December 29, 2014 (Surviving The Interview)
BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2014
Planning a telecom policy class in 2015? See how Headlines can help in the classroom http://benton.org/headlines/classroom
INTERNET/BROADBAND
Network neutrality to dominate DC’s tech agenda
Setting the Record Straight on Open Internet Comments - FCC press release
Chairman Wheeler's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Open Internet
CTIA makes case against tough Web rules
Today's Open Internet Debate Is About Popularity Not Public Policy - op-ed
FCC Seeks Comment on Waiver Petitions of Provisionally Selected Rural Broadband Experiments - public notice
Does Comcast Really Reach Out to Poor People?
Gigabit Services: Who Has the Inside Track -- Google, Telecommunications Companies, Municipalities, or Cable?
Minneapolis residents to get 10-gigabit fiber, for $400 per month [links to web]
EDUCATION
President Obama's Ed-Tech Record: Sizing Up Its Impact - analysis
Modernizing E-Rate Brings US One Step Closer to Digital Equity - Public Knowledge press release [links to web]
Lack of home Internet access hinders students with school-provided iPads
OWNERSHIP
Rockstar Consortium to Sell 4,000 Patents to RPX Corp. for $900 Million
As Comcast merger enters final phase, deal may be on thin ice - analysis
Chairman Wheeler's Response to Sens Klobuchar and Lee Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of Time Warner Cable
Free Press Builds Upon Mountain of Evidence Against Proposed Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger - press release
Comcast-TWC Rips Discovery, Netflix in FCC Merger Comments
ABC, CBS, Fox Affiliates In Deal With Comcast
SECURITY/PRIVACY
Privacy analyst: ‘Santa is the ultimate role model for the NSA’ [links to web]
Rep Cummings asks Sony for hack info [links to web]
Sony hack points to NSA's conflicting roles - San Jose Mercury News editorial [links to web]
No rules of cyber war [links to web]
Countering Cyberattacks Without a Playbook [links to web]
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
NTIA Grant Program Ensuring States are Planning for FirstNet - press release
CONTENT
Sony Announces Limited Release for 'The Interview' [links to web]
‘The Interview’ to Stream on YouTube, Google Play, Xbox in Unique Sony Release [links to web]
You won't get hacked by streaming 'The Interview' online [links to web]
YouTube could be battling expensive lawsuit over Pharrell and other popular music [links to web]
America’s Christmas Gift Lists, as Seen by Google [links to web]
Parents Television Council debate: We ask TV's biggest protest group all our longtime questions [links to web]
Judge calls a time-out in fight between Google and Mississippi attorney general [links to web]
Why Hollywood is going after Google over prescription drugs [links to web]
A controversial YouTube video could create a crazy new form of copyright - editorial [links to web]
Beyond 'The Interview': A short list of films banned for political reasons - analysis [links to web]
Sony urges Twitter to suspend users who post leaked documents [links to web]
TELEVISION/RADIO
FCC LPFM Announcement
Chairman Wheeler's Response to Rep. Schiff Regarding the Impact of Broadcast TV Incentive Auctions on LPTV Stations [links to web]
DirecTV, Disney Sign Expansive Agreement
Petitioner Drops KTTV License Challenge Over 'Redskins' [links to web]
Why do cable news shows use so many celebrity ‘experts’? [links to web]
SPECTRUM/WIRELESS
A Wi-Fi Problem for Hotels?
