telecom

How Big Telecom Used Smartphones to Create a New Digital Divide

Lindsy Embree — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:39:06 -0500

Full article: Colorlines
Jamilah King
In an increasingly digital world, the relative affordability of smartphones have made them the bridge across the the Internet's long-discussed digital divide.

Consumer Group Says T-Mobile's Direct Billing Could Lead to Fraud

Stevie Converse — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:38:28 -0400

Full article: The Hill
Brendan Sasso
A consumer-protection group warned Monday that T-Mobile’s plan to allow customers to pay for online products on their monthly phone bills instead of with their credit cards could lead to fraud. Consumers Union said federal law protects consumers if their credit card or debit card information is stolen, but there are currently no protections for people who have fraudulent purchases placed on their phone bills.

Gloves Off, Telecom Giants to FCC: It's on

Lindsy Embree — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:30:51 -0400

Full article: Washington Post
Cecilia Kang
Soon after the FCC released its national broadband plan a few weeks ago, the nation's biggest telecom companies began a battle against specific measures and questioned the agency's ability to regulate broadband services. It didn't take long for the gloves to come off.

EU Overcomes Final Hurdle for Overhaul of Telecom Rules

Stevie Converse — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:36:35 -0500

Full article: Dow Jones
Carolyn Henson
The European Union cleared the final hurdle for sweeping new rules for the bloc's telecom sector as the parliament gave its blessing after months of delay. A new directive will end the dominance of incumbent telecom companies by requiring them to separate their networks from their telecom services business if there is insufficient competition.

Unions Ramp Up Opposition to Verizon-Frontier Deal

Stevie Converse — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:25:17 -0400

Full article: Broadband Reports
Karl Bode
With the problems faced by Fairpoint and Hawaii Telcom after integrating Verizon's unwanted DSL networks, Verizon's new plan to offload an even bigger chunk of rural customers to Frontier is getting added scrutiny. Unions, who don't want cut backs on infrastructure investment or jobs, have started pushing harder to get the deal scrapped.

A Chat with Google's Vint Cerf

Stevie Converse — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:44:39 -0400

Full article: Washington Post
Cecilia Kang
Vint Cerf, Google's "chief internet evangelist" and an early innovator of the Internet, says that U.S. broadband policy went astray when the FCC moved Internet service from a telecom service framework into an information service regulatory framework. The Internet flourished under a common carriage regulations.

AT&T Raising Landline Prices -- Again

Stevie Converse — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:59:36 -0400

Full article: Broadband Reports
Karl Bode
Despite the recession and the fact AT&T should want more people using their landline service, the baby bell is raising landline prices by 20 percent in California.

Phone, Cable Giants Turn Up Volume in Broadband Fight

Lindsy Embree — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:26:41 -0400

Full article: Wall Street Journal
Amy Schatz
Practically every major cable television and phone company has signed on to a new coalition, Broadband for America. The plan: air radio and TV ads in Washington aimed at influencing the FCC's upcoming plan for increasing broadband access across America.

Big Telcos May Still Influence Broadband Stimulus Bonanza

Lindsy Embree — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:42:19 -0400

Full article: FierceWireless
Lynette Luna
While a number of major telecom operators supposedly sat out the first round of broadband grant program, they still may have a hand in the outcome. They have negotiated an agreement with the NTIA that will allow them to challenge projects by declaring they already serve those areas under consideration.

Speed Matters Report Avoids Key Telecom Issues

Lindsy Embree — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:58:14 -0400

Full article: Communicate or Die
Jason Pramas
The recent Speed Matters report on broadband upload and download speeds by state indicates that we rank 28th in the world in average Internet connection speed. Although the report indicates actions that can be taken to improve the broadband situation in America, the actions seem to primarily be attempts to get more public money shoveled at telecom giants.