Infotech & Telecom NewsThe Heartland Institute's national monthly outreach publication for advocates of less government interference in, and more market-driven approaches to, information technology and telecom policy. |
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Info Tech & Telecom News
December 2008
Broadcasters, Cable Firms Battle Over DTV Fees
The cable TV industry is urging Congress to step in and ensure broadcasters do not use the switch to digital television as an opportunity to force cable ... (read more)
The cable TV industry is urging Congress to step in and ensure broadcasters do not use the switch to digital television as an opportunity to force cable ... (read more)
California Official Wants More Broadband User Info
Broadband providers should share more market-penetration information with government officials so states can better plan ways to bring high-speed Internet ... (read more)
Broadband providers should share more market-penetration information with government officials so states can better plan ways to bring high-speed Internet ... (read more)
Congress Debates Local Cell Phone Taxes
Hard economic times have prompted local governments to look for creative ideas to raise funds, including imposing taxes on cell phone use. But one federal ... (read more)
Hard economic times have prompted local governments to look for creative ideas to raise funds, including imposing taxes on cell phone use. But one federal ... (read more)
Congress Presses for More Parental Controls
Congress has passed legislation intended to press the federal government to provide parents with more control over the content their children receive through ... (read more)
Congress has passed legislation intended to press the federal government to provide parents with more control over the content their children receive through ... (read more)
December 2008 Infotech & Telecom News: Google Ends Courtship with Yahoo (PDF)
The December 2008 issue of Infotech & Telecom News leads with Google’s announcement that it would not jump through federal regulators’ hoops ... (read more)
The December 2008 issue of Infotech & Telecom News leads with Google’s announcement that it would not jump through federal regulators’ hoops ... (read more)
Everybody Is a Loser When Competitors Flock to Antitrust Lawsuits
Google entered the browser wars in September (if any such war really exists) with the launch of Chrome, its new Web browser. It’s good to see more ... (read more)
Google entered the browser wars in September (if any such war really exists) with the launch of Chrome, its new Web browser. It’s good to see more ... (read more)
FCC Battles Wireless Providers over Unused Spectrum
The Federal Communications Commission says the use of empty airwaves for taxpayer-provided wireless Internet proposed by the federal government would not ... (read more)
The Federal Communications Commission says the use of empty airwaves for taxpayer-provided wireless Internet proposed by the federal government would not ... (read more)
FCC Considers Raising Residential Phone Fees
The Federal Communications Commission wants to overhaul the fees phone companies pay each other to connect calls—and increase the fund subsidizing ... (read more)
The Federal Communications Commission wants to overhaul the fees phone companies pay each other to connect calls—and increase the fund subsidizing ... (read more)
FCC Lowers Phone Company Reporting Requirements
Federal regulators have agreed to cut the amount of information they collect from the country’s largest phone companies about service quality and ... (read more)
Federal regulators have agreed to cut the amount of information they collect from the country’s largest phone companies about service quality and ... (read more)
FCC to Retry ‘D Block’ Spectrum Auction
The Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to re-auction the “D” block of the analog spectrum, which will be vacated when television ... (read more)
The Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to re-auction the “D” block of the analog spectrum, which will be vacated when television ... (read more)
Fearing Regulators, Google Abandons Yahoo Deal
Deciding it was not worth the time and effort to fight government regulators, Web search giant Google pulled out of a proposed partnership with Yahoo to ... (read more)
Deciding it was not worth the time and effort to fight government regulators, Web search giant Google pulled out of a proposed partnership with Yahoo to ... (read more)
Federal Government Cybersecurity Is Inadequate, GAO Reports
The federal cybersecurity team with primary responsibility for protecting government computer networks isn’t up to the task, according to a new report ... (read more)
The federal cybersecurity team with primary responsibility for protecting government computer networks isn’t up to the task, according to a new report ... (read more)
Hackers Suspected in Al Qaeda Web Stoppage
Most events this year commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred without incident, except one—the release of al Qaeda’s ... (read more)
Most events this year commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred without incident, except one—the release of al Qaeda’s ... (read more)
Internet Providers OK Ad Opt-In Plan
Telecommunication giants Verizon, AT&T, and TimeWarner Cable announced their support of an opt-in plan for targeted online advertising, a decision that ... (read more)
Telecommunication giants Verizon, AT&T, and TimeWarner Cable announced their support of an opt-in plan for targeted online advertising, a decision that ... (read more)
Kentucky Can Seize Gambling Web Sites: Court
A Kentucky judge has ruled the state has the power to seize online gambling domain names and prohibit Kentuckians from accessing the Web sites, in order ... (read more)
A Kentucky judge has ruled the state has the power to seize online gambling domain names and prohibit Kentuckians from accessing the Web sites, in order ... (read more)
Minnesota Muni Wi-Fi Can Proceed, Judge Rules
A Minnesota judge tossed out a lawsuit filed by a telecommunications company against the city of Monticello claiming the government could not use public ... (read more)
A Minnesota judge tossed out a lawsuit filed by a telecommunications company against the city of Monticello claiming the government could not use public ... (read more)
New Law Hikes IP Infringement Penalties
A new federal law provides increased penalties for intellectual property infringements and creates an executive-level position in the White House for a ... (read more)
A new federal law provides increased penalties for intellectual property infringements and creates an executive-level position in the White House for a ... (read more)
Pleasant Hill, California Tries Risky Muni Wi-Fi
Cities across the nation are scrambling to be the first in their region to offer their citizens free wireless Internet access at hotspots around town. Add ... (read more)
Cities across the nation are scrambling to be the first in their region to offer their citizens free wireless Internet access at hotspots around town. Add ... (read more)
Senator Quizzes Telecoms on Texting Rates
The chairman of a powerful U.S. Senate committee is demanding the telecommunications industry justify rising text-messaging charges, in a letter suggesting ... (read more)
The chairman of a powerful U.S. Senate committee is demanding the telecommunications industry justify rising text-messaging charges, in a letter suggesting ... (read more)
State Spam Law Unconstitutional, Court Says
In 2004, North Carolina resident Jeremy Jaynes became the first person in American history to be convicted of a “felony spam” offense. This ... (read more)
In 2004, North Carolina resident Jeremy Jaynes became the first person in American history to be convicted of a “felony spam” offense. This ... (read more)
Test DTV Converter Boxes Now, Experts Say
The switch from analog to digital television is coming in two months, and experts are telling Americans to make sure they are prepared to receive the new ... (read more)
The switch from analog to digital television is coming in two months, and experts are telling Americans to make sure they are prepared to receive the new ... (read more)
U.S. Tech Exports Dip
In another nugget of bad news for the U.S. economy, international demand for the nation’s technology exports is falling. According to the American ... (read more)
In another nugget of bad news for the U.S. economy, international demand for the nation’s technology exports is falling. According to the American ... (read more)
Unions Press for Foothold in IT Sector
Influential members of the U.S. tech community are tossing around the idea of forming a union for information technology workers, citing a weakening economy ... (read more)
Influential members of the U.S. tech community are tossing around the idea of forming a union for information technology workers, citing a weakening economy ... (read more)
WiMax Gets First Real Test in Baltimore
Sprint Nextel Corp. has opened its new wireless network to customers in Baltimore, Maryland, offering WiMax Internet service. It is the first commercial ... (read more)
Sprint Nextel Corp. has opened its new wireless network to customers in Baltimore, Maryland, offering WiMax Internet service. It is the first commercial ... (read more)
