More of this story Nov 14, 2009
Emergency 911 calls will be allowed, the proposed ordinance says, and emergency responders, drivers using two-way radios for work-related duties and drivers with amateur radio operator licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission will be exempted. The bill defines mobile electronic device to include cell phones, text messaging devices, pagers, digital assistants, laptop computers, video games and cameras, but does not include audio equipment or navigation systems, or any video... (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Black Elected Officials Question Net Neutrality Proposal Nov 13, 2009
"We write to applaud your recent letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging that the agency focus on increasing broadband adoption and expanding broadband network capacity," they wrote, according to a copy of the letter supplied to B&C.. "Unfortunately, the FCC's broadband conversation, still in its early stages, has been infected by some profoundly disturbing comments attacking both federal officials and civil rights organizations," the heads of the National Black Caucus of State... (Multichannel News)
CPI, which is a branch of MCTV, is the best cable/internet/voip provider I've had... Nov 12, 2009
Massillon, to facilitate its all-digital transition, in March from the Federal Communications Commission to the agencys integrated set-top banon the condition that it phase out analog services by Feb. 17, 2009, the date when local TV broadcasters must stop analog transmissions. While cable operators arent required to cut off analog service by next February, Gessner sees the opportunity to piggyback on the awareness being generated about the over-the-air digital TV transition. (Multichannel News)
Gen2Media President Mary Spio Named One of 50 Most Important African Americans in Technology by eAccess Corp. Nov 12, 2009
Ms. Spio, a former Boeing engineer and digital cinema pioneer, has been named to the 10th annual list, which includes AOL CEO Richard Parsons, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, Al Zollar, CEO of Lotus Development Corp, and John W. Thompson, CEO Symantec Corp.. The publication, released on November 11, dubs Ms. Spio a "rocket scientist," noting that, "By age 26, she was head of digital satellite communications for Boeing. Then, she co-created the technology for the... (Primezone Releases)
FCC Releases Top Five Barriers To Broadband Nov 12, 2009
According to a request for comment issued Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission has tentatively concluded that there are five chief barriers to broadband adoption. The FCC listed the following as impediments: "Affordability of service, affordability of hardware, insufficient digital and technical literacy levels, unawareness of the personal relevance and utility of broadband technology and online content and an inability to use existing technology and applications due to physical or... (Multichannel News)
Is the NSA spying on U.S. Internet traffic? Nov 12, 2009
Dave Farber, a respected computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University and former chief technologist for the Federal Communications Commission, also said it is likely that data collected in a facility like the Bridgeton center would be used elsewhere, once the facility is set up to divert the data. "If I own the routers, I can put code in there to have them monitor for certain data. That's not a particularly difficult job," said Farber, who is considered one of the pioneers of Internet... (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
FCC requests more information about KGMB-KHNL merger Nov 11, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission is requesting more information about the newsroom merger between KGMB9, KHNL and K5. In response the Media Council Hawaii's complaint that the deal sets up an illegal triopoly, the FCC yesterday asked KHNL's owner, Raycom Media Inc. of Alabama, for unredacted documents relating to the newsroom merger. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Television Company Belo Corp. (BLC) Prices Senior Notes Nov 11, 2009
Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the costs, consequences (including tax consequences) and other effects of the Company's spin-off distribution of its newspaper businesses and related assets to A. H. Belo Corporation and the associated agreements between the Company and A. H. Belo relating to various matters; changes in capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand, interest rates and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Satellite Operators Call for More Spectrum Nov 11, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission has had conversations with Qualcomm and Skyterra in the past few weeks about an effort to use a combination of satellites and a terrestrial network known as ancillary terrestrial component (ATC), which could make 100 MHz of spectrum available for mobile broadband. Given that both the wireless industry and the FCC are in calling for more spectrum for mobile data services, the satellite companies are setting themselves up for a potential payday, but I still... (BusinessWeek)
