Telecommunications
The Revolution Still Isn't Televised
A lot of viewing doesn't want to become on-demand viewing. A lot, especially live news and sports, would remain programming that millions of viewers want to watch simultaneously as it's produced. We already have a technology eminently suited to deliver such programming efficiently—it's called over-the-air broadcast TV, if only the FCC's archaic ownership and content regulations would get out of the way and let the industry reshape itself for the digital age.
The Struggle for What We Already Have
For something that seems so simple and straightforward, "net neutrality" has sure created one big mess.
Can you hear me now? Of course; I'm on a land line
Why am I suddenly nostalgic for my maligned, nearly obsolete land-line telephone, and why do I so often prefer it, when I'm here at home, to my newer, cooler gadget? My smartphone isn't always smart.
FCC Telephone Competition Report
The Federal Communications Commission today released the second Local Telephone Competition report to be based on comprehensive information about subscribership to interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service as well as more traditional telephone lines.
Verizon's 10, 15 Mbps DSL service is great if you can actually get it
Verizon this week introduced new 10 and 15 Mbps DSL speed tiers in its non-FiOS markets in what could be seen as another defensive play against cable. Sounds great, but can you get it?
FCC September Agenda Does Not Include Broadband Reclassification
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced four items will be on the tentative agenda for the next open meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 23, 2010. The big news is what's missing.
Frontier plans $40 million investment in Illinois broadband
Frontier Communications, which serves mainly rural areas and smaller communities, plans to spend more than $40 million to expand broadband service in Illinois over the next 12 months.
Google introduces Gmail-linked phone service
Google offered consumers another reason to ditch their traditional landlines by unveiling a service that lets them make free phone calls through its popular e-mail program.
USTelecom: Network neutrality fight distracts from the Broadband Plan
Walter McCormick, president of USTelecom -- the lobbying association for broadband providers -- said that the telecom community should get back to talking about the broadband plan.
ITS Launches Its First Telecommunications Science Video Series for the Public
The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), a division of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, today released a collection of online training and...
Americans Are Dumping Cable TV, but Execs Say Economics to Blame
Last quarter pay TV executives saw the day they hoped would never come: the first total decline in subscriptions since, well, the advent of cable.
Why We Never Talk Anymore
In the last few decades, our daily modes of communication have changed entirely -- from voice to increasingly text and hopefully soon video based methods.
Verizon ends bid for price-control exemption
Verizon Communications has dropped a four-year campaign to escape price controls in selling competitors access to its residential phone lines in New York, Boston and four other markets.
96% of US Households Have Telephone Service
The Federal Communications Commission released its latest report on telephone subscribership levels in the United States. In March 2010, the telephone subscribership penetration rate in the U.S. was 96.0%
AT&T Misleads FCC about 'Paid Prioritization' on the Internet
Free Press responds to AT&T's "confusing and misleading letter" attempting to justify charging content companies for priority access to its Internet subscribers.
AT&T Defends Paid Prioritization Of Web Traffic
In a filing this week to the Federal Communications Commission, AT&T defended the idea of allowing businesses and others to pay to ensure faster access to their Web content, saying the Internet's key standard setting organization has supported the idea of paid prioritization and that it is being used today by businesses of all sizes.
Senators flag Chinese telecom firm Huawei
Republican Senators raised concerns over reports that a firm with ties to the Chinese military is bidding to supply equipment to Sprint Nextel and potentially the U.S. government.
US Reviews Tech Spending
Obama administration officials are considering overhauling 26 troubled federal technology projects valued at as much as $30 billion as part of a broader effort by White House budget officials to cut spending.
Landlines, TV sets no longer essential, study says
Landline telephones and TV sets have been fixtures in American households since most of us can remember. But that's changing -- and quickly, especially among those ages 18 to 29.
Free Cuba Telecommunications Market Urged on Obama by AT&T, Nokia, Verizon
Nokia Oyj, AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. are urging the U.S. government to ease rules that keep them from operating in Cuba even after President Barack Obama loosened telecommunications regulations last year to promote democracy on the communist island.
The Internet Revealed: A Film About IXP's
Outside In remains innovative to aid area homeless

Northwest 23rd Avenue in Portland’s Alphabet District is a familiar place for Desiree. She was born at Legacy Good Samaritan. She has worked at high-end boutiques in the trendy neighborhood. And she also fought the elements, stigma and desolation of being homeless there.
“I hid my homelessness. No one knew that I didn’t have anywhere to turn,” Desiree said. “Luckily, word-of-mouth led me to Outside In. Everyone on the streets knows it is a safe place to go.”
For more than 40 years, Outside In has been serving low-income adults and homeless youth in Portland. Their commitment to innovation, flexibility and dedication have earned them many accolades and acknowledgement both locally and nationally. Outside In also received funding commitment in July from the FCC for connection to the Oregon Health Network. The organization’s clinic will receive a high quality broadband connection to continue its service and partnership within the community.
