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Fawn Johnson
As Commerce Chair, Sen Rockefeller Will Be Passionate about Universal Broadband
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 18, 2008 - 9:48pmLast updated: November 18, 2008 - 9:50pm
With Sen John Rockefeller (D-WV) all but assured the helm of the Senate Commerce Committee, big telephone and Internet companies can expect stepped-up oversight on a host of consumer-related issues, from phone and Internet prices to privacy.
FCC Faces Harsh Questions on Verizon Price Bid Denial
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 17, 2008 - 9:29pmLast updated: November 17, 2008 - 9:30pm
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia had harsh questions for the Federal Communications Commission about last year's decision that prevented Verizon Communications from raising rates it charges rival phone companies to use its network in six East Coast markets.
President-Elect Obama Is Plugged In On Technology Issues
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 5, 2008 - 9:51pmLast updated: November 5, 2008 - 9:52pm
President-elect Barack Obama is a fan of technology, but the attention his administration gives telecommunications and high- technology issues will be overshadowed by his head-on confrontation of the global financial crisis and the war in Iraq.
FCC's Verizon, Alltel Review Prompts Questions to T-Mobile
Submitted by Benton Foundation on November 2, 2008 - 5:33pmLast updated: November 2, 2008 - 5:33pm
The pending merger of Verizon Wireless and Alltel Corp. has prompted the Federal Communications Commission to take a renewed look at foreign-controlled assets in other wireless phone companies, a development that could impact T-Mobile USA.
FCC Plan Could Raise Residential Phone Fees
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 15, 2008 - 7:37amLast updated: October 15, 2008 - 11:44am
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing changes to the rules governing telephone company fees that could raise rates for residential phone lines and potentially create a windfall for established phone giants.
Rep Dingell Seeks Input From Phone Cos On Regulatory Issues
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 2, 2008 - 7:37amLast updated: October 2, 2008 - 7:37am
Just days before lawmakers leave town, perhaps for the rest of the year, House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) wants AT&T, Verizon Communications, and Qwest Communications to state their positions on several telecommunications issues that Congress could consider next year.
Martin Voices Support For Other Uses Of Vacant Airwaves
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 24, 2008 - 9:33pmLast updated: September 25, 2008 - 8:13am
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin told reporters after a Senate hearing Tuesday that the FCC should be able to make a decision before the end of the year about whether to grant those companies one of their top priorities, unlicensed use of the airwaves.
Interference Queries Unanswered In FCC's Free Net Proposal
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 23, 2008 - 9:27pmLast updated: September 23, 2008 - 9:28pm
Paper has been flying at the Federal Communications Commission since its technicians traveled to Seattle three weeks ago to determine whether wireless Internet activity on an unused block of airwaves would cause interference in an adjacent swath owned primarily by T-Mobile USA.
Lawmakers Press FCC On AT&T's Public Program Offerings
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 18, 2008 - 2:51pmLast updated: September 18, 2008 - 2:51pm
Members of a powerful House committee are pressing the Federal Communications Commission to put a stop to how AT&T offers public and educational programming on its fledgling paid TV service.
Commerce Bid For Extra $7 Million To Run DTV Coupon Plan Could Stall
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 17, 2008 - 9:11pmLast updated: September 17, 2008 - 9:11pm
The Commerce Department may encounter difficulty winning permission from Congress to divert up to $7 million from a digital TV converter box subsidy program for administrative activities. House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) said Tuesday that he is "deeply disappointed" that the department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration proposed using money designated for converter box coupons for administrative costs.
