WebProNews

Tag: FCC

  • Nokia Exec Compares Android to Boys Peeing Their Pants

    Anssi Vanjoki , the soon-to-be former head of Nokia’s smartphone unit, has reportedly said that mobile phone makers that adopt Android are like Finnish boys who "pee in their pants" for warmth in the winter. This is according to an article from the Financial Times, which has gained a good deal of exposure today. If Android is cool, consider me Miles Davis. 

    AT&T’s TerreStar GENUS satellite phone became available today, after being announced nearly a year ago, as Engadget points out. 

    Marshall Kirkpatrick has an interesting piece about how the FCC’s meeting Thursday will involve a vote on a proposal to open up a new wireless spectrum for the "Internet of Things" – connected devices. 

     

    According to a Gadget Hound article at Yahoo News, Netflix may soon offer a streaming-only plan in Canada (at least at first). It’s unclear how much this would cost. 

     

    Silicon Alley Insider published some "new" previously unpublished IMs from the Facebook founding days. They basically tell the same story as the book The Accidental Billionaires, which the upcoming film The Social Network is based on. Facebook calls the book and film fiction. 
    Google has an interesting post up about its Clinton Global Initiative commitment to Pakistan. Google is providing $1 million in grants, as well as technology support to help the people of Pakistan recover from the floods. 

     

    Google has also launched an Election 2010 site, for which it has partnered with Cook, Rothenberg, CQ-Roll Call and RealClearPolitics to "make tracking the blues and reds a little easier for armchair pundits". 

     

    Matthew Lynley of VentureBeat says Google is on track to acquire a new company every 2 weeks. This is based on the 19 acquisitions the company has made in 2010, up from just 7 in 2009. He references data from Reuters.

     

    Seesmic announced a new version of Seesmic Web with support for multiple Twitter accounts.

  • Google Works on White Spaces Trial for Hospital in Ohio

    Google has teamed up with Spectrum Bridge and the Hocking Valley Community Hospital in Logan, Ohio on the deployment of the first TV White Spaces broadband trial network for healthcare providers. The solution enables healthcare providers to utilize affordable broadband while providing data transmission for telemedicine applications.

     "We are pleased to be part of an exciting new technology that can dramatically improve medical and healthcare services to the people of the Logan, Ohio community," said LeeAnn Lucas-Helber, President and CEO of the Hocking Valley Community Hospital.

    Google Business Operations Project Manager Larry Alder said, "This is an exciting new deployment that demonstrates the potential of the TV white spaces to improve broadband and spark new applications in healthcare."

    Hocking Valley Community HospitalThe system operates under the control of Spectrum Bridge’s TV White Spaces Database, which assigns non-interfering frequencies to white spaces devices. This is to ensure that the TV white spaces network does not cause interference with licensed television broadcasts and other protected TV band users.

    The deployment is operating on an experimental white spaces license granted by the FCC. Next Thursday, the FCC will vote on final technical rules governing white spaces. "We’re excited that the final rules are up for a vote, and can’t wait to see how entrepreneurs and innovators nationwide will use unlicensed white spaces to introduce cool new products and services," says Alder.

  • Google Talks White Spaces, Google TV Coming This Month?

    Google has a post on its Public Policy blog talking about moving forward on white spaces. As the company notes, the five current FCC Commissioners will soon meet to set final technical rules for white spaces. 

    "If it gets the rules right, the Commission will have taken a huge step to put better and faster Internet connections in the hands of the public," says Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel.

     

    Intel CEO Paul Otellini has reportedly said that Google TV devices should start shipping as soon as this month. 

    Google released some helpful updates for Google Maps for Android today. These include Walking Navigation, Street View Smart Navigation, and a new search bar. 

    Walking Navigation

     

    Apple announced the publishing of App store review guidelines, which has application developers excited. 

     

    Telegraph points to some TwitPics from outer space. These were uploaded by astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock. 

