FCC

FCC questions Verizon’s plan to throttle select data customers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Last week Verizon announced a new 'network optimization' initiative to start throttling data users. Beginning in October, the carrier is going to start slowing the speeds of the top 5% of its unlimited LTE customers when they're connected to a busy cell site.

Obviously, VZW subscribers weren't very happy with the news, and apparently neither was the FCC. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler sent a letter to Verizon today saying that he was "deeply troubled" by its new throttling plans...

Apple iBeacon hardware revealed in FCC filings

Cody Lee ∙ July 13, 2014

Apple's iBeacon technology has seen a lot of success in its first year. The tech, which allows administrators to push data to smartphones based on their location, has already been adopted by a number of retailers and organizations.

But thus far, Apple's success with iBeacons has been limited to software, as it's left the hardware up to third-party firms. It looks like that's about to change, though, as FCC filings reveal that the company has built its own iBeacon...

FCC loosens labeling restrictions for iPhones and other devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

This is kind of interesting. The FCC's Office of Engineering & Technology issued new labeling guidance on Friday, saying that manufacturers can do away with the awful FCC ID etchings found on the backs of iPhones and other devices with integral screens.

Until now, the FCC has asked that any equipment requiring FCC certification sport a nameplate or etched label listing its FCC ID and other info. But with devices getting smaller and more complex, it wanted to update the requirement for the digital age...

FCC filing says Apple exploring development of a set-top box

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Evidence is mounting that Apple is working on advancing its $99 set-top box around a bunch of new features like downloadable apps and games, iOS 7 game controller support, streamable television channels and subscriptions, DVR and wireless AirPort router capabilities, cable box functionality and what not. Whether any of this pans out is up for debate.

That said, surely Apple won't be standing still as new entrants like Amazon enter the crowded living room space. Perhaps the most solid piece of evidence to date comes in a filing with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to the planned Comcast and Time Warner Cable merger.

Hit the jump for more...

FCC approves AT&T’s $1.3 billion acquisition of Leap Wireless

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Last summer, AT&T announced that it had reached an acquisition deal with Leap Wireless. The company said that it would be buying out the provider, which owns and operates the popular prepaid carrier Cricket, for $15 per share—equal to $1.3 billion. All it needed was approval from the FCC.

And it just got it. Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission gave AT&T's acquisition proposal a thumbs up, ruling that "the public interest benefits of the proposed transaction outweigh the likelihood of significant public interest harms." So what does this mean for everybody involved?

FCC releases ‘Speed Test’ app for measuring cellular and Wi-Fi data speeds

Cody Lee ∙ February 26, 2014

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has just released a new app for iOS devices called FCC Speed Test. As the name suggests, the app is designed to measure data speeds for both cellular and Wi-Fi connections.

The app is part of the FCC's Measuring Broadband America program initiative, which aims to better inform consumers about mobile broadband performance, and it measures download/upload speed, latency and packet loss...

FCC chairman talks AT&T’s controversial ‘Sponsored Data’ program at CES

Cody Lee ∙ January 8, 2014

AT&T raised more than a few eyebrows on Monday when it announced a new 'Sponsored Data' program. The goal of the program is essentially to offer a way for companies to pick up the tab for 4G data usage whenever specific products or services are being used.

Initial feedback to the announcement has been a mix of "what an interesting idea" and complaints from net neutrality advocates. And today, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler chimed in, using his time at CES to discuss his off-the-cuff thoughts on AT&T's proposition...

FCC and carriers finally agree on cell phone unlocking

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Threatening regulatory action, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was able to drive U.S. wireless carriers into a corner concerning their stance on cell phone unlocking. As much as carriers would want to lock phones to their network to make switching service that much harder, the FCC and major U.S. wireless companies have reached an agreement which will make it easier for people to unlock their devices and switch from one carrier to another.

The wireless association called CTIA, which represents U.S. carriers like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and U.S. Cellular, released a statement on Thursday confirming that all named carriers have agreed to the new cell phone unlocking principles put forth by the government...

Verizon wins approval for $130 billion purchase of Vodafone’s stake in VZW

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Back in September, Verizon announced that it had reached an agreement with Vodafone to purchase its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless. The carrier, which was founded in April of 2000, has thus far been a joint venture between the two companies.

With a purchase price believed to be approaching $130 billion, the deal will go down as one of the largest acquisitions in history. And it looks like it will be happening sooner, rather than later, as the FCC has just given the transaction its approval..

FCC to discuss lifting cellphone ban on in-flight voice calls and cellular data

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 28, 2018

After the United States Federal Aviation Administration appeased travelers by permitting airlines to finally expand the use of smartphones, tablets and other personal electronics devices during nearly all phases of flight, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now mulling letting passengers make in-flight voice calls and use cellular data when above 10,000 feet.

Current regulation mandates passengers to put their devices in Airplane mode, which shuts down all radios, thereby reducing any possible interference with the avionics.

However, only specially equipped planes will support making in-flight phone calls and accessing cellular data, should the proposal pass the FCC's December meeting...

FCC Chairman urges CTIA to amend Consumer Code on unlocking

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

There's been a lot of talk in recent months about the consumer's right to unlock their mobile devices, but very little meaningful action. That changed this week, though, thanks to new FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.

Wheeler sent out a letter to the CTIA (the governing body of the wireless industry) urging it to amend its Consumer Code to include a policy ensuring consumer rights to get their devices unlocked once off contract...

Suspicious plastic iPhone backplate with certification markings surfaces

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 3, 2017

Here's a nice little nugget naysayers should chew on. A photograph that surfaced on a Chinese website earlier today appears to seemingly depict a plastic chassis, presumably belonging to Apple's rumored less-pricey iPhone model.

Now, we've seen these things previously shown off extensively in a high-resolution video, hires close ups and a bunch of previously published photographs. What distinguishes this particular "leak" from others are the certification markings on the back - and that's an unexpected treat in my book...