telecom policy

White House Gets Specific -- and Potentially Some New Critics -- on Telecom Policy

Lindsy Embree — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:56:10 -0400

Full article: National Journal
Sara Jerome
President Barack Obama waded into a handful of telecom battles that he had previously sidestepped when he released the American Jobs Act. The White House had long endorsed general spectrum proposals in what amounted to a broad vision on communications issues. But the administration never prescribed a way forward on these proposals. The American Jobs Act represents the White House's first foray into the nitty-gritty of telecom legislation.

A Legal Analysis for Why BART's Mobile Phone Shutdown was Illegal

Lindsy Embree — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:30:19 -0400

Full article: TechDirt
Mike Masnick
The key issue isn't whether BART needed to keep its mobile phone service up all the time. If it goes down for maintenance, that's fine. But it can't turn it off if the decision is to try to block a particular type of speech. And that's exactly what BART clearly admitted to doing. Of course, it's not just the First Amendment at issue. There's also telecom law, and it appears BART violated that too.

Another Attack on New Jersey Media

Lindsy Embree — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:46:45 -0500

Full article: SavetheNews.org
Josh Stearns
After a bruising battle over state funding for the New Jersey Network, the public media system in New Jersey, the state is now facing another assault on independent and non-commercial media. However, this new legislative challenge strikes at the heart of New Jersey's information infrastructure, threatening to eliminate low-cost Internet for schools and libraries, and decimating community access TV.

Europe Threatens Inquiry into Phone and Cable Fees

Lindsy Embree — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:05:51 -0500

Full article: New York Times
Kevin J. O'Brien
The European Union's telecom commissioner threatened to crack down on member countries that allow powerful former telephone monopolies to charge steep fees that raise costs to consumers.

Europe to Offer 5-Year Plan for Telecom Industry

Lindsy Embree — Mon, 17 May 2010 08:30:38 -0400

Full article: New York Times
Kevin J. O'Brien
Neelie Kroes, the new European commissioner for the digital agenda, plans to introduce a five-year plan for the telecommunications industry in Europe, encompassing issues like digital copyright, data protection, Net Neutrality and e-commerce.

Sprint Official Is Tapped to Shape Telecom Policy

Lindsy Embree — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:52:34 -0500

Full article: Wall Street Journal
Brad Haynes
The Obama administration has tapped a Washington executive of Sprint Nextel to help run an agency that shapes telecommunications policy and will dole out billions of dollars in federal stimulus money to wireless providers.

Tech Wonks Embrace Government Activism in Telecom Policy

Lindsy Embree — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:28:03 -0500

Full article: Ars Technica
Julian Sanchez
It's too early to say how much change Barack Obama will bring to Washington, DC, but at the launch of the New America Foundation's hefty telecom reform manifesto, it was clear that he had already brought hope to the city's tech wonks.

Interest Groups, Bloggers Remind Obama They're Watching

Stevie Converse — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:39:45 -0500

Full article: Wall Street Journal
Amy Schatz
A coalition of groups is planning to send a letter to Chicago to remind President-elect Barack Obama about his campaign promises on issues such as Net Neutrality, universal broadband and media ownership reform.

Congress Set to Weigh In on Tech, Telecom Issues

Stevie Converse — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:58:58 -0400

Full article: Associated Press
Joelle Tessler
Technology and telecom issues will be on Capitol Hill's radar in the months ahead as lawmakers attempt to influence regulators at the FCC and frame the debate for next year's Congress.

Candidates’ Differences on Media Outlined

Stevie Converse — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:38:51 -0400

Full article: TV Week
Ira Teinowitz
At a forum sponsored by the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council, former FCC Chairman William Kennard, speaking for Obama, and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce John Kneuer, speaking for McCain, offered sharply different views of the FCC's future under their candidates.