FCC

"Anti-Competitive and Anti-Consumer"; Criticizes Verizon Wireless plan to double Early Termination Fees for new smart phone customers

November 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who introduced the Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act in the 110th Congress, sent a letter to the Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell C. McAdam, criticizing the company’s decision to increase its Early Termination Fees (ETFs) for new smart phone customers. Klobuchar also sent a letter to Federal Communications Chairman (FCC) Julius Genachowski, urging a review of the Verizon Wireless decision to raise these fees.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- Washington DC – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced Wednesday that they are launching a joint effort to evaluate technologies that may help curb the dangerous epidemic of distracted driving.

The DOT-FCC partnership will also include outreach efforts to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving, talking on cell phones while driving, and other distracting behavior that can lead to deadly accidents.    » read more »

Senator Sends Letter to FCC Chairman Urging Quick Action

October 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today sent a letter to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressing “grave concern” about the organization’s failure to extend telephone service to Indian Country, where more than 30 percent of households do not have basic service.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, released the following statement regarding the report outlining a broadband internet strategy for rural America released today by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in conjunction with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).    » read more »

Company Cites Denial of Consumer Choice

May 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Armed with a new federal court ruling that further strengthens the legal basis for action, Verizon is calling on the Federal Communications Commission to act promptly to stop incumbent cable television companies from illegally denying competitive video providers access to "must have" regional sports programming.

In a filing with the FCC on Thursday (May 28), Verizon told the commission that "the cable incumbents' documented history of abusing their control of regional sports networks and other regional sports programming to deny consumers a meaningful competitive choice is a real and ongoing problem that must be addressed."    » read more »

Report to Congress Important Building Block for National Broadband Plan

Washington, D.C., May 27, 2009 - Concluding that all rural Americans must have the opportunity to reap the full benefits of broadband services, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael J. Copps released a report today providing a starting point for the development of policies to deliver broadband to rural areas and restore economic growth and opportunity for Americans residing and working in those areas.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack, Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps and U.S. Dept. of Commerce Senior Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff Rick Wade kicked off the joint broadband initiative under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today and announced a series of public meetings that will give Americans an opportunity to help shape the program.    » read more »

March 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

On the nomination of John Berry, President Obama said, "From turning around the National Zoo to fostering a more productive work environment at the Department of the Interior, John Berry has a tremendous record of effective management in key public service roles. I'm confident that he will provide that same leadership at OPM to help ensure that government works for the American people the way it should."    » read more »

Washington, D.C., July 18, 2008 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced additional details for the public en banc hearing scheduled at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Monday, July 21, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

As previously announced, the hearing date, time, and location are as follows:

Date: Monday, July 21, 2008

Time: 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)

Location: McConomy Auditorium, University Center
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Directions: cmu.edu/about/visit/directions-parking.shtml

The Commission will hear from expert panelists regarding broadband and the digital future.    » read more »

May 15, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate passed a measure introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan to reverse the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) ruling to expand media consolidation. Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of this legislation.

Today the Senate stood up to Washington special interests by voting to reverse the FCC's disappointing media consolidation rules that I have fought against. Our nation's media market must reflect the diverse voices of our population, and it is essential that the FCC promotes the public interest and diversity in ownership.    » read more »

5/8/2008 -- NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow: “NCTA has previously indicated our support for the concept of a test market, and the cable industry has been working closely with broadcasters and other stakeholders to ensure that the February 2009 transition is seamless for television viewers. We applaud Commissioner Copps for proposing the concept of a market trial, and we look forward to working closely with the FCC so that local cable operators are able to help make the Wilmington test pilot – and the full February 2009 broadcast transition – a good experience for consumers.”    » read more »

4/8/2008 -- Statement of NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow:

“Chairman Martin’s proposal is a positive step forward for small cable systems that do not have the capacity to carry broadcast signals in both digital and analog formats. We would like to thank all the Commissioners and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress for their recognition that this exemption is critical for small cable systems. We look forward to working with members of the Commission toward swift adoption of an order that advances the DTV transition and provides appropriate relief and needed certainty to all owners of small cable systems.”    » read more »

3/26/2008 -- Comment from Brian Dietz, Vice President, Communications, NCTA, in response to Verizon's request that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) "make it as easy for consumers to choose a new video provider as it already is for them to switch voice providers."    » read more »

March 17, 2008, Washington, D.C. — In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to review the Second Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Fox v. FCC, Commissioner Michael J. Copps issued the following statement:    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate:

"I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has granted the petition for certiorari filed by the Solicitor General. Protecting children from inappropriate programming continues to be one of my top priorities. I hope that the Supreme Court’s decision will give broadcasters clarity regarding the use of profanity, even fleeting profanity, on the public airwaves, at times when children are most likely to be in the audience."

Source: FCC