US Supreme Court rules against AT&T corporate privacy rights
The US Supreme Court has ruled that AT&T Inc and other corporations do not have personal privacy rights to prevent disclosure of federal government records about them.
The Justice unanimously overturned a ruling by a U.S. Appeals court for the telecommunications company that corporations can assert personal privacy in claiming that the records should be exempt from disclosure.
The high court, in an opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, agreed with the Obama administration’s argument that the personal privacy exemption under the Freedom of Information law applied only to individuals, not to corporations.
Public interest groups supported the government. They stated that under AT&T’s position, government records could be withheld about coal mine safety violations, offshore oil rig problems, dirty conditions at food manufacturing plants and questionable investment bank financial dealings.
Business groups supported AT&T and stated that corporations have long enjoyed a range of rights, including privacy rights. AT&T argued that the Federal Communications Commission should keep all the records secret during an investigation into its participation in the federal E-Rate program, which helps schools and libraries get Internet access.
AT&T told FCC in 2004 that an internal investigation had revealed certain irregularities in the company’s billings to a Connecticut school under the program.
LightSquared and the United States GPS Industry Council File Their First Joint Report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
LightSquared, the nation’s first wholesale-only integrated wireless broadband and satellite network provider, and the United States Global Positioning System (GPS) Industry Council (USGIC), the leading organization worldwide representing the interests of the satellite navigation industry and users, announced both the filing of their first joint report as required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the formation of a technical working group required by the FCC.
Last month the FCC granted LightSquared’s waiver to integrate terrestrial broadband network wireless services with satellite communications along with a requirement to complete an interference study. The grant required several interested parties who use neighboring radio spectrum to establish a working group to fully study potential interference concerns and, in particular, to identify any measures necessary to prevent potential interference to GPS.
LightSquared and the USGIC, working cooperatively, issued their first joint filing to the FCC Friday, February 25. It outlines the key milestones for the overall analyses that they plan to conduct together. The next report will be filed in March, and it will provide the FCC with details about test plans and procedures. Joint filings providing progress reports will be delivered to the FCC each month, with the final report due June 15, 2011.
Sprint, Falcone’s LightSquared in talks over network agreement
If sources are to be believed, Philip Falcone’s LightSquared Inc. wireless venture is in discussions to use Sprint Nextel Corp.’s cell sites and equipment to help build out its network.
LightSquared, backed by billionaire Falcone’s Harbinger Capital Partners hedge fund, is seeking to compete with AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless and Clearwire Corp. in selling so-called fourth-generation wireless service that offers faster Internet browsing. Sprint buys 4G capacity from Clearwire. AT&T and Verizon are building out their own 4G networks this year.
Falcone has committed billions to challenge LightSquared’s larger and more established rivals and he is facing government deadlines for building out his network.
Falcone agreed last year to Federal Communications Commission conditions that he employs a combination satellite-terrestrial network for as many as 100 million Americans by the end of 2012 and 260 million by 2016.
LightSquared close to $585 million loan deal (US)
Philip Falcone’s LightSquared Inc. venture is reportedly close to securing a $585 million loan to build its wireless network, as it negotiates a wholesale deal with a nationwide carrier.
According to sources, an official announcement of the loan could come as early as today. The loan, from UBS AG and JPMorgan Chase & Co., will bring LightSquared’s cash on hand to about $1 billion. The company has stated that it currently has roughly $1.75 billion in debt and equity.
As per the company’s previous statement, LightSquared has agreements with five customers to provide wholesale 4G service, including two carriers, a national retailer, a device manufacturer and a website.
LightSquared is seeking to compete with AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless and Clearwire Corp. in selling 4G capacity. The company is planning to offer space on its network to retailers, computer manufacturers and consumer electronics makers, allowing companies such as Apple Inc. and Sony Corp. to sell their own wireless service in competition with existing providers.
According to sources, under a Federal Communications Commission order, the company has to build a network that covers up to 100 million Americans by the end of 2012 and 260 million by 2016. The new funds are in addition to an existing $850 million credit facility Reston, Virginia-based LightSquared has with UBS.
Verizon challenges FCC net neutrality rules in court
Verizon Communications Inc. has taken to federal court its attempt to stop the Federal Communications Commission’s controversial new rules to guarantee open Internet access.
In a widely expected move, the telecommunications giant told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that the FCC exceeded its authority when it enacted regulations last month to ensure so-called net neutrality.
The regulations forbid owners of high-speed lines and airwaves from favouring their services over competitors’.
“We are deeply concerned by the FCC’s assertion of broad authority for sweeping new regulation of broadband networks and the Internet itself,” Michael E. Glover, Verizon’s deputy general counsel, said Thursday. “We believe this assertion of authority goes well beyond any authority provided by Congress, and creates uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers.”
The FCC said in a statement: “We are confident the order is legally sound and are prepared to defend it in any forum.”
