02/10, 12:50pm
Blurry, mysterious Google device spotted at FCC
Google is readying to release a so-called "next-generation personal communication device," as revealed by FCC documents. The files don't reveal much, other than that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios are onboard and the company is getting ready to begin testing 102 of the devices in various regions in the US. The hardware is listed as being in the prototyping phase and employees in LA, Mountain View, Cambridge, and New York will test them at home.
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02/09, 12:10pm
Lytro camera torn down by FCC, shows Wi-Fi, BT
Lytro's infinite focus camera has been torn down by the FCC, revealing its internal components. Behind the 1.5-inch display hides a Marvell Avastar 88W8787 system-on-chip that contains both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios. This is interesting, as it indicates the camera has the hardware required to be controlled over a wireless link or share its photos online.
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02/08, 11:00pm
Smaller carriers cry foul
AT&T and Verizon have reportedly lobbied to deregulate spectrum auctions and reduce the Federal Communication Commission's role in managing spectrum allocation between carriers. The companies are accused of pushing legislators to add a special provision to the JOBS Act (PDF) that would bar the FCC from excluding a company from bidding.
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02/08, 2:10pm
Boxee fights cable lobbying FCC over cable locks
Boxee in a direct criticism contended that cable companies were being anti-competitive in lobbying to drop a requirement that basic cable stay unencrypted. The Boxee Box designer argued that the request, which would let a TV provider require a set-top box or slot-in card to get any signal at all, was only meant to shut out free alternatives and force customers to buy or more often rent equipment. Company chief Avner Ronen argued that it would block devices like the Boxee Live TV add-on and that there was no real upside.
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02/07, 9:30pm
Startup places blame on GPS industry
LightSquared has asked the Federal Communications Commission to consider new regulations for GPS devices to avoid interference with the startup's 4G network. The company has continued to argue that the GPS industry is to blame for the lingering interference issues, as GPS receivers lack sufficient signal filters to avoid being jammed by terrestrial LTE transmitters that use L-band spectrum that LightSquared has licensed.
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02/03, 10:30pm
Residential gateways may lead to ubiquitous Wi-Fi
Two applications from Google to the FCC, one asking to test a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled "entertainment device" from December and other seeking to set up a residential gateway using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from earlier this month may indicate that Google is planning to deploy or at least support future 802.11ac networks and devices, which would dramatically increase transmission speeds for HD video and other data throughout a local network.
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02/03, 10:25pm
FCC may intervene on Dish, AT&T stoush
Dish is facing opposition from AT&T on its plans to develop a 4G LTE-Advanced mobile broadband network to complement its existing satellite TV and other services. It has petitioned the FCC on the matter, arguing that AT&T is pushing for an ‘overly aggressive and unrealistic schedule’ for its suggested build-out time frames. Dish argues that such conditions would ‘set Dish up for failure or force Dish into unfavorable business arrangements.’
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02/03, 7:00pm
Mobile hotspot carries radios for global travels
The ZTE Jetpack, a 4G LTE mobile hotspot to be sold by Verizon, has made its way through the FCC. The device, which can support up to ten Wi-Fi-ready devices, sustains download speeds of 5Mbps to 12Mbps and upload speeds of 2Mbps to 5Mbps. FCC approval is one of the last hurdles before the product will hit Verizon's shelves.
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02/03, 8:30am
Jawbone Big Jambox promises more wireless sound
Jawbone's plans for a bigger Bluetooth speaker were given away late Thursday after an FCC filing showed a new device. Just called the Big Jambox, the diagramming hints that it might represent a literal upsizing of the brick-shaped audio device. Not much is hinted at in directly by the filing besides the inclusion of Bluetooth.
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02/02, 10:45pm
Identity of device remains unclear
Yet another unannounced Samsung device appears to have made its way through FCC testing. The handset, which is referred to by the model code SGH-T769, has been approved for GSM bands and the WCDMA bands that T-Mobile utilizes for its 4G network.
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01/31, 8:35pm
Sprint gives LightSquared short leash on GPS issue
Sprint in comments Tuesday revealed it had given LightSquared one more deadline extension for it to get FCC approval. The would-be 4G network had until mid-March to get clearance, a Sprint representative explained to Total Telecom. It had already been given an extension this month that had already run dry.
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01/31, 3:40pm
FCC outlines changes to LifeLine subsidy program
The FCC has updated its plan to help out poor Americans reach the web. The changes to the 25-year-old Lifeline program, as outlined on Monday, will focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse of the program, with the aim of saving $2 billion over the course of three years.
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01/30, 3:30pm
Markey intros cellphone privacy act draft bill
Congressman Ed Markey, known for criticizing Carrier IQ and the carriers that support it, has now proposed a draft bill (PDF) that aims to protect the privacy of cellphone users. The Mobile Device Privacy Act would order companies to publicly disclose whether they are using tracking software such as Carrier IQ, according to a Monday report found in the The Hill. It would also require them to reveal what information is collected and give users a consent option.
