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☆ More than 20 million Americans enrolled in a federal program for subsidized internet access
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —More than 20 million US households are now receiving discounts on internet service as part of a federal program created to close the digital divide, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Recipients living on tribal lands can receive even more, up to $75 per month to help cover internet access costs. Then, this February, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the figure had grown to more than 16 million households saving a total of $500 million a month on internet service. The program has continued to gain more than half a million new households a month since then. The ACP isn’t the only way the US government has recently moved to expand internet access.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Kamala Harris, ”, Jessica Rosenworcel Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Communications Commission, Program, SNAP, Pell, FCC, ACP, Commerce Department, Broadband Equity Locations: United States

☆ The great debate over banning TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe great debate over banning TikTokCNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin asks experts to weigh in on the great TikTok debate. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr expresses his national security concerns associated with TikTok while Georgia Tech Professor Milton Mueller defends the opposite perspective. The Professor published an academic study that analyzed the impact of Tiktok on National Security and told CNBC that their study found "no evidence" the app poses a national security threat.

Persons: Julia Boorstin, Brendan Carr, Milton Mueller Organizations: CNBC, Media, Tech, Georgia Tech, National Security Locations: TikTok

☆ Investing in Space: Americans think spotting asteroids should be NASA's top priority, Pew says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. CNBC's Michael Sheetz reports and curates the latest news, investor updates and exclusive interviews on the most important companies reaching new heights. Let's start with how Americans view the importance of U.S. leadership in space. If the Americans surveyed by Pew were in charge, it's doubtful the Artemis moon program would exist at all. About 70% of respondents said space companies offer a "mostly good" contribution to space exploration, and 63% saw companies as helping open up space travel to more people.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, –, It's, it'd, Artemis Organizations: Pew Research Center, Space Force, FAA, FCC, NOAA, NASA, Pew Locations: U.S

☆ Two US lawmakers raise security concerns about Chinese cellular modules
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jonathan Newton/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Two U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to address questions about potential security concerns involving cellular modules made by Chinese companies including Quectel (603236.SS) and Fibocom Wireless (300638.SZ). Cellular modules are components that enable internet of things (IoT) devices to connect to the internet. The lawmakers asked if the FCC is considering using the Covered List to address Chinese-owned cellular modules. "Could requiring certification for modules used in communications equipment be an effective means" of addressing Chinese modules in U.S. networks? In 2022, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said the FCC "abused state power and maliciously attacked Chinese telecom operators again without factual basis."

Persons: Jessica Rosenworcel, Jonathan Newton, Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, David Shepardson, Mark Porter, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S . Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation, Federal Communications Commission, Tuesday, Fibocom Wireless, Republican, China, FCC, Pacific Networks Corp, HK, Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corp, Hytera Communications Corp, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, Zhejiang Dahua Technology, Embassy, Huawei, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Quectel, China, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Washington

☆ White House to bolster cybersecurity training for K-12 schools, with help from the FCC, Amazon Web Services and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

On Tuesday, the White House convened school administrators, educators and companies to explore how best to protect schools and students' information from cyberattacks. At least eight K-12 school districts across the country experienced significant cyberattacks in the last academic year, the White House said, leading to disruptions in learning. The White House announced a series of actions from federal agencies and commitments from companies to help school districts secure their digital information. Amazon Web Services committed $20 million to fund a cyber grant program for school districts and state departments of education. It will also conduct free security reviews for U.S. education technology companies that provide "mission-critical applications" for K-12 schools.

Persons: Biden, Miguel Cardona, Cardona, Cloudflare, PowerSchool Organizations: White, Government, Office, White House, Federal Communications Commission, Universal Service Fund, Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Guard Bureau, CNBC, Web Services, Google Locations: cyberattacks, U.S

☆ FCC issues historic $300 million fine against the largest robocall scam it has ever investigated
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday cracked down on a massive illegal robocall operation responsible for billions of auto-warranty scam calls in recent years, with regulators imposing a record $300 million fine on what authorities said is the largest such network it has ever investigated. The globe-spanning illegal operation violated US telecom laws by making more than five billion robocalls to more than half a billion phone numbers over the course of just three months in 2021, the FCC said in a release Wednesday. But the campaign had been in existence for even longer, the FCC added. At the same time, the FCC directed US voice providers to stop carrying calls originating from providers used by the network. “We know the scam artists behind these calls are relentless — but we are coming for them and won’t stop until we get this junk off the line,” Rosenworcel said.

