Since the FCC passed its new Open Internet rules, reclassifying internet service as a telecommunications utility, I’ve fielded some questions–occasionally hushed, others less so–about if there might be another edge to this sword. Concerns seem to be sparked by the Commission’s recent decision to throw the book at a Roanoke, VA television station for the […]
Archive | Policy
Beyond the Hype – Will All Musicians Benefit from Jay-Z’s TIDAL?
Monday Jay-Z’s newly acquired TIDAL streaming music service pulled back the curtain on its relaunch, but just a little bit. As predicted, TIDAL is adding a compressed music service, competing with the likes of Spotify, to accompany its lossless CD-quality HiFi service. The compressed service is $9.99 a month, while the lossless version is double […]
Digital Watch: Congressional & Legal Challenges to Open Internet Order Begin
It’s not like we didn’t see it coming. The FCC is taking flak from Congress about its Open Internet rules passed last month, and this week the first wave of lawsuits has been filed. The United States Telecom Association is the biggest plaintiff, representing the nation’s largest broadband providers. The other suit was filed by […]
FCC: we are watching sponsored data plans
The Federal Communications Commission has released specifics on its new net neutrality rules. There are lots of details to pore over. I gave the document a quick scan to see if it had anything to say about sponsored data plans—deals like T-Mobile’s “Music Freedom” plan in which ISP selected Internet radio services (Pandora, Spotify) don’t […]
LPFM Watch: UCentral Student Radio to Go LPFM, WQAZ-LP’s Underwriting Violations, and More LPFM News
We are now up to 1,737 granted construction permits for new low power FM (LPFM) stations, as a result of the fall 2013 application window. In addition to some new construction permits this week, there was also some FCC enforcement action at an existing LPFM and an existing FM is facing an uncertain future after […]
REC Launches Radio History Project
Today REC Networks announced that it has begun work on the REC Radio History Project. It has started to mine the FCC database for historic AM station information and will be adding that material to the REC Broadcast Query tool. So far, it’s added information related to Los Angeles stations KFI and KHJ. According to […]
The FCC Passes Network Neutrality, Kills Internet “Fast-Lanes”
In a party-line three-to-two vote, today the FCC passed open internet rules that reclassifies internet service as a public utility. Here are some key provisions of the Open Internet Order that are of particular interest to consumers and internet broadcasters. It’s important to note that these provisions apply equally to mobile broadband–3G, 4G and LTE–as […]
Digital Watch: Net Neutrality Ready for Vote, Slate Debuts Podcast Network, BBC Upsets Internet Listeners
The most significant digital radio news this week is the FCC’s vote on Open Internet rules happening at Thursday’s open meeting. The proceedings begin at 10:30 AM EST, and will be streamed live. I posted an overview on Tuesday, and things haven’t changed much since then. The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing […]
FCC Enforcement Against Pirate Radio Lowest Since 2005
FCC actions against unlicensed broadcasters hit their lowest point since 2005 last year. That’s according to John Anderson at DIYMedia.net. He’s been tracking enforcement actions against pirate radio since 1997. FCC Actions include station visits by Enforcement Bureau field agents, as well as more mundane things, like Notices of Unauthorized Operation, which are essentially letters […]
FCC Votes on Future of Internet & Internet Radio on Thursday
On Thursday the FCC will vote on the future of the internet in the US, which also includes the future of internet radio in all its forms. The five commissioners will weigh in on Chairman Tom Wheeler’s Open Internet proposal at the Commission’s February open meeting. Yet, although Chairman Wheeler has released overviews and details, […]