Kenyan Internet Costs Too High Because of Confusion About Undersea Cables
Broadband's Impact, International
December 28th, 2009
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 28, 2009 – Confusion about the legal status of undersea cables has caused internet connectivity costs to remain inappropriately high for web users in Africa, speakers said last week at a two-day conference here sponsored by the non-profit group Africa Gathering.
“There is a need for an on-going relationship regarding the integration of cables between states, in order to regulate bandwidth, and give consumers high quality internet access, at reasonable costs,” said Nkeiru Joe, a lecturer in International Law at the University of Kent, Brussels.
Google Voice Controversy with AT&T Freshens Up Access Charges Battle
National Broadband Plan, Universal Service
November 13th, 2009
WASHINGTON, November 13, 2009 – Access charges are well above the actual costs to connect telephone calls, despite the efforts made by the Federal Communications Commission, said Andy Regitsky of Regitsky and Associates, in a webinar presentation on “Access Charges and Network costs – A Guide to FCC Reform,” hosted by CCMI.
“The FCC is not ready to give control over access charges which have been flawed for the 25 years of their existence,” said Regitsky.
Broadband Breakfast Club Environmental Session Prompts Debate Over Systems Reliability
FCC, National Broadband Plan, Smart Grid
November 11th, 2009
WASHINGTON, November 11, 2009 – The creation of a “smart grid” for electricity conservation may lead to parallel telecommunications networks by both utilities and traditional telephone communications providers; whether or not this was a positive development was debated at the Broadband Breakfast Club on Tuesday.
The “smart grid” enables communications about electric transmissions over that electric infrastructure. Broadband, or high-speed internet access, has traditionally occurred over telephone, cable or wireless networks.
Leading by Example, FCC Seeks to Enourage Broadband for People with Disabilities
Broadband's Impact
November 5th, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 20, 2009 – The Federal Communications Commission needs to lead by example in making broadband options to people with disabilities, said members of a panel speaking at an October 20, 2009, workshop on high-speed internet. The technology can enable services such as teacher training and distance learning – and make other services efficient and cheap to access.
'Net May Protect Economy From Swine Flu, GAO Finds
Broadband's Impact, Net Neutrality
November 3rd, 2009
WASHINGTON, November 3, 2009 – The Internet could provide vital links between people and institutions to keep government running and businesses operating during an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, said a report released in October by the Government Accountability Office.
Strickling and Adelstein Tout Role of Small Business, and Rural Ones, to Broadband Recovery
Broadband Stimulus, NTIA
October 28th, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 28, 2009 – Assistant Secretary of Commerce Lawrence Strickling said Wednesday that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will work to apply the lessons from the first round as it moves on to the next phase of broadband stimulus applications. “The NTIA and RUS are finalizing a new request for information that will help us shape the round two process,” Strickling said, testifying before the House Small Business Committee. He also said that at least 15 percent of the applications for stimulus funding came from small and disadvantaged businesses.
NARUC Urges FCC to Use BroadbandBestPractices.org as Agency's Clearinghouse for Success Stories
Broadband Data, FCC, National Broadband Plan
October 22nd, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 22, 2009 – The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners on Tuesday filed comments at the Federal Communications Commission urged the agency to select its web site, www.BroadbandBestPractices.org, as the commission’s “clearinghouse” for examples of broadband successes.
Wireless World Betokens Further Challenges and Opportunities for Broadband
Wireless
October 19th, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 19, 2009 – In a year that has been described as transformational and phenomenal for the telecommunications industry, any attempts at regulating the Internet may turn back the good that the industry has enjoyed, and may slow down efforts at innovation, said panelists speaking at a Progress and Freedom Foundation event.
Consumer Groups Criticize Broadband Providers for Advertising Practices, Including Use of Maximum Speeds
Broadband Data, Broadband's Impact
October 15th, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 15, 2009 – Six public interest organizations, including Consumers Union, on Wednesday filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to protect consumers from misleading and confusing advertising and billing practices by phone, cable and wireless providers.
U.S. Broadband Performance Less-Than-The-Best, Berkman Center Reports to FCC
Broadband Data, Broadband's Impact
October 14th, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 14, 2009 – In a draft 232-page report that the Berkman Center of Harvard University conducted for the Federal Communications Commission – and was released by the agency on Wednesday – the United States was rated less-than-the-best in broadband performance.