confirming it is a Transformer-series device. It will have an 11.6-inch touchscreen along with Wi-Fi and NFC onboard.
The first images of the Verizon-bound Pantech Star Q 4G LTE handset have appeared online thanks to an anonymous source. The handset is due to replace the Pantech Breakout and was previewed by an FCC filing from earlier this year. The 4G-capable handset should come in at $100 on-contract at Verizon, though this is yet to be confirmed.
CenturyLink is accepting $35 million from the FCC's Connect America Fund. The donation will go towards helping the telecommunications company connect around 45,000 homes in rural locations to the Internet, as part of an FCC plan to roll out high-speed connections to areas not typically covered by broadband providers due to prohibitive associated costs.
Sony may be coming out with a revised PlayStation 3 that is even smaller than the revised model introduced three years ago. An FCC filing seen by PocketNews shows an unknown PlayStation 3 with the model number CECH-4001X, which Eurogamer suggests is a "Super Slim" version, rumored to be unveilled at Gamescom next month.
Verizon has stepped up its rhetoric against the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality proposals, arguing that such rules represent a violation of free speech and property rights. In a US Court of Appeals filing, as part of an ongoing lawsuit focusing on net neutrality regulations established in 2010, the carrier further claims that the FCC lacks the authority to impose or enforce the laws.
