August 2019

PISC C-band Comments

The Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) is lending some support to the proposal by ACA Connects and others to free up at least 370 MHz of C-band spectrum for fixed wireless while providing a pathway to migrating the program delivery, for which that spectrum is used, to fiber delivery. Currently, the C-band satellite is used by cable operators and broadcasters to receive network programming and get remote video back to the studio. In comments on the Federal Communications Commission's proposed freeing up of the C-band for 5G, and specifically, ACA Connects' et al.'s plan for how to do

The FTC can rise to the privacy challenge, but not without help from Congress (Brookings)

Submitted by benton on Thu, 08/08/2019 - 12:25

FBI and Facebook Potentially at Odds Over Social-Media Monitoring

An effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to more aggressively monitor social media for possible threats could clash with Facebook's privacy policies and possibly its attempts to comply with a record $5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The FBI is soliciting proposals from outside vendors for a contract to pull vast quantities of data from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media “to proactively identify and reactively monitor threats to the United States and its interests.” The request was posted in July 2019, weeks before a series of mass murders shook the coun

Google Fiber is going wireless in Austin through Webpass

Google Fiber is expanding its Austin (TX) offering, through its wireless subsidiary, Webpass. Google has been providing gigabit internet in Austin since 2014; Webpass offers fixed wireless internet service, focusing on apartment buildings and condos. Unlike traditional cable or broadband internet that needs to be wired into your building, Webpass beams internet from antennas on rooftops in your area.

Reaching the Unconnected: Benefits for kids and schoolwork drive broadband subscriptions, but digital skills training opens doors to household internet use for jobs and learning

Not so long ago, “closing the digital divide” primarily meant getting people online, and a steady upward trend in adoption is evidence of progress on that front. Yet gaps in broadband adoption remain – particularly for low-income households – and closing those gaps is about more than simply offering a low-cost internet service. Even with the availability of low-cost offers, it remains a challenge to encourage the remaining disconnected people to sign up for broadband service.

Commissioner Rohit Chopra is the Facebook Antagonist Inside the FTC (Information, The)

Submitted by benton on Thu, 08/08/2019 - 11:07

Wisconsin Has A Goal Of Broadband For All By 2025

In 2018, Wisconsin was ranked 32nd for internet access, out of all 50 states. That ranking makes Wisconsin Broadband Office's plan to have internet acess for all WI residents by 2025 a lofty goal said WI State Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point). At the state level, Testin said the Public Service Commission (PSC) has created broadband expansion grants for small providers that typically serve rural and underserved areas. He said between 2014-2018, the state has helped connect more than 4,000 businesses and 75,000 households with high-speed internet.

Senate Republican campaign arm says it will stop Twitter spending over McConnell account lock (Hill, The)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Thu, 08/08/2019 - 10:35

I Tried Hiding From Silicon Valley in a Pile of Privacy Gadgets (Bloomberg)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Thu, 08/08/2019 - 10:19

Senator Mitch McConnell's campaign locked out by Twitter for posting critic's profanity-laced video (Louisville Courier Journal)