     

    Ars Technica reports that Amazon is joining forces with Best Buy to sell Kindles. This is probably a smart move, considering Barnes & Noble is dedicating entire in-store boutiques to its Nook device. 

     

    eWeek looks at an In-Stat study that projects that notebook sales will reach 291 million by 2014, accounting for 52 percent of the computing market. AppleInsider refers to a researcher who says that Apple will sell 28 million iPads in 2011 (while "chipping away at PC sales"). 

     

    Microsoft announced the beta release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. "Microsoft Dynamics CRM has tremendous momentum around the world, and we’re glad to bring an exciting new wave of technology to our customers and partners," said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. "Our new beta release for cloud-based and on-premises deployments allows customers and partners to try the product and see the benefits from the investments that we’ve been making."
  • Google/Verizon “Open Internet” Proposal Draws Mixed Reviews

    Google/Verizon “Open Internet” Proposal Draws Mixed Reviews

    Update: Eric Schmidt and Ivan Seidenberg added some commentary in a Washington Post article today.

    Original Article: Today Google and Verizon held a joint press conference, and issued a joint policy proposal for an Open Internet, as they say. The companies appear to be promoting an Open Internet indeed, but there remains a great deal of skepticism about the policy proposal. Really, could it have gone any other way?

    Not that there’s anything wrong with that. This is the kind of thing you don’t want to just sit back and not question. You can expect a great deal of commentary about this to emerge (there is already quite a bit) as analysts have more time to look at the proposal and its implications, and let the information sink in, while playing out possible scenarios.

    Google and Verizon  have explained the proposal here, outlining seven principles that it embodies (Verizon has posted it as well). The proposal, intended for consideration by policymakers and the public is embedded below.

    Verizon-Google Legislative Framework Proposal

    Danny Sullivan has a liveblogged account of the actual press conference here.

    While the proposal focuses heavily on giving the FCC the power to regulate the broadband industry, one of the biggest criticisms it has drawn so far is the separate treatment of wireless broadband.

    The companies say, "We both recognize that wireless broadband is different from the traditional wireline world, in part because the mobile marketplace is more competitive and changing rapidly. In recognition of the still-nascent nature of the wireless broadband marketplace, under this proposal we would not now apply most of the wireline principles to wireless, except for the transparency requirement. In addition, the Government Accountability Office would be required to report to Congress annually on developments in the wireless broadband marketplace, and whether or not current policies are working to protect consumers."

    An example of the criticism this has invoked, comes right in the comments on Google’s blog post itself, "How exactly is wireless access different just because it is more competitive? Isn’t this a tad hypocritical? Everything is net-neutral except our oh-so-precious Android/Verizon traffic. Geez!" writes commenter Vishnu Gopal.

    Jan-David Jansen says (also in the comments), "Way to find a loophole in Net Neutrality via wireless, Google. ‘We will NOT prioritize our content (unless it’s on wireless which is the future of networking…).’"

    Some have also taken issue with the companies’ description of "Differentiated online services". This refers to the part in which the companies say, "We want the broadband infrastructure to be a platform for innovation. Therefore, our proposal would allow broadband providers to offer additional, differentiated online services, in addition to the Internet access and video services (such as Verizon’s FIOS TV) offered today."

    You can count on the fact that the companies will get plenty of "public comment" on their ideas, though it will not all be harsh criticism. Along with the skepticism, there is already a lot of praise for the proposal as well.

    Either way, this is simply a proposal for policymakers to look at, and in now way indicates that all of the principles outlined will become law. There’s no telling what the actual legislators will come up with.

  • Google and Verizon: NYT “Wrong” About That Google Verizon Deal

    Google and Verizon: NYT “Wrong” About That Google Verizon Deal

    Update 2: Verizon adds, "The NYT article regarding conversations between Google and Verizon is mistaken.  It fundamentally misunderstands our purpose. As we said in our earlier FCC filing, our goal is an Internet policy framework that ensures openness and accountability, and incorporates specific FCC authority, while maintaining investment and innovation. To suggest this is a business arrangement between our companies is entirely incorrect. 

