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A new law aims to make prison calls affordable. The FCC must decide what that means.

May 31, 2023
The agency has more authority to regulate the cost of those calls, which could mean significant savings for families of the incarcerated.
While Congress gave the FCC authority to cap the cost of prison calls in 2014, that didn't apply to roughly 80% of calls made within states. Above, a bank of telephones at a detention facility in Virginia.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Schools call on FCC for cybersecurity funding

Sep 22, 2022
School districts big and small are increasingly popular targets for ransomware attacks.
Students arrive at a Los Angeles elementary school in August 2021. The district is grappling with the fallout from a ransomware attack early this month.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Telecoms set to launch new 5G spectrum over FAA objections

Jan 3, 2022
In November, a warning from the Federal Aviation Administration about safety concerns led to AT&T and Verizon postponing the launch.
Despite FAA concerns over interference with altimeters, which helps planes land, Verizon and AT&T are slated to launch their 5G networks this week.
Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

Airlines, telecom clash over new 5G spectrum

Nov 26, 2021
AT&T and Verizon spent tens of billions to get the latest 5G technology up and running. But airlines say it could impact plane safety.
A contract crew for Verizon updates a cell tower to handle the 5G network in Orem, Utah in 2019.
George Frey/AFP via Getty Images

"Civil society is much more fragile than I think Americans appreciate," says outgoing FCC Chair Ajit Pai

Jan 15, 2021
Pai says Congress needs to legislate rules so that agency regulations, like net neutrality, don't swing with the leader's political affiliation.
Social media companies "do not operate by the same principles that other companies in the internet economy do," says outgoing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Mobile, media giants submit record bids as 5G spectrum auction tops $78 billion

Jan 8, 2021
Mid-band frequencies are often described as the Goldilocks range of the spectrum, where 5G signals fly fast and far.
Most media and wireless behemoths — including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Dish Network and Comcast — are betting on 5G to deliver next-generation phones, apps, entertainment and driverless vehicles.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Change in FCC leadership may renew net neutrality battle

Dec 1, 2020
Ajit Pai's departure could lead to a Democratic majority on the commission and is expected to spark new policy fights.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai speaks before a Senate panel in June. The commission's balance of power may change under the Biden administration.
Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images

Trump to target Twitter, social media bias with new executive order

Trump is to order a review of the law that excuses social media platforms from liability for what users post.
President Trump's executive order could make social media platforms responsible for everyone's posts, including his.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

FCC set to fine big telecom companies for selling location data. Is $200 million enough?

Feb 28, 2020
Two hundred million dollars sounds like a lot of cash, but it's just a drop in the bucket for many multinationals companies.
Alex Wong/Getty Images