1. Monthly archive
  2. September 2024

September 2024

Commissioner Simington Reply to Senators Markey and Wyden

Federal Communications Commissioner Nathan Simington replied to letters from Sens Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) calling on all Commissioners to act objectively, in accordance with the Communications Act and the First Amendment, in license grants, renewals, and transfers. Commissioner Simington replied: “I am pleased to commit to making license determinations objectively and fairly, in compliance with the Communications Act and in a manner that upholds the First Amendment.

Commissioner Simington Statement on the Media Marketplace

Federal Communications Commissioner Nathan Simington released a statement regarding the ongoing negotiation between Disney and DirecTV. He touched on three concerns about the media marketplace. "One: about a third of linear network content distributed in the United States is now delivered by over the top, streaming platforms. Two: there is zero harmonization, whether in our rules or in industry practice, between network video content distribution over traditional linear MVPDs versus over the top, streaming MVPDs.

ConnectingUS: New IT Skills Help Three Arizona Students Change Careers

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded Phoenix College more than $4.25 million from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to improve high-speed Internet service capacity and workforce development training.

United Airlines Taps Elon Musk’s Starlink for In-Flight Wi-Fi

Elon Musk may soon provide the Wi-Fi on your United flight. United Airlines said that it will outfit its entire fleet with Musk’s Starlink internet service, aiming to keep fliers loyal by offering zippier, more reliable browsing and downloads that the carrier expects will mirror what travelers are used to on the ground. United’s deal is a bet that Starlink’s technology can propel it above rival carriers in offering 

Michigan State University and Merit Network Complete Statewide Broadband Infrastructure Project

Merit Network and Michigan State University have completed the MOON-Light initiative, a multi-million-dollar project funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Infrastructure Program. This effort established Michigan’s Open Optical Network, addressing critical infrastructure gaps by deploying middle-mile fiber optic technology across 74 counties. By connecting local internet service providers (ISPs), MOON-Light brings affordable, high-speed broadband to underserved areas, benefiting over 28,000 homes.

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