Spectrum auctions and deals reveal demand for capacity - analysis [links to web]
TELECOM
Chairman Wheeler's Response to Rep. Hurt Regarding Inmate Calling Services [links to web]
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Comcast’s secret hotline for special cardholders really exists. But it’s not much different from the regular one. [links to web]
FCC REFORM
Termination of Certain FCC Proceedings as Dormant - Public Notice [links to web]
STORIES FROM ABROAD
North Korea's Internet outage was likely the work of hacktivists --- but not the ones you might think [links to web]
North Korea Blames US for Recent Internet Access Cutoff [links to web]
China Blocks Access to Google’s Gmail as Ban Escalates [links to web]
Cuba’s Promising New Online Voices - NYTimes editorial [links to web]
Ireland Lends Support to Microsoft in Email Privacy Case [links to web]
First test results for new Mexican broadband network due January [links to web]
Apps, e-books, and album downloads are about to get more expensive in Europe [links to web]
MORE ONLINE
Telecom 2014: The top 12 Stories Are All "To Be Continued" - telecompetitor analysis [links to web]
INTERNET/BROADBAND
NET NEUTRALITY AND THE TELECOM AGENDA
[SOURCE: Politico, AUTHOR: Tony Romm]
For the White House, a major win on network neutrality might come at a cost -- scuttling everything else on Washington’s tech and telecom agenda in 2015. Some GOP members are planning to use their soon-to-be majority status to knock down the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality actions, perhaps even before any rules are announced in early 2015. And the growing tensions threaten to spill over into larger policy debates, as Congress takes on the complex process of updating the nation’s central communications laws. “I don’t doubt there’s going to be a major confrontation if [the president] and the chairman of the FCC press ahead with rules as they have been described,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA). Sen John Thune (R-SD), who’s set to take the helm of his chamber’s powerful Commerce Committee, has floated the idea of a bill that would pre-empt an FCC move to adopt the Title II approach. The senator is “very interested in finding a legislative solution to protect the open Internet, especially if it means keeping the FCC from imposing public utility regulations,” a spokeswoman said. The GOP’s onslaught faces clear hurdles: President Obama surely could veto any legislative effort to weaken or overturn net neutrality rules. But the congressional hearings and political sniping on the horizon could delay deeper legislative work on other telecom reforms -- namely, a planned overhaul of the core laws that govern the FCC and its regulation of cable, wireless and phone companies.
benton.org/headlines/network-neutrality-dominate-dcs-tech-agenda | Politico
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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON OPEN INTERNET COMMENTS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Gigi Sohn, David Bray]
Some key takeaways from the Federal Communications Commission inquiry into Open Internet comments:
1) The total comment count in the Open Internet docket is nearly 4 million -- the same number that has been widely reported. These comments -- whether received via Electronic Comment Filing system (ECFS), the openinternet@fcc.gov email box, CSV upload, or paper -- are in ECFS where the public can view them and the FCC can draw upon them.
2) In parsing the XML files in question, it appears that nearly 680,000 of the comments were not transferred successfully from ECFS to the XML files. This is due to a technical error involving Apache Solr, an open source tool the FCC used to produce the XML files. We plan to fix this problem by issuing a new set of XML files after the New Year with the full set of comments received during the reply period. Despite the fact that this group of comments was not transferred to the XML files, our review indicates that these files were uploaded to ECFS for public review.
3) An October 22nd blog post describing the second round of comments included a discrepancy regarding how the comments were received. While the blog post correctly states the total number of comments received at the end of the second round -- approximately 2.5 million -- the breakdown of the number of comments received by email vs. ECFS and CSV was incorrect. The October 22 blog post has been corrected to fix this discrepancy. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/setting-record-straight-open-internet-comments | Federal Communications Commission | Washington Post
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CHAIRMAN WHEELER'S RESPONSE TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REGARDING OPEN INTERNET
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler]
On December 9, 2014, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler responded to a letter from Sen Bernard Sanders (I-VT) regarding the open Internet, saying he is committed to moving with dispatch to reinstate strong, enforceable rules in order to safeguard consumers and further promote investment and innovation, and that Sen Sanders' comments and the 40,000 comments the Senator received will be included in the record of the proceeding. Chairman Wheeler also responded to Rep Goodlatte, who expressed opposition to the FCC issuing Open Internet rules and stated that application of antitrust laws would better achieve network neutrality principles. Chairman Wheeler agreed in rigorous application of antitrust laws, but acknowledged that FCC oversight his essential to protect the openness that is critical to the Internet's success, and that Open Internet rules can work in tandem with antitrust law. Also on Dec. 9, Chairman Wheeler responded to members of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Communications and Technology Subcommittee on concerns over the reclassification of broadband under Title II of the Communications Act. Chairman Wheeler reiterated his promise that in the process of how best to reinstate rules to protect consumers and innovators that all options would be on the table in order to identify the best legal approach to keeping the Internet open. Finally, on Dec. 9, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler responded to Rep Gene Green (D-TX), who urged the FCC to regulate broadband Internet under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act. Chairman Wheeler responded by reiterating his promise that in the process of how best to reinstate open Internet rules to protect consumers and innovators that all options would be on the table in order to identify the best legal approach to keeping the Internet open.
