Policy

CCA wants to ensure smaller carriers have access to spectrum resources WASHINGTON – The Competitive Carriers Association this week called on the Federal Communications Commission to go ahead with a planned 2016 incentive auction and allow smaller carriers to participate. …

Google starts favoring mobile optimized websites in search algorithms Today Google made a major change in how its proprietary search algorithms rank Web search results; now websites that have been optimized for mobile viewing will be ranked higher than sites …

The recent move by the European Commissioner for Competition against Google was, quite frankly, stunning from my viewpoint. The objections the EU centered around the Google shopping system seemed rather trumped-up and struck me as an attempt by Europe to …

FM chip on smartphone is usually not active but could be valuable in an emergency Remember FM radio? The National Association of Broadcasters certainly does and, because many mobile manufacturers disable FM on smartphones, there’s tension brewing. Samsung, Apple and …

In a first-of-its-kind move, FDIC will back Google Wallet WASHINGTON – In a landmark announcement, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. will now insure money held in Google Wallet accounts. The federally run program insures all deposits in U.S. banks up …

Mobile operators are set to gain access to spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. The Federal Communications Commission is making 150 megahertz of contiguous spectrum available for mobile broadband and other uses through a spectrum sharing policy. The agency says …

Fines against Google could hit $6B; EU also probes Android OS WASHINGTON – The European Union Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, officially filed a “statement of objection” against the Internet search giant Google. She told the press in Brussels, Belgium, …

Wheeler speech at NAB show touts 600 MHz auction benefits for broadcasters Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler took to the stage at this week’s National Association of Broadcasters event in an attempt to drum up support from television broadcasters …

OSHA seeks public comment on how to reduce accidents at tower sites Federal safety regulators are seeking public input on how to best protect the men and women who work on telecommunications towers from injury or incident. Published on April …

Republicans blast FCC net neutrality decision; Pelosi calls rules ‘foundation of freedom’ WASHINGTON – Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) introduced an eight-line resolution Monday that, if passed, will block the Federal Communications Commission from implementing its Open Internet Order. The resolution …

$6B fine is apparently possible in EU probe of Google WASHINGTON – American technology powerhouse Google will face charges of violating antitrust regulations from the European Union’s Competition Commissioner, according to reports. Margrethe Vestager, former prime minister of Denmark, is …

Canada’s 2.5 GHz spectrum auction latest attempt to increase competition Canada’s quest for deeper mobile competition continues today as the country’s telecom regulator begins what is expected to be a short auction of spectrum licenses in the 2.5 GHz band. …

US Telecom Association challenging FCC’s net neutrality rules WASHINGTON – In a move that surprised nobody, trade group US Telecom Association, which represents carriers Verizon and AT&T among others, filed suit against the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet order less …

As I think back over the recent Competitive Carriers Association 2015 Global Expo in Atlanta for this Generation Wireless column, I begin to see three major trends: leveraging big data to make smarter networks; capitalizing on existing spectrum assets; and …

U.S. Department of Energy selects Intel, Cray to deliver Aurora WASHINGTON – Intel announced that the U.S. Department of Energy selected the California-based chipmaker to build a supercomputer for the Argonne National Laboratory. Dubbed Aurora, the computer is set for delivery …

Verizon supercookies under review for violating consumer privacy and data laws WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission is reviewing whether Verizon Communication’s use of “supercookie” tracking software on its devices and website violated consumer privacy and data laws. Supercookies are …

25,000 users join Europe v. Facebook suit An Austrian law graduate and 25,000 other Facebook users in Europe are taking on the social media giant claiming the company invaded their privacy by participating in the NSA’s PRISM dragnet surveillance program, among …

911 outage drew a $17.4M fine for operators responsible WASHINGTON – Following the steepest fines ever levied for 911 outages, federal regulators are taking steps to expand the database of public safety operators equipped to handle text-to-911. The Federal Communications …

Social Security numbers part of customer data stolen at 3 AT&T centers tied to mobile device trafficking AT&T was hit with a $25 million fine tied to the unauthorized disclosure of personal information of nearly 280,000 U.S. customers. The Federal Communications …

Government agents have been collecting Americans’ phone records since 1992, according to USA Today. The U.S. Justice Department’s Drug Enforcement Administration asked carriers for logs of almost all calls made from the U.S. to as many as 116 countries. The …

Standard General and Sprint acquire RadioShack in bankruptcy auction General Wireless has received federal court approval to take over 1,743 RadioShack stores after the struggling retailer declared bankruptcy in February. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court oversaw the auction that resulted in …

South Korean authorities also investigating Qualcomm for antitrust issues WASHINGTON – Qualcomm is looking to reestablish its importance in China following a $975 million fine imposed by China’s National Development and Reform Commission. Qualcomm President Derek Aberle told the Financial …

The small town of Chanute, Kan., has hit a bit of a roadblock in its effort to install a 1 Gbps fiber network in the town. AT&T, the provider of Chanute’s 6 Mbps DSL network, is using a 1947 Kansas law …

FCC: Domestic violence, overdose among failed calls WASHINGTON – Imagine a loved one seizing up with a heart attack or waking up in the middle of the night from the sound of an intruder in your home. Most people would likely …

  ZTE is part of Chinese initiative to clean-up transportation WASHINGTON – ZTE, one of the largest global telecom manufacturers, is expanding into electric car charging. The South China Morning Post reports that ZTE is expecting to gain contracts to …