Federal Communications Commission

Freedom from Earsplitting Ads: The CALM Act Goes Into Effect

You may not have heard about the CALM Act before, but when you witness the results of the law, which goes into effect today, you'll probably want to applaud loudly. At last, TV commercials can no longer be broadcast at a higher volume than the programs they accompany.

AT&T Agrees to Drop Bid for T-Mobile

AT&T said Monday that it is ending its $39 billion bid to buy T-Mobile USA after facing fierce government objections. The cellphone giant said that the actions of the government to block the deal do not change the challenges of the wireless phone industry, which it says requires more airwaves, known as spectrum, to expand. The deal would have solved that problem for a time, and without it, "customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled," AT&T said in a statement.

FCC to Enforce Law Banning Loud TV Commercials

Since 2008, the Federal Communications Commission has received nearly 6,000 complaints about excessively loud TV commercials. But on Wednesday, the FCC adopted rules to enforce the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, requiring that TV ads have the same average volume as the programs they accompany.

No More Getting Surprised By High Cellphone Bills

The gradual addition of extra fees to your cellphone bill can be a bit like gaining weight -- you don't keep track of your habits, until one day you open your bill and experience "bill shock." The FCC thinks you deserve advanced warning, and starting soon, your cell provider will have to give it to you.

Phone-Cramming Scams: Share Your Stories

DailyFinance readers tell us they're frustrated and angry about phone cramming, or the practice of cheating customers by adding illegitimate charges to their phone bills. If you've been a victim of phone cramming, we want to hear about it.

FCC Takes Aim at Scammers Who 'Cram' Phone Bills

Earlier this week, the FCC proposed new rules designed to crack down on "phone cramming," a widespread, illegal practice that robs billions of dollars from phone users. And with 300 million third-party charges hidden in phone bills every year, odds are, you've been a victim.

What If AT&T's T-Mobile Buyout Gets Shot Down?

Regulators have begun to take a long, hard look at whether the AT&T buyout of T-Mobile would create a quasi-monopoly in the American cellular carrier industry. If those antitrust concerns sink the deal, AT&T could be in real trouble, because cellular is its only clear hope for growth.

Google Gets FCC Approval for White Space Internet

The Federal Communications Commission has granted permission for nine companies, including Google, to turn unused broadcast frequencies -- also known as "white spaces" -- into wireless broadband.

Will Comcast Pull NBC Universal Shows from Netflix?

Earlier this week, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., warned that if the Comcast acquisition of NBC Universal went through, the company may pull NBC's programming from Netflix. Federal regulators approved the deal Tuesday.

Verizon Appeals New Net Neutrality Rules

Verizon Communications on Thursday filed a legal challenge against the new "net neutrality" rules the Federal Communications Commission adopted last month. Does Internet discrimination serve a purpose?

FCC Approves Net Neutrality Order, But Will It Stick?

In an historic 3-2 vote Tuesday, the FCC passed its long-awaited network neutrality order, the most sweeping attempt yet to address the way phone, cable and Internet companies interact when it comes to Internet traffic. But Congress or the courts could end up unraveling the FCC's work.

Verizon Fined $25 Million by FCC for Data Download Overcharges

Verizon was today fined a record $25 million by the Federal Communications Commission and agreed to refund an additional $52.8 million to customers to settle allegations that the largest U.S. mobile-phone company overcharged customers for data fees.

FCC to Verizon Wireless: Too Slow to Make Refunds

Despite the carrier's admission of overbilling, the FCC says it plans to investigate why it took Verizon two years to notify customers of the problem, reimburse them and take corrective action. Additional penalties are a possibility.

Telecom Lobbyists Hold Secret Internet Talks

Lobbyists from some of the largest U.S. technology companies are meeting behind closed doors in Washington with telecom giants to discuss net neutrality, following the failed FCC talks and Google's bilateral deal with Verizon. No surprise, public interest groups weren't invited.

Protesters to Google: Don't Be Evil on Net Neutrality

Despite the search giant's defense of its joint plan with Verizon on tiered Internet service, the proposal has stirred up a storm of criticism, with protesters swarming the search giant's Silicon Valley campus Friday to voice their displeasure.

New Deal on Net Neutrality from Google and Verizon

Google and Verizon drew lots of criticism last week with a Web-traffic pact rumored to favor higher-paying providers. Now, the companies have unveiled a proposal that pays homage to the concept of net neutrality, at least in the short term.

Net Neutrality: FCC's Done Talking to Google, Verizon

Federal Communications Commission officials reportedly slammed the door Thursday on further private talks with Google and Verizon to develop a loosely regulated level playing field for how Internet content gets delivered by telecom and cable operators.

Google Denies 'Devil's Pact' With Verizon

Google and Verizon denied reports of a proposed tiered-services deal that would allow websites to pay broadband providers for the privilege of getting content in front of users more quickly. The alleged deal had proponents of net neutrality up in arms Thursday.

Have Your Say on FCC's Broadband-Rules Overhaul

The FCC narrowly voted for a public comment period on Net neutrality and its overhaul of broadband regulations. One the ideas under consideration is a reclassification of broadband as a telecoms service so broadband pipes are open to Internet companies wanting to use them.

U.S. Agency Aims to Curb Cell Phone 'Bill Shock'

Who can't relate to opening a monthly cell phone bill and seeing a balance substantially greater than expected? Data, roaming and other charges can quickly lead to "bill shock" and one federal agency is trying to help dial down the surprise.