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01/30, 1:05pm
FCC asks for input on LightSquared call
The FCC on Monday began taking public comments on a LightSquared request to drop shelters protecting GPS from interference from the would-be provider's LTE network. Following LightSquared's accusations of bias, the FCC has put out a notice that will see it compile commentary by February 27 and responses to those comments by March 13. LightSquared executive VP Jeff Carlisle told Bloomberg that he was "extremely pleased" with the move.
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01/27, 3:10pm
Galaxy S II variant shows up at FCC, due in China
A unique variant of the Samsung Galaxy S II has now shown up undergoing FCC testing. The device, only known so far as the GT-i9070, will have GSM/EDGE 850MHz and 1,900MHz support, along with WCDMA 3G bands II and IV used in the US. It's believed focused on China.
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01/26, 11:35pm
Company blasts proposed changes
T-Mobile's vice president of federal regulatory affairs, Kathleen Ham, has issued a statement calling for the FCC to establish tighter rules for spectrum auctions. As a former FCC auctions division chief, Ham argues that pending congressional legislation and the "newfound distrust" in the FCC may push smaller companies out of the spectrum auctions.
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01/26, 8:05pm
White space wireless exits trial phase
The first official, non-trial instance of white space wireless has gone live in the US on Thursday. The Wilmington, North Carolina access point is so far intended just for linking outdoor monitoring cameras and systems. It can still provide unlicensed, open wireless access at ranges as far as 328 feet, or well beyond the range of Wi-Fi.
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01/24, 10:10pm
Sprint counters AT&T accusations
AT&T has reportedly criticized Sprint for dropping its own cellular coverage in several markets, accusing the competitor of using changes to FCC regulations to downsize its network. Sprint is accused of shutting down networks in Kansas and Oklahoma, relying instead on roaming agreements with AT&T to maintain service in the markets.
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01/23, 5:20pm
ATT fulfills promise to hand over spectrum
AT&T following a promise it made as a condition of its since-dropped takeover of T-Mobile has jointly filed with T-Mobile to transfer some of its wireless spectrum. The deal will give about $1 billion in frequency licenses to T-Mobile in accordance with terms AT&T agreed to in the even the deal failed. T-Mobile is expected to use the space to fill out coverage and overcome a deficit it has relative to other major US carriers.
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01/20, 5:15pm
Could pressure LTE provider to sell off assets
Veteran corporate raider/investor Carl Icahn may have grabbed some of LightSquared's debt. Reuters, citing several sources familiar with the matter, reports that Icahn, along with two others, bought up a total of $300 million of the troubled LTE network provider's loan obligations over the course of 2011. Icahn has declined to comment.
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01/18, 4:40pm
MeMic BT accessory for ASUS tablet shows at FCC
A new accessory for ASUS' upcoming Eee Pad MeMO unveiled at CES has just shown up at the FCC. Called the MeMic, it's meant to connect over Bluetooth to the seven-inch tablet and allow users to make phone calls without holding the large tablet next to their head. It will also double as a remote control for the tablet.
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01/14, 4:20pm
LightSquared insists conspiracy to block its 4G
LightSquared in a hostile message accused US agencies on Friday of "bias and collusion" for finding interference with GPS in LightSquared's proposed 4G LTE network. It argued that the government had made a questionable deal with GPS proponent Trimble for testing that "deliberately" excluded LightSquared from testing. As part of the accusations, it had on Wednesday complained to NASA's Investigator General that Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board member Dr. Brad Parkinson was inherently biased against LightSquared as a director of Trimble.
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01/02, 7:45pm
HP Spectre may be ultrabook Envy
HP has teased that it might have more at CES than it has told the media in a teaser slipped out Monday. Called just the Spectre in the video (below) seeded to Engadget and multiple other sites, and believed to be part of the Envy line, it looks to be an extremely thin notebook with a flat lid. Very little else is shown other than patterns that infer the very thin design.
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01/02, 1:10pm
Sprint gives late extension to LightSquared
Sprint waited until Sunday to give LightSquared a 30-day extension on the FCC approval it needs to implement the LightSquared deal. Waiting until the day after the deadline expired, Sprint now gave the 4G provider until late January to overcome GPS interference claims. It's not clear LightSquared will necessarily make the deadline given a lack of firm updates.
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12/30, 3:30pm
Verizon backtracks on convenience fee
Just hours after an FCC investigation began, Verizon has said it will drop the contentious $2 "convenience fee." It directly acknowledged the customer backlash as the core reason. In a questionable justification, though, it claimed the fee had been implemented to "improve the efficiency" of payments, although it decided that simply educating customers would be easier.
