NetNeutrality
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The FCC is getting tons of net neutrality complaints
The FCC has unveiled a new online portal where anybody can see the kind of complaints people have been submitting to the commission. And according to the info on the website, the FCC has received 20,991 net neutrality complaints since the rules took effect on June 12th, 2015. That's an average of 61 submissions a day and is eclipsed only by the number of billing-related reports under the internet category. It's not really that surprising, considering the agency got 2,000 complaints a month after the rules took effect.
Mariella Moon05.20.2016
The President says he will veto anti-net neutrality bill
President Obama swears that H.R. 2666 will never become a law under his administration. In a letter published today, the White House says the bill "would undermine key provisions in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Open Internet order." The president's advisors would recommend that he veto it if it ever reaches his office. H.R. 2666 also known as the "No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act" looks like it complements the FCC's new net neutrality rules at first glance. It wants to make sure that the FCC can't regulate broadband rates -- something that commission chairman Tom Wheeler promised his office won't do -- after all.
Mariella Moon04.13.2016
Egypt blocked Facebook's Free Basics over surveillance requests
Facebook was forced to abandon its Free Basics program in Egypt after refusing to facilitate government surveillance, according to a report by Reuters. The news agency refers to two unnamed sources who are supposedly familiar with the matter, each confirming the disagreement and its relation to the shutdown last December. Free Basics had only been available for two months, through an agreement with the domestic carrier Etisalat. The service is part of Facebook's internet.org, an initiative which provides free access to some "basic" applications including Facebook. Reuters' report is light on detail. It doesn't mention when the talks took place or what type of access the government was requesting. What is clear, however, is that Facebook refused to comply with the demands. Facebook and Etisalat are yet to comment on the matter. Mohamed Hanafi, a spokesperson for Egypt's Ministry of Communication, gave Reuters a different explanation, however. He said it was a regulator's decision: "The service was offered free of charge to the consumer, and the national telecommunication regulator saw the service as harmful to companies and their competitors." Since the closure, Facebook's internet.org has been forced to pull out of India too. That decision, however, was due to wider criticisms about Free Basics and its effect on net neutrality. By supplying free access to a select group of services, the argument goes that Facebook was discouraging alternative sites and apps. As a result, not all data was being treated equally -- an action that breaks the spirit of net neutrality. India and Egypt are massive markets, but it doesn't spell the end of Free Basics just yet. The service is still live in 37 countries, including Thailand and Mexico.
Nick Summers04.01.2016
Facebook roasts board member's attack on 'anti-colonialism'
Venture capitalist (and Facebook board member) Marc Andreessen is known for being outspoken on tech issues, but he's learning the hard way that he went one step too far. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has chastised Andreessen for claiming that India's valuation of net neutrality (such as the rejection of Facebook's Free Basics service) was part of an "anti-colonialism" mindset that had hindered the country "for decades" after it declared independence in 1947. Yes, the implication was that the country should harken back to the days of British colonial rule and accept outside influence. Not surprisingly, Zuck finds this idea "deeply unsettling" -- whatever Facebook wants, it has to respect India's culture, history and values.
Jon Fingas02.10.2016
Verizon's video service sidesteps Verizon's bandwidth caps
Engadget's parent company Verizon is taking a page from T-Mobile's playbook and proving that it really doesn't care about net neutrality. The latest update to its Go90 video streaming app makes it so watching the company's content won't count toward a Verizon customer's 4G LTE data cap. This is bad for a few reasons. Some of the content on Big Red's app is shared among other services (Lifehacker's example is The Daily Show), but watching it anywhere but Go90 will eat into your monthly data allotment. Which isn't fair. At all.
Timothy J. Seppala02.05.2016
Verizon wants advertisers to pay for 'free data' websites
Nobody likes paying for mobile data, which is why Verizon is hoping that advertisers will foot the bill for us. The network (that owns Engadget's parent company) is testing FreeBee, a service that'll let companies pay for our downloads. If a business, say, wants you to get its latest app or watch a movie trailer, they'll ensure you can do so without it costing you a penny. The service could, on paper, let firms comp you 30 minutes of mobile streaming or check out a data-heavy website in exchange for some love.
Daniel Cooper01.19.2016
T-Mobile CEO: Calling Binge On 'throttling' is 'bullshit'
T-Mobile CEO John Legere took to YouTube this morning with a video where he, essentially, criticizes YouTube. Legere defended his company's Binge On service (again), saying, "There are people out there saying we're 'throttling.' That's a game of semantics and it's bullshit." Spoilers: He's talking about YouTube. Here's the background: Binge On allows certain customers to stream video from participating services, including Netflix and Hulu, without eating into their data plans. However, Binge One is an opt-out service and all videos for participating customers stream at 480p by default. This includes YouTube videos, even though Google isn't a Binge On partner. YouTube calls Binge On "throttling," while a T-Mobile spokesperson in December called it "mobile optimization" or "downgrading."
