Ericsson, Duetsche Telekom, China Mobile and others eye the future
As carriers continue the research and development that will inform the next generation of 5G mobile networks, Deutsche Telekom recently announced its new innovation lab, the “5G haus.”
Germany-based DT has partnered with the Stanford University's...
Verizon chief: Congress needs to 're-take responsibility’ for Internet from FCC
WASHINGTON – Verizon Communications CEO Lowell McAdam recently pressed federal lawmakers to rein in the Federal Communications Commission, the regulatory influence of which he wrote has reached “absurd new levels.”
McAdam, in a three-page letter...
Draft Report and Order looks to unleash up to 150 megahertz of new spectrum for unlicensed, small cell use
The Federal Communications Commission took the next step in freeing up 100 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band as Chairman Tom Wheeler late last...
Contract impacts more than 100,000 phone numbers each day
The Federal Communications Commission has conditionally approved Ericsson's Telcordia to administer the number portability service that allows customers to keep their phone numbers when switching carriers. The commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of Telcordia, which will...
Spectrum auction winners haven’t been revealed
Although the winners haven’t been disclosed, an Indian government spectrum auction ended on March 25 after 19 days and 115 rounds of bidding.
The spectrum auction raised more than $17.5 billion, which is 36% more than the government’s target for...
Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink and other members want net neutrality review
The US Telecom Association, which counts carriers Verizon Communications, AT&T, Alaska Communications and many others as members, on March 23 asked a federal appeals court for a review of the Federal Communication Commission’s recent order...
FCC commissioner blasts Dish Network move as a ‘rip off’
WASHINGTON – Pay TV giant Dish Network placed winning bids totaling $13 billion in the recent Federal Communication Commission spectrum auction, but because of a loophole that designates the company as a “small business,” some of those...
FAA gives online retailer Amazon experimental license
E-commerce giant Amazon’s ambitions to provide delivery via drone gained some traction on March 19 with federal regulators granting the company an “experimental airworthiness certificate.”
The Federal Aviation Administration gave Amazon Logistics permission to start testing drone operations under...
Kevin Fitchard previews panel on future of the Internet
Kevin Fitchard, formerly of Giga Om, discussed with RCR Wireless News how the Internet could philosophically change as private interests foster more accessibility, particularly to underserved populations.
Fitchard previewed a panel discussion that also included Micha Benoliel,...
FCC planning reverse, forward auctions of Super Wi-Fi in 2016
AUSTIN, Texas – Unused television broadcast spectrum, sometimes referred to as super Wi-Fi, could be used to provide Internet access to otherwise underserved communities, according to panelists at South by Southwest.
Mary Ellen Carroll, a designer,...
WASHINGTON – MegaFon, the second-largest mobile carrier in Russia, is forecasting a decline in sales and revenue for 2015, according to a report from Bloomberg Business.
The report follows a 5.9% increase in revenue in 2014 with a profit margin forecasted at 40% for 2015,...
WASHINGTON – Two of the five commissioners serving on the Federal Communications Commission voted against net neutrality regulations that apply Title II regulation and classify the Internet as a public utility.
Commissioner Ajit Pai was the most vocal of the opposition. Known as a staunch...
Four hundred-page net neutrality document expected to see legal challenges
The Federal Communications Commission released the full Report and Order tied to its net neutrality ruling, which as expected has drawn divergent commentary.
The 400-page document lays out the FCC’s position in bringing broadband access, both...
Regulations for drones in the works
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration last month released its proposed framework of regulations that would allow routine use of unmanned aircraft systems – drones – for commercial purposes.
Until recently, the use of UAS in...
Title II and net neutrality
In my capacity as a correspondent for RCR Wireless News and a resident of the Washington, D.C., area, I often write about wireless telecom policy. Wireless policy is a fascinating and complex subject, especially when viewed in the greater historical...
Walden comments on net neutrality, Title II and FCC
WASHINGTON – House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) recently delivered an address to the American Enterprise Institute, a well-known conservative think tank, discussing the reauthorization of the Federal Communications Commission, the recent net...
Net neutrality postures follow party lines
WAHINGTON – In releasing its long-awaited rules regarding net neutrality, some at the Federal Communications Commission were unhappy with the decision.
One of those was Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai, who stated, “Read my lips. More new taxes are coming.”
Commissioner...
Five of 10 qualified bidders picked up spectrum licenses; 2.5 GHz auction next
Canada’s AWS-3 spectrum auction came to a quick end after one day of bidding saw 39 of the 42 licenses up for bid find takers. In total, those 39 licenses generated 2.1...
Verizon claims Dish collusion with DEs impacted fairness of Auction 97
You can add Verizon Communications to the list of companies unhappy with Dish Network’s bidding activity during the Federal Communications Commission’s recent Auction 97 proceedings.
In a letter filed with the FCC, Verizon said it...
Spectrum auction is latest attempt by Canada to bolster wireless competition
On the heels of its southern neighbor conducting its most lucrative spectrum auction ever, Canada this week is set to kick off bidding for 50 megahertz of spectrum in the 1.7/2.1 GHz band, also...
FCC commissioners Pai and O’Rielly seek at least 30-day public review on net neutrality legislation
The Federal Communications Commission’s Republican members have asked that the government agency push back a vote on its Internet regulation plan in order to consider public input on the matter.
In...
AT&T CEO says legal action imminent
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission has yet to release its long-awaited net neutrality recommendations on whether to enact Title II regulations in regard to the Internet.
Yet, the legal wrangling is already beginning. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said...
Possible investigation comes on heels of $975M Chinese settlement
Just days after agreeing to a nine-figure settlement with the Chinese government, chipmaker Qualcomm is now under investigation by South Korean commerce authorities, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) has been chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for less than a month, but is already setting an ambitious telecom policy agenda.
In a speech to the American Enterprise Institute on Jan. 28, Thune...
