Faster, simpler, cheaper process, but no greater support The federal Lifeline program – a program overseen by the FCC and originally designed to provide subsidized phone service to low-income households – has never been a model of efficiency or consistency. Four years ago the Commission tried to tighten things up on the Lifeline front. And … Continue Reading
Bureau reiterates view that using “deauthentication frames” to bounce hotspot users constitutes prohibited “interference”. Conference goers, rejoice! It looks like the FCC really is serious about preventing hotels and other conference venues from blocking access to the venues’ Wi-Fi networks through personal “hotspot” network devices. The Commission’s Enforcement Bureau had staked out its position on … Continue Reading
If you own a tower subject to the FCC's Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) requirements, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's got something to say to you.… Continue Reading
What does "unlimited" mean? The answer could be worth $100,000,000.… Continue Reading
The Audio Division is cracking down on permittees who construct non-compliant, less-than-permanent facilities.… Continue Reading
A one-time only broadcast leads to a "multi-state cascade" of false alarms ... and a big penalty… Continue Reading
The FCC has reprised a 2011 Show Cause order directed to a jammer manufacturer in China - but with a Conventional difference.… Continue Reading
If you're a broadcaster and you're worried that you may have violated the on-air contest rule - or if the FCC has concluded that you did violate that rule - you may be in luck.… Continue Reading
If you took the long odds and bet against the FCC in FiberTower's last gasp effort to keep its 689 licenses alive, lucky you!… Continue Reading
The Commission has fined a TV licensee a whopping $325,000 for a single three-second instance of unintended indecency during a newscast. It looks like the FCC wants to send a signal to broadcasters.… Continue Reading
A telemarketer made a long list of mistakes, and it's now got $342,000 worth of reasons to regret having done so.… Continue Reading
Prudent network management or Wi-Fi jamming? The question has been taken off the table ... for now.… Continue Reading
If money is being paid in return for the broadcast of particular content, that must be disclosed, even if it's government that's doing the paying.… Continue Reading
Attention, all you telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers! Your annual reports certifying compliance with the CPNI rules are due by March 2, 2015.… Continue Reading
The fake news business appears to have been booming in 2009 - at least as far as we can tell from a couple of FCC enforcement actions.… Continue Reading
The FCC has issued another of its ever-popular "Enforcement Advisories" warning against the use of jammers to interfere with cellphone, Wi-Fi or GPS devices.… Continue Reading
A former television licensee managed to get cross-wise with the telephone rule.… Continue Reading
Last time around, the FCC declared not once, but twice, that the "proceeding is now terminated." As if.… Continue Reading
The Enforcement Bureau has struck a blow for those who prefer to use smartphones to set up their own personal mobile hotspots when they're on the go.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has tossed two complaints alleging inadequate sponsorship IDs for issue-oriented ads - but that may not be good news in the long run.… Continue Reading
T-Mobile fell short with respect to hearing aid compatible receivers - $819,000 short, as far as the FCC is concerned.… Continue Reading
The FCC's Audio Division may be considering designating some renewal applications for hearing, but practical considerations could, and should, make it think twice.… Continue Reading
The Wireline Competition Bureau has "reminded" carriers of the need to get prior approval for certain transfers of control . . . even though there's nothing in the rules requiring such approval.… Continue Reading
In the face of a five-year statute of limitations, a recent forfeiture order shows flexibility, but not necessarily in a good way.… Continue Reading