Jessica Conditt01.07.2016
T-Mobile says it doesn't 'throttle' YouTube, it 'downgrades'
T-Mobile's Binge On service allows eligible customers to stream videos from select services -- Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu and others -- without eating into their data allowances. The catch? Binge On videos are streamed at 480p by default. YouTube isn't included in Binge On, but recently the company accused T-Mobile of "throttling" its service regardless. This isn't an accurate characterization, a T-Mobile spokesperson told DSLReports in the following statement:"Using the term 'throttle' is misleading. We aren't slowing down YouTube or any other site. In fact, because video is optimized for mobile devices, streaming from these sites should be just as fast, if not faster than before. A better phrase is 'mobile optimized' or a less flattering 'downgraded' is also accurate."
Jessica Conditt12.30.2015
India puts the kibosh on Facebook's 'Free Basics'
India's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) has called on Reliance Communications, Facebook's Indian telecom partner, to halt the company's controversial "Free Basics" mobile Internet program (aka Internet.org) over concerns that it violates the tenets of net neutrality. Free Basics affords more than a billion people in India who would not otherwise have internet, access to select websites and services including online shopping and health sites, Wikipedia and, of course, Facebook. However, the regulatory agency has taken umbrance with Facebook's "walled garden" approach -- wherein access to the actual Internet comes through a Facebook-branded portal (a lot like AOL's old America Online service).
Andrew Tarantola12.23.2015
FCC Chairman gives T-Mobile's Binge On the thumbs up
T-Mobile's Binge On feature, which allows subscribers to watch videos from select services without using up their data, has raised eyebrows... and net neutrality concerns. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, however, isn't only OK with it, he also praised the plan, according to Ars Technica. "Its clear in the Open Internet Order that we said we are pro-competition and pro-innovation. Clearly this meets both of those criteria. It's highly innovative and highly competitive," Wheeler replied when a reporter asked him about Binge On at the FCC's open meeting for November.
Mariella Moon11.20.2015
T-Mobile's 'Binge On' lets you stream video, leave your data untouched
T-Mobile CEO John Legere is on a bit of a tear over in Los Angeles right now -- after doubling the amount of mobile data T-Mo customers will get as part of the carrier's Simple Choice Amped plans, he confirmed the existence of a Music Freedom-like feature for video services. Long story short, T-Mobile customers will be able to watch video at "DVD quality or better" (480p and above) from 24 streaming services without eating into their high-speed data buckets. And the price? As usual, it'll cost you a whopping zero additional dollars starting on Sunday for people who switch to the company's new Simple Choice Amped plans.
Chris Velazco11.10.2015
Internet providers invest in networks despite net neutrality jitters
If you ask most big US internet providers, they'll swear up and down that the newer, tougher net neutrality rules will kill investment in their networks. Surely the only way to promote growth is to loosen regulation, right? Well, not quite. After digging through carriers' earnings, Ars Technica has determined that most big ISPs have been spending more on upgrading their networks in recent months. Comcast's capital expenses increased 11 percent year-over-year, largely due to newer-generation home equipment; it's also launching pushing hard on multi-gigabit service. Time Warner Cable also spent 10 percent more upgrading its network in the first nine months of the year. Telcos like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have seen mixed spending, but they're still pushing harder than ever on services like gigabit internet and upgraded cellular data.
Jon Fingas10.29.2015
EU passes net neutrality laws that leave 'fast lane' loopholes
Legislation designed to protect net neutrality and abolish mobile phone roaming fees has been passed today by the European Parliament. These new rules -- hotly debated for two years by EU representatives -- are now finalised and will soon cover the entire region, including the UK. While the end of expensive holiday phone bills won't take place until 2017, the updated internet protections should come into effect fairly quickly. Such a moment ought to be cause for celebration, however many in the technology industry are now concerned about loopholes that could enable internet "fast lanes." Today's vote included amendments that would've sealed up those weaknesses -- but it seems the Parliament was happy enough with the wording and pushed ahead regardless.
Nick Summers10.27.2015
Jeb Bush would try to kill net neutrality if elected president
We already know presidential hopeful Jeb Bush thinks that net neutrality rules are the "craziest ideas," but should he make it to the Oval Office he wants to take that disdain one step further. Once he's holed up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue he'll make moves to eliminate the regulations keeping the internet equal for everyone, according to Bloomberg. Bush isn't straying too far from Republican party lines in that sense given that the GOP prides itself on the idea of smaller government, but considering that he wants to increase the amount of oversight and access the NSA has under the Patriot Act, his definition of "limited" seems pretty flexible.
