FCC Coverage

Internet price hikes for low-income Americans could begin in May as federal funds run dry, FCC says

(CNN) -- The US government says that next month it can only pay about half of what low-income Americans are eligible for under a popular federal benefits program that is running out of money -- a crisis that threatens to plunge millions of households into economic distress within weeks.

By Brian Fung, CNN

US looks at regulating connected vehicles to prevent abusers from tracking victims

The FCC is considering a rule that could stop domestic abusers from tracking victims through vehicles that are connected wirelessly.

'Digital civil rights:' FCC moves to ban discrimination in internet services

The Federal Communications Commission has enacted new rules intended to eliminate discrimination in access to internet services, a move which regulators are calling the first major U.S. digital civil rights policy.

'Net neutrality' is returning: FCC to restore rules on internet providers

The US government aims to restore sweeping regulations for high-speed internet providers, such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, reviving “net neutrality” rules for the broadband industry – and an ongoing debate about the internet’s future.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Sept. 7

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

North Carolinians lacking broadband access could get good news in $42.5B fed program

President Joe Biden is expected to announce on Monday his administration's plans to distribute billions of dollars appropriated by Congress to deliver the internet to every household and small business in the United States. That could mean good news for the many North Carolinians.

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending April 27

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

'Unacceptable risk:' Communications gear from China's Huawei, ZTE banned by FCC

The U.S. is banning the sale of communications equipment made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE and restricting the use of some China-made video surveillance systems, citing an “unacceptable risk” to national security.

Robocall crackdown: In a first FTC blocks a voice service provider from US phone network

The federal government took another big swipe at illegal robocalls on Tuesday, as it moved to block a voice provider from the entire US phone network for the very first time.

Space junk: New rules speed cleanup of orbital debris

Satellite operators previously had 25 years to de-orbit satellites as they reach end of life. Rules adopted by the FCC reduce this to just five years drew congressional criticism.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

FCC: Your wireless data info is kept by carriers, provided to police

The country's largest wireless carriers not only know where you are every time you make a phone call or use your data connection, but they routinely hold onto that location information for months and in some cases years, providing it to law enforcement whether you like it or not.

FCC: SpaceX won't receive $900M in subsidies for satellite internet service Starlink

The Federal Communications Commission had earmarked the funds for SpaceX's Starlink internet service as part of the agency's largest-ever subsidy program designed to quickly get internet access to people across rural America.

Scam calls decrease, but Americans are getting 12 billion robotexts a month

North Carolina Public Interest Research Group reported Tuesday that robocalls have been cut in half since a federal law was passed targeting scammers -- but Americans are getting more unwanted texts than ever.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Net neutrality legislation would subject internet providers to FCC authority

Two Democratic senators are planning to reopen a high-stakes battle over internet access in the coming weeks, with a bill aiming to restore net neutrality regulations for broadband providers that a Republican-led Federal Communications Commission gutted in 2017.

FCC cracking down on internet 'sweetheart' deals at apartments

New rules are taking effect to give people living in apartments, public housing, office buildings and other multi-tenant buildings a choice when it comes to their internet service.

Keely Arthur, WRAL 5 On Your Side reporter

Senate confirms Rosenworcel to another term at FCC

Jessica Rosenworcel, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, on Tuesday was confirmed for another term by the US Senate in a 68-31 vote. And the news triggered endorsements from several business and advocacy groups.

T-Mobile to pay FCC $19.5M to settle 911 outage in 2020

Wireless carrier T-Mobile agreed to pay $19.5 million in a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission over a 12-hour nationwide outage in June 2020 that resulted in thousands of failed 911 calls.

FCC: Phone companies must enable texting to new suicide prevention hotline

U.S. communications regulators will require that phone companies allow people to text as well as call a new “988” number for the suicide-prevention hotline. Here are the details.

FCC approves texting '988' to reach National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by next year

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday unanimously voted to require text messages sent to the number 988 be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by next year, expanding access to the critical 24/7 national hotline.

By Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN

Biden nominates Jessica Rosenworcel as FCC’s first female leader

Jessica Rosenworcel, the acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission, has been nominated by President Biden to the permanent job. She would be the first woman to lead the agency.

Deadline for phone companies to block robocalls is finally here

The deadline for phone companies to block robocalls is next week, and representatives for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all said Friday that they will meet that deadline.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

It's official: FCC names Raleigh 'innovation zone' for drone, wireless communications

A site that includes a portion of North Carolina State University in Raleigh is one of two new innovation zones, at which advanced communications research will be conducted, the FCC announced Thursday.

FCC go-ahead could boost research that would expand both wireless technology, drones

The Federal Communications Commission has named Raleigh an "Innovation Zone," freeing up local researchers to study expansions in both wireless technology and drone use.

FCC designates Raleigh as 'Innovation Zone' in boost for data, drone efforts

The Triangle area's various efforts to develop further as a hub for wireless communitions - such as drones and 5G - received a big boost Wednesday from the Federal Communications Communication which designated Raleigh along with Boston as "Innovation Zones."

FCC commits $1.9B to smaller telecom providers for removal of Chinese gear

A national reiumbursement program for some telecommunications carries provides up to $1.9 billion for the removal of equipment purchased from China-based vendors Huawei and ZTE.