benton.org/headlines/chairman-wheelers-response-members-congress-regarding-open-internet | Federal Communications Commission | Sanders Letter to Wheeler | Wheeler Response to Goodlatte | Goodlatte Letter to Wheeler | Wheeler Response to Members of Congress | Members of Congress to Wheeler | Wheeler Response to Rep Green | Rep Green Letter to Wheeler
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WIRELESS GROUP MAKES CASE AGAINST TOUGH WEB RULES
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Julian Hattem]
CTIA-The Wireless Association has new legal analysis explaining how its services would not be covered under new rules if regulators decided to treat the Internet like a public utility. The Federal Communications Commission has “no lawful basis” for imposing utility-style rules on people’s access to the Internet over their phones and tablets, CTIA said in a filing with the FCC. “[O]n one point in particular, the Act is clear: Under Section 332, mobile broadband may not, under any circumstances, be subjected to common carrier treatment under Title II,” CTIA said. “Congress intended only mobile offerings that mimic traditional telephone service to be subject to common carrier treatment,” it added. Wireless companies that allow people to connect to the Internet are so much more than traditional phone service, the group argued, so the service is “immune from common carrier regulation.” Instead, the trade group urged the FCC to write rules under a different portion of the law allowing it to support broadband deployment. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/ctia-makes-case-against-tough-web-rules | Hill, The
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TODAY'S OPEN INTERNET DEBATE IS ABOUT POPULARITY NOT PUBLIC POLICY
[SOURCE: Medium, AUTHOR: Kristal Taylor]
[Commentary] We keep hearing that the Federal Communications Commission should reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service and subject it to a litany of new rules and fees in order to protect and preserve the open Internet. The theory is that reclassification is the only way to really enforce open Internet rules, despite the fact that the FCC has almost entirely prevented open Internet violations under its current authority, overseeing broadband as an information service. What’s more, reclassification would not prevent the creation of fast lanes -- as long as they’re dubbed “differentiated services” ISPs have leeway under Title II to create new levels of priority service. So what, then, is the real reason some folks are so hot and heavy for reclassification? It comes down to popularity. In the absence of a real understanding of how the FCC’s authority works and what its proposed rules actually mean, it’s been easy to create a compelling narrative around the theory that preserving the open Internet requires reclassification. Despite evidence that the FCC can effectively enforce its open Internet rules without reclassification, the way things are playing out, popularity may trump sound policymaking in the end. [Dec 23]
[Kristal Taylor is, according to her blog post, a "momtrepreneur, innovator, advocate, legal mind - creative spirit, blogger, dichotomous conundrum, duplexity of complexity, shaken not stirred, lover of life"]
benton.org/headlines/todays-open-internet-debate-about-popularity-not-public-policy | Medium
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FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON WAIVER PETITIONS OF PROVISIONALLY SELECTED RURAL BROADBAND EXPERIMENTS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Public Notice]
On December 5, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) released a list of 37 entities provisionally selected as winning bidders for rural broadband experiments support. As part of the process to be authorized to receive such Connect America Fund support, these entities were required to submit certain technical and financial information by Friday, December 19. A number of entities have indicated they no longer wish to be considered for an award of funding in the experiments or failed to submit the required information by the deadline, and therefore have defaulted on their bids. In addition, some entities have sought a waiver of the requirement to submit three years of audited financial statements and provided alternative evidence in an attempt to demonstrate their financial qualifications to receive rural broadband experiments support. Now, the Bureau announces which provisionally selected bidders have defaulted on projects and seeks comment on the petitions for waiver filed by 15 provisionally selected bidders. $651,832.15 of support in category one and $64,600 in category two is now available for next-in-line bidders. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/fcc-seeks-comment-waiver-petitions-provisionally-selected-rural-broadband-experiments | Federal Communications Commission
More from the FCC at http://www.fcc.gov/blog/notes-sandbox-rural-broadband-experiment-auction...
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DOES COMCAST REALLY REACH OUT TO POOR PEOPLE?