KLAS Files Response Denying Allegations Made In Auto Sale Coverage Complaint Nov 10, 2009
As the station promised, KLAS-TV has filed a response at the Federal Communications Commission strongly denying allegations it covered an auto dealer liquidation sale in its newscast in exchange for an ad flight from the dealership. The station said its June 8 story was "not provided as a condition of an advertising buy or otherwise broadcast in exchange for consideration," and as a result was not in violation of the FCC's sponsorship identification rules. (Multichannel News)
Lawmakers Float Bill to Boost Rural Broadband Nov 10, 2009
The drive to reform the USF revisits a at the Federal Communications Commission, the agency that oversees the fund. The FCC is currently working to develop a national broadband strategy due to Congress in February. (SmallBusinessComputing)
On the Call: Dish Network CEO Charles Ergen Nov 10, 2009
And the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has never seen fit to solve that. So, there always have been some issues there. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Broadband lessons from Kentucky Nov 10, 2009
But at that time, 200Kbps was the US Federal Communications Commission minimum for fast web service, said Mefford. And IT jobs in the state were declining by 6. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Pssst -- heard the latest on 'Gossip Girl'? Nov 10, 2009
Last week, the council fired off a letter to the network's affiliates asking them not to air the episode, calling it "reckless and irresponsible" and warning that stations could be liable for Federal Communications Commission fines if the government agency decides the show violates decency laws. The L.A.-based organization, which has condemned everything from Britney Spears songs to Carl's Jr. commercials, has taken aim at "Gossip Girl" before for its racy "OMFG" ad campaign. (FOX59, IN)
Ergen Dishes It Out Nov 10, 2009
But he said that any product offering - including mobile video - would depend on what direction the Federal Communications Commission takes. "We're going to come up with two or three good uses for the spectrum and then see where Washington indicates they're going to go with long-term spectrum policy," Ergen said. (Multichannel News)
Net Neutrality: In Indie Studios Interest Nov 9, 2009
She has been in Washington recently to help educate the Hill and Federal Communications Commission about her members concerns with potential vertical integration on the Internet including raising some red flags about a potential melding of Comcast and NBC Universal and to draw distinctions between her constituency and the major Hollywood studios. Prewitt, whose contract was extended over the summer through 2012, talked to Multichannel News Washington bureau chief John Eggerton about... (Multichannel News)
Who’s afraid of the big, bad Fairness Doctrine? Nov 9, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission adopted the Fairness Doctrine in 1949. Because the airwaves were both public and limited, the FCC wanted to ensure that licensees devoted a reasonable amount of broadcast time to the discussion of controversial issues, and that they did so fairly, in order to afford reasonable opportunity for opposing viewpoints. (Boston Globe)
Networks Seek Their Cut Of Retrans Nov 8, 2009
Things were quieter between broadcasters and distributors last year, as media firms waited for a new presidential administration and Federal Communications Commission. Several big deals, including CBS pacts with Time Warner Cable and Comcast, were reached nearly 12 months before they were set to expire. (Multichannel News)
Boycott 'Gossip Girl' Nov 7, 2009
If the episode airs as planned, I and other members of the Parents Television Council will contact every sponsor with our concerns about the content as well as the Federal Communications Commission if it violates broadcast decency law. For more information, go to. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
NCTA Chief Urges Feds to Rethink Stimulus Plans Nov 7, 2009
Only a few hours after McSlarrow's talk at the FOSI conference this morning, NCTA released a petition it submitted to the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to cut back on the subsidies it distributes to telephone companies in favor of programs to spur broadband adoption and deployment. NCTA argued that the FCC's Universal Service Fund wastes as much as $2 billion funneling money to rural phone providers in areas where unsubsidized companies are already operating and the market... (SmallBusinessComputing)
