telecommunications industry

4Oct

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Technology

America’s national emergency alert test is coming to your phone at 2:20 pm ET today: Here’s what you need to know

New York CNN — Today was the day for the US government’s big emergency alert drill, which sent a test message to every TV, radio and cell phone in the nation. Starting at approximately 2:20 pm ET on Wednesday, the federal government began conducting a nationwide test of its Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts. The EAS portion of the test sent an emergency alert to all radios and televisions, while the WEA portion of the drill sent an alert to all consumer cell phones. The test was being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the Federal Communication Commission. Its purpose was to ensure that the systems in place continue to be an effective means ...

FCC to propose rules for net neutrality that ban internet providers from blocking websites

27Sep

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Technology

FCC to propose rules for net neutrality that ban internet providers from blocking websites

CNN — The US government aims to restore sweeping regulations for high-speed internet providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, reviving “net neutrality” rules for the broadband industry — and an ongoing debate about the internet’s future. The proposed rules from the Federal Communications Commission will designate internet service — both the wired kind found in homes and businesses as well as mobile data on cellphones — as “essential telecommunications” akin to traditional telephone services, said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The rules would ban internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking or slowing down access to websites and online content. In addition to the prohibitions on b...

TikTok fined $368 million in Europe for failing to protect children

15Sep

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Technology

TikTok fined $368 million in Europe for failing to protect children

CNN — A major European tech regulator has ordered TikTok to pay a €345 million ($368 million) fine after ruling that the app failed to do enough to protect children. The Irish Data Protection Commission, which oversees TikTok’s activities in the European Union, said Friday that the company had violated the bloc’s signature privacy law. An investigation by the DPC found that in the latter half of 2020, TikTok’s default settings didn’t do enough to protect children’s accounts. For example, it said, newly-created children’s profiles were set to public by default, meaning anybody on the internet could view them. TikTok didn’t sufficiently disclose these privacy risks to kids and also us...

More than 20 million Americans enrolled in a federal program for subsidized internet access

20Aug

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Technology

More than 20 million Americans enrolled in a federal program for subsidized internet access

Washington CNN — More than 20 million US households are now receiving discounts on internet service as part of a federal program created to close the digital divide, according to the Federal Communications Commission. The milestone highlights the cost of reliable internet service for low-income families, an issue that the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) seeks to address by providing $30-a-month subsidies to eligible US households. Recipients living on tribal lands can receive even more, up to $75 per month to help cover internet access costs. US residents can can qualify for the program if they meet certain eligibility requirements, such as participating in other government assi...

10Aug

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Technology

Portable cell sites arrive in Maui to bring internet to residents and tourists

New York CNN — Portable mobile hotspots have arrived in Maui to help bring internet service to the thousands of people who may have been unable to call for help since the wildfires started to rage out of control on the island. Verizon told CNN on Thursday its teams are currently deploying the first batch of satellite-based mobile hotspots at evacuation sites in areas of greatest need, particularly the west side of the island, west of Maalaea, Lahaina and Northern Kapalua. Verizon’s larger equipment, which is being barged over from Honolulu, is expected to arrive later in the day. This includes COLTs (Cells on Light Trucks) — a mobile site on wheels that connects to a carrier’s service via a satell...

9Aug

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Technology

Why cell phone service is down in Maui — and when it could be restored

CNN — Thousands of people in Maui are without cell service as the wildfires continue to rage out of control on the island, preventing people from calling emergency services or updating loved ones about their status. It could take days or even weeks to get the networks back up and running. “911 is down. Cell service is down. Phone service is down,” Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke told CNN on Wednesday morning. Although strong winds can sometimes threaten cell towers, most are strong enough to handle the worst that even a Category 5 hurricane can bring. Fire, however, complicates the issue. “When the fires get too close to cell sites, they will obviously burn equipment, antennas, and feedlin...