federal communications commission

Screenshot: Federal Communications CommissionA pair of Nevada senators say the Federal Communications Commission’s recently released broadband coverage map—intended to provide transparency on the nation’s internet access—is “deeply flawed,” and presents an inaccurate reading of rural America’s internet access. Those inaccuracies, they say, could cost them and other rural states millions in federal broadband infrastructure funds.In a letter addressed to the FCC’s five commissioners, Democratic senators Jacky Rosen and…

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel first proposed the space bureau in November 2022.Photo: Tom Williams (AP)The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is getting ready to launch its own Space Bureau, expanding on its role in regulating a rapidly evolving industry in Earth orbit.On Monday, the FCC adopted a plan to reorganize the agency, transforming its International Bureau to a Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs. The latest move is an effort to become more prepared for dealing with the growing satellite…

The days of finding out about a data breach impacting your personal data months after the fact may soon become a thing of the past—at least when it comes to hacks affecting telecomcarriers. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a new rule, requiring phone and internet providers to notify customers of breaches much more quickly. “This new proceeding will take a much-needed, fresh look at our data breach reporting rules to better protect consumers, increase security, and reduce the impact of future breaches,”…

Telecom companies have managed to make prisoners and their families pay exorbitant rates to talk on the phone or through electronic video calls. A new law may change everything once its finally put in place.Photo: John Moore (Getty Images)In the United States’ massive, inhumane, and money-grubbing prison industry, telecom companies have chargedexorbitant prices to let inmates connect with their friends and family on the outside. A new bipartisan bill that managed to squeak its way through congress may finally provide…

Photo: Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images)U.S. telecom providers, under a new FCC order, will have to take “all necessary steps” to block calls from a shady communication company engaged in a mass robocall scam praying on people seeking student loan forgiveness.The scammer company, called Urth Access, LLC, would reportedly spam users with calls urging them to forfeit their personal information or pay a fee in order to receive up to around $10,000 in student loan debt relief. Many of the scams reportedly referred to the Biden…

Illustration showing Starlink receiver. Illustration: StarlinkThe Federal Communications Commission has approved SpaceX’s request to launch 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, while firmly pressing the pause button on the remaining 22,488 satellites the company is hoping to deploy. “Our action will allow SpaceX to begin deployment of Gen2 Starlink, which will bring next generation satellite broadband to Americans nationwide, including those living and working in areas traditionally unserved or…

New broadband labels break down prices and hidden fees. Screenshot: FCCInternet service providers will soon have to publish “nutrition labels” that prominently display the actual costs of their services, breaking down hidden fees, data caps, speed promises, and information about when discounts expire, the Federal Communications Commission announced Thursday. The labels will make it far easier to comparison shop in a market where real prices are often shrouded behind hidden fees and confusing bills. The FCC mandated label…

Photo: Kamil Urban (Shutterstock)If there’s one thing Americans seem to agree on, it’s that they don’t like their internet service providers. They have a lot of good reasons to be frustrated, according to a survey of US broadband service from Consumer Reports released Thursday.Consumer Reports collected and analyzed over 22,000 internet bills in an unprecedented study scrutinizing 500 internet service providers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The studyuncovered…

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed the new bureau at a satellite industry event. Photo: Tom Williams (AP)Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced a plan to launch a bureau dedicated to the space industry, a move prompted by the ever-increasing number of satellites sent to space.During her speech at the National Press Club on Thursday, Rosenworcel said the commission intends to reorganize the agency, transforming the FCC’s International Bureau into a new Space Bureau and…

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to create a new space bureau to address the growing number of satellite launches and policy issues, agency chair Jessica Rosenworcel said. The FCC plans to restructure its International Bureau into a new Space Bureau and a standalone Office of International Affairs. "The satellite industry is growing at a record pace, but here on the ground our regulatory frameworks for licensing them have not kept up," Rosenworcel said Thursday, adding that over the past two years the…