Who might lose face in the big race for white space?
While the ‘traditional’ mobile telecommunications operators struggle to come to grips with how best to capitalize on the growing machine-to-machine (M2M) sector, a potentially disruptive special interest group has emerged. It is driving usage of freely available ‘white space’ spectrum. This white space lies unused within spectrum bands, left fallow to create gaps or buffers [...]
Avoiding the plummeting death spiral
As a frequent flyer I am able to observe and experience the many variations between airlines with regard to the use of electronic devices on board aircraft. I’m not sure who makes up the rules because each airline seems to quote a different authority, depending on which nation they are based in or flying from. [...]
More FCC BS – Bill Shock syndrome strategy
“Wireless carriers agree to end bill shock” declared the CNNMoney headlines, “those surprise overage charges on your wireless bill will soon be a thing of the past.” Oh really! The story was either written by an extreme optimist or someone who knows very little about the machinations of carrier billing or customer behavior. Despite the [...]
Let’s get ready to rumble
I had almost given up hope that someone was going take a stand against the FCC’s Net Neutrality rules that were announced purposefully in the midst of the holiday season. It took a while but Verizon has made the first move in challenging what was starting to look like a ‘fait accompli’. In fact, Verizon [...]
Britain is back with a bang!
Following hot on the heels of one of England’s greatest sporting triumphs, beating Australia on its home turf in cricket, is good old British Telecom thumbing its nose at those other ex-colonials, the Americans, and the net neutrality bunkum. In the best spirit of capitalism and free-trade, BT Wholesale has devised a specialized content delivery network [...]
Net neurosis reigns – if it ain’t broke, regulate!
FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, had his Christmas wish granted when ‘net neutrality’ rules were voted in this week 3-2. The net neutrality vote was hardly unanimous, being carried along party lines with Democrat and Republican Commissioners voting for and against, respectively. Yet, it seems the real debate may have only just begun with the Republican [...]
More regulators catching BS bug
BS (Bill Shock) Day has been and gone and the FCC voted unanimously to gather more information on proposed rules that would require mobile service providers to send usage alerts and related information to customers to help them avoid bill shock. Wow, that’s decisive! FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said there was more than ample evidence [...]
‘BS Day’ in the USA
Yesterday was BS (Bill Shock) Day at the FCC in the United States. This is the day the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) plans to introduce new rules for mobile phone bills. The goal is to avoid consumer ‘bill shock’ from unexpected charges. The rules may require wireless companies to alert customers before they exceed limits [...]