Persons: —, Roy Melvin Cox Jr, Aaron Michael Jones, Dave Yost, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel Organizations: CNN, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Ohio, of, Justice Department Locations: United States, Ohio, of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, New Mexico

☆ The FCC just fined an international network of robocallers nearly $300 million for making 5 billion calls in a three month span
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The FCC just fined a group of scammers a record-breaking $299,970,000. The commission said the fraudsters made 5 billion auto warranty-related scam calls in three months. Two of the men charged, Roy M. Cox and Aaron Michael Jones, had already previously been banned from making telemarketing calls. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Additionally, Insider reported that the prevalence of COVID-related phone scams have risen in 2023, three years after the virus shut down the country.

Persons: Roy M, Cox, Aaron Michael Jones, Jones Organizations: FCC, Service, Federal Communications Commission, State of, Federal Trade Commission, Medicare, Medicaid Services Locations: Wall, Silicon, State, State of Texas

☆ White House teams with Amazon, Google, and Qualcomm on cyber security labels for gadgets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

To receive the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, companies will have to follow cybersecurity standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), such as requiring strong passwords and software updates. Other agencies across the executive branch also plan to get involved in making connected devices more secure, according to the announcement. For example, the Department of Energy will collaborate with National Labs and industry to create cybersecurity labeling standards for smart meters and power inverters. And the Department of State plans to engage allies in syncing up cybersecurity labeling standards and creating international recognition of such labels. Once completed, the FCC could choose to use the standards to apply the new label to these products as well.

Persons: Biden Organizations: U.S, U.S . Cyber, Federal Communications Commission, Google, LG Electronics, Logitech, Samsung, National Institute of Standards, Technology, NIST, FCC, Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Energy, National Labs, Department of State, CNBC, YouTube Locations: cyberattacks, U.S

On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced it’s moving to implement a cybersecurity labeling program aimed at helping consumers pick out trustworthy tech products that are rated as more secure than the competition. Products certified under the new program may come with a QR code that links to a national database affirming its participation, the administration added in a release. “This new labeling program would help provide Americans with greater assurances about the cybersecurity of the products they use and rely on in their everyday lives,” the administration said in a statement. “It would also be beneficial for businesses, as it would help differentiate trustworthy products in the marketplace.”The government proposal comes two years after President Joe Biden signed an executive order calling for an “‘energy star’ type of label” for tech products. “Market forces alone were never going to be sufficient to force manufacturers to step up and deliver more secure devices,” he said.

Persons: Biden, it’s, —, cybersecurity, ”, Joe Biden, Dave DeWalt, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN, National Institute of Standards, Technology, NIST, House, Products, Twitter, PayPal, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Colonial Pipeline, Companies, Amazon, Cisco, Google, LG, Logitech, Samsung, Consumer Technology Association

☆ FTC court ruling shows why vertical deals are hard to challenge: fmr. DOJ official Jamillia Ferris
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailFTC court ruling shows why vertical deals are hard to challenge: fmr. DOJ official Jamillia FerrisJamillia Ferris, former DOJ & FCC antitrust official and partner at Freshfields' antitrust, competition and trade group, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of the Microsoft-Activision deal, after a federal judge rejected the FTC's bid to block the $69 billion merger.

Persons: fmr, Ferris Organizations: FTC, DOJ, FCC, Microsoft, Activision

☆ US Senate panel to vote on key Biden telecom board nominee
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee plans to vote next week on President Joe Biden's nominee for a key fifth seat on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In July 2021, Biden signed an executive order encouraging the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules adopted under Democratic then-President Barack Obama in 2015. Biden's first nominee for the open seat, former FCC official Gigi Sohn, withdrew in March after three hearings. The FCC has raised mounting concerns about Chinese telecom companies which had won permission to operate in the United States decades ago. In 2019, the FCC voted to deny state-owned Chinese telecom firm China Mobile Ltd (0941.HK) the right to provide U.S. services and later withdrew U.S. authorizations for several other Chinese telecom carriers, including China Telecom Corp (0728.HK).

Persons: Joe Biden's, Anna Gomez, Gomez, Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks, Donald Trump, Biden, Barack Obama, Biden's, Gigi Sohn, Sohn, David Shepardson Organizations: U.S, Senate, U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Democratic, State Department's Bureau, Cyberspace, Digital, Radio Conference, FCC, Republican, China Mobile Ltd, HK, China Telecom Corp, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, United

☆ Scammers are taking advantage of the confusion around student loans after SCOTUS axed Biden's debt forgiveness plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

After the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, scammers are taking advantage. The Federal Trade Commission issued a notice warning against giving away student loan information. Student loan payments are set to resume in October, though there could be some flexibility for borrowers. and if a "caller/texter asks for your Federal Student Aid ID, bank account number, or credit card information." In the meantime, payments on federal student loans are set to resume in October.