    Update: According to the Guardian, Google has dismissed reports that it is in talks with Verizon to bring an end to net neutrality.

    The publication quotes a Google spokesperson as saying:""The New York Times is quite simply wrong. We have not had any conversations with Verizon about paying for carriage of Google traffic. We remain as committed as we always have been to an open internet."

    Original Article: As you may have read by now, Google and Verizon are reportedly in talks or "near a deal" that could lead to Verizon offering paid tiers of Internet access. In other words, users could be charged more for better-quality access or quicker access to to some web content.

    This of course goes against the principles of Network Neutrality , which Google has appeared to support in the past.

    The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the AP are all reporting similar stories on this with unnamed sources, but they all indicate a deal could be announced within days (even as soon as Friday). 

    Edward Wyatt with the NYT writes, "At issue for consumers is how the companies that provide the pipeline to the Internet will ultimately direct traffic on their system, and how quickly consumers are able to gain access to certain Web content. Consumers could also see continually rising bills for Internet service, much as they have for cable television."

    There are a few key elements of these reports that seem to be getting widely overlooked. Wyatt, for example, says, "It is not clear that the Google-Verizon talks will result in a deal, or that any agreement would extend beyond those companies."

    The Wall Street Journal reports, "People familiar with the negotiations said the companies have reached a tentative agreement on managing network traffic…" The publication also quotes a Verizon spokesperson, who says, "’We are currently engaged in and committed to the negotiation process led by the FCC’ that will The Details are Scarce.allow both sides to ‘reach a consensus that can maintain an open Internet and the investment and innovation required to sustain it.

    In addition, the WSJ notes: "Details are scarce."

    There have already been a lot of opinions voiced in response to the reoprts, and I’m not saying they’re without merit. Jeff Jarvis writes,  "What also concerns me is that creators will get screwed, too. Only the big guys will be able to afford to pay ISPs for top-tier service and so we return to the media oligarchy that — O, irony — YouTube and Google broke apart. Google, I fear, is gravitating back to the big-media side because it wants those brands on YouTube so it can get their advertisers on YouTube because those advertisers are still too stupid to see where the customers really are. And then we’re back to a world of big-media control over what we get to see. It was the millions of little guys — people who made their own videos, people who embedded videos — who made YouTube YouTube."

    Om Malik at GigaOm says, "This agreement shouldn’t come as a surprise. The two companies are becoming increasingly close of late. Google is trying to make Android a major player in the mobile world. One of the company’s closest partners in this effort, in the U.S., is Verizon Wireless. It would therefore make sense that the two will come to some sort of an agreement."

    Notice that both titles of these posts contain question marks: "Evil?" and "Did Net Neutrality Just Get Knifed in the Back?"

    I think I like Greg Sterling’s response best. "It’s important to be cautious about drawing conclusions before the facts come out," he says.

    We know that they’re "in talks" and private ones at that. A lot of this appears to be based on speculation and hearsay. Is Google really going to do a complete 180 on its stance on this issue? Maybe, but let’s see what happens.

    Google said earlier this year, "Our goal is straightforward: ‘to keep the Internet awesome for everybody.’ The Internet was designed to empower users. Its open, "end-to-end" architecture means that users – not network providers or anyone else – decide what succeeds or fails online. It’s a formula that has worked incredibly well, resulting in mind blowing innovation, incredible investment, and more consumer choice than ever."

    I’d keep an eye on Google’s Public Policy blog for comments from the company on this issue. I’d also keep an eye on the FCC’s OpenInternet.gov blog for their comments on the issue.

  • FCC Launches Consumer Help Website

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a Consumer Help Center website aimed at providing people with a variety of information.

    The Consumer Help Center allows people to learn about different issues in telecommunications, find out what’s going on at the FCC, get tips for making choices for purchasing communication devices and services, file comments on issues and file complaints to report problems.

    "Our new Consumer Help Center makes it easy for consumers to learn about our work and take action," says Joel Gurin, Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC.

