25 result(s) displayed for FCC (1 - 25 of 55):

Number Portability Redux

Back in 2006, I griped about my number portability problems. In that post, I wrote: I never thought that in 2006 I would have number portability problems. Hasn't number portability regulations evolved to the point where it is no longer...

Posted on January 21, 2008 12:47 PM

FCC Displeased with U.S. Broadband Deployment Rate

According to an eWeek article, the FCC is not pleased with the rate at which broadband is being deployed in the U.S. According to eWeek, the FCC has started a Notice of Inquiry into whether broadband services are being provided...

Posted on April 18, 2007 9:48 AM

VoIP Avoids State Regulation

A U.S. appeals court today upheld a decision that exempted VoIP telephone companies such as Vonage, Sunrocket, Packet8, and others from many state regulations and oversight. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit backed a 2004 decision by...

Posted on March 21, 2007 3:39 PM

FCC adopts video franchise rules and overrules states that allow rural phone companies to block VoIP

Some interesting news from the FCC with regards to net neutrality, as well as VoIP. The FCC today adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that establishes rules and provides guidance to implement Section 621(a)(1) of...

Posted on March 5, 2007 1:39 PM

Digital Transition? What Digital Transition?

Sometimes we just put our heads in a hole, don't we? According to various recent reports, more than six out of ten of us are unaware of the transition to digital television. Yes, that's right! The majority of U.S. households that...

Posted on February 20, 2007 9:54 AM

FCC approves new VoIP taxes

Well, we knew it was inevitable that the FCC would pass on USF (Universal Service Charges) taxes onto VoIP service providers and thereby unto VoIP subscribers. I griped about this pending tax just recently. Well, the FCC voted unanimously yesterday...

Posted on June 22, 2006 11:30 AM

Congress tells FCC, "We'll Handle e911"

In my previous post on H.R. 5252 legislation, I pasted some excerpts of the bill that pertained to e911. It would appear this bill which passed yesterday "trumps" the FCC's regulations as it pertains to providing e911 service. Although this...

Posted on June 9, 2006 12:22 PM

Tax VoIP to fund USF? Bah!

So now the U.S. government wants to tax VoIP to help fund the USF. Rich discusses this in a post today worth checking out. eWeek also has a story on this. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is proposing that VoIP service...

Posted on June 2, 2006 3:16 PM

CEO Heavyweights Weigh in on House Broadband Bill and net neutrality

Several CEO heavyweights weigh in on the new pending House broadband bill and how it may affect network neutrality with the following letter... We should all call our Congressman and tell them how we feel about this issue - whether...

Posted on April 5, 2006 1:44 PM

Vonage reaches 70% E911 compliance

Vonage today announced that more than one million subscriber lines now have Enhanced 911 (E911) service, a feature that automatically associates a physical address with the calling party's telephone number. Recently, the FCC gave Vonage, and all Internet-based phone service...

Posted on March 30, 2006 10:45 AM

FCC says A La Carte TV channels will save customers money

Interesting report from the FCC that found cable choice is not only economically feasible, but in most cases could even save consumers money."Today's report is exactly what consumers have been waiting for," said Lanier Swann, Director of Government Relations for...

Posted on February 9, 2006 4:49 PM

USF tax and long-distance

A controversial proposal by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin plans to hike the Universal Service Fund (USF) charges for phone users who make few or no long-distance calls. But what is long-distance any more? If you're a broadband...

Posted on February 7, 2006 12:31 PM

Cell Calls from Planes On Their Way

Remember when airplanes had telephones in seat backs rather than LCD TVs? Expensive to use ($6 a minute seems to ring a bell), they were used sparingly (very sparingly) by most travelers. The ones still in existence are operated by...

Posted on January 12, 2006 4:58 PM

Keynotes at Internet Telephony Expo

Rich has some interesting thoughts on the two keynoters that highlight the Internet Telephony Conference & Expo show next month which includes Tom Ridge and Ron Insana - neither of which really need an introduction. Rich also reminds his blogging...

Posted on December 23, 2005 4:07 PM

FCC taxes VoIP? C'mon!

In case you didn't hear, The FCC will likely force VoIP providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund (USF), a program that helps subsidize telecommunications services in rural, "non-profitable" regions of the country, as well as in schools and...

Posted on December 15, 2005 4:17 PM

NENA Interim/Migratory I2 Standard Published

Some important news to share regarding e911 and VoIP. While this is a step in the right direction, the FCC still needs to clarify its position on e911 and give the VoIP service providers time to be in compliance with...

Posted on December 8, 2005 10:38 AM

Google Gtalkr for Google Talk

Gtalkr is a Flash-based website-enabling access to Google Talk and was launched yesterday as a beta. It allows you to access your Google Talk (Gtalk) instant messaging account without the software client installed, from any computer that has Flash installed....

Posted on December 1, 2005 6:43 PM

Packet8 e911 Coverage Map

Someone posted a comment to a recent blog post of mine regarding what I considered the FCC's "impossible e911 mandate" and said, "Quit your whining about poor old Vonage. If Packet8 can meet the FCC mandate, then every other VoIP...

Posted on December 1, 2005 10:15 AM

FCC wants ala carte TV channels

I heard on WABC talk radio this morning that the FCC wants cable companies to offer TV channels "a la carte" to give consumers more choice. Considering how harsh I was on the FCC's e911 requirements this morning, I have...

Posted on November 29, 2005 11:08 AM

FCC just doesn't understand your Lingo

I was notified by a VoIP affiliate program that they are no longer carrying Lingo within their VoIP affiliate portfolio due to e911 requirements by the FCC. Lingo does not currently conform to e911 requirements and therefore they are restricting...

Posted on November 29, 2005 10:26 AM

FCC e911 Zero Hour

The FCC deadline on e911 requirements is today. I have some important thoughts to share on the e911 requirements, including a conference call I had last week with the International Packet Communications Consortium (IPCC) -- however I'm busy catching up...

Posted on November 28, 2005 10:03 AM

NENA 911 System Reference Guide

Just received this email from NENA. Still digesting what exactly this email means, but at first glace, this doesn't go nearly far enough in my opinion to "assist" assist my ass! VoIP service providers in reaching the FCC's mandated e911...

Posted on November 18, 2005 3:16 PM

Keep Universal Service Fund Fair Coalition criticizes the FCC

This news on the FCC and the USF (Universal Service Fund) definitely merits sharing. Seems like the FCC is more embattled than President Bush these days. Ok, maybe not quite as much as Bush, but Kevin Martin certainly isn't making...

Posted on November 17, 2005 10:16 AM

FCC launches e911 taskforce

The ongoing saga with the FCC and e911 continues with the launch of a joint task force on e911. The best part of the new website is the graphic on the website which shows a guy with his head...

Posted on November 14, 2005 2:17 PM

FCC amends Emergency Alert System rules

In addition to FCC requirements for e911 for supposedly "protecting the consumer", the FCC today also moved to amend the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules to include Digital Media Technologies and seeks further comments on EAS System. You know the...

Posted on November 10, 2005 6:10 PM