WebProNews

Tag: Internet Access

  • Verizon and Amazon Partner to Deliver Satellite Internet to Rural Areas

    Verizon and Amazon Partner to Deliver Satellite Internet to Rural Areas

    Verizon and Amazon have announced a partnership to use the latter’s Project Kuiper satellites to deliver internet access to underserved communities.

    Many companies and organizations are working to address the US “digital divide,” the difference in available internet access for rural vs urban areas. Verizon has been rolling out its Home Internet solution, which uses the company’s wireless service to provide internet access.

    In its latest move, Verizon is turning to Amazon’s Project Kuiper to help extend its existing network and serve as the backend for its efforts. Project Kuiper will deliver broadband internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The company received FCC clearance in July 2020 to launch as many as 3,236 satellites. The approval was conditioned on the company launching at least half that number by July 2026. To date, however, not a single satellite has been launched.

    Despite that, it appears Verizon has confidence in Project Kuiper.

    “Project Kuiper offers flexibility and unique capabilities for a LEO satellite system, and we’re excited about the prospect of adding a complementary connectivity layer to our existing partnership with Amazon,” Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg said. “We know the future will be built on our leading 5G network, designed for mobility, fixed wireless access and real-time cloud compute. More importantly, we believe that the power of this technology must be accessible for all. Today’s announcement will help us explore ways to bridge that divide and accelerate the benefits and innovation of wireless connectivity, helping benefit our customers on both a global and local scale.”

    “There are billions of people without reliable broadband access, and no single company will close the digital divide on its own,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said. “Verizon is a leader in wireless technology and infrastructure, and we’re proud to be working together to explore bringing fast, reliable broadband to the customers and communities who need it most. We look forward to partnering with companies and organizations around the world who share this commitment.”

    Verizon is already struggling to play catchup to T-Mobile’s 5G network. It remains to be seen if hitching its rural endeavors to a company that has yet to deliver will pay off.

  • Consumers Less Satisfied With Internet Speeds in 2021

    Consumers Less Satisfied With Internet Speeds in 2021

    Consumers are less happy with their internet speeds in 2021 than they were in 2020, evidence of increased pandemic-fueled reliance on the internet.

    As the pandemic forced people to work and learn remotely, internet connections that were once adequate suddenly struggled to meet people’s demands. The result is lower customer satisfaction in 2021 than in 2020.

    HighSpeedInternet.com conducted a survey of more than 2,000 Americans and found that customers gave their ISP an average overall rating of 3.8 out of 5.0, down from 4.0 in pre-pandemic 2020.

    Interestingly, EarthLink took the top spot among ISPs, with 44% of customers saying the company “always” delivered the speeds it advertised. An additional 35% of customers say their speeds are “usually” as fast as advertised. Earthlink achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 4.2. AT&T and Verizon came in second and third, with an overall rating of 3.8 each.

    HighSpeedInternet.com’s report illustrates the increased need for better internet access. Especially with remote and hybrid work options here to stay, the importance of faster internet will continue to grow.

  • Musk Sees Starlink Having 500,000 Users in 12 Months

    Musk Sees Starlink Having 500,000 Users in 12 Months

    Elon Musk talked about the status of Starlink, along with his expectations for the future, including his belief the service will have 500,000 users in 12 months.

    Starlink is the satellite constellation being deployed by Musk’s second company, SpaceX. The satellites are being deployed in low-Earth orbit and provide internet access to underserved communities. Because of their relatively low orbit, the service offers speeds and latency far in excess of traditional satellite internet, and more directly competes with traditional broadband.

    Musk made a remote appearance at the Mobile World Congress event, where he discussed the progress Starlink has made. The constellation now includes 1,500 satellites, with global internet coverage expected by next month, minus the poles.

    Musk also said he believes the service will grow rapidly over the next year.