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12/30, 2:40pm
FCC may object to Verizon bill fee
The FCC on Friday said it would investigate Verizon's $2 convenience fee for one-time bill payments. Agency officials were "concerned about Verizon's actions," the regulator said. It was too soon to gauge whether this would include policy changes.
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12/27, 1:50pm
ATT completes Qualcomm LTE spectrum deal
AT&T on Tuesday formally completed its purchase of Qualcomm airwaves. The $1.9 billion deal gives it access to 700MHz frequencies it will use to boost the coverage for its LTE-based 4G network. The extra spectrum's reach is wide enough to cover nearly all of the US, at 300 million potential users.
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12/24, 1:15pm
Option gets into hotspots with XYfi leak
Better known for its 3G modems, Option is jumping into hotspots after an FCC listing gave away its plans. Nicknamed the XYfi, it would share three bands of HSPA 3G over 802.11n Wi-Fi. Not much else is known besides its having a quad-band EDGE 2G fallback and a very small profile.
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12/22, 7:30pm
FCC gives light conditions to ATT-Qualcomm deal
The Federal Communications Commission has quickly acted on its promise to reexamine AT&T's purchase of Qualcomm spectrum by approving the deal on Thursday. A three-to-one vote will give AT&T the 700MHz frequencies that Qualcomm was using on its short-lived Flo TV service. AT&T will primarily have to guarantee against interference and allow roaming from phones and tablets on rival networks.
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12/22, 3:00pm
FCC names KOS first white space device, more
The FCC has now publicly approved Spectrum Bridge Inc's White Space databse, a document it posted reveals. The Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) will allow service to wireless devices starting on January 26. The first device approved to operate on an unlicensed basis on unused frequencies in the TV bands is from Koos Technical Services (KTS).
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12/22, 12:15pm
HP Envy 14 Spectre makes first appearance at FCC
HP will release an updated version of its Envy 14 notebooks, if a recent FCC filing is any indication. Called the Envy 14 Spectre, it has dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi. Other specs aren't yet available, though the product's technical drawings show new vents and labels.
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12/19, 4:40pm
ATT ends troubled T-Mobile takeover attempt
AT&T on Monday said it planned to drop its attempt to buy T-Mobile. Citing opposition from the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, it decided to enter a "mutually beneficial" roaming deal with T-Mobile to share each other's capacity. AT&T would pay its promised $4 billion in combined breakup fees to T-Mobile in response to the failed deal.
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12/18, 7:55pm
ATT makes no progress on T-Mo asset sale offers
AT&T isn't making any progress in its attempts to sell T-Mobile assets to rescue its attempted buyout of T-Mobile, insiders uncovered Sunday. Discussions with smaller carriers have reportedly "gone cold," the Wall Street Journal heard. Among other problems, attempts to sell assets to Leap for its Cricket service fell as doubts existed that even this could salvage AT&T's proposed T-Mobile merger.
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12/16, 7:00pm
Galaxy Tab 7.7 in FCC has Verizon 4G bands
Following its appearance in Verizon's system, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 with LTE has surfaced at the FCC. The Super AMOLED-equipped tablet has gone through testing on the 700MHz band for its 4G, the same Verizon uses on its network. It also uses only CDMA as a fall-back and rules out the chance that it's a GSM version for AT&T or other carriers.
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12/16, 10:55am
Pantech LTE smartphone for AT&T pops up at FCC
A new smartphone from China's Pantech has just shown up at the FCC, and is significant as Pantech's second US phone with a 4G LTE radio. It has support for AT&T's 700, 850, and 1700MHz LTE bands. The handset is thus far known only as the P9070, but that's likely to change when and if it does show up at AT&T.
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12/15, 3:45pm
Motorola XT320 Android phone gets approved by FCC
An upcoming, entry-level Motorola handset has shown up at the FCC recently. The Android 2.3-powered XT320 is dubbed as the Defy Mini and gets a 480x320 touchscreen, though its size isn't known. There is also a five-megapixel camera onboard along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
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12/14, 8:05pm
Carrier IQ says it asked FTC and FCC first
New government investigations into Carrier IQ are voluntary, the company claimed in a statement Wednesday. It had actively looked for meetings with the FCC and FTC to "educate" the two on how its cellphone diagnostic system works, the firm told AllThingsD. Congressman Ed Markey had asked for an investigation, but there hadn't been an active effort from the FTC that it knew of.
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12/14, 2:55pm
FCC, FTC involved in investigating privacy
The US government is now involved in investigating the presence of Carrier IQ software on cellphones, says the Washington Post. The newspaper mainly cites anonymous government officials, but also Carrier IQ spokeswoman Mira Woods. "We are complying with all investigations at this time as we have nothing to hide," she says. "We have been completely transparent through this process."
