News

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 to approve Verizon’s deal to acquire spectrum from a consortium of the nation’s largest cable companies. The FCC put several conditions on its approval of the deal.

The Department of Justice signed off on the deal last week.

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission released an order in its longstanding special access proceeding. The term special access refers to a broad category of services and technologies used by cellphone providers, large and small businesses, and institutions like colleges and hospitals.

On Wednesday, AT&T defended its decision to block FaceTime over mobile unless customers switch to one of its new mobile share plans. AT&T’s chief defense for its blocking of the iPhone’s FaceTime capabilities is that the FCC’s Open Internet rules do not prohibit mobile carriers from blocking “preloaded” applications, despite the fact that the term does not appear in the FCC’s rules or anywhere in the nearly 200-page Open Internet Order.

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission released the results of its annual section 706 report finding – for the third consecutive year – that broadband services are not being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely manner.

WASHINGTON – Late Friday, reports confirmed AT&T’s plans to restrict the use of Apple’s popular FaceTime video chat application on new iPhones due this fall.

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced that it would allow Verizon’s deals to buy spectrum from a consortium of the nation’s largest cable companies to move forward. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski also announced he would circulate an order approving the deal to the other four commissioners for a vote.

In its consent decree, the DoJ placed limits on Verizon and SpectrumCo’s deals to cross-market each other’s services.

WASHINGTON – In an interview published Wednesday in Fortune, presidential candidate Mitt Romney said that he would eliminate funding for public broadcasting if elected.

WASHINGTON — The Declaration of Internet Freedom — a statement of principles endorsed by more than 1,500 organizations — has been translated into more than 63 languages.

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it had reached a settlement with Verizon Wireless over Free Press’ complaint that Verizon was violating the rules that govern the licenses for the carrier’s 4G LTE network.

WASHINGTON – On Friday, a U.S. Court of Appeals rejected a request by the National Association of Broadcasters to stay the implementation of Federal Communications Commission rules requiring television stations to post their political files online.