FCC Tells FAA To Allow More Electronic Devices On Planes

Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the FCC, is pushing for the rules regarding the use of electronic devices to be relaxed in-flight. In a letter to Michael Huerta, acting administrator of the FAA, he has asked the aviation body to "enable greater use of tablets, e-readers and other portable devices." Electric shavers, hearing aids, portable voice recorders, and pacemakers are, of course, permitted.
This comes a few months after the aviation body announced it would undertake a study on the subject, although it concluded that "voice communications" during the duration of a flight were still verboten. The FAA is still strict about allowing passengers to use their devices during take-off and landing, despite the fact that there is still no evidence that the electronics on personal gadgets are as much a danger to avionic systems as, say, a flock of geese.

Credit : Fast Company

FCC enlists more cable providers to offer discounted broadband to low-income families

Back in September, Comcast teamed up with the FCC to offer discounted broadband access to low-income families, in the hopes of bridging the connectivity gulf separating the haves from the have-nots. Today, that campaign is gaining new momentum, now that Time Warner Cable, Cox and most other major US cable providers have thrown their hats into the ring. According to the New York Times, many of the industry's heaviest hitters have agreed to offer high-speed access for just $9.99 per month, fueling the FCC's efforts to reach the estimated 100 million Americans without an at-home internet connection. The low-cost service will be made available for a 2-year period to disconnected families who have at least one child enrolled in the national school lunch program, and who have not recently subscribed to a broadband provider. On top of that, Microsoft will provide discounted computers to these families at a price of $150, with Morgan Stanley offering microcredit to those who need a little extra time to make the payment. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski says the initiative, slated to be announced later today, should make a "real dent in the broadband adoption gap," by making the internet more accessible and, in theory, more valuable. The Commission hopes to expand the program to the entire country by September 2012, now that it's enlisted most cable heavyweights. Notably missing from the initiative are Verizon and AT&T (which has its own FCC-related matters to worry about), though the reasons for their absence remain unclear.

FCC Passes Net Neutrality Regulations, Julius Genachowski Defends Decision

As expected, the FCC has voted in favor of a new set of highly controversial Net neutrality regulations. In a tweet, the New York Times' Brian Stelter confirmed: "Not a surprise: by a vote of 3-2, the F.C.C. supports a new framework for 'Net neutrality.' Framework has still not been made public."

Earlier, Stelter obtained a statement that chairman Julius Genachowski is expected to deliver later today, in which he defends the measures. "As we stand here now, the freedom and openness of the Internet are unprotected," the statement reads. "No rules on the books to protect basic Internet values. No process for monitoring Internet openness as technology and business models evolve. No recourse for innovators, consumers, or speakers harmed by improper practices... That will change once we vote to approve this strong and balanced order." You can find the full statement here.

The issue, however, seems far from resolved, and political backlash appears imminent. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell wasted no time in condemning the decision, which he described as "a first step in controlling how Americans use the Internet by establishing federal regulations on its use." Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell later promised that the new Congress would seize upon the opportunity to "push back against new rules and regulations.