AT&T completes buy-out of Centennial Nov 7, 2009
As part of AT&T s previous negotiations with the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, AT&T will divest wireless operations in eight markets in Louisiana and Mississippi. AT&T has agreed to divest five of these markets to. (Dallas Business Journal, TX)
FCC Media Bureau Chief Lake: Agency Yet To Decide Whether To Grant MPAA Waiver Request Nov 7, 2009
Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau chief Bill Lake says the bureau has not yet decided whether or not to grant the Motion Picture Association of America's request for a waiver of the commission's prohibition on selectable output controls on set-top boxes. The studios want to be able to selectively block the copying of HD movies via cable set-top boxes in order to move up the multichannel video on demand HD window for films while still protecting the DVD window. (Multichannel News)
KVPT adds the channel Create TV Nov 6, 2009
The majority of calls Friday afternoon to the stations and assistance centers set up by the Federal Communications Commission were from viewers seeking technical help with hooking up the converter boxes or adjusting their antenna to get the maximum coverage. "I am surprised and happy about how smooth it has gone," said KSEE (Channel 24. (Fresno Bee)
NBCU's Cotton: Spectrum Discussions Will Have To Take Place Nov 6, 2009
NBC executive vice president and general counsel Rick Cotton doesn't want to see damage done to the over-the-air TV station model, but also says the issue raised by the Federal Communications Commission about possibly reclaiming some broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband is "a set of discussions that are going to have to take place.". Cotton was interviewed Thursday about the topic for C-SPAN's Communicators series, Qualcomm chairman Paul Jacobs was talking up the need for more spectrum to... (Multichannel News)
NCTA Outlines Ways For FCC To Free Up Funds For Broadband Deployment Nov 6, 2009
Calling it a "modest first step" on the road to Universal Service Reform, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association has said it knows how the Federal Communications Commission can save the government up to $2 billion, freeing it up to help underwrite ubiquitous broadband deployment. In a petition for rulemaking, NCTA has said that some can be recovered by no longer providing subsidies to phone companies in rural areas where competition exists from new entrants, like cable companies,... (Multichannel News)
Court Revives Cell Phone Radiation Cases Nov 6, 2009
They also claim that their phones failed to meet Federal Communications Commission regulations limiting the amount of radio frequency radiation they can emit. In 2007, Judge Cheryl Long of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia dismissed the suits, reasoning that the claims, which were made based on D.C. law, were pre-empted by the. (Law.com)
Privacy concern in Google Voice call recording Nov 5, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission, taking note of ATmplaint, has written to Google with questions about its call blocking. But the implications for our privacy of software-managed call services like Google Voice are a much greater threat to consumers, and that's where the FCC should direct its energy - immediately. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
An open Internet depends on net neutrality Nov 5, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission, in a step to preserve the freedom of Internet access people are accustomed to, is proposing new rules for network neutrality a concept that would prohibit Internet service providers from favoring certain services, content or technologies over others. Critics of net neutrality fear, with some justification, that excessive rulemaking could stifle as-yet-unknown technological innovations. (Honolulu Advertiser)
AT&T's lawsuit over Verizon ads could backfire, some argue Nov 5, 2009
"The AT&T lawsuit is not going to matter for consumers, but AT&T is doing this for people at the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, because AT&T needs to counter a perception that AT&T is selling something it can't deliver," Ellison said. Ellison also said AT&T is apparently "trying to head off a class-action lawsuit from iPhone users and others who may say, 'You sold us this phone and we can't make calls with it.' ". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Hearst TV's Barrett: Changing News Sources Having "Profound Effect" On Industry Viewing, Money Flow Nov 5, 2009
Some of the current economic hit broadcasters are taking is cyclical, broadcasters told the Federal Communications Commission Wednesday, but some of it is systemic and rooted in changes to the media marketplace that won't be undone by a rising stock market. Hearst Television president David Barrett said changes in news sources have had a "profound effect" on where dollars and viewers are going. (Multichannel News)
