FCC OKs cell phone signal boosters & proposes Wi-Fi decongestant plan

February 20, 2013 3:54 PM Tom Cheredar
Tom Cheredar

Good news, everyone! Your frequently crappy cell phone signal should be improving soon.

Sorry, U.S., no free Wi-Fi for you

February 5, 2013 8:40 AM Dylan Tweney
Dylan Tweney

Contrary to earlier reports, the FCC is not planning a nationwide Wi-Fi network. Sorry, wireless fans!

FCC plans powerful nationwide Wi-Fi. Also, rainbows and ice cream for everyone

February 4, 2013 5:06 PM Dylan Tweney
Dylan Tweney

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission chair has proposed a plan to blanket the entire country in Wi-Fi. But don't hold your breath.

FCC relaxes restrictions on airline Internet access

December 28, 2012 2:41 PM Tom Cheredar
Tom Cheredar

The Federal Communications Commission released a new set of rules today aimed at making it easier for airline carriers to offer their passengers in-flight Internet access -- and I don't think I'm alone when saying it's about freakin' time.

Mobile hotspots for all: Verizon settles with FCC for $1.25M, must allow tethering apps

July 31, 2012 1:39 PM Devindra Hardawar
Devindra Hardawar

In a double-whammy for Verizon, the Federal Communications Commission announced today that the carrier must let its customers use third-party apps to turn their phones into mobile hotspots, and Verizon will also have to pay a $1.25 million fee to …

FCC ponies up $300M to bring broadband to rural America

April 26, 2012 2:07 PM Jolie O'Dell
Jolie O'Dell

Internet access might not be a human right, but having a connection to the web can help people get more access to their rights, to new opportunities, to better information — to the world. And with a $300 million subsidy, …

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski calls for SOPA compromise

January 22, 2012 10:19 AM Jennifer Van Grove
Jennifer Van Grove

The Stop Online Privacy Act and the Protect Intellectual Property Act may be on hiatus, but what’s really at stake are two equally critical values that don’t necessarily have to be in opposition of each other, Federal Communications Commission chairman …

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski warns of looming wireless spectrum crunch

January 11, 2012 2:01 PM Dean Takahashi
Dean Takahashi

The U.S. needs to address the looming wireless spectrum crunch to allow for continued innovation in broadband wireless, Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski said Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show.

One of the ways to do that is to …

FCC report blasts T-Mobile merger, AT&T cries about it

November 30, 2011 7:52 AM Devindra Hardawar
Devindra Hardawar

The Federal Communications Commission last night released a damning 157-page report (PDF) against AT&T’s proposed $39 billion T-Mobile takeover, which concludes that the merger would ultimately hurt US consumers and the wireless market.

AT&T, not surprisingly, is none too pleased. …

FCC Chairman Genachowski seeks hearing on AT&T/T-Mobile merger

November 22, 2011 4:33 PM Sean Ludwig
Sean Ludwig

Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski has requested a trial-like hearing for the proposed AT&T and T-Mobile merger after deciding that the deal would hurt consumers.

The FCC’s hearing would be yet another roadblock to the beleaguered telecom merger. On …

FCC chair backs DOJ’s AT&T suit, while Sprint gloats

August 31, 2011 11:32 AM Devindra Hardawar
Devindra Hardawar

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski is throwing his agency’s weight behind the Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against AT&T over its proposed merger with T-Mobile.

“By filing suit today, the Department of Justice has concluded that AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile would …