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12/14, 4:35am
FCC to regulate TV commercial volumes
The FCC approved new rules on Tuesday that will require cable and TV stations to reduce the volume of louder commercials to the same level as normal TV shows. The rules will take effect this time next year, giving TV channels and marketing agencies time to get their house in order before they may be subject to penalties. Broadcasters will have to run checks on their channels and the commercials running on them to ensure that they comply with the new guidelines.
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12/13, 11:50pm
Launch details remain unclear
Sony's NW-Z1000 series portable media players, which carry the Walkman branding, have arrived at the FCC for testing. Test documents do not point to any unannounced functionality, as the device was merely tested for certification using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios, however the presence at the FCC suggests the Android device may be close to launch in the US.
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12/13, 11:10am
C Spire and Sprint to wait and see on ATT T-Mobile
C Spire and Sprint together were granted motions on Tuesday to freeze their lawsuits against AT&T over its proposed takeover of T-Mobile. Filed in tandem with AT&T, they agreed to stop in the wake of the Department of Justice staying its case. The two CDMA carriers implied they would resume action if AT&T tried restarting the takeover process.
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12/12, 2:50pm
ATT hints second thoughts on DOJ trial on merger
AT&T and T-Mobile together asked the judge in the Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit to stay the process until January 18. The two, supported by the DOJ itself, wanted time to "evaluate all options," the carriers said in a statement. It hinted that no option was off the table, including either major concessions or leaving it unchanged in what would likely be a decision to exit the deal altogether.
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12/10, 1:15pm
FCC gives ATT 180 days approval window for 700MHz
The FCC on Friday posted that it had restarted the informal shot clock for approval of AT&T's buying Qualcomm's 700MHz spectrum. Retroactively applying the start to November 29, the federal agency expects to decide within 180 days whether or not it approves the handover. Most expect the AT&T to clear the deal given that Qualcomm wouldn't be using the spectrum following the end to its MediaFLO TV service.
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12/09, 2:40pm
ATTmay have tried too hard to get T-Mobile deal
AT&T's stopped buyout of T-Mobile was hurt by relying on its own usual government lobbying tactics, an exposé revealed Friday. Government regulators and politicians grew alarmed, not reassured, when AT&T began pushing hundreds of non-technology organizations to endorse the merger, the Washington Post learned from interviews. They interpreted the unusually vocal support, which usually came from groups that took AT&T contributions, as a sign AT&T didn't believe it could get approval on merits.
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12/09, 1:30pm
Justice Department moves to delay AT&T lawsuit
The Department of Justice will file a motion with a federal judge to postpone its anti-competition case against AT&T's proposed buyout of rival T-Mobile. The filing will be made next week, The Wall Street Journal reported. Joseph Wayland, the lawyer, said the hastened court proceedings are not needed because the companies involved pulled their FCC merger application.
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12/08, 7:35pm
Could be Tegra 3 powered tablet seen in September
Chinese phone and tablet maker ZTE has submitted a seven-inch tablet to the FCC for approval. The V66 as it is called will pack LTE band 13, the 700MHz frequency variant used by Verizon. ZTE has gone so far as to imprint Verizon's 4G LTE logo on the back of the device.
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12/07, 6:25pm
Has set aside $10b in anticipation of closing deal
Despite strong opposition from US regulators, AT&T CFO John Stephens asserted that the carrier will keep trying with its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. At the UBS media conference just held in New York City, he insisted that the carrier would "continue to move forward" in spite of the Department of Justice lawsuit and withdrawing the FCC application. To prepare for the closing of the $39 billion T-Mobile deal, AT&T revealed it plans to use $10 billion cash it has accumulated on its balance sheet.
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12/07, 4:20pm
Introduction of crossover device still uncertain.
A version of the Samsung Galaxy Note sporting AT&T's 3G radios has received regulatory approval from the
FCC. The approved device, a crossover between a tablet and smartphone, is equipped with the HSPA+ 850MHz and 1,900MHz data bands. The phone was originally put before the FCC in late September.
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12/05, 7:45pm
Commission docs corroborate recent leaks
Corroborating recent leaks, Motorola's Droid 4 and Xoom 2 Media Edition appear to have arrived at the FCC for approval. The Commission's documents point to an unannounced handset, presumably the Droid 4, that was tested in "slider open" and "slider closed" configurations. The device also provides dual-mode roaming functionality, with support for Verizon's LTE and CDMA networks alongside GSM, EDGE and WCDMA.
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12/02, 9:30pm
GSM Samsung phone likely destined for AT&T
Samsung has submitted a GSM version of its Galaxy Nexus smartphone to the FCC for approval. Badged as the GT-i9250T, supports 3G radio frequencies of 850MHz and 1,900MHz, but not the 1,700MHz band of the current HSPA+ version. This raises the possibility that the phone is intended for AT&T and that the carrier is interested in keeping its customers with the phone from crossing over to the T-Mobile network.
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