    “We recently passed the strategically notable number of 69,420 active users,” Musk said, according to Mashable. ”We’re, I think, on our way to have a few hundred thousand users, possibly over 500,000 users within 12 months.”

    Individuals hoping to ditch their cable or fiber internet in the cities may be disappointed, however. Musk reiterated the service is primarily for underserved communities that don’t have access to traditional alternatives, and the company may limit users in more densely populated regions.

  • T-Mobile Joins FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

    T-Mobile Joins FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

    T-Mobile has announced it is joining the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, to provide low-cost service.

    The FCC announced its Emergency Broadband Benefit program will start on May 12. The program is designed to provide a discount of up to $50 ($75 on tribal lands) to help low-income families have access to broadband internet. High-speed internet access is more important than ever, as countless individuals work from home and engage in remote learning.

    T-Mobile has joined the FCC’s program, making its services available under its main brand, as well as subsidiaries.

    When enrollment opens on May 12, qualified T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Assurance Wireless and Sprint brand consumer and government customers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands may be eligible for an up to $50 discount (up to $75 on tribal lands) per household on service each month on qualified plans for the duration of the program.

  • FCC Announces Start Date for Emergency Broadband Program

    FCC Announces Start Date for Emergency Broadband Program

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced the start date of its emergency broadband program.

    The FCC proposed emergency broadband measures to help low-income families have reliable internet access. The global pandemic has shone a spotlight on the need for high-speed access, although the cost associated with it can be a challenge.

    To combat this problem, Congress authorized the creation of a $3.2 billion initiative in 2020. The program will provide up to $50 for low-income households, and up to $75 for those on Tribal lands. The FCC has announced the program will begin on May 12.

    “Families in every corner of the country have been struggling to get online throughout this pandemic,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “For those families, we now say help is around the corner. In less than two weeks, we will have a new way for disconnected Americans to access the internet to carry out their day- to-day life, so they can reach the virtual classroom, take advantage of telehealth, and seek new employment opportunities. I’m proud of the work we’ve done as an agency to get this program off the ground in record time.”

  • FCC Approves Additional Starlink Satellites at Lower Altitudes

    FCC Approves Additional Starlink Satellites at Lower Altitudes

    The Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX permission to launch satellites at a lower altitude.

    SpaceX has been deploying its Starlink satellite constellation with the goal of providing high-speed internet access to underserved communities around the world. The company has received extra impetus as a result of the pandemic, as many individuals in remote areas have struggled with reliable broadband.

    The majority of the Starlink constellation operates in the 1,100 – 1,300 km range, but SpaceX is wanting to launch 2,814 satellites at a much lower range — 540 – 570 km. The FCC has agreed to the request.

    Specifically, we modify the license by reducing the number of satellites from 4,409 to 4,408; modifying the primary operational altitude specified for 2,814 satellites, to change it from the 1,100-1,300 km range to the 540-570 km range

    Deploying satellites in lower orbit will help improve the speed and latency of the internet access, as it shortens the distance data must travel to and from the satellite to Earth-bound base stations.

    As part of the agreement, SpaceX had to agree to accept interference from Amazon’s Kuiper satellite constellation, which already had permission to operate in the lower altitude.

    SpaceX has since agreed to accept interference from the Kuiper system as well with respect to its Ka-band uplinks, where operating SpaceX’s satellites at lower altitudes will potentially make SpaceX more susceptible to interference.

  • Comcast Teases 4Gbps Speeds — Just Not Yet

    Comcast Teases 4Gbps Speeds — Just Not Yet

    Comcast has successfully broke the 4Gbps speed barrier in a lab test, holding out promise for substantially faster internet speeds.

    Internet speeds have become a much greater concern since the global pandemic, with remote work shining a spotlight on the need for fast, reliable internet access. While many companies offer download speeds in the upper double-digits, or even triple-digits, upload speeds are often substantially lower. This can pose a problem for videoconferencing, gaming, content uploads and more.