[SOURCE: Bloomberg, AUTHOR: Todd Shields]
Comcast is dangling the promise of expanding their cut-rate broadband service for poor families-- and helping to close the digital divide -- as US regulators decide whether to allow the acquisition of Time warner Cable. Yet programs by Comcast and other cable companies offering cheap Internet aren’t benefiting enough low-income families, critics say. Comcast’s Internet Essentials, the biggest, has reached 350,000 households -- or about 13 percent of those eligible, according to one estimate. “Everybody would like to pretend they’re doing something,” said Harold Feld, senior vice president with Public Knowledge. “Cable has not done anything real in this space.” Critics such as Feld say cable companies use the programs as bargaining chips when they want something from government. In Washington, Comcast told the Federal Communications Commission that claims the signup process is cumbersome or that call-center workers don’t know about Internet Essentials are untrue and that it’s inaccurate to say the program isn’t publicized. The company has distributed some 37 million brochures and broadcast almost 4 million announcements. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/does-comcast-really-reach-out-poor-people | Bloomberg
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GIGABIT SERVICES: WHO HAS THE INSIDE TRACK -- GOOGLE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES, MUNICIPALITIES, OR CABLE?
[SOURCE: telecompetitor, AUTHOR: Bernie Arnason]
Consumer research indicates a competitive field for offering Gigabit services, but with an edge for incumbent broadband providers. Conventional wisdom would suggest Google as a leader, but results indicate respondents preferred the local telecommunications or local cable company as a Gigabit provider over Google by a strong margin. Another key finding found relatively low preference for a local municipally-owned entity to offer Gigabit services, at least when other competitive options were available. Although cable companies are moving slowly with the Gigabit movement, research results indicate subscribers would select a cable company as their preferred provider of Gigabit over any other service provider type, by a wide margin. Overall, survey respondents clearly selected incumbent providers, both cable and telecommunications, as preferred over new entrants. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/gigabit-services-who-has-inside-track-google-telecommunications-companies-municipalities | telecompetitor
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EDUCATION
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ED-TECH RECORD: SIZING UP ITS IMPACT
[SOURCE: Education Week, AUTHOR: Michelle Davis]
[Commentary] There's been plenty of activity on digital learning issues from the administration of President Barack Obama, but has it been more about public relations than lasting impact? Education Week decided it's time to take a look back at some of the ed-tech issues tackled by the country's first "Internet president." Major achievements have come through E-rate, federal money for technology, ConnectED, Race to the Top, and more. Overall, President Obama's ed-tech efforts result in a net win. But it's E-rate overall modernization that has the makings of history, said Douglas Levin, the executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association. "The incredibly significant changes made and the dramatically increased investment going to school broadband will have a more lasting impact on students and schools than Race to the Top,...corporate commitments under ConnectEd, and Future Ready conferences," he said. "It's an incredibly big deal." [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/president-obamas-ed-tech-record-sizing-its-impact | Education Week
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LACK OF HOME INTERNET ACCESS HINDERS STUDENTS WITH SCHOOL-PROVIDED IPADS
[SOURCE: Chattanooga Times Free Press, AUTHOR: Joan McClane, Time Omarzu]
Replacing some Hamilton County (TN) students' textbooks with iPads was a move intended to boost faltering public education performance. But school officials say there is one big problem. Many of the students, once home with their brand-new devices, don't have Internet access and likely won't get it. Roughly 3,380 tablets and laptop computers have been assigned to county school students, covering about 8 percent of the total student population. The devices, funded through grants and foundations, are being tested to assess the value of their broader use. But school officials are finding that low-income students in particular can't connect at home. Motivated kids find Wi-Fi access by visiting a neighbor's house, business or recreation center, but many do not. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/lack-home-internet-access-hinders-students-school-provided-ipads | Chattanooga Times free Press
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OWNERSHIP
PATENT SALE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Ashby Jones]
In yet another sign that the smartphone-patent wars are starting to cool, Apple and a handful of other big technology companies have agreed to sell the bulk of a jointly owned portfolio of telecommunications patent assets for $900 million, less than a quarter of the $4.5 billion they paid for the full portfolio four years ago. Rockstar Consortium has agreed to sell more than 4,000 patents to San Francisco-based RPX Corp. , a patent clearinghouse that helps companies protect themselves from patent lawsuits. The deal will put an end to several high-profile lawsuits filed by Rockstar against companies that make phones powered by the Android operating system. [Dec 24]
