A November 10, 2015 report from Gartner noted that the Internet of Things (IoT) will reach 6.4 billion devices in 2016. By 2020, that number will potentially reach 20.8 billion devices, all of which will need access to spectrum in order to function. However, spectrum is already limited in availability due to the use of mobile technology, digital goods, and mobile Internet.
Digital Creativity on World IP Day
As the theme for World IP Day 2016 is “Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined,” it is a good time to remind everyone who loves music, particularly those who access songs online, that the royalty structure in the United States is out of balance with today’s distribution methods.
Don Quixote Alive and Well at the FCC
Rather than tilting at windmills trying to solve problems that don’t exist, government agencies should proceed with great care before imposing technical mandates on an industry. Unfortunately, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appears to be taking a “shoot from the hip” approach to regulating, and currently has its sights set on abrogating intellectual property (IP) rights.
The Perilous Journey of the Lifeline Program
There are times when the proceedings at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are like watching The Perils of Pauline. Such was the case on March 31, 2016, when efforts to reform and improve the Lifeline program in a bipartisan and unanimous manner were railroaded into oblivion after numerous delays in convening a scheduled hearing.
Privacy’s Rookie Cop on the Beat
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval on February 26, 2015, of the Open Internet Order did more than just place the Internet under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. It also gave the FCC the right to regulate online consumer privacy protection, despite the fact that such power duplicates the authority long held by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Always the zealot when it comes to controlling all aspects of communications, on March 31, 2016, the FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for consumer privacy protections solely related to Internet service providers (ISPs).
Privacy in the Digital Age
On February 25, 2016, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss the impact of international law on the privacy of information that crosses borders. However, the discussion at the hearing continually came back to a domestic issue: the need for Congress to update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) in order to address the disparity between ECPA and the changes in technology since the law was enacted.
The FCC Should Keep Its Hands Out of Our Wallets
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seems to be taking a fast and furious ride through America’s pockets lately. The FCC, under the helm of Chairman Tom Wheeler, announced plans to expand the Lifeline program to give away broadband Internet subsidies to low-income individuals. What this means for the average consumer is an increase in their telephone bills, by requiring the payment of higher contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Broadband Fiction versus Fact
Every year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required to report to Congress the progress being made in deploying advanced communications services in the U.S. On January 29, 2016, the FCC released its latest review of broadband deployment in the U.S.
AllVid Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be
After imposing antiquated Title II regulations on the Internet, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to take the next step in regulating every aspect of telecommunications. Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler wants to mandate technical standards for set-top boxes that will ultimately hurt consumers by stifling innovation that is already moving towards eliminating the need for these boxes entirely. Just as technology is being developed to send the set-top box the way of the dodo, the chairman and his supporters at the FCC are acting like a bunch of dodos and trying to keep them in homes across the country.
Spring Cleaning at the Federal Government
Like many people who have overstuffed closets, cupboards, and garages filled with items they don’t remember buying, never needed, and never used, the federal government has a large inventory of useless things in storage that it didn’t need and doesn’t use. As home organizers often recommend, sorting in boxes is usually helpful – a box to keep, a box to discard, a box to fix, and a box to donate. While the government can’t exactly sort its enormous inventory into boxes, it can and should keep better track of the inventory it has purchased, as well as how these items are used.