broadband

How the FCC Bungled Net Neutrality

While often well-intentioned, the agency has watched its own "open Internet policy" slowly, but systematically, crumble over the last five years. Now under Julius Genachowski, the FCC faces an almost no-win situation regarding net neutrality.

The Google-Verizon Deal: Evil or Pragmatic?

The two companies were on opposite sides of the net neutrality debate. So they initiated talks aimed at coming up with a compromise where some progress could be achieved in the face of FCC and congressional inaction. For Google, it's a lesson in growing up.

The Coming Boom in Videoconferencing Technology

The concept of the videophone is nearly as old as the phone itself, and prototypes predate the Beatles by many decades. But while other new modes of communication, from email to instant messaging to cell phones have been adopted at astonishing rates, video has lagged -- until now.

FCC Blasted Again Over Closed-Door Internet Meetings

Public interest groups kept up their assault on the FCC's closed-door broadband policy meetings after the agency decided to bypass standard disclosure rules, effectively shutting out the public. One group took out a full page ad in The Washington Post blasting the meetings.

Legal Briefing: FCC Won't Force Broadband Competition

In order to enforce net neutrality rules, the FCC is reclassifying Internet service providers into the same regulatory "box" as phone companies. The move gives the FCC the authority to drastically improve broadband competition -- but the FCC has decided it won't use that power.

FCC's 'Third Way' on Net Neutrality Reignites Broadband Wars

The Federal Communications Commission's plan to craft a new approach to regulating broadband service has the battle over "network neutrality" -- the idea that Internet providers should treat content equally -- burning again. So far, neither side appears to be able to claim victory.

Is the FCC a Threat to Homeland Security?

Editorials that have been forwarded to the media by the National Association of Broadcasters accuse the FCC of promoting broadband policies that reflect an anti-broadcast bias. Another charge: Broadband couldn't cope if a major national disaster were to strike.

A Bogus Take on Broadband and Net Neutrality

According to right-wing techno-gadfly George Gilder, faster Internet service for more people and equal treatment of content by ISPs are clearly evil things. But this assault on sensible policy is nothing more than reflexively ideological hot air.

FCC Delivers Broadband Plan to Congress

The Federal Communications Commission formally submitted its National Broadband Plan to Congress on Tuesday. The FCC aims to deliver fast, inexpensive Internet connections to every community in the U.S.

U.S. Broadband Push Ruffles Feathers

The FCC outlined plans to deliver high-speed broadband service of up to 100 megabits per second to 100 million American households by the year 2020. But cable providers and TV broadcasters may not want the competition.

Google's Speedy Net Plan Puts U.S. ISPs on Notice

Google's plan to build an ultra-fast fiber-optic network for as many as 500,000 U.S. customers is an ambitious shot across the bow of incumbent Internet service providers. To be rolled out as a test in several cities, the plan aims to nudge both the feds and ISPs to ramp up U.S. broadband speeds.