Topic: Tom Wheeler

Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's 2016 speech at the National Press Club outlined the US strategy for 5G, emphasizing "millimeter wave" signals and massive infrastructure deployment. Wheeler stated that the US would not wait for standards or safety studies, prioritizing being "first out of the gate" for economic reasons. He predicted that 5G would enable hundreds of billions of microchips to be connected in a vast "Internet of Things."

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler testified about standardizing consumer complaint forms and moving to a digital system. Wheeler noted that the previous paper-based system in Gettysburg would send 17 different forms for a single complaint, such as robocalls or commercial loudness. The FCC's IT team recently won an award from AFIRM, an industry-partnered organization, for its transition to cloud computing.

The FCC votes 3-2 to reclassify broadband internet as a common carrier service under Title II. The hosts critique the lack of a public document at the time of the vote and Verizon's response in Morse code. They suggest the move is a "scam" that will primarily benefit Google and lead to years of litigation.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed a 332-page plan for net neutrality that reclassifies broadband under Title II. John C. Dvorak argues this is a political "red herring" designed to fail in the courts, citing a Supreme Court ruling that limited the EPA's ability to change its own regulatory powers. The hosts suggest the plan is a strategic move to blame Republicans for the lack of internet regulation during the upcoming election cycle.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to regulate the internet under Title II is heavily criticized. The hosts argue that the "bright line rules" and the ban on "throttling" will lead to government censorship of "unlawful content" and stifle the natural evolution of the internet's infrastructure.

The FCC's upcoming February vote on net neutrality is analyzed, with a focus on the debate between Title II regulation and a proposed "Title X" by Republicans in Congress. The potential for the government to regulate "unlawful network traffic" is identified as a threat to peer-to-peer services. Additionally, Google's aggressive marketing for its fiber-optic internet service in Austin, Texas, is described.

The hosts debate the implications of the President's net neutrality plan, specifically the rule regarding "no blocking" of legal content. They question who defines what is "lawful," suggesting that documents from Wikileaks or Edward Snowden could be deemed illegal and thus subject to blocking by ISPs under government pressure.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler released a letter proposing new regulations to force cable companies to unbundle their channels for internet-based streaming services. The proposal aims to give consumers more choices by allowing them to buy only the programs they want, similar to the 1992 mandate for the satellite industry. Critics warn that this move could lead to a more regulated, Hollywood-controlled internet and a degradation of overall service quality as linear streaming replaces traditional broadcast models.

The hosts play a clip of President Obama discussing his commitment to net neutrality, where he uses the metaphor of "clogging up the pipes." Curry and Dvorak mock the President's technical understanding, comparing his rhetoric to Ted Stevens' "series of tubes." They argue that packet prioritization is necessary for the internet to function and that the FCC is seeking to regulate digital content like traditional broadcasting.

The mayors of New York, San Francisco, and Portland sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler urging the reclassification of broadband as a common carrier. The letter emphasizes the need for "lawful content" to be accessible without delays. Analysts point out that the focus on "lawful content" implies a level of government censorship and control over the internet that is often ignored in the net neutrality debate.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has proposed rules that would allow for "two-sided markets," where content providers could pay ISPs for better network access. This proposal has been met with intense opposition from Google and Netflix, who have launched public relations campaigns framing the issue as "fast lanes" versus "slow lanes." Critics argue that these tech giants are manipulating public opinion to avoid paying for the infrastructure they utilize.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn's arguments for net neutrality are analyzed through clips from recent hearings. The discussion focuses on her claims that government intervention is necessary to protect startups and prevent corporations from determining market winners. The hosts criticize her use of "my mother" as a rhetorical device to explain complex technology policy.

The hosts critique an MSNBC segment for using condescending terms like "wonky techie term" and "interwebs" to describe net neutrality. The media coverage focuses on the FCC's proposed "caveat" that would allow a toll-based fast road for wealthy companies. Protesters are shown gathering outside the FCC to oppose Chairman Tom Wheeler's plan.

The FCC's release of new rulemaking regarding the "Open Internet" is dissected. Adam Curry argues that the shift from "Net Neutrality" to "Open Internet" signals a move toward government regulation of the web as a utility. He expresses skepticism toward non-profit groups campaigning for these rules, suggesting they are inadvertently paving the way for metered billing and increased government control.

Adam Curry breaks down the FCC's new "Open Internet" rulemaking proposal. He criticizes the shift in terminology from "Net Neutrality" to "Open Internet" and argues that the public is being misled by simplistic analogies. He suggests the ultimate goal of these regulations is to enable metered billing for broadband providers.

The FCC is proposing new rules regarding "net neutrality," which the media has characterized using analogies of "fast lanes" and "toll booths." John C. Dvorak argues these analogies are technically inaccurate and that the debate is actually about peering agreements and port fees. He criticizes tech journalists for failing to explain how the internet actually routes data.

President Obama's appointment of Tom Wheeler as FCC Chairman is criticized as a violation of his 2009 executive order on ethics. Wheeler previously served as a lobbyist for both the cable and wireless industries. The hosts highlight the "revolving door" between government agencies and the industries they regulate.