Rep. Blackburn decries FCC's Net Neutrality move

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn believes the FCC has misstepped in addressing Net Neutrality, calling recent FCC action premature. WPLN reports.

Court undercuts 'Net Neutrality'

A U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. today said the FCC has no authority to force broadband providers to treat all customers the same, despite their broadband consumption. The NY Times reports. This may have even broader ramifications for the Obama Administration's attempts to upgrade U.S. broadband.

Comcast asks price freedom in Chattanooga

Chattanooga says that given tougher competition from EPB and other players in the Chattanooga market, Comcast should be free of pricing restrictions, and has asked Chattanooga to declare de-regulation of pricing. Comcast said that if the city doesn't do that, Comcast will appeal directly to the FCC. Chattanoogan.com has it.

FCC's Net Neutrality posture challenged

The FCC, say some observers, is likely to lose in its confrontation with Comcast over restricting bandwidth consumption of Web users, a situation that could weaken the Feds' drive for Net Neutrality, now deemed the hottest issue in telecom. The Washington Post reports.

Memphian on Digital Divide

Benjamin Hooks, former NAACP chief and FCC commissioner, opines today in the CA on Internet have-nots, regulation and enterprise.

TN news media, FCC, Blog disclosure

The FCC wants to see conspicuous disclosures from bloggers who receive benefits from the subjects of their reviews or reportorial coverage. The CA reports. The Internet Advertising Bureau's CEO responded to this impulse. CA Columnist Chris Peck comments on related Tennessee media developments.

FCC's fresh Net push

[Updated] True to his word, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined an ambitious broadband agenda, yesterday at the Brookings Institution. Read his remarks here (pdf). He's taking on Net Neutrality, provider transparency and other hot-button issues. Genachowski was running a VC fund before joining the Obama Administration. Update Sept. 30: The FCC estimates it'll cost $50BN or more to ensure broadband access to Americans who don't have it, and to increase broadband speed. The WSJ reports.

FCC: VC nominee wants broadband Stim-funding

VNC reported earlier venture capitalist Julius Genachowski's then-pending nomination to head the Federal Communications Commission under President Barack Obama. Today's WSJ reports that in confirmation hearings this week, Genachowski (at left) said he favors putting about $7Bn of Stim funding into broadband for currently unserved citizens, and is against reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. The Washington Post reports on Genachowski's previous FCC links, his service with Barry Diller of IAC.

Tate Update

Nashvillian and former FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate's already on Free State Foundation agenda for Feb. 26 symposium on key issues and the Obama Administration, to be held at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. The foundation announced Tate's joining its ranks, earlier this week. Lawyer Tate continues to explore career options, locally.

FCC: Tate's swan song Nov. 4

It may've been nonrefundable airline tickets as much as tenacity that caused Low-Power TV advocates to descend, as VentureNashville reported Friday, on a Vanderbilt health forum to intercept Tennessee native and FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate. They want regulatory permission to move-up to full power. The FCC may address the issue during its meeting, Nov. 4 (Election Day, unless it's rescheduled). Or, the commissioners could dispatch the LPTV issue by voting in the interim, among themselves. The Nov. 4 meeting could be freighted with heavy issues, including Net Neutrality, the universal service fee and other issues -- crammed-in, because all players anticipate tumult after the election. An FCC staff member reminded us Friday that while Tate was named by the White House to a full 5-year term, she has not received Senate confirmation. Her term expires when Congress adjourns.