Net Neutrality debate

The Internet Neutrality debate resumes in a Congressional committee today, and U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn may attend. The CA has it.

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.

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.

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.

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.