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RCR Wireless News
Martin rushes to get D-Block to vote
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 19, 2008 - 10:10pmLast updated: November 19, 2008 - 10:11pm
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, with time dwindling to move top policy priorities as a new administration prepares to assume power in January, is laying the groundwork to win approval by mid-December of final rules for highly controversial public-safety and wireless broadband auction initiatives.
Verizon finally gets 700 MHz assets
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 15, 2008 - 5:17pmLast updated: November 15, 2008 - 5:18pm
The Federal Communications Commission gave final clearance to Verizon Wireless' $4.7 billion purchase of a nationwide collection of regional licenses at the 700 MHz auction earlier this year, refusing Google's request to impose a stronger open-access condition and revising a key component of its merger review policy.
Questions loom whether FCC will address USF vote before new administration takes over
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 11, 2008 - 9:14pmLast updated: November 11, 2008 - 9:15pm
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin's plan to reform the universal service fund and intercarrier compensation regimes could be in jeopardy.
Martin in the spotlight: FCC chief's Nov. 4 meeting center of controversy
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 28, 2008 - 8:36pmLast updated: October 28, 2008 - 8:37pm
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is coming under mounting pressure to postpone votes on major wireless items scheduled for Nov 4. meeting could be a big one, possibly producing a new No. 1 mobile phone carrier in Verizon Wireless and the country's dominant WiMAX provider in what would be called New Clearwire.
Et tu, Brute?
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 28, 2008 - 7:34amLast updated: October 28, 2008 - 7:35am
He is one of the most respected, accomplished and well-liked public servants ever to grace the Federal Communications Commission. Now, mobile phone carriers, TV network moguls and others want his head.
Legislation would force roaming in rural areas
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 25, 2008 - 8:06pmLast updated: September 25, 2008 - 8:06pm
The House Oversight and Reform Committee Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced legislation to require telecom recipients of rural universal-service funds to provide automatic roaming on just and reasonable terms to wireless carriers, adding a new dynamic to a raucous roaming debate that until now has played out almost exclusively at the Federal Communications Commission.
Open-access proponents point fingers
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 23, 2008 - 9:26pmLast updated: September 23, 2008 - 9:27pm
The open-access policy debate, which raged last year and then curiously subsided after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said the agency should not force wireless networks to give unfettered access to third-party devices and applications, is once again alive.
Martin details revised rules for D-Block auction
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 15, 2008 - 7:55pmLast updated: September 15, 2008 - 7:56pm
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin unveiled a new plan to auction valuable airwaves to foster interoperable public-safety/commercial communications around the country. The proposal takes nationwide and regional licensing approaches, and retains a public-private partnership approach and advances other reforms sought in the aftermath of the agency's failed attempt to find a taker for the national first-responder/commercial D-Block license earlier this year.
Rural carriers vow to continue USF fight
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 12, 2008 - 7:23amLast updated: September 12, 2008 - 7:46am
Rural wireless carriers put the Federal Communications Commission on notice they intend later this month to ask as a federal appeals court to stay a decision capping government subsidies primarily benefiting rural wireless deployment if the agency does not grant a pending motion to put the ruling on hold.
Rural providers ask courts to repeal USF cap
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 3, 2008 - 8:25pmLast updated: September 3, 2008 - 8:26pm
Rural wireless carriers asked a federal appeals court to review a Federal Communications Commission decision to impose an interim cap on high-cost universal service fund payments to eligible telecommunications carriers.
