1. Monthly archive
  2. July 2020

July 2020

Maine judge rejects broadband industry’s preemption and First Amendment challenges to broadband privacy law

The broadband industry has lost a key initial ruling in its bid to kill a privacy law imposed by the state of Maine. The top lobby groups representing cable companies, mobile carriers, and telecoms —ACA, CTIA, NCTA, and USTelecom — sued Maine in Feb, claiming the privacy law violates their First Amendment protections on free speech and that the state law is preempted by deregulatory actions taken by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission.

Is Your City Allowed to Close the Digital Divide During the Pandemic?

As the pandemic drags on, local governments across the country are looking for ways to connect their residents, who need better Internet access for everything from online education to annual taxes to telehealth appointments.

As Federal Government Stalls, States Work to Regulate Digital Privacy

Here’s a look at what some digital privacy experts view as standouts in legislative online privacy efforts at the state level, and some of the sticking points in those and federal proposals.

Alphabet's Loon Delivers Internet in Kenya

A fleet of high-altitude balloons started delivering internet service to Kenya on July 7, extending online access to tens of thousands of people in the first-ever commercial deployment of the technology. The balloons, which hover about 12 miles up in the stratosphere — well above commercial airplanes — will initially provide a 4G LTE network connection to a nearly 31,000-square-mile area across central and western Kenya, including the capital, Nairobi. Loon, a unit of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, launched 35 balloons in recent months in preparation for July 7’s start.

Announcement of Consumer Advisory Committee Anticipated Renewal and Membership Solicitation

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission announces the anticipated renewal of the Consumer Advisory Committee and solicits nominations for membership on the Committee, subject to anticipated renewal of the Committee’s charter on or before October 20, 2020. Nominations for membership are due on August 7, 2020. The Committee’s mission is to make recommendations to the FCC regarding topics of particular interest to consumers, to be specified by the FCC, and to facilitate consumers’ participation in proceedings before the FCC.

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