benton.org/headlines/rockstar-consortium-sell-4000-patents-rpx-corp-900-million | Wall Street Journal | AP
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AS COMCAST MERGER ENTERS FINAL PHASE, DEAL MAY BE ON THIN ICE
[SOURCE: GigaOm, AUTHOR: Jeff Roberts]
[Commentary] Views of the potential Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger have shifted amid growing public concern over the state of US broadband, which is rapidly eclipsing pay TV as consumers’ go-to source for entertainment and information. Meanwhile, Comcast’s rivals have gained momentum in their quest to stop the deal. The final outcome of the review process involves many wild cards -- from the fate of network neutrality to Republican control of Congress -- but it’s safe to say for now, based on evidence and experts, that the merger’s chances of passing are lower than they were a few months ago. The final outcome, though, is likely to be determined by a combination of politics and straight-up policy analysis. [Dec 24]
benton.org/headlines/comcast-merger-enters-final-phase-deal-may-be-thin-ice | GigaOm
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CHAIRMAN WHEELER'S RESPONSE TO SENATOR KLOBUCHAR AND LEE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler]
On Nov 14, Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote to the Federal Communications Commission regarding the proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable, seeking an examination of the impact of the merger on independent programmers in terms of their ability to enter the market and whether a merged Comcast-Time Warner Cable entity would have the incentive and ability to withhold carriage or discriminate against independent programmers. They also asked the FCC to review whether online distribution is a viable alternative and whether Comcast-TWC would have the ability to block online video. On Dec 4, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler responded and assured them that these issues are front and center in the FCC's proceeding, and that the FCC will continue to conduct an open and transparent process as they review the issues presented by the proposed transaction, including the concerns raised in their letter.
benton.org/headlines/chairman-wheelers-response-sens-klobuchar-and-lee-regarding-proposed-acquisition-time | Federal Communications Commission | Sens Klobuchar and Lee Letter to Wheeler
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FREE PRESS BUILDS UPON MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE AGAINST PROPOSED COMCAST-TIME WARNER CABLE MERGER
[SOURCE: Free Press, AUTHOR: Timothy Karr]
In a filing to the Federal Communications Commission, Free Press defended its petition to deny the proposed merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable, building upon the mountain of evidence already amassed against the proposed $45 billion merger. Free Press' filing urges the agency to reject the proposed merger for three primary reasons:
1) It would lead to no merger-specific benefits but ample transaction-specific harms;
2) It would occur in a market already trending towards a nationwide cable monopoly; and
3) It would give Comcast the market power and incentive to discriminate against and control the emerging high-speed online services market
One company controlling that much of the telecom-capable infrastructure, but refusing to sell telecommunications services, would mean future innovators could not build the next interconnected network of computers. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/free-press-builds-upon-mountain-evidence-against-proposed-comcast-time-warner-cable-merger | Free Press
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COMCAST-TWC RIPS DISCOVERY, NETFLIX IN FCC MERGER COMMENTS
[SOURCE: The Wrap, AUTHOR: Ira Telnowitz]
Comcast and Time Warner Cable lit into their opponents as the two companies defended their $45 billion merger before the Federal Communications Commission. In a 139-page public portion of their filing to urge the FCC to approve the deal, the companies said they have demonstrated that the transaction “will deliver substantial public interest benefits and generate no cognizable competitive harms.” They suggested the deal’s opponents have offered little more than “rhetoric” and “unsupported conclusions” compared with the companies’ “extraordinarily robust” evidence that the merger is “strongly in the public interest.” They accused CenturyLink and Dish Network of “blatantly seeking protection from the forces of fair competition that would benefit consumers”; Discovery, RFD-TV, TheBlaze, and Back9 of attempting to command higher fees and terms “they could not reasonably expect in the competitive marketplace”; and Netflix and Cogent of trying to use the review to pursue objectives that had nothing to do with the transaction. The two also accused public interest groups of “asserting the same worn and unconvincing theories of harm that they have raised in virtually every industry transaction over the past two decades” and upbraided potential competitors Viamedia, RCN and Comtel for “making half-hearted efforts” to find a link to the transaction so they could achieve “parochial business interests.” The companies also dismissed as “patently absurd” Discovery’s concerns that Comcast would use its control of the Internet pipe to limit video competition. [Dec 24]
benton.org/headlines/comcast-twc-rips-discovery-netflix-fcc-merger-comments | Wrap, The
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ABC, CBS, FOX AFFILIATES IN DEAL WITH COMCAST
[SOURCE: TVNewsCheck, AUTHOR: Doug Halonen]