Test Your Knowledge of 1990 Nov 4, 2009
NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 2009. "The Early Show" 's "Time Machine" Series Highlights Pop Culture of the Time. (CBS News -- Early Show)
RFD-TV: How an Ex-Farmer Built a $25 Million Media Empire for Rural America Nov 4, 2009
Since going for-profit in 2007 -- after the Federal Communications Commission ruled that airing cattle auctions no longer qualified as public-interest programming -- Gottsch has been on a quest to broaden his audience. He leased a studio in Nashville, Tennessee, to create original shows, and hired veteran TV execs, including Ed Frazier, ex-CEO of Liberty Sports. (FastCompany)
> WPTF loses Limbaugh, Hannity Nov 3, 2009
The deal must receive approval from the Federal Communications Commission before it can officially close, but Capitol has a lease arrangement in place that allowed it to make the programming changes Monday. The 620 station now features a mix of programming that previously was spread across both 850 and 620. (Triangle Business Journal)
Lies, Damned Lies ... Nov 3, 2009
- A company working with the Federal Communications Commission reported that stimulus money paid for 4,231 jobs, when about 1,000 were produced. - A Georgia community college reported creating 280 jobs with recovery money, but none was created from stimulus spending. (The American Conservative)
getNumberAll('1202435099939') Nov 2, 2009
But the decision can become much more complicated, especially after a motion that a judge's impartiality "might reasonably be questioned." In 1992, television companies sought the disqualification of Judge Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit in a case involving Federal Communications Commission rules about financial interest and syndication. The companies cited the fact that, while a law professor 15 years earlier, Posner gave expert testimony on behalf of CBS. Parties submitted briefs, and Posner... (Law.com)
Michelle Malkin: Unholy alliance: Churches, FCC conspire to curtail free speech Nov 2, 2009
Left-wing church leaders want the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on "hate speech" over cable TV and right-leaning talk-radio airwaves ... The church-state alliance missive directed its followers: "As a participant, you will be asked to sign a petition to the Federal Communications Commission asking that it open a notice of inquiry into hate speech in the media.". (The News-Press -- Opinion)
Looking for Reason in the Net Neutrality Debate Nov 1, 2009
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission to add a non-discrimination mandate to its Internet policy statement, and to codify the open Internet principles into binding rules. In a nod to the concerns of cable and telecom providers, the FCC said the rules would still allow for "reasonable network management," and requested comments from the public on how to define the term. (SmallBusinessComputing)
Net Neutrality Action Draws Mixed Response Nov 1, 2009
Given the extraordinarily to the recent meeting at the Federal Communications Commission, it's hardly surprising that reactions came fast and furious from lawmakers, businesses and advocacy groups that had staked out a position in the Net neutrality debate. As a matter of procedure, the action the FCC took last week was to that would enshrine its 2005 Internet policy statement as formal rules, and add to it stipulations mandating non-discriminatory network management and disclosure of ISPs'... (eSecurityPlanet)
Comcast Combats BitTorrent Call Nov 1, 2009
Washington Comcast characterized the Federal Communications Commission as a winded fighter on the ropes in its version of the battle over the agencys BitTorrent decision that found the top U.S. cable operator in violation of the agencys network-openness principles. The company also suggests that the commission dealt a self-inflicted blow to its own argument by adopting last weeks network neutrality Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to turn its policy statement into enforceable rules. (Multichannel News)
Ignorance is no excuse Nov 1, 2009
So it was left to Michael Powell, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, to declare his "outrage" and order a "swift and thorough" investigation, which could result in fines worth millions of dollars if CBS and its affiliates are shown to have breached indecency guidelines. Let's leave aside for a moment the value system of a government that can order an immediate inquiry into a bare breast and take a year to launch one into a bare-faced lie presented as a pretext for war. (Yahoo News -- Hutton Report)
Net Neutrality Action Draws Mixed Response Nov 1, 2009
