Even in the age of seemingly ubiquitous Internet access in the U.S. there remains a persistent gap between those who can and cannot afford access to Internet connections and associated hardware. Known as the "digital divide," the FCC has a new plan to tackle the problem, and the vote on that plan is coming up soon.
On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission moved forward on an initiative that may revolutionize how consumers access pay TV, which could help Latino producers find their audiences.
The digital divide -- the persistent gap between those who have affordable access to information technology and those who do not -- is among the many issues that the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) believes is holding Latinos in the U.S. back.
Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission voted in favor of stronger rules to keep Internet service providers from favoring some data traffic on the Internet over others. The February FCC decision was hailed as a victory by Net Neutrality advocates, or those who believe that the only free Internet is one where "all data is treated equally" by the companies that transmit it.
On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to consider a plan that would modernize Lifeline -- a long-running FCC program that provides subsidies for phone service to underprivileged households -- to include broadband internet.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to adopt a strong legal foundation for new Open Internet regulations, which mirror the principals of Net Neutrality.
On Thursday morning, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted on a new Open Internet policy, grounded by strong federal authority that treats Internet service providers similarly to utilities. Adoption of the new rules -- which prevent ISPs from blocking or slowing any lawful Internet traffic or charging companies like Netflix for faster delivery -- is considered a victory for Net Neutrality advocates.
In a February 24th opinion piece, Jose Marquez, the President and CEO of Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA), opined that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposed Open Internet rules that would prevent blocking, throttling, and paid fast lanes online would, inexplicably, harm Latinos. The FCC is set to vote on these rules on February 26th.
Recently, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced his plan to use antiquated, 20th Century telephone rules to help protect Internet openness in the 21st Century.
Today Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, put to rest any doubt that the agency charged with regulating the infrastructure of the Internet plans to do so based on the strongest legal foundation available. It's victory for Net Neutrality advocates, to the chagrin of Internet service providers.
On Thursday, January 29, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission voted three to two to change the official definition of "broadband Internet." It's more than just semantics -- it's huge.
About one month from now on February 26, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on new Open Internet rules that govern Internet Service Providers. But what looks like the moment of truth for Net Neutrality debate may be just the beginning of more quarrelling between ISPs and the FCC.
Beyond Net Neutrality, the FCC has a new issue putting it in right in the middle of the political crosshairs, after President Obama called on states to loosen restrictions on municipal broadband.
This week FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced plans to increase funding for E-Rate, a federal program that helps connect schools and libraries in neighborhoods in need to the Internet.
It seems Tom Wheeler can't catch a break: His latest attempt to charm both sides of the contentious Net Neutrality debate has seemingly pleased no one.
Whether or not the Federal Communications Commission will favor Net Neutrality in its upcoming (monumental) decision is still unknown, but a recent statement by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler may pave the way towards a new Internet revolution: streaming TV online.
On Wednesday, Netflix, Digg, Reddit, Tumblr, and many others took part in an online protest reminiscent of the 2011 anti-SOPA action to protest against the Federal Communications Commission's planned new Open Internet policy and the "fast lanes" proposal associated with it. Meanwhile, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler hinted this week at expanding Net Neutrality-type protections to wireless broadband.
Late last week, the Federal Communications Commission announced it was going to do a series of roundtable discussions about the Open Internet. It would be hosted in the FCC's Washington D.C. offices and streamed on the Internet. Now Senator Patrick Leahy is telling the FCC that's not enough.
Chairman Tom Wheeler, of the Federal Communications Commission, has hinted that the agency might be interested in increasing Internet broadband competition by stopping local and state laws, often imposed with pressure by big incumbent Internet service providers, that outlaw municipal broadband.