The commission voted 3 to 2 along party lines last month to enact net neutrality rules, a top priority of President Obama and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. The rules prohibit phone and cable companies that provide high-speed Internet service from blocking access to any legal content, applications or services.
The rules are tougher on wired service than on the still-developing market for mobile Internet service. And after years of debate, the regulations did not go as far as some Democrats and consumer and digital rights advocates had wanted. That led to qualified support from some telecommunications companies, such as AT&T Inc.
But many congressional Republicans were outraged by the FCC’s move and have pledged to try to stop it. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, praised Verizon’s suit Thursday.
Verizon, which said it is committed to an open Internet, has been outspoken in arguing that the new regulations are not needed.
Genachowski’s office did not immediately comment on the Verizon appeal.
But Parul P. Desai, policy counsel for Consumers Union, said Verizon’s charge that the rules create uncertainty “doesn’t hold water.”
“Consumers should be able to surf the web without their Internet provider limiting their choices to its preferred sites,” she said. “The rules bring clarity and focus to a situation that’s been hanging in limbo for years.”
US regulator set to pass net neutrality rule
The US Federal Communications Commission is all set to pass net neutrality rules at a meeting today after its chairman secured cautious support from two Democratic commissioners who had hoped for stronger regulation of internet traffic.
According to statements from commissioners Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn on the eve of a meeting to approve an open internet order pave the way for a compromise that will prevent broadband network operators from blocking legal content, while allowing them to manage traffic on their networks by charging heavy users more.
Their approval will allow Julius Genachowski, the FCC’s Democratic chairman, to overcome opposition from the commission’s Republican members, Meredith Baker and Robert McDowell, who have expressed concern that unnecessary regulation will deter investment in broadband infrastructure.
Following allowances offered by Mr Genachowski, cable companies will be allowed to charge internet users and content providers for the network capacity they use, while mobile operators will have more freedom than originally proposed to favor some types of traffic on their networks over others.
According to Ms Clyburn, the Commission has worked tirelessly to offer a set of guidelines that, while not as strong as they could be, will nonetheless protect consumers as they explore, learn, and innovate online.
The FCC has described the proposed regulations as basic rules of the road to preserve the open internet as a platform for innovation, investment, competition, and free expression. They have largely been welcomed by network operators and investors, but remain deeply contentious.
FCC plans to vote on network neutrality rules
FCC is planning to tackle Internet traffic rules intended to prohibit broadband providers from blocking or slowing some traffic at a December 21 meeting contentious.
The Federal Communications Commission has announced a tentative agenda for its next meeting that included an order to adopt regulations to preserve the open Internet as a platform for innovation, investment, competition and free expression.
According to the agency, the rules would protect the transmission of lawful Internet traffic for consumers, while giving broadband providers the flexibility to manage their networks.
So-called net neutrality rules would determine whether high-speed Internet providers such as Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications Inc should be allowed to block or slow content information, or charge for a fast lane to reach users more quickly.
The main concern is how quickly consumers, particularly those using handheld devices such as Research in Motion Ltd’s BlackBerry and Apple Inc’s iPhone, can receive and download videos and other content.
Broadband providers say they should be able to manage networks, but some public interest groups and content providers argue that there should be a level playing field for all Internet users.
Google Voice app wins approval from Apple
Google Inc.’s Voice calling application has won approval to be on the iPhone after more than a year of negotiating with Apple Inc.
The announced suddenly resolves an argument that started a Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether Apple and AT&T, the iPhone’s exclusive US service provider, were trying to smother competition.
Google Voice lets people sign up for a new phone number, then route incoming calls out to cell, office or home phones. It also lets users place calls, offering steep discounts on international traffic, and includes voice mail. The free app already has been available for Blackberry phones and devices running on Google’s Android operating system.
Google submitted the app to Apple about 16 months ago. In January, while waiting for approval, Google revamped its mobile website to make it easier to use the Voice app on the iPhone. Now the free app can be installed on the device.
Apple’s decision to finally accept the application comes more than a year after the FCC sent letters to Google, Apple and AT&T asking why Google Voice had not been approved for the iPhone.
Verizon to pay $25 million settlement for overcharging (USA)
According to the US regulator, the top U.S. mobile service, Verizon Wireless, has decided to pay the U.S. Treasury $25 million on top of more than $52 million in refunds to consumers for overcharging them.
As per the earlier statements by the venture of Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc, it would pay refunds to 15 million cell phone customers incorrectly charged for mobile Internet use.
According to the Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski’s statement the $25 million settlement was the largest in the FCC’s history. People shouldn’t find mystery fees when they open their phone bills and they certainly shouldn’t have to pay for services they didn’t want and didn’t use. In these rough economic times, every $1.99 counts.
According to the company, the settlement was voluntary and it apologized for the accidental data charges.