Given the extraordinarily to the recent meeting at the Federal Communications Commission, it's hardly surprising that reactions came fast and furious from lawmakers, businesses and advocacy groups that had staked out a position in the Net neutrality debate. As a matter of procedure, the action the FCC took last week was to that would enshrine its 2005 Internet policy statement as formal rules, and add to it stipulations mandating non-discriminatory network management and disclosure of ISPs'... (eSecurityPlanet)
Delay In Naming Bid Winners Nov 1, 2009
The committee heard from Strickling and Goldstein, as well as RUS administrator and former Federal Communications Commission member Jonathan Adelstein. Senate Commerce Committee chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va. (Multichannel News)
Seeking Retransmission Help Nov 1, 2009
Mediacom Communications is back in battle formation against Sinclair Broadcast Group, claiming in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission that the broadcaster the source of a heated retransmission-consent battle in 2006 is attempting to gouge the cable company with higher fees. Sinclair executive vice president and general counsel Barry Faber said that he expects to file a response with the FCC shortly. (Multichannel News)
How Google Voice Is Growing Oct 31, 2009
The contrast underscores the rapidly increasing popularity of a service that, while available only on a limited basis, has put Google at odds with Apple () and AT&T () and subjected the Web search company to questioning by the Federal Communications Commission. The top communications regulator asked for information about the service after AT&T complained that Google Voice was unfairly blocking calls to certain numbers in rural areas. (BusinessWeek)
'Idol' host Ryan Seacrest gets restraining order Oct 31, 2009
6 million, according to the filing with the Federal Communications Commission. "When I moved here in 1974, I had the chance to go to work for KYNO. I never would have imagined owning it. I feel like the luckiest guy in town," Ostlund says. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Unsolicited Advice for Jim Brady Oct 30, 2009
Papa Allbritton ultimately unloaded the Star on Time Inc. in 1978 to placate a Federal Communications Commission that didn't want single enterprises to own TV stations and newspapers in the same market. "Joe Allbritton loved the Washington Star," said Dean Singletona former Allbritton employee turned press mogulto the in this nicely turned 2004 profile of father and son. (Slate)
Cable-Tec Expo 2009: Comcast's Project Cavalry Priority: Do-It-Yourself DTAs Oct 30, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission in the last few months has granted waivers to the so-called integrated set-top ban to multiple DTA vendors. At this point, Taylor said Comcast is in the process of re-encrypting those signals, and that all the DTAs in Cisco and Motorola systems are completely compatible with the CA.. (Multichannel News)
Station Airs Demo Of Bare Breast Self-Exams Oct 30, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission fined CBS Corp. for the "wardrobe malfunction" that bared Janet Jackson's breast during the 2004 Super Bowl. But Lord said he did not believe a clinical demonstration in a medical story on a news show would run into any trouble with decency standards. (Click2Houston, TX)
Ignorance is no excuse Oct 30, 2009
So it was left to Michael Powell, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, to declare his "outrage" and order a "swift and thorough" investigation, which could result in fines worth millions of dollars if CBS and its affiliates are shown to have breached indecency guidelines. Let's leave aside for a moment the value system of a government that can order an immediate inquiry into a bare breast and take a year to launch one into a bare-faced lie presented as a pretext for war. (Yahoo News -- Hutton Report)
Yahoo to Allow Users to Opt Out of Custom Ads Oct 30, 2009
Google has developed a fix for its Google Voice calling service that will require it to block access to fewer local calling exchanges, the company told the Federal Communications Commission. 00004000. (Yahoo News -- Internet and WWW)
Telecom firm will bring 68 jobs to Louisville Oct 30, 2009
Through a contract with the Federal Communications Commission, NeuStar assigns phone numbers to carriers and works with state governments to establish new area codes when existing ones build up too many numbers. The company also maintains the registry for Internet addresses that end in. (Courier-Journal -- Business)
FAA: Military should have been told sooner Oct 30, 2009
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski looks on at right as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, left, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on combating distracted driving. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari). (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Google Voice blocks fewer than 100 numbers Oct 30, 2009