     

     

    "Here, in one place, consumers can do a number of things such as read about consumer issues, get practical advice for avoiding problems, file a complaint, comment on our rulemakings, or read what our FCC experts are saying in our Consumer Blog."

    The Consumer Help Center includes:

    *Everything consumers need to know about Bill Shock and Early Termination Fees — two common issues that affect wireless customers;

    *Savvy Traveler tips — advice on making phone calls when traveling abroad;

    *Broadband Speed Test — consumers can test the speed of their broadband service;

    *Fact Sheet Library – more than 150 consumer Fact Sheets on telecom subjects;

    *Links to additional resources on a range of issues, including privacy

    *Links to file a complaint to the FCC or comment on our rulemakings;

    *Blog posts about consumer issues — with consumer comments welcome;

    *News releases, statements, and FCC actions.

    The site will be updated to include new FCC consumer initiatives as they are launched.

     

     

  • Consumer Watchdog: Google Spent $1.34 Million Lobbying in Q2

    Consumer Watchdog: Google Spent $1.34 Million Lobbying in Q2

    Consumer Watchdog issued a press release saying that Google spent $1.34 million trying to influence federal lawmakers and regulators in the second quarter of 2010, a 41% increase over $950,000 in the same period a year ago.

    The group says Google has spent a total of $2.72 million lobbying during the first half of the year. This is based on reports filed with the Senate Office of Public Records.

    Ars Technica points to a new report from the FCC about broadband access claiming that between 14 million and 24 million Americans still lack access to high speed Internet and that "the immediate prospects for deployment to them are bleak."

    Robin Wauters of TechCrunch reports that a California court has ruled that Facebook doesn’t violate competition laws. This is in regards to an ongoing legal dispute between the company and Power.com.

    "We are pleased the court rejected Power’s fundamental claim—antitrust violation—and upheld our right to protect our users’ data and enforce the privacy decisions they make on Facebook," a Facebook spokesperson told the publication.

    As expected, Facebook announced that it has surpassed 500 million users. Half a billion and no signs of slowing down. The company also says it gets 100 billion hits per day and has 50 billion photos. Meanwhile Facebook Open Graph partner Pandora announced today that it has surpassed 60 million users.

    A new social news iPad app called Flipboard has captured the interest of the tech industry today. Robert Scoble calls it "revolutionary." He provides an in-depth look at it and interview with its CEO here:

    Skype has upgraded its iPhone app to allow users to make calls over 3G data connections for no additional charges. In addition, it supports multitasking.

    Mashable looks at the recently updated Android distribution chart indicating that over 55% of all Android devices are running version 2.1. Just 22.1% are running version 1.6.

  • FCC Seeks Comments On Broadband Regulation

    The Federal Communications Commission today said it is seeking public comment on the best way to support its efforts to ensure universal access to high-speed broadband services while promoting innovation, investment, competition and protecting consumers.

    A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals derailed prior understandings about the FCC’s ability to ensure fair competition and provide consumers with basic protections when using broadband Internet services.

    Chairman-Genachowski.jpg The FCC said its Notice of Inquiry for public comment begins the process of implementing key recommendations of the National Broadband Plan, including broadband deployment and adoption, ensuring consumers have access to information about their broadband services, customer privacy, access for people with disabilities, as well as preserving the open Internet.

    "Let’s not pretend that the problems with the state of broadband in America don’t exist; let’s not pretend that the risk of excessive regulation is not real, or, at the other extreme, that the absence of basic protections for competition and consumers is acceptable," said FCC Chairman Genachowski.

    "Instead, let’s put rhetoric and posturing aside, and work together to solve the problem created by the court case, so that we can rise together to the major 21st century challenges of achieving U.S. world leadership in broadband and innovation, fostering sustainable economic growth and job creation, and bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans."

    Comments from the public are due on July 15, 2010, and reply comments are due on August 12, 2010.  The Notice of Inquiry, as well as instructions for parties wishing to provide comments to the FCC, will be available at broadband.gov.