    Comcast is on the verge of revolutionizing internet speeds, delivering upwards of 4Gbps in a lab test.

    In the test environment, the research team demonstrated the ability of the SOC to deliver upstream and downstream throughputs of greater than 4 gigabits per second (Gbps). Future optimization is expected to drive even greater capacity.

    For the time being, Comcast customers will still be limited to 3 – 35Mbps uploads. Comcast’s test, however, shows just what’s possible in the (hopefully) near future.

  • FCC Asks For Consumer Input On Their Internet

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants feedback on people’s broadband internet as the agency works to close the digital divide.

    The US has had a digital divide for years, with there being a chasm between the quality of internet in cities vs rural areas. The FCC is now asking users to provide feedback on their broadband experience.

    “Far too many Americans are left behind in access to jobs, education, and healthcare if they do not have access to broadband,” said Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Collecting data from consumers who are directly affected by the lack of access to broadband will help inform the FCC’s mapping efforts and future decisions about where service is needed.”

    The agency has set up a new webpage, www.fcc.gov/BroadbandDatato provide consumers with information regarding the work of the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force. Consumers can also submit their experience via the form.

    The global pandemic, and the unprecedented reliance on the internet for remote work and learning, has emphasized how large the digital divide really is. Hopefully the FCC’s efforts will help close it, and ensure all households have access to high-speed internet.

  • SpaceX Wants to Beam Starlink Internet to Planes, Ships and Trucks

    SpaceX Wants to Beam Starlink Internet to Planes, Ships and Trucks

    SpaceX wants to expand its Starlink internet access to moving vehicles, including planes, ships, trucks and RVs.

    Starlink is a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit that provide internet access to remote and underserved communities. The service has already met with favorable reviews, providing internet speeds that were previously unavailable to many of its customers.

    In order to work, the satellite constellation is paired with ground antennas. SpaceX is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to install its satellite receivers on moving vehicles to provide them with internet access.

    Consumers are interacting with broadband platforms in an increasing variety of ways. No longer are users willing to forego connectivity while on the move, whether driving a truck across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight.

    Elon Musk clarified the service is not aimed at cars, but is intended for larger vehicles.

  • SpaceX Launches 60 More Satellites, Working Toward 400 Per Trip

    SpaceX Launches 60 More Satellites, Working Toward 400 Per Trip

    SpaceX has successfully launched another 60 satellites for its Starlink constellation.

    Starlink is the company’s constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites designed to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved communities around the world. The service has received favorable reviews by early adopters, in some cases providing life-changing internet access compared to what was previously available.

    The company has initial approval for 12,000 satellites, although that could increase to as many as 42,000 in time. SpaceX recently passed 1,000 satellites in orbit but, at 60 satellites per launch, it will take some time to reach 12,000. Fortunately, the company believes it will be able to cover most of the globe once it hits 1,200 satellites.

    According to TechCrunch, however, the company is working on greatly increasing its payload size. Once it finishes work on its Starship, it will be able to launch 400 satellites at a time.

    At that rate, Starlink will reach its full size in no time.

  • Starlink Will Double Speeds and Cover Most of the World This Year

    Starlink Will Double Speeds and Cover Most of the World This Year

    Starlink internet service is poised to expand to much of the world, and double in speed, later this year.

    SpaceX’s Starlink is a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit. The constellation is designed to provide internet access to remote and under-served communities around the world. Many early adopters are reporting speeds in excess of 150 Mbps and latency of 39 ms.

    Elon Musk is teasing the company will significantly improve that this year.

    Musk also said the service will expand to most of the globe in that time.

    Starlink is already revolutionizing what people can do, providing a level of internet access many rural customers have never enjoyed. Musk’s announcements are good news for potential customers. Starlink’s expansion is especially good news at a time when record numbers of people are working from home, in some cases in areas where traditional internet options are less than ideal.

