The Affordable Connectivity Program Died—and Thousands of Households Have Already Lost Their Internet

The Affordable Connectivity Program Died—and Thousands of Households Have Already Lost Their Internet

The death of the US government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is starting to result in disconnection of internet service for Americans with low incomes. On Friday, Charter Communications reported a net loss of 154,000 internet subscribers that it said was mostly driven by customers canceling after losing the federal discount. About 100,000 of those subscribers … Read more

FCC proposes rule requiring carriers to unlock all cellphones

FCC proposes rule requiring carriers to unlock all cellphones

(NewsNation) — The Federal Communications Commission proposed a new rule Thursday that would require carriers to make cellphones unlockable within 60 days after purchase.  The move would give cellphone users “freedom to take their existing phones and switch from one mobile wireless service provider to another more easily, as long as the consumer’s phone is compatible … Read more

The Affordable Connectivity Program Kept Them Online. What Now?

The Affordable Connectivity Program Kept Them Online. What Now?

“I’m paying around $35 per month now, and that’s with $30 off my bill,” Perez says. “So eventually I’ll pay more than $60 per month.” This past weekend he used his data plan, which he uses for internet on his phone, to help out a former roommate who lives on a fixed income, and whose … Read more

Net Neutrality Returns to a Very Different Internet

Net Neutrality Returns to a Very Different Internet

The Federal Communications Commission has voted—once again—to assert its power to oversee and regulate the activities of the broadband industry in the United States. In a 3-2 vote, the agency reinstated net neutrality rules that had been abandoned during the height of the Trump administration’s deregulatory blitz. “Broadband is now an essential service,” FCC chair … Read more

FCC votes to restore net neutrality rules

FCC votes to restore net neutrality rules

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted Thursday to restore Obama-era net neutrality rules.  The agency voted 3-2 along partisan lines to revive rules barring broadband providers from blocking or throttling internet traffic to some websites and speeding up access to others that pay extra fees.    5 things to know about the return of net … Read more

Five things to know about the return of net neutrality rules

Five things to know about the return of net neutrality rules

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote Thursday to restore Obama-era net neutrality rules.  Here’s what you need to know:  What is net neutrality?  Net neutrality refers to the principle that internet service providers should treat all information that travels through their networks equally.  Under the FCC’s proposed rules, providers would be barred … Read more

FCC to cut monthly broadband benefits because of funding shortfall 

FCC to cut monthly broadband benefits because of funding shortfall 

Some low-income families in the U.S. could see more expensive broadband bills starting next month when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) makes cuts to its monthly broadband benefits, the agency announced Tuesday. The agency said the monthly benefits cuts are due to Congress not having approved further funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The program, which stopped accepting … Read more

FCC to vote on restoring net neutrality rules rescinded by Trump

FCC to vote on restoring net neutrality rules rescinded by Trump

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on restoring net neutrality rules that were rescinded under former President Trump later this month, the agency’s chair said Wednesday.  If approved, the proposal would restore the Obama-era rules that barred broadband providers from blocking or throttling internet traffic to some websites and speeding up access to others … Read more

The FCC Now Says Broadband Speed Should Be at Least 100 Mbps

The FCC Now Says Broadband Speed Should Be at Least 100 Mbps

The Federal Communications Commission this week voted to raise its internet speed benchmark for the first time since January 2015, concluding that modern broadband service should provide at least 100 Mbps download speeds and 20 Mbps upload speeds. An FCC press release after Thursday’s 3-2 vote said the 100 Mbps/20 Mbps benchmark “is based on … Read more

FCC cracking down on cable ‘junk fees’

FCC cracking down on cable ‘junk fees’

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules Thursday requiring cable and satellite television providers to clearly display their “all-in” prices, as part of the Biden administration’s effort to crack down on so-called “junk fees.” Under the new rules, providers will have to include the total cost of video programming, including any additional programming-related fees, … Read more