Persons: Joe Biden's, —, you've, scammers, John Roberts, Biden, Roberts, John M, Formella Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Service, Federal, FTC, Department of, Federal Communications Commission, Aid, Education Department, . New Hampshire, FCC Locations: StudentAid.gov, . New

☆ How radio can thrive in the era of AI by leaning into its humanity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Shawn Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Shawn Campbell is the founder and general manager of Chicago's CHIRP Radio, 107.1FM. In fact, I believe the investment audio-focused companies are making in AI gives some radio stations the chance to show what makes them vital. Live radio, done well, builds a sense of connection that — to my mind — is unmatched by any other medium. Hosts on live, local radio stations reveal themselves over time to their audience, rewarding regular listening in a way that feels similar to building a friendship. I see the chance for radio stations like CHIRP to embrace their humanity and find listeners looking for a human connection.

Persons: Shawn Campbell, It's, Prince, Tom Petty Organizations: Spotify, CHIRP, Radio, Cubs, DJ Locations: Chicago

☆ Airline passengers shouldn't worry about flight delays due to 5G expansion: Fmr. FCC Chair Ajit Pai
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAirline passengers shouldn't worry about flight delays due to 5G expansion: Fmr. FCC Chair Ajit PaiAjit Pai, former FCC chairman, joins 'Last Call' to talk the government's warnings that 5G expansion might delay flights.

Persons: Ajit Pai Ajit Pai Organizations: FCC

☆ US FCC proposes to force cable TV operators to disclose full pricing
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The plan would require providers to disclose the total cost of video programming service - including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming and other programming-related fees - as a prominent single line item on bills and in promotional materials. Major cable TV companies include Comcast Corp (CCZ.N), Cox Communications, Charter Communications (CHTR.O) and others. NCTA-The Internet & Television Association, an industry group representing the major cable TV companies, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ACA Connects, which represents smaller video providers, said its members "are committed to transparency in their sales and billing practices." The rules require broadband providers to display, at the time of sale, labels that show prices, speeds, fees and data allowances.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jessica Rosenworcel, Anna Gomez, David Shepardson, Will Dunham, Chris Reese Organizations: U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Comcast Corp, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Dish Network, Democratic, FCC, & Television Association, Democrats, Senate Republicans, Thomson

BEJUCAL, Cuba, June 14 (Reuters) - Just outside the sleepy Cuban village of Bejucal, a winding track, rutted with potholes and losing ground to the jungle, ends at a barbed wire fence. The question of Chinese spying from Cuba was renewed last week following a Wall Street Journal report. China, Washington’s top geopolitical rival, on Monday denied it was using Cuba as a spy base. [1/5] A truck passes by a sign at the entrance of Bejucal, Cuba, June 12, 2023. Onelvis Despaigne, 36, a farm worker who lives just outside the base, told Reuters on Monday he had not heard the recent foreign media reports on Chinese spying.

Persons: Biden, Bejucal, Arnaldo Perez, Dave Sherwood, Perez, motioning, Marco Rubio, Havana “, Fulton Armstrong, ”, Armstrong, Vladimir Putin, Onelvis Despaigne, Matt Spetalnick, Adam Jourdan, Don Durfee, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Reuters, Federal Communications Commission, Communist Party, FCC, Security, Commission, ARCOS, U.S . Department of Homeland Security, Justice Department ., Guantanamo, Base, White House National Security Council, REUTERS, Cuban Missile, Soviet Union, U.S, Cuban, CIA, Thomson Locations: BEJUCAL, Cuba, Cuban, Bejucal, China, Beijing, States, Key West , Florida, U.S, United States, Justice Department . China, Havana, Soviet, Moscow, Marco Rubio of Florida, Caribbean, Taiwan Strait, South China, Russia, Ukraine, Lourdes, Washington

☆ Catalytic cracking unit at Venezuela's Cardon refinery shut down
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS, June 2 (Reuters) - The catalytic cracking unit at Venezuela's Cardon refinery, the country's second-biggest, has broken down and paused operations since the middle of the week, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday. Venezuela's refining network has the capacity to process 1.3-million-barrels per day but it suffers frequent production problems. The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) plant refines oil into other products with greater commercial value, such as gasoline. The refinery restarted one distillation unit on Friday after a failure, while a second unit remains shutdown. The catalytic cracking unit at Amuay, Venezuela's largest refinery, has been shutdown for repairs since March, impacting production of gasoline.

Persons: PDVSA, Deisy, Oliver Griffin, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Reuters, Paraguana Refining, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, Cardon, Venezuela's, Amuay, Caracas

☆ The spam and the scam: What's driving those incessant political fundraising email and text campaigns blowing up your inbox
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Each and every day, political campaigns send out fundraising requests via email and text messages. "It's an accepted part of fundraising that you're going to ruffle feathers," said one political consultant. Increasingly, consumers are drowning in a sea of spam messages and scams from political campaigns, and experts said it's not going to change anytime soon. And while they themselves said they get annoyed by the flood of spam messages, political campaigners said that annoying voters is simply part of the job. After the RNC repeatedly lobbied Google to drop its spam filter for political spam, the company briefly acquiesced before changing its mind after the 2022 midterm elections.