  • FCC Establishes Task Force to Address Broadband Access

    FCC Establishes Task Force to Address Broadband Access

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a task force to revamp the agency’s broadband mapping tools.

    The FCC is responsible for mapping broadband access to provide a complete picture of broadband availability. The data is important to help the FCC close the “digital divide” between those who have quality internet access and those that don’t. In the age of the pandemic and remote work, this data is more important than ever. Unfortunately, the FCC’s current mapping is out-of-date and, in many cases, not accurate.

    The Broadband Data Task Force will be chaired by Jean Kiddoo, and will work to modernize the FCC’s tools.

    “The Broadband Data Task Force will lead a cross-agency effort to collect detailed data and develop more precise maps about broadband availability,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “I thank Jean and her team for their willingness to take on this vitally important project.”

    “I am honored that Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel has asked me to lead this momentous and multifaceted Commission initiative,” remarked Ms. Kiddoo, who will also continue to serve as Chair of the Incentive Auction Task Force.

    Updated mapping tools and information will help the FCC direct the necessary resources and efforts where they are needed most.

  • Loon Says Goodbye As Alphabet Pulls The Plug

    Loon Says Goodbye As Alphabet Pulls The Plug

    Alphabet is shutting down Loon, its attempt to deliver internet service via balloons, according to Loon’s CEO.

    Loon began in 2011, as an unofficial Google X incubation project, before becoming an official project in 2013. The company’s goal was to use balloons in place of cell towers, to provide internet access to underserved areas. The concept was especially appealing in areas where building cell towers would otherwise be difficult, dangerous or impossible.

    The company struck a deal to provide service in Kenya, and was used in disaster zones to help keep people connected, such as in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Despite its success, however, Alphabet is pulling the plug.

    CEO Alastair Westgarth broke the news in a blog post:

    While we’ve found a number of willing partners along the way, we haven’t found a way to get the costs low enough to build a long-term, sustainable business. Developing radical new technology is inherently risky, but that doesn’t make breaking this news any easier. Today, I’m sad to share that Loon will be winding down.

    Loon was definitely one of the stranger projects to come out of Google and Alphabet and it’s a shame to see it shutting down.

  • Charter Ends Petition to Get Government Approval For Data Caps

    Charter Ends Petition to Get Government Approval For Data Caps

    Charter is ending its petition to get government approval for imposing broadband data limits on customers.

    Charter is somewhat unique in that it must get government approval before imposing data limits. While other internet service providers (ISPs) are free to do what the market will bear, Charter’s restrictions were imposed as terms of its purchase of Time Warner Cable.

    The company submitted its request in June 2020. The following month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai requested public comment on Charter’s request. Since then, no forward progress has been made.

    In a very brief filing, Charter has withdrawn its request.

    Charter Communications, Inc. respectfully withdraws its petition in the above-referenced proceeding.

    While no reason was given, a likely motivation is the incoming Biden/Harris administration and, with it, a Democratic-controlled FCC. As a result, it’s likely Charter would have faced significant pushback in any efforts to impose data caps, especially during a pandemic when internet connectivity is more important than ever.

  • SpaceX Wins $885 Million In Subsidies to Expand Starlink

    SpaceX Wins $885 Million In Subsidies to Expand Starlink

    Elon Musk’s other company, SpaceX, has won $885 million in federal subsidies to help it expand its Starlink internet service.

    Starlink is the constellation of satellites SpaceX is using to provide internet access to underserved regions and communities. Unlike existing satellite options, such as HughesNet, Starlink satellites maintain a low-Earth orbit. This gives the service much lower ping and higher speeds than competing services.

    Starlink opened up beta access to customers in the latitudes currently covered by the constellation, and the results have been impressive. Customers have reported speeds in excess of 150 Mbps and ping as low as 39 ms.

    The company has now won an $885 million grant to extend its service. The Federal Communications Commission published the list of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Auction winners. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) features prominently on the list.