     

  • FCC Forms Working Group To Improve Broadband

    Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has introduced a Universal Service Working Group aimed at providing a collaborative approach to the FCC’s reform of universal service programs to better support broadband.

    Chairman-Genachowski The working group will be led by Sharon Gillett, Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, and will include participation by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, the International Bureau, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Managing Director, the Office of Strategic Planning, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the Wireline Competition Bureau. 

    "Modernizing universal service programs to bring the benefits of broadband to all Americans is one of the FCC’s top priorities and a key pillar of the National Broadband Plan," said FCC Chairman Genachowski.

    "This agency-wide effort reflects the FCC’s commitment to smart and fiscally prudent policies that eliminate inefficiencies and target universal service support effectively to have the greatest possible impact. The Universal Service Working Group will help ensure that the universal service programs meet America’s economic, health, and educational communications needs in the 21st century."

    In order to streamline the process for meeting with staff regarding Universal Service issues related to the broadband action agenda, the Commission has created a Webpage for requesting meetings.
     

  • Majority Of Americans Don

    Majority Of Americans Don

    The majority (80%) of broadband users in the United States do not know the speed of their broadband connection, according to a new survey released today by the Federal Communications Commission.

    "Speed matters. The more broadband subscribers know about what speeds they need and what speeds they get, the more they can make the market work and push faster speeds over broadband networks," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

    The survey found no demographic group had good awareness of their home broadband speed. The survey did find some demographic differences with 71 percent of men not knowing what speed they are getting, while the figure is 90 percent for women.

    FCC-Broadband

    When it comes to age, 73 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 29 do not know their home broadband speed, while the number increases to 88 percent of people age 54 and over,

    Most Americans are satisfied with the broadband speed they are getting. Ninety-one percent of broadband users say they are "very" or "somewhat" satisfied with the speed they get at home.

    The FCC is asking for 10,000 volunteers to participate in a study to measure home broadband speed in the U.S. Hardware will be installed in the homes of the volunteers to measure the performance of all the major Internet service providers in the U.S.

    Anyone can register as a volunteer for the national test at www.TestMyISP.com.  The study results will be published in a "State of Broadband" report to be released later this year.

     

     

  • FCC Finds 30 Million Americans Experience Mobile Bill Shock

    The Federal Communications Commission has released the findings of an agency survey on the consumer mobile experience that found 30 million Americans have experienced "bill shock," a sudden increase in their monthly bill that is not caused by a change in their service plan.

    In addition, the survey found nearly half of cell phone users who have plans with early termination fees (ETFs) and almost two-thirds of home broadband users with ETFs don’t know the amount of the fees they are responsible for.

    FCC-Julis-Genachowski "The FCC’s consumer survey provides an important snapshot of the real-world experiences of mobile customers," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

    "The wireless industry has achieved remarkable innovation — and mobile is increasingly essential to the daily lives of Americans.  But there is still more that can be done to help customers navigate what is sometimes a confusing marketplace. A simple and easy to understand mobile purchase and billing process will empower consumers to avoid bill shock and other unexpected fees."

    The amount of bill shock varies widely but if often sizeable. More than a third of people who experienced bill shock said their bill jumped by at least $50, and 23 percent said the increase was $100 or more.

    When it came to early termination fees for cell phones, 54 percent said they would have to pay an EFT if they ended their contract before it expired, and 18 percent were unsure if they would have to pay an ETF. Among those who are subject to an ETF, 43 percent said it was $150 or more, but 47 percent did not know how much it was. Only 36 percent of cell phone customers who are familiar with their bills said that they include "very clear" information on ETFs.

    The findings were similar for home broadband termination fees. Only 21 percent of home broadband users said their contracts include an early termination fee. Among those 64 percent don’t know what the fees, a higher level of confusion than for cell phone service.

