The Federal Communications Commission, under the leadership of freshly-confirmed chairman Tom Wheeler, is hard at work on rules that will govern an upcoming spectrum auction. AT&T and Verizon, the nation's largest wireless carriers, want the FCC to hold an unrestricted auction that could allow them to maintain or even widen their lead in premium low-frequency spectrum. Their smaller competitors, especially T-Mobile, are urging the FCC to adopt rules to guarantee that the largest carriers do not wind up with a disproportionate share of that spectrum.
Wireless competition is good for consumers — even if it costs taxpayers extra
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Something’s happening to local news
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
So far this year, 223 local TV stations have changed hands. This is the biggest wave of media consolidation ever -- and it's all happening in small and mid-level markets, involving companies most people have never heard of.
What Ted Cruz Doesn’t Want You to Know
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
By now it seems pretty clear that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has a plan to occupy the White House. But he doesn't want people to know too much about it. And he definitely doesn't want you to know about the special interests that have already begun to bankroll his political ambitions. That's why the Texas senator's latest crusade targets the Federal Communications Commission -- and its efforts to better identify the funders of political ads.
DOJ Request Pushes Sinclair-Allbritton Close Date Into ‘14
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Sinclair is now scheduled to close on its $985 million acquisition of Allbritton in 2014, the time frame pushed back following a "Second Request for information" from the Department of Justice, according to Sinclair and Allbritton.
FCC’s wishy-washy rulemaking might doom net neutrality in court
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the Open Internet Order in 2010 -- forbidding Internet Service Providers from blocking services or charging content providers for access to the network -- there was one thing the FCC was careful not to do. What the FCC did not do is declare that Internet service providers are "common carriers," a classification that could have opened the door to even stricter regulations.
Keeping the Net neutral
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
The battle over federal "net neutrality" rules will resume when a federal appeals court takes up the challenge filed by one of the country's largest Internet service providers: Verizon.
Obama’s school Internet plan could derail FCC picks, former members warn
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Two former Republican members of Congress warned that President Obama's proposal to expand a federal Internet program for schools could derail two nominations to the Federal Communications Commission.
FCC Opens Docket on Media General and New Young Broadcasting Merger
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket on Media General's bid to merge with New Young Broadcasting.
Democrats demand Obama ‘end the bulk collection of phone records’
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Sens. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) demanded that President Barack Obama “end the bulk collection” of the public’s phone records.