broadband

So Much Fun. So Irrelevant.

Stevie Converse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:40:16 -0500

Full article: New York Times
Thomas L. Friedman
What if the 2012 campaign were actually about the world in which we’re living and how we adapt to it? What would the candidates be talking about? I just don't remember any candidate being asked in those really entertaining G.O.P. debates: "How do you think smart cities can become the job engines of the future, and what is your plan to ensure that America has a strategic bandwidth advantage?"

The Outlook for the FCC and Broadband: Not Good

Stevie Converse — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:50:57 -0500

Full article: Nieman Watchdog
Bruce Kushnick
There is no force, not the FCC, not Congress, but most especially not competition to drive high-speed broadband services in America at reasonable rates. While we hear of municipalities taking it upon themselves to bypass the dysfunctional incumbent, those aren’t the norm in America. So, as the FCC raises your rates, adds new fees and the phone companies proclaim themselves the masters of the digital universe, it might be time to "Occupy" the FCC.

Markets and Morality: The Slow Life in an Online Dead Zone

Stevie Converse — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:46:02 -0400

Full article: Boston Globe
Roland Merullo
The free market is basically a good system, but the profit motive is not a moral force. The unregulated free market has no more conscience than a balance sheet. That must be imposed by government, by our collective sense of decency, for the benefit of everyone. Nowhere is that more apparent than with broadband service. The government must intervene because the market isn't serving large portions of the population, while other countries are reaching more of their citizens through government-enabled initiatives.

TV Coalition Pitches Own National Broadband Plan

Stevie Converse — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:14:13 -0400

Full article: Multichannel News
John Eggerton
The Coalition for Free TV and Broadband said that using the one-to-many mobile broadcast delivery, rather than auctioning broadcast spectrum, was the most efficient way to handle wireless broadband spectrum traffic crunches and would also be the most lucrative for the U.S. Treasury.

State Attorneys General Call for Reallocation of Spectrum for Public Safety Network

Stevie Converse — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:06:07 -0400

Full article: National Journal
Juliana Gruenwald
Most of the nation's state attorneys general are calling on Congress to reallocate spectrum to public safety officials for the creation of a national broadband network aimed at improving emergency communications.

Cable Still Beating Out Telcos in Broadband Adds

Lindsy Embree — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:11:23 -0400

Full article: GigaOM
Stacey Higginbotham
DSL is on the ropes, and cable companies are seeing their broadband numbers rise, according to data on broadband sign-ups during the second quarter.

Comcast CEO: Netflix Is Good for Business

Stevie Converse — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:20:27 -0400

Full article: Huffington Post
Amy Lee
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said that Netflix has not yet shown any real negative impact for cable providers, and that in fact, for Comcast's broadband business, has proved a boon. Roberts says Netflix has actually improved business for Comcast's broadband division, considering that the service requires a great deal of broadband to function effectively. But relations between Comcast and Netflix have been far from cozy.

Media Minutes: May 27, 2011

Candace Clement — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:22:23 -0400

Comcast’s effort to stifle an organization for criticizing its political work created a bigger problem for the media giant. And North Carolina’s broadband future is looking grim with a new law that severely restricts community broadband networks.

NAB-Commissioned Study Offers Alternatives for Spectrum Crunch

Stevie Converse — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:17:31 -0400

Full article: Broadcasting & Cable
John Eggerton
The National Association of Broadcasters has filed a study with the FCC concluding that the FCC's National Broadband Plan overstated the pressing need for wireless spectrum relied on faulty info and insufficient analysis to justify a spectrum reclamation push that will "lead to inadequate solutions." But FCC spokesman Rob Kenny reiterated the commission's defense of its approach. "The spectrum crunch is real. If we don't take action soon, it will become a spectrum crisis and ultimately consumers will pay more for less."

They May Have Citizens United but We Have Netizens United

Stevie Converse — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:05:10 -0400

Full article: The Nation
Rep. Edward Markey
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) spoke passionately about the future of communications at the National Conference for Media Reform in Boston. "Our challenge is to shape the media for the public, not the publicly-traded company. To build a mass movement for better media to inform and enlighten, now and into the future," Markey said.