    "These findings support our ongoing efforts to help consumers get better information on these charges and fees," said Joel Gurin, Chief of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

    "As we know from our consumer complaint center, even an unexpected charge of $20 or $30 can make a difference to many people. Several carriers are taking steps to make their fees and billing more transparent, and we would like this to become a universal practice. We’re confident that we will be able to work with both wireless carriers and public interest groups to help consumers avoid these unwelcome surprises."

     

  • FCC Wants To End Mobile Phone

    FCC Wants To End Mobile Phone

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said today it is considering requiring mobile carriers to alert consumers about excessive wireless charges in order to avoid "bill shock."

    Joel-Gurin-FCC "We are hearing from consumers about unpleasant surprises on their bills," said Joel Gurin, Chief of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

    "We’ve gotten hundreds of complaints about bill shock. But this is an avoidable problem. Avoiding bill shock is good for consumers and ultimately good business for wireless carriers as well."

    The FCC’s public notice asks for comments on what differences exist that would prevent wireless providers in the U.S. from using alerts similar to those now required by law in the European Union.

    Gurin says that complaints about bill shock come from all over the country and involve all the major wireless carriers.

    "There can be many causes of bill shock, including unclear or misunderstood advertising, unanticipated roaming or data charges, and other problems," Gurin said.

    "All can lead to charges that people don’t expect to get. In the European Union, carriers are required by law to send text messages to consumers when they are running up roaming charges or getting close to a set limit for data roaming. We’re issuing a Public Notice to see if there’s any reason that American carriers can’t use similar automatic alerts to inform consumers when they are at risk of running up a high bill."

     

  • FCC Loses Net Neutrality Battle Against Comcast

    FCC Loses Net Neutrality Battle Against Comcast

    News broke today that the U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled against the FCC in a net neutrality case vs Comcast. The FCC had previously ordered Comcast to cease treating web traffic for different customers differently (which they had apparently done to slow down connections for users heavily engaged in bittorrent use).

    The court today ruled that the FCC does not have the authority to do such a thing, and now many throughout the Internet industry are growing concerned about what this ruling may mean for the future of net neutrality.

    Markham Erickson, Executive Director of the Open Internet Coalition, which counts Google, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and eBay (just to name a few) among its supporters, says:

    "Today’s DC Circuit decision in Comcast creates a dangerous situation, one where the health and openness of broadband Internet is being held hostage by the behavior of the major telco and cable providers.

    "The Court has taken an aggressive position, rejecting the FCC’s legal authority to implement broadband Internet policy under Title I of the Communications Act. The legal challenge to Title I authority by Comcast has created an outcome where the FCC has no option but to immediately open a proceeding to clarify its authority over broadband network providers under Title II.

    "The Court’s sweeping decision eliminates the Agency’s power to either enforce the Internet Policy Statement or possibly to promulgate new open Internet rules to protect consumers and small businesses under Title I. As a result, the FCC is now unable to police broadband networks against anti-competitive and anti-consumer behavior by broadband providers, and may not be able to implement many of the elements of the National Broadband Plan, including comprehensive Universal Service Fund (USF) reform.

    "The court recognized this issue and appeared to invite the Commission to proceed against Comcast and other broadband Internet access providers under Title II. Establishing limited Title II authority with restraint and forbearance over broadband Internet access will remedy the Agency’s own now-discredited attempt to cobble together ancillary authority under Title I. That effort, undertaken by the previous Administration, was based on numerous incorrect legal, technological, and market assumptions. By contrast, Title II authority rests on sound factual and legal grounds, and will serve as a strong foundational basis for the FCC to protect access connections for consumers and small businesses."

    Open Internet Coalition Offers statement on court ruling against FCC

    The FCC itself has issued the following statement on the subject:

    "The FCC is firmly committed to promoting an open Internet and to policies that will bring the enormous benefits of broadband to all Americans. It will rest these policies — all of which will be designed to foster innovation and investment while protecting and empowering consumers — on a solid legal foundation."

    "Today’s court decision invalidated the prior Commission’s approach to preserving an open Internet. But the Court in no way disagreed with the importance of preserving a free and open Internet; nor did it close the door to other methods for achieving this important end."

