5 things to know today …
1. AT&T and T-Mobile US received inquiries from the Federal Communications Commission about their free data programs. The agency told AT&T it is hearing some concerns about the carrier’s sponsored data program. “Some have argued that sponsored data unfairly advantages incumbent content providers,” according to the FCC.
T-Mobile US’ Binge On service prompted a similar letter, stating the FCC wants to understand “how this service relates to the commission’s goal of maintaining a free and open Internet.” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler told The Washington Post his goal is to gather information, and not necessarily to take any kind of action.
The FCC is asking both carriers to make “business and technical personnel” available for a meeting no later than January 15. The agency sent a similar letter to Comcast. So far, the FCC does not appear to be asking for information about Verizon Wireless’s recently announced sponsored data program.
2. Apple announced four new executive appointments. Jeff Williams, who some say has been Apple’s de facto COO since Tim Cook became CEO, is now taking on the job title to go with his responsibilities. Johny Srouji will be SVP for hardware technologies. Phil Schiller is adding leadership of Apple’s App Store to his list of duties as SVP of worldwide marketing. Finally, Tor Myhren joins Apple from advertising giant Grey. Myhren will be VP of marketing and communications.
3. Apple and Samsung signed deals with China UnionPay, the country’s largest payment network. UnionPay customers will be able to add their bank cards to Apple Pay and to Samsung Pay. UnionPay is a financial giant in China, but in the mobile space it is behind Alibaba’s Alipay. Tencent’s Tenpay is also a major player China’s mobile payments market.
4. John Chen’s plan to turn BlackBerry around appears to be working. After nine consecutive quarters of revenue declines, BlackBerry said third quarter sales increased 12% versus the second quarter. The company lost $89 million, but most of that was due to one-time items. Chen has been working hard to leverage the Canadian company’s software strengths, and has also launched an Android-powered smartphone, the BlackBerry Priv.
5. Connected cars may be regulated by the federal government, if they operate autonomously. According to Reuters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said it does not want a “patchwork” of state rules regulating driverless cars. The issue has garnered national attention because California wants to ban driverless cars that do not carry a human in the driver’s seat.
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