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February 2018

It's Too Soon to Unleash Comcast

[Commentary] Just seven years after the $30 billion mega-merger between Comcast and NBCUniversal, the behemoth company has been freed from the temporary rules the Federal Communications Commission imposed to prevent it from discriminating against its competitors. Whether you’re a TV consumer, another cable company or a content provider, there’s good reason to be concerned. Comcast-NBCU has found ways to leverage its assets in ways that harm consumers and competition, and some of these moves have violated the FCC's conditions.

Sponsor 

THIS HEARING HAS BEEN CANCELED

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology

House Commerce Committee

Date 
Fri, 02/16/2018 - 16:00

THIS HEARING HAS BEEN CANCELED


Are mobile carriers already violating net neutrality?

The Federal Communication Commission's controversial repeal of network neutrality in 2017 has yet to go into effect, but a researcher at Northeastern University has built an app that detects when mobile carriers may be throttling traffic to apps like Netflix and YouTube. Dave Choffnes and his Ph.D. students built the app, called WeHe, in 2017 and now it's available for anyone to download.

Rhode Island lawmakers seek to counter repeal of net neutrality rules

Lawmakers in Rhode Island have introduced legislation to counter the repeal of federal network neutrality rules. RI state Rep Aaron Regunberg (D-Providence), introduced a bill to allow Rhode Island to preserve net neutrality as much as possible following the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of the policy. State Rep Regunberg, lieutenant governor candidate, says it would require internet access purchased or funded by the state be provided in an unbiased manner, consistent with net neutrality principles.

Net Neutrality resolution skirmish in Louisiana Public Service Commission meeting shows partisan divide

For those who still hold that Baton Rouge (LA) has missed the hyperpartisan political culture that defines Washington these days, a brief vignette from a recent Louisiana Public Service Commission meeting might prove enlightening. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell, a Bossier Parish populist who carried the Democratic banner in the last Senate race, asked the regulatory panel to go on record supporting net neutrality, just like 22 other states have done. PSC Commissioner Mike Francis, who once chaired the Republican Party, asked the identity of the 22.

Republicans and Democrats team up for net neutrality in Washington state

Championing a bill that protects consumers and ensures small businesses can compete in a world driven by technology made perfect sense to WA state Rep Norma Smith (R-Whidbey Island). State Rep Smith doesn’t view network neutrality laws as a partisan issue. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, “this is an issue that needs to matter to everyone,” Smith said. State Rep Smith and WA state Rep Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) both have sponsored bills that would ensure net neutrality in Washington state. The bills were easily voted out of committee and now mirror each other.

SHLB Urges the FCC to Reform and Increase Funding for Rural Health Care Program

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, a broad-based membership organization that includes health providers and telehealth networks, filed comments with the Federal Communication Commission asking for an increase in funding for the Rural Health Care (RHC) program to improve the quality of health care in rural markets across the United States.

Sponsor 

Federal Communications Bar Association

Date 
Thu, 02/08/2018 - 18:15 to 19:30

Dr. Eric Burger, appointed by Chairman Pai as the FCC’s newest chief technology officer, serves as an advisor to the Chairman and as the senior technology expert in the agency. We’ll have a “fireside chat” with Eric to hear about his work, include finding a technical solution to robocalls, rural broadband deployment, and supporting the security, stability, and reliability of the IP network.


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