    SpaceX initially plans on sending 12,000 satellites into orbit, with the constellation eventually including as many as 42,000. Given the expense of launching those satellites, the federal subsidies will likely go quickly.

  • Loon Internet Balloons Being Piloted By Google AI

    Loon Internet Balloons Being Piloted By Google AI

    Fully autonomous cars may not be here yet, but artificial intelligence (AI) is already piloting Loon’s fleet of internet-providing balloons.

    Loon is one of Alphabet’s companies dedicated to providing internet access to rural and underserved areas. The company uses high-altitude balloons that drift in the stratosphere, 11 to 16 miles above the Earth’s surface, creating a wireless network to provide internet access.

    The company announced in a blog post that it has turned over navigation of the balloons to Google’s deep reinforcement learning AI.

    “In our ongoing efforts to improve Loon’s navigation system for our stratospheric connectivity mission, a small group of colleagues at Loon and Google AI had been working to develop a more powerful navigation system that leverages deep reinforcement learning (RL), which is a type of machine learning technique that enables an agent to learn by trial and error in an interactive environment using feedback from its own actions and experiences,” writes Salvatore Candido, Loon CTO. “This contrasts against the conventional approach of the automated system following fixed procedures artisanally crafted by engineers.”

    While some may question whether the balloon’s RL qualifies as a true AI, Candido believes it has now crossed that line.

    “In my last post about Loon’s navigation system, I asked the question of whether we were dealing with AI. My answer was uncertain,” continues Candido. “This time my answer is even more nuanced. While there is no chance that a super-pressure balloon drifting efficiently through the stratosphere will become sentient, we have transitioned from designing its navigation system ourselves to having computers construct it in a data-driven manner. Even if it’s not the beginning of an Asimov novel, it’s a good story and maybe something worth calling AI.”

    Whatever degree of AI Loon’s navigation system achieves, it’s a significant development in the technology.

  • Comcast Will Raise Internet and TV Prices in January

    Comcast Will Raise Internet and TV Prices in January

    Comcast is not winning any popularity contests this week as it announces internet and TV price hikes on the heels of expanding data caps.

    Comcast sent out notice to customers that, effective January 2021, the price of “Broadcast TV” will go up by as much as $4.50 per month. Similarly, the Regional Sports Network (RSN) will go up by as much as $2 per month.

    Unfortunately, the pain doesn’t stop there. Comcast told Ars Technica that “six Internet-only packages that cost $53 to $113 a month will all rise $3 a month, and the price for professional installations or in-home service visits is rising from $70 to $100.”

    A copy of the notice was shared on Reddit, with a breakdown of the various packages.

    The news comes at the same time that Comcast is extending its data cap policy to the rest of its region. Customers will be capped at 1.2 TB per month, with fees of $10 per 50GB after that. Although the overage fees will be capped at $100 per month, many critics are calling the company out for making it harder on individuals and families at a time when internet access is more important than ever.

  • Comcast Expanding Data Caps, Will Charge Overage Fees

    Comcast Expanding Data Caps, Will Charge Overage Fees

    At a time when Americans are relying on internet access more than ever, Comcast Xfinity is rolling out data caps across its market.

    Comcast currently serves a 39-state region. While data caps were already in effect in much of its market, the company is now bringing them to the remaining states, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. The specific states are Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

    The company will cap users at 1.2 TB of monthly data usage beginning January 2021, although the company will offer a couple of months of grace period. Beginning in April, however, Comcast Xfinity customers will be charged $10 per 50 GB over the cap, although the company says overages will be capped at $100 per month. To make matters even worse, there is currently no provision to save up data from lighter months and roll it over to heavier months.

    Needless to say, customers have been outraged at the announcement, pointing out that families and individuals are relying on their internet connection more than ever due to the pandemic. Individuals are working remotely, children are learning remotely, and families are relying on videoconferencing for socializing, worship and entertainment. As a result, Comcast’s announcement is being labeled an example of “unlimited greed.”

