Even as privacy advocates are getting increasingly nervous about the extent to which our communications devices keep tabs on our whereabouts, the FCC is looking to make it easier to monitor our location more precisely and over a broader range of devices.… Continue Reading
As a further indication of the increasing significance of VoIP on the communications landscape, the Commission is proposing to extend its outage reporting requirements to interconnected VoIP and broadband Internet access service providers (including Internet backbone network providers).… Continue Reading
Last week we reported on a proposal to expand the requirement that VoIP providers contribute to the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund. Deadlines for comments on that proposal have now been set.… Continue Reading
At Congress's direction, the FCC is moving forward with proposals that would (a) substantially increase regulatory burdens on VoIP providers and (b) immerse the Commission in areas that aren't exactly within its area of expertise.… Continue Reading
In a refreshing -- and rarely seen -- move, the Wireless Bureau is asking a good question: are the Commission's Hearing Aid Compatibility rules for wireless handsets really achieving their intended purpose?… Continue Reading
The Wireless Bureau is asking commenters in the hearing aid compliance proceeding to address the effect of the 21CenComVidAccAct on the FCC's proposals there. But heads up - the deadline for comments is fast approaching.… Continue Reading
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 is now the law of the land. Get set for a new set of sweeping changes cutting across all components of the communications universe, broadband and broadcast alike.… Continue Reading
Looking to ensure that hearing-impaired folks will have access to "innovative and advanced" handsets that will assist them in "participat[ing] fully in the American economy and society", the FCC has expanded access to a wider range of hearing aid-friendly devices and has indicated that more changes are on the way.… Continue Reading
The implications of the D.C. Circuit's recent Comcast decision affect more than the FCC's net neutrality aspirations. The fall-out from that decision could, for example, gut the Commission's regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.… Continue Reading
The FCC has asked the public for input on regulating the telephone system in its ongoing migration from the old analog world to the digital one.… Continue Reading
A reader asked us if Google Voice can legally refuse to place phone calls to some areas. Two days later, the FCC asked Google the same thing. The bad news - any answer that Google might give will spell trouble for the phone system.… Continue Reading
In a sharp about-face, AT&T announced it will let iPhone users access VoIP services over the 3G channel after all. Why should non-iPhone users care? Read about it here.… Continue Reading
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has held that "retention marketing" practices used by Verizon violate Section 222(b) of the Communications Act. As a result, it may be more difficult for Verizon - and other incumbent carriers - to avoid losing customers in the competitive telephone market.… Continue Reading