    Interestingly enough, no update has been made on the FCC’s OpenInternet.gov site, about what the next steps are. One can only assume this will be addressed here before too long.

  • FCC Writes Letter To Google Over Early Mobile Termination Fees

    FCC Writes Letter To Google Over Early Mobile Termination Fees

    The Federal Communications Commission recently began an inquiry into exorbitant early termination fees in mobile phone carriers’ contracts. The investigation began when Verizon raised its early termination fee to $350 (from $175) for smartphones. Now the FCC is making the inquiry formal and full-blown—they’re asking the four major mobile carriers and Google about their early termination policies.

    Yeah, that’s right. Google. I know they’re selling a mobile phone now, but Google isn’t a service provider. Well, we can all rest assured—a little—the FCC’s letter to Google acknowledges that T-Mobile is the service provider. However, T-Mobile received a letter of its own. So why single out Google of all the hardware providers? (Just wait.)

    After all, Apple makes the iPhone, and you can buy directly from its website. Google’s webstore offers you the choice of an unlocked phone without a plan or a (cheaper) phone with a T-Mobile plan (Verizon and Vodaphone are still slated for spring). Apple’s iPhone store doesn’t offer any choice but to buy the phone with an AT&T data plan (that I can see, without giving my info).

    But there’s something that Google does that Apple doesn’t. The unlocked Nexus One is $529, but when you buy it with a T-Mobile plan, the price drops to $179. However, if you cancel your contract in the first 120 days of service, the Terms of Sale state that in addition to T-Mobile’s early termination fee, you’ll also be subject to an “equipment recovery fee”—the $350 subsidy on the phone price.

    To my knowledge, when you buy a discounted phone from other mobile carriers, they don’t charge that subsidy on top of their ETF. In fact, that was part of Verizon’s initial justification of its high early termination fee to the FCC. (A justification the FCC found “unsatisfying, and in some cases, troubling.”)

    The FCC’s look at Google may be prompted by consumer complaints (they aren’t saying), but it still shows an impressive level of sophistication in the modern marketplace. (Let’s face it—after looking at the way federal commissions handle the Internet, it doesn’t take much to impress me.)

    Google, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T have until February 23 to respond.

    What do you think? Will the FCC knock down early termination fees—and if they do, will phone subsidies from mobile carriers be a thing of the past?

    Comments

  • Google Talks Open Internet Goals, Files FCC Submission

    Google Talks Open Internet Goals, Files FCC Submission

    Google filed a submission on its own and one jointly with Verizon to the FCC for its proposed rulemaking docket. Google says its goal is "to keep the Internet awesome for everybody."

    "There’s a lot of awesome stuff on the Internet: Cats talking LOLspeak. Iranian dissidents tweeting. Live traffic updates. Science experiments," says Rick Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel on Google’s Public Policy Blog. "All of these things, and so much more, are possible because of the openness of the Internet. Any entrepreneur with an idea has always been able to create a website and share their ideas globally – without paying extra tolls to have their content seen by other users. An open Internet made Google possible eleven years ago, and it’s going to make the next Google possible."

    Whitt outlined what Google supports in its FCC filing:

    – Adding a nondiscrimination principle that bans prioritizing Internet traffic based on the ownership (the who), the source (the what) of the content or application;

    – Adding a transparency principle that ensures all users have clear information about broadband providers’ offerings;

    – Providing a carefully-defined "reasonable network management" exception so that broadband providers are empowered to address genuine congestion issues and protect against hazards like malware and spamming;

    – Applying general openness protections to both wireline and wireless broadband infrastructure; and

    – Creating better enforcement mechanisms at the FCC, and introducing the concept of technical advisory groups (TAGs) to potentially provide expert advice and resolve disputes.