    Rather than rethinking their strategy, Comcast is hitting back, pointing out that the data caps won’t impact 95% of users.

    Some are already pointing to Comcast’s announcement as the latest example of why critics say internet providers should be regulated like utilities. While internet access may have been a luxury at one time, it has now become an important lifeline for the majority of Americans.

  • AT&T Shuttering Its DSL Service

    AT&T Shuttering Its DSL Service

    AT&T has announced it is shuttering its DSL service, in a move that may leave hundreds of thousands without reliable internet access.

    AT&T has been increasingly moving away from DSL toward faster fiber connections. Unfortunately, according to a report, less than 30 percent of households in its market area are covered by the company’s fiber service. To make matters worse, according to Ars Technica, the company has previously said its fiber rollout is largely done, leaving little hope the remaining 70 percent of customers will receive the upgrade.

    As a result of the current situation, DSL remains an important type of broadband connection for millions of Americans, as it relies on copper phone lines for transmission. Despite its important, however, USA Today is reporting the company stopped taking new customers as of October 1.

    “We’re beginning to phase out outdated services like DSL and new orders for the service will no longer be supported after October 1,” read a corporate statement USA Today gained access to. “Current DSL customers will be able to continue their existing service or where possible upgrade to our 100% fiber network.”

    While the company says existing customers will be able to continuing using the service, it remains to be seen if that means indefinitely or just until AT&T moves on to the next phase of its DSL shutdown.

  • FCC Approves Up to 1 Million Starlink Ground Antenna

    FCC Approves Up to 1 Million Starlink Ground Antenna

    Starlink just passed a major milestone in its plans to provide broadband internet via a constellation of satellites: approval for 1 million ground antenna.

    SpaceX, Elon Musk’s other company, has been launching the Starlink constellation of satellites in batches of as many as 60 at a time. Eventually, some 12,000 satellites will provide high-speed internet worldwide. In order for the system to work, however, there has to be a network of ground antenna to relay the signal to their final destinations.

    According to CNBC, “the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized SpaceX to begin rolling out as many as 1 million of the ground antenna the company will need to connect users to its Starlink satellite internet network.”

    Each antenna will be roughly 19 inches across and should be fairly easy to recognize.

    “It looks like a UFO on a stick,” said Elon Musk, according to CNBC. “It’s very important that you don’t need a specialist to install. The goal is for … just two instructions and they can be done in either order: Point at sky, plug in.”

    Once operational, Starlink should be a good internet option for under-served communities, where cable, DSL, fiber or 5G are not viable options.

  • Coronavirus: AT&T and Comcast Do Their Part to Help Telecommuters

    Coronavirus: AT&T and Comcast Do Their Part to Help Telecommuters

    AT&T and Comcast have both adjusted their home internet packages in an effort to assist Americans who will be telecommuting as a result of the coronavirus.

    As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, state and local officials are encouraging companies to allow employees to telecommute if their jobs allow it. Many companies have already implemented work-from-home policies, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, Shopify and others.

    With an unprecedented number of individuals telecommuting, AT&T has told Motherboard it will be suspending all usage caps on its broadband service.

    “Many of our AT&T Internet customers already have unlimited home internet access, and we are waiving internet data overage for the remaining customers,” a company spokesperson said.

    Similarly, Comcast is making it easier for low-income families to access the company’s Internet Essentials option.

    “A hallmark of this program has been our flexibility in adjusting Internet Essentials to meet the needs of low-income residents in our footprint. So, effective Monday, we are putting in place two substantial program enhancements to help these families deal with this crisis,” reads the statement.

    “We will make it even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign up by offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.

    “Also, we are increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward. In this way, we will ensure that Internet Essentials customers will be able to use their Internet service for all their increased needs as a result of this health crisis.”

    Both companies deserve credit for taking measures to make it easier for telecommuters, and families in general, to stay home and stay connected in the face of the health crisis.