Timothy J. Seppala09.23.2015
Senator wants promises that net neutrality doesn't help terrorists
Telecoms and other net neutrality opponents usually try to paint the regulation as anti-free market, but they've lately raised the specter of terrorism. Supposedly, it might prevent internet providers from blocking extremist sites. It's a big enough concern, in fact, that Senator Dianne Feinstein wants reassurances that this isn't actually a problem. The California politician has written to the FCC asking it to "clarify" that net neutrality rules still let providers silence content that encourages illegal terrorist activity, such as the bomb-making instructions in al Qaeda's Inspire magazine. Feinstein doesn't necessarily believe the telcos' rhetoric, according to the letter -- she just wants to eliminate the ISPs' "confusion."
Jon Fingas08.16.2015
The FCC is already getting thousands of net neutrality complaints
Net Neutrality. The internet as a public utility. Hooray? The FCC is already receiving a lot of complaints from customers that are sick of data caps, slow speeds and possibly uncompetitive prices. According to the National Journal, a lot of the ire has been directed at a predictable list of offenders: AT&T, Comcast and Verizon -- a company that now owns AOL. So far there's no proof of violating net neutrality rules where service providers are blocking or otherwise slowing web services. But as these providers are reclassified as carriers, it lets customers complain when they feel that what the companies are doing are unreasonable. If you've got a complainin' itch to scratch, you can file your own over on the FCC's website. These entries are forwarded to the offending carrier, which has to respond within 30 days.
Mat Smith07.31.2015
AT&T has the FCC's permission to buy DirecTV (update: done)
Just a couple of days after the DoJ said the deal could go through and FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler recommend its approval, the FCC voted to make the $49 billion AT&T / DirecTV combo official -- with a few conditions. As we'd heard, the approval comes with strings (in place for four years) including a requirement AT&T expand its fiber network, hook up gigabit internet to eligible schools and libraries and provide affordable standalone internet for low-income customers in its service areas. Another requirement is aimed at AT&T's data usage caps, saying it can't use them to discriminate against other video services. The other net neutrality requirement says AT&T will have to disclose any interconnect agreements -- the ones Netflix is so concerned about -- to the FCC so it can monitor the terms. Are those requirements enough to make the deal worth it? Consumer advocate like the Free Press say no, but with the FCC's blessing the deal should be done soon. Update: And it's done. AT&T has announced the completion of the acquisition, and has an FAQ for current customers of either service with any questions. TL;DR version: No Sunday Ticket for U-verse, your current plans, channels and pricing won't change, but new cross-bundles are coming soon.
Richard Lawler07.24.2015
Comcast launches its own cable-free TV with Stream
The latest (and most interesting) entrant to the cord-cutting TV wars is here: Comcast. Tonight the company announced Stream, a service that delivers TV exclusively over the internet (Correction: it is "IP-based managed network" connection, check after the break for why that matters) to phones, tablets and computers -- but now TVs. The big catch? You'll need Comcast internet service to subscribe, and the Stream TV feeds only work while you're at home. It's only available in select areas to start, and will launch in Boston this summer. For $15 a month, subscribers get about a dozen channels, including all broadcast networks and HBO (but not ESPN or any other cable channels, according to the New York Times). It also has access to the usual TV Everywhere cable authenticated-streaming for when you're away from home, plus Comcast's Netflix-like Streampix service for movies.
Richard Lawler07.12.2015
Europe to scrap roaming charges, protect net neutrality
It's been a long time coming, but we finally know when roaming charges will be scrapped in Europe: June 15th, 2017. The European Commission had been pushing for an earlier implementation, but ultimately relented in order to win support from the European Parliament and Council. Under the new rules, Europeans will pay the same prices as they do at home, regardless of where they travel in the EU. However, such a move could be open to abuse -- after all, anyone could buy a cheaper SIM from a neighboring country and use it at home -- so there will be a fair use limit when roaming, after which networks can charge you a basic fee. While we wait for 2017 to roll around, Europe is prepping a stop-gap measure for next year. From April 2016, operators will be limited to the following maximum roaming charges: €0.20 per MB, €0.06 per SMS and €0.05 per minute -- the same rates that former EU Commission VP Neelie Kroes wanted to enforce last year.
Nick Summers06.30.2015
Time Warner Cable receives the first net neutrality complaint
Time Warner Cable has made history by being one of the first (if not the first) broadband providers hit with a net neutrality complaint. Virtual server and streaming media provider Commercial Network Services (CNS) has submitted its grievances against TWC to the FCC, claiming the company is violating net neutrality's "no paid prioritization" and "no throttling" sections. In its complaint, the company said TWC only gives it access to congested traffic routes and refuses to deliver its content through low-latency connections -- that is, unless it pays up.
Mariella Moon06.23.2015