    Here is Google’s submission:

    01-14-10 Google Net Neutrality Comments

    Here’s Google and Verizon’s joint submission:

    Google and Verizon Joint Submission on the Open Internet

    The FCC’s OpenInternet.gov has numerous posts up liveblogging the recent "Innovation, Investment, and the Open Internet" workshop, which featured discussion from an interesting mix of people on the subject of the Open Internet.

    Related Articles:

    > Open Internet Heavily Promoted at CES

    > Internet’s Possible Future in the US Gets Ready to Be Decided

    > FCC’s Net Neutrality Site Gets a Blog

  • Open Internet Heavily Promoted at CES

    The Open Internet Coalition launched a new "Protect the Net" campaign at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The idea is to build on growing support among technology innovators for protecting the open Internet, the coalition says.

    "Many of the hottest new technologies showcased at the CES are only possible because the open nature of the Internet enables innovation without permission," said Markham Erickson, Coalition Executive Director. "The Federal Communication Commission’s effort to ensure the Internet remains open is critical for consumers, and for entrepreneurs whose new products and services will unleash the next wave of investment and economic growth."

    The Coalition is distributing buttons and laptop stickers throughout the CES event, with a quick response code. When captured by a reader on a mobile device, the QR code will launch a webpage, which allows users to add their names to a petition supporting the FCC’s proposed rules for maintaining an open Internet.

    Protect the Net

    The Coalition has provided steps for those using iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry devices:

    iPhone

    1. Click the App Store on your iPhone

    2. Search for "QR Code Reader"

    3. Select an app and install. We recommend QuickMark, but all QR Code Reader apps should work

    Android OS

    1. Find the Android Market icon on your Android Phone

    2. Search for "QR Code Reader"

    3. Select an app and install. We recommend the free "BarCode Scanner", but all QR Code Reader apps should work

    BlackBerry OS

    1. Go to the BlackBerry App World icon on your Blackberry or go to www.blackberry.com/appworld and download "BlackBerry App World"

    2. Select the "top free" icon, then select BlackBerry Messenger and install

    3. Once installed, open the BlackBerry Messenger app, choose "Scan a Group Barcode" in the main menu and hold your phone over the code.

    More about the FCC’s proposed rules can be read here.

    Watch for more WebProNews coverage of CES, with exclusive video interviews coming soon.

    Related Articles:

    > CES: Opera Releases New SDKs and New Browser

    > Cisco Leaving a Big Mark on Consumer Electronics Show

    > HP Unveils New Touch Notebook and Some New Minis at CES

  • Google Shares Proposal for White Spaces Database

    Last night, Google announced that it filed a submission to the FCC, asking it to designate Google as one of potentially several administrators of a "white spaces" geolocation database. Back in November of 2008, the FCC approved the use of these White Spaces, or unused airwaves between broadcast TV channels, for public wireless broadband service.

    On Google’s Public Policy Blog, Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel, writes:

    When the FCC voted to open the white spaces to unlicensed use in November 2008, it required that such a database be deployed before consumer electronics companies could start selling PCs, smartphones, e-book readers or other devices that used this spectrum. Before sending or receiving data, these devices will be required to connect to the database to determine what frequencies can and can’t be used in a particular location. Licensed television and wireless microphone signals will be fully protected from harmful interference.

    Why are we offering to do this? We continue to be big believers in the potential for this spectrum to revolutionize wireless broadband, and we think it’s important for us to step forward and offer our assistance to make that vision a reality. Since launching the White Spaces Database Group last February, we’ve been working with other stakeholders to exchange ideas and perspectives on how to best operate a working database, and we believe we’re in a strong position to build and successfully manage one.

    Google proposes to build a database to be publicly accessible and searchable, so anyone could access and review the data. The proposal has been provided in full:

    01-04-10 Google White Spaces Database Proposal

    Google says it anticipates that the FCC will accept comments on various database proposals, and expects the Commission to make a final destination sometime in the spring.
     

    Related Articles:

    > White Spaces Officially Cleared For Wireless Broadband

    > Google Sees White Spaces Filling With Internet

    > Google, Verizon Weigh In On White Space Test