The ABC, CBS and Fox affiliates have agreed not to oppose Comcast’s $45.2 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable in exchange for commitments from NBCU’s owner not to discriminate against broadcast stations owned by others -- or to lobby against retransmission consent, according to a Dec. 23 affiliate filing at the Federal Communications Commission. Under the deal, the TWC acquisition would include a series of conditions that would bar Comcast from discriminating in favor of NBCU-owned or operated stations over retransmission consent -- and other issues -- for 10 years after the TWC deal closes. Among other things, the conditions require Comcast to negotiate retransmission consent deals in good faith, without any collaboration with NBCU. [Dec 24]
benton.org/headlines/abc-cbs-fox-affiliates-deal-comcast | TVNewsCheck
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EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
NTIA GRANT PROGRAM ENSURING STATES ARE PLANNING FOR FIRSTNET
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, AUTHOR: Mike Dame]
[Commentary] When Congress called for the creation of a nationwide broadband network for public safety in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, lawmakers knew it was important that states play a key role in ensuring that the network meets the needs of local first responders. To implement this goal, the law directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to establish the State and Local Implementation Grant Program to support states as they prepare for the launch of the network. Since awarding grants to 54 states and territories in 2013, NTIA staff has been busy working with our SLIGP grantees on how to make the most of this opportunity. The $116 million in grants are helping states as they conduct outreach with public safety and state and local officials to determine their needs, gaps and priorities for public safety wireless broadband and to prepare for formal consultations with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is developing the public safety broadband network. NTIA program officers will continue to conduct site visits to offer support, assistance and oversight of our SLIGP awards. We expect grantees to continue their education and outreach to stakeholders within their state as FirstNet continues its efforts to help give first responders a broadband network that will help them save lives.
[Mike Dame is the Program Director, State and Local Implementation Grant Program] [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/ntia-grant-program-ensuring-states-are-planning-firstnet | National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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TELEVISION/RADIO
FCC LPFM ANNOUNCEMENT
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Public Notice]
By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission considers 96 groups of mutually exclusive (MX) applications filed in the recent low power FM (LPFM) window and uses a point system to tentatively select applications for grant. The tentative selectees, i.e., the single applicant with the highest point total or the applicants tied for the highest point total from each MX group, are identified, in bold, in Attachment A. Commencing on December 24, 2014, the first business day after the date of the release of this Public Notice, the FCC initiates a 30-day period for filing petitions to deny against the applicants tentatively selected and a 90-day period for the filing of voluntary time-share proposals (pointaggregation requests) and major change amendments. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/fcc-lpfm-announcement | Federal Communications Commission | attachment A | attachment B
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DIRECTV, DISNEY SIGN EXPANSIVE AGREEMENT
[SOURCE: TVNewsCheck, AUTHOR: Staff]
The Walt Disney and DirecTV announced a wide-ranging, multi-year distribution agreement that will provide DirecTV customers with access to Disney’s lineup of sports, news, kids and entertainment content across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and other connected devices. DirecTV customers will be able to access the live linear feeds and video-on-demand content from all ESPN and Disney cable networks and ABC owned and operated TV stations in and out of the home on the authenticated Watch services -- including WatchESPN, WATCH Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD, Watch Disney Junior, Watch ABC Family and Watch ABC -- using Internet-enabled devices in early 2015 and soon via the DirecTV Everywhere app on iOS and Android phones and tablets.. [Dec 23]
benton.org/headlines/directv-disney-sign-expansive-agreement | TVNewsCheck | B&C | GigaOm | WSJ
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SPECTRUM/WIRELESS
WI-FI AT HOTELS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Shira Ovide]
Modern technology has made it possible for people to set up their own personal Wi-Fi networks anywhere they want. Except in the occasional Marriott. An industry group that includes Marriott International has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for guidance on whether hotels are acting within the law when they disable unauthorized Wi-Fi access points set up on their properties. The hotels say they are trying to make sure their own wireless networks don’t get bogged down and to prevent criminals from tricking people into logging onto fake Wi-Fi networks. The issue is a flash point for some consumers who believe hotels are trying to force people to use hotel Internet Wi-Fi service -- often for a price. And it has broader implications for how convention halls, companies and hospitals manage what has become a must-have communications service.
benton.org/headlines/wi-fi-problem-hotels | Wall Street Journal
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