Geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites are limited in their ability to connect people around the world, but low earth orbit (LEO) satellites offer much more promise, said Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, OneWeb senior adviser-satellite regulatory affairs and sustainable space policy, Thursday at IEEE’s virtual Connecting the Unconnected Summit. Other speakers said it’s difficult to even count how many people remain without internet service in many parts of the world.
T-Mobile must pay a nearly $3.59 million penalty for misleading the California Public Utilities Commission about its CDMA transition, commissioners decided unanimously Thursday. The CPUC mostly rejected T-Mobile’s May appeal of two administrative law judges’ initial April decision, though it reduced the fine by about 33% from $5.33 million (see 2205260008 and 2204260061). The CPUC denied as moot the carrier’s June motion for alternative dispute resolution (see 2206090017).
Speakers at a Utilities Technology Council virtual event Thursday issued a warning about the risks still posed by unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band and said utilities may have to take other steps to protect critical communications. The FCC, meanwhile, conditionally authorized 13 automated frequency coordination providers to operate in the band. Industry officials said last month the FCC appeared close to taking the next steps on AFC (see 2210170075).
Noting an FCC structure built for another era without mega constellations or space entrepreneurship, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel unveiled plans Thursday for an International Bureau reorganization including creating a Space Bureau to handle all space-related issues and a stand-alone Office of International Affairs. Agency and space industry officials said one hoped-for effect would be swifter processing of space operation applications. The commission didn't comment on expected time frame for the reorganization or what kind of additional resources the new bureau might have.
Companies in the developing world are looking to spectrum sharing and new models for accessing the internet because old models have left many unserved, speakers said Wednesday at IEEE’s virtual Connecting the Unconnected Summit. Experts said just having access to a simple phone can transform how people live.
New York legislators could double down on a court-blocked state law that sought to require $15 monthly plans for low-income households. Assemblymember Brian Cunningham (D) plans to reintroduce his 2022 bill AB-10690 this January to require $5 monthly internet for low-income consumers, the Democrat said in an interview this week. Three ISP associations that sued New York over its previous affordability bill condemned the fresh attempt to lower broadband prices.
Governments should never control the internet but should "preach self-restraint," said Roberto Viola, European Commission DG Connect director-general, Wednesday at a Prague hybrid in-person and virtual EC/Council conference on the future of the internet. The declaration for the future of the internet (DFI), now signed by 62 nations, says administrations will never legislate free speech, but self-restraint alone isn't enough, he said: Governments must tackle issues such as disinformation arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Broadband advocates, industry and academics urged policymakers Wednesday to develop standards for measuring broadband beyond speed. Some during the Marconi Society virtual event sought a focus on how local communities implement sustainable broadband programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Dish Network's tower-building pace for its national wireless 5G network -- roughly 1,000 a month -- is putting it within "spitting distance" of meeting its next 600 MHz buildout milestone, well ahead of the 2025 deadline, CEO Charlie Ergen said Wednesday in a call with analysts as Dish released Q3 results. He said the $2 billion the company announced it was raising for its 5G network will cover the costs of meeting its milestone of reaching 70% of the U.S. population.
Whether Oklahoma should cap its state USF surcharge divided Corporation Commission members at a livestreamed meeting Tuesday. Commissioners weighed a draft bill, distributed last week, to update Oklahoma USF (OUSF) policy in the 1997 Oklahoma Telecommunications Act. A commission rulemaking might be a better option than legislation to strengthen OUSF accountability, said Commissioner Todd Hiett (R).