The company made the disclosure in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC opened an inquiry into call blocking by Google Voice earlier this month after AT&T Inc. complained that the service restricts calls to rural communities where local phone companies charge high connection fees. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Is the NSA spying on U.S. Internet traffic? Oct 30, 2009
Dave Farber, a respected computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University and former chief technologist for the Federal Communications Commission, also said it is likely that data collected in a facility like the Bridgeton center would be used elsewhere, once the facility is set up to divert the data. "If I own the routers, I can put code in there to have them monitor for certain data. That's not a particularly difficult job," said Farber, who is considered one of the pioneers of Internet... (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
Citizens Happier Than Ever With e-Gov Sites Oct 29, 2009
Just this morning, the Federal Communications Commission, long maligned for its byzantine Web site, announced new Web 2. 0 features to guide the discussion around its. (SmallBusinessComputing)
Top Obama fundraisers get posts Oct 29, 2009
Chairman of Federal Communications Commission. Donald Gips. (USA Today)
Broadband grant program has problems, GAO official says Oct 29, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission expects to complete the plan by February 2010, and the mapping data will be available in March 2010 at the earliest. The for broadband mapping was announced earlier this month. (FCW.com)
Stimulus jobs overstated Oct 29, 2009
A company working with the Federal Communications Commission reported that stimulus money paid for 4,231 jobs, when about 1,000 were produced ... 3 million contract with the Federal Communications Commission for creation of a callcenter, reported creating 4,231 jobs, although 3,000 of those workers were paid for five weeks or less. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
30,000 stimulus jobs figure is way off the mark Oct 29, 2009
In one major miscount found by the AP review, Colorado-based Teletech Government Solutions had worked with the Federal Communications Commission to come up with a job count for its $28. 3 million contract for call centers fielding consumer questions about conversion of televisions to receive digital signals. (MSNBC -- Race)
FCC upgrades online comment system Oct 28, 2009
The Federal Communications Commission has completed a three-year upgrade of its Electronic Comments Filing System (ECFS) and has converted more than seven million pages of documents into text-searchable files, Bill Cline, director of the FCC's information reference center, said today. Other changes include the ability to download an entire docket, request an RSS feed and advanced search features, he said. (FCW.com)
• Robert C. Ochs Oct 28, 2009
He made a career as an employee of the Federal Communications Commission, serving in various parts of the country before retiring in the Washington, D.C., area, after more than 30 years service. He was predeceased by his wife, Carol Annette Ochs. (Fredericksburg.com, VA)
How the FCC and Liberal Churches Are Scheming To Shut You Up Oct 28, 2009
Left-wing church leaders want the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on "hate speech" over cable TV and right-leaning talk-radio airwaves. President Obama's speech-stifling bureaucrats seem all too happy to oblige. (Townhall.com)
Google Expands Availability of Its Free Voice Mail Oct 28, 2009
As part of its expansion efforts, Google developed a voice application for the iPhone that didn't get approved by Apple Inc. The snub triggered a Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether Apple and the iPhone's U.S. carrier, AT, might have been trying to stifle a potential competitor. 2009 Associated Press. (Newsmax)
Swine-flu telecommuters could clog Web networks Oct 28, 2009
Furthermore, the DHS hasn't coordinated with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission to create guidelines for how telecom, cable and satellite providers can minimize congestion. Such confusion "would increase the risk that the federal government will not be able to respond rapidly or effectively if a pandemic quickly emerges," the GAO reported. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Merged news team launches simulcast Oct 28, 2009
They are asking the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory agencies to put a halt to the deal. On Friday, FCC asked Raycom to provide further information about the deal, including a copy of the shared service agreement and asset exchange agreement between the stations. (Honolulu Advertiser)