Persons: It's, —, Michael Escobar, Escobar, he's, He's, I've, she's, it's, Josh Nelson, Rory McShane, McShane, " McShane, it'll, they've, Nelson, there've, Donald Trump's, Anne Mitchell, Mitchell, Nick Daggers, I'm Organizations: Service, Institute for Social Internet, RNC, Google, Telephone Consumer Protection, FCC, Democratic, GOP

☆ Biden nominates telecom attorney Anna Gomez to FCC after more than two years of deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

President Joe Biden nominated telecom attorney Anna Gomez to the Federal Communications Commission, his second attempt to fill an empty seat on the typically five-member panel that has left the agency in a 2-2 deadlock for his entire presidency thus far. Gomez has previously worked for the FCC in several positions over 12 years, the White House said. Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom, a trade group that represents broadband providers like AT&T and Verizon , congratulated Gomez in a statement. Free Press, a nonprofit advocacy group that supports net neutrality, said Gomez's nomination was long overdue. González called Gomez "eminently qualified" for the role and praised the nomination of a Latinx candidate to the position.

☆ Fmr. FCC Chair Ajit Pai says the Supreme Court made 'the right call' in Big Tech decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailFmr. FCC Chair Ajit Pai says the Supreme Court made 'the right call' in Big Tech decisionFmr. FCC Chair Ajit Pai joins 'Last Call' to discuss the big week for Big Tech including the ongoing A.I. boom, the Supreme Court's favorable ruling, and more.

☆ US FCC votes to expand vehicle, drone radar operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to expand the use of vehicle drone and other short-range radar operations. The decision by the U.S. telecommunications regulator will support technologies to detect children left behind in hot cars and driver assistance features like pedestrian detection and lane departure warnings as well detecting the breathing of premature infants in intensive care units. The decision will also assist drones in construction, emergency rescue and commercial applications, the FCC said. Reporting by David ShepardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Former FCC Chair Newton Minow, who called 1960s TV 'vast wasteland', dies at 97
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Bill Trott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On May 9, 1961, he addressed the National Association of Broadcasters convention and had some stark criticism for television executives. "When television is good, nothing - not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers - nothing is better," Minow said. "I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland," he said. The speech draft had referred to a "vast wasteland of junk" but Minow excised "of junk" so as not to offend his audience too deeply. Minow headed the FCC for two years and in 1965 became a partner at the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin.

☆ U.S. will not extend July 1 5G airplane retrofit deadline
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sam WolfeWASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told airlines on Tuesday the Biden administration does not plan to extend a July 1 deadline for airlines to retrofit airplane altimeters to address potential interference, the department confirmed. Buttigieg told airlines on a call the department does not plan to extend the deadline and urged them to work aggressively to continue retrofitting airplanes. Last year, Verizon (VZ.N) and AT&T (T.N) voluntarily agreed to delay some C-Band 5G usage until July 1 as air carriers worked to retrofit airplane altimeters. Separately, the FAA on Tuesday proposed seven airworthiness directives (ADs) for many Boeing (BA.N) aircraft due to the potential for 5G C-band interference. They require revising aircraft flight manuals by June 30 to prohibit some landings and include specific operating procedures for calculating landing distances and certain approaches when in the presence of 5G C-band interference.

☆ U.S. House to vote on bill to address potential Huawei, ZTE threats
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - The House of Representatives is set to vote next week on a bill to crack down on Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei and ZTE Corp (000063.SZ) that have been deemed security threats by the U.S. government. The legislation would also require publicly traded companies to disclose whether they have contracted to use Huawei or ZTE or services covered under the bill. The Federal Communications Commission in November banned approvals of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE, saying they pose "an unacceptable risk" to U.S. national security. Washington has for years pressured U.S. allies not to use Huawei or ZTE equipment from 5G networks or remove gear from existing networks. The FCC designated Huawei and ZTE as threats, requiring U.S. companies to remove their gear or be frozen out of an $8.3 billion government fund to purchase new equipment.

☆ FBI warns against using public phone charging stations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Rohan Goswami | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The FBI recently warned consumers against using free public charging stations, saying that bad actors have managed to hijack public chargers that can infect devices with malware, or software that can give hackers access to your phone, tablet or computer. "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers," a tweet from the FBI's Denver field office said. "Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. The Federal Communications Commission has also warned about "juice jacking," as the malware loading scheme is known, since 2021. The FCC told consumers to avoid those public stations.

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