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FCC blocks robocall middleman One Eye from future campaigns
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today ordered voice service providers to block the global gateway provider One Eye. The FCC says the company, which serves as an “on-ramp” to US phone networks from outside the country, enabled robocall scams like impersonating a major financial institution and calls about bogus “preauthorized orders” placed in consumers’ names. The Biden administration’s FCC has focused on increasing its ability to enforce robocalls.
The FCC wants carriers to notify you sooner when there's a data breach
The FCC has proposed rules that could let carriers alert you to data breaches much sooner.
The EU extends its 'Roam-like-at-home' mobile service rule through 2032
The European Commission announced Thursday that it is extending its popular "roam like at home" rule through 2032.
Canada joins Five Eyes allies in banning Huawei and ZTE 5G telecom gear
Canada is banning 4G and 5G telecom equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE, joining its "Five Eyes" allies in doing so.
Telecoms giant Ericsson may have paid ISIS for access to Iraq
The company admits finding purchases for transport routes in Iraq controlled by the terrorist group.
UK bans installation of Huawei 5G equipment starting September 2021
UK cellular operators will be banned from installing Huawei 5G equipment after September 2021, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced.
Huawei reportedly bets on Shanghai chip plant to overcome US trade ban
Huawei is reportedly counting on a chip plant in Shanghai to keep its core telecom business alive despite the US trade ban.
FCC estimates it'll cost carriers $1.8 billion to replace Huawei, ZTE hardware
Restrictions on the companies' equipment have put small providers in a tough spot.
UK reportedly aims to drop Huawei from 5G networks in 3 years
The UK is reversing course with plans to drop Huawei from its 5G networks in three years.
The USA's latest trade legislation is more bad news for Huawei phones
The US Commerce Department has issued further crushing legislation against Huawei.
Trump extends telecom order behind Huawei ban until May 2021
Trump has extended a national emergency order that paved the way for a ban on Chinese telecoms like Huawei and ZTE.
Senate panel wants stricter oversight of Chinese telecoms
An upcoming Senate panel report will argue that the US needs a tougher stance on Chinese telecoms to protect national security.
Saudi Arabia may be spying on its citizens via US mobile networks
Data shared by a whistleblower suggests Saudi Arabia may be using a weakness in mobile telecom networks to track its citizens in the US, The Guardian reports. The data shows that over a four-month period, Saudi Arabia's three biggest mobile phone companies sent 2.3 million requests for Provider Subscriber Information (PSI). Normally, that data is used to help foreign operators register roaming charges, but the high volume of requests could also give the Saudi telecoms enough info to track users within hundreds of meters of accuracy.
Net neutrality foe Ajit Pai tapped to take over the FCC
FCC commissioner and outspoken critic of net neutrality Ajit Pai will reportedly be promoted to the agency's top post when Chairman Tom Wheeler steps down today. Pai, who was nominated by President Obama and served as the senior Republican commissioner, would not require Senate approval and his new position could be announced as early as Friday afternoon, Politico reports.
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Robocall 'strike force' sets out to end unwanted calls
The Federal Communications Commission is just as fed up with robocalls as you are. After opening the door for telecoms to offer robocall blocking services last year, and urging those companies to make them available for free last month, members of the FCC convened a meeting of the Robocall Strike Force this morning to figure out what should happen next. (And yes, that's really what it's called.)
Ofcom orders BT to make Openreach a 'legally separate company'
Ofcom has drawn up a plan to further distance BT and its subsidiary, Openreach, without breaking them up entirely. The UK regulator is now proposing that Openreach, which manages the bulk of the nation's broadband and telephone infrastructure, become "a legally separate company" within the BT Group, with its own board and directors. Most of these appointments would, under Ofcom's vision, be non-executives and "not affiliated to (the) BT Group in any way." They would, however, be selected and removed by BT, following consultation with Ofcom.
BT's acquisition of EE is complete
For BT and EE, the moment has finally arrived. All of the relevant regulators have given their approval, allowing BT to acquire the UK's largest mobile network. It's a £12.5 billion deal that will have huge ramifications for the broadband, TV and telephone industries. Both brands will be left alone in the short term, but there's obvious potential to combine their respective proficiencies -- EE in mobile, BT in broadband and TV -- to take on providers like Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk.
Sprint counters T-Mobile with 10GB of shared family data
The battle between Sprint and T-Mobile for the hearts and phone lines of America's families is heating up. T-Mobile recently updated its Simple Choice family plan to give a family of four unlimited calling and text, as well as 10GB of data to each of them for $120 a month. On Wednesday, Sprint fired back with a revamped Family Share Pack. This package offers four lines, unlimited talk, text and 10GB of shared data for $100 to families that switch from another carrier. And if 10GB isn't enough, Sprint also announced that it will sell a 40GB plan for $20 more per month, $120 in total. [Image Credit: Charlie Riedel/AP]
Three UK's owner is buying O2
A huge mobile shake-up has just kicked off in Britain. Telefonica has agreed to sell O2 to Hutchison Whampoa, the owner of Three UK, for £10.25 billion. We knew it was likely, after the pair entered "exclusive negotiations" back in January, but now it's essentially a done deal. Provided the purchase is approved by regulators, it means the UK's four major networks will soon become three: Vodafone, EE and the combined might of Three and O2. The confirmation comes by way of Telefonica, although the company is saying little beyond the amount of money involved. For instance, it's unclear if Hutchison Whampoa plans to maintain O2's brand and services in the UK, or merge them entirely with Three.
LightSquared pitches new plans to FCC in attempt to end GPS interference hex
If you thought filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy was the final chapter in LightSquared's wireless network saga, you'd be wrong. Hedge-fund manager Philip Falcone is back at the FCC's doorstep with yet another proposal, which he hopes might snatch the maligned network from the jaws of GPS interference-related troubles. Two filings placed with the commission apparently outline plans to use its broadband network in a way that it believes won't interfere with GPS signals, along with the 5MHz of spectrum that are known not to cause any issues. Along with the proposed changes, LightSquared is reportedly set to ask for more time to have exclusive rights to propose a reorganization plan. If granted, this could finally mean some progress for the beleaguered project, but with investors worried that money being spent on this could be better-placed back in their pockets, Falcone will have everything crossed, while the FCC deliberates the situation.
