china
Huawei’s Success In China A Win For Washington, Expert Says
The Chinese telecom giant is finding greater financial success on home turf, keeping it away from the U.S.
Benjamin Kahn
Former Reporter Ben Kahn is a graduate of University of Baltimore and the National Journalism Center. His work has appeared in Washington Jewish Week and The Center Square.
Biden-Harris Administration
Broadband Report Cards, Washington Muni Networks Bill, Supreme Court Fair Use Winners
AP releases infrastructure report cards, Washington passes bill removing muni networks limits, AEI says fair use case win for programmers.
Judiciary
Supreme Court Declares Trump First Amendment Case Moot, But Legal Issues For Social Media Coming
April 5, 2021—Despite accepting a petition that avoids the Supreme Court deliberating on whether a president can block social media users, Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday issued a volley that may foreshadow future legal issues surrounding social media in the United States. On Monday, the Supreme C
Infrastructure
Google Wins Fair Use Case, New Texas Broadband Authority, Vetro Cares For Maine, ADTRAN Hire
April 5, 2021—The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Google on Monday morning in a copyright dispute that has spanned more than a decade, setting precedent for the fair use of programming. In a 6-2 decision (the case was heard before Justice Amy Coney Barrett had been confirmed), the Supreme Court agre
china
To Compete With China On 5G, U.S. Must Leverage Emerging Technologies
March 31, 2021—The United States can be a world leader in 5G networks by leveraging emerging technologies such as open radio access networks and low-earth orbit satellites, according to the director of the Reconnecting Asia Project. Jonathan Hillman, who is also a senior fellow at the Center for Str
Silberman Dissent Rails Against Big Tech, Space Force Broadband, North Carolina Public Private Partnerships
March 29, 2021—Judge Laurence Silberman has worn many hats throughout his career—diplomat, lawyer, jurist—and he may now add “staunch critic of big tech” to his list of titles. Silberman wrote the dissenting opinion in Tah v. Global Witness Publishing, released on March 19 by the D.C. Circuit Court
Free Speech
Experts Reexamining Role of Targeted Ads and Political Extremism in Wake of January 6 Attack
March 25, 2021—In the wake of rioters storming the Capital Building on January 6, experts and social media platforms are reexamining the role of targeted ads and content on virtual platforms. Experts are divided on how to proceed on the future of targeted content. Some cautioned that its nature allo
Reverse Auction For Faster Deployment, Pandemic Increased Telecom, Trump’s New Social Platform
March 22, 2021—A report published by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation suggests that significant investments in a rural, reverse-auction could make immense progress in bridging the digital divide. On Monday, the group said a $40-billion reverse-auction program targeted at rural, u
Digital Inclusion
Starry and Non-Profit PCs for People Seek Affordable Connectivity, Affordable Devices and Digital Literacy
March 19, 2021—Broadband provider Starry Inc. and the non-profit group PCs for People launched a joint effort aimed at deploying affordable, robust, broadband coverage alongside discounted computer hardware to families living in public housing in Denver, Colorado. Starry, a fixed wireless broadband
FCC
In Call For Open Radio Access Network, FCC Chairwoman Points to Security and Cost Savings
March 18, 2021—The FCC on Wednesday launched its first official inquiry into the status and trajectory of open radio access network technology, with the acting chairwoman suggesting the search for new network vendors must ramp up. The open RAN movement has gained significant momentum since Huawei wa
FCC
Federal Communications Commission Approves Auction Rules For 3.5 GigaHertz Band
March 17, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission voted on a handful of items pertaining to the upcoming 3.45-3.55 GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum auction’s rules and bidding process. Rules regarding the facilitation and operation of the 100 megahertz between 3.45 GHz and 3.55 GHz were voted on Wednesda
Free Speech
Legal Digital Framework Must Be Created For Content Moderation, Says Head of European Court of Human Rights
March 16, 2021—The president of the European Court of Human Rights is recommending an autonomous legal body that oversees a digital framework for content moderation. Róbert Spanó said Tuesday, at a talk hosted by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, that the framework would serve as a digi
FCC
FCC’s Brendan Carr Offers Roadmap for Future Spectrum Auctions at Mid-Band Radio Frequencies
March 16, 2021— Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr said he is looking ahead toward spectrum bands that could potentially be auctioned off in the future. Speaking at a Monday event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute, Carr offered a roadmap for several bands that he would like t
FCC
Universal Service Contribution Hike, Chinese Threat Classifications, Wireless Access Licenses, Educational Applications
March 15, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission on Friday announced that it would raise the contribution to the universal service fund to 33.4 percent, representing another record amount. This would increase the current fee charged to the telecom companies’ voice services from 31.8 percent, whi
FCC
FCC’s Jessica Rosenworcel, Advocacy Groups Applaud Congress Passing Stimulus Bill With Broadband
WASHINGTON, March 10, 2021—The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed the House on Wednesday, paving the way for its signing by President Joe Biden. The $1.9-trillion bill passed the Senate with amendments on March 6 and returned to the House, where it passed by a vote of 220-211. The stimulus pack
Privacy
New Laws Needed on Capturing Data Collection From Mixed Reality, Experts Say
March 8, 2021—Experts are concerned about the privacy implications emanating from the use of virtual and cross reality devices, which they say could collect user data without consent, and are clamoring for new laws to keep up. While most Americans are already familiar with virtual reality popularize
