Topic: Verizon V Fcc

The claim that Verizon throttled Santa Clara firefighters during a wildfire is revisited. While used by the FCC to justify net neutrality, the incident is described as a data plan limit issue rather than a violation of open internet principles.

AT&T and Verizon agreed to temporarily delay 5G deployment near major airports following warnings from airlines about potential "catastrophic" disruptions. The concern centers on 5G signals interfering with aircraft radio altimeters used during low-visibility landings. The FAA and wireless carriers remain at odds over the safety of the C-band spectrum rollout.

Cal Fire issued a directive to amateur radio repeater owners demanding high application and leasing fees to remain on state-owned mountain sites, citing technological advances as a reason to end financial support for ham operators. The "No Agenda Hams" (NAMs) are organizing in response to these restrictions, which critics argue undermine a vital public service during emergencies.

Verizon is criticized for a television commercial promoting a "dedicated lane" for first responders, which the hosts argue is a direct violation of net neutrality principles. This follows a PR scandal where Verizon throttled the data of California firefighters during a wildfire emergency, leading to accusations of hypocrisy regarding "fast lane" network prioritization.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai canceled his scheduled appearance at CES 2018 due to reported death threats following the repeal of net neutrality rules. This follows a previous security evacuation during the FCC's vote in December. The hosts discuss the public outrage surrounding the decision and the potential for staged protests at the electronics show.

The FCC is exploring a plan to provide broadband subsidies for low-income individuals, which aligns with Verizon's acquisition of AOL. Verizon stands to benefit from government subsidies for AOL's remaining 2 million dial-up customers. This move is seen as a way for Verizon to recoup its $4 billion acquisition cost through long-term government-funded broadband programs.

Verizon's $4.4 billion acquisition of AOL is analyzed as a strategic move to capture government broadband subsidies rather than an advertising play. By converting AOL's remaining 2 million dial-up customers to broadband, Verizon could potentially access billions in FCC funding intended to expand high-speed internet access.

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.

The origins of the term "Net Neutrality" are traced back to Tim Wu, who originally posited that metered service is the only way to achieve true democratization of data. The hosts discuss the legal battle between Verizon and the FCC, which led to the current proposal to use Title II or Section 706 authority. They explain that Title II would regulate the internet like a telephone system, which is inherently a metered utility.

The hosts discuss the legal fallout of the Verizon vs. FCC court decision. Adam explains the difference between regulating the internet under Section 706 versus Title II. He notes the FCC's proposal to create an "ombudsperson" to resolve disputes and the introduction of a "commercial reasonableness" standard for traffic management.

The FCC's absence from the NAB show was officially blamed on the "sequester," but insiders suggest it was to avoid criticism over plans to eliminate Low Power TV (LPTV) spectrum. Lobbyists from major carriers like Verizon are reportedly pushing to kill off these smaller stations to repurpose the bandwidth. The hosts argue this is part of a broader effort to force consumers away from free over-the-air television and toward paid cable services.