Competition

Can AT&T Really Walk Away From The FCC While Keeping The T-Mobile Deal Alive?

We remember the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as the end of the Civil War, despite the fact that Confederate forces remained in the field for several weeks thereafter. The announcement by AT&T and Deutsche Telekom (DT) that they have told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dismiss their application to transfer T-Mo to AT&T “without prejudice” is rather similar.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6408 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 1540 [status] => 1 [created] => 1322252607 [changed] => 1322498245 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6469 [revision_uid] => 3459 [title] => Can AT&T Really Walk Away From The FCC While Keeping The T-Mobile Deal Alive? [teaser] =>

We remember the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as the end of the Civil War, despite the fact that Confederate forces remained in the field for several weeks thereafter. The announcement by AT&T and Deutsche Telekom (DT) that they have told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dismiss their application to transfer T-Mo to AT&T “without prejudice” is rather similar. [log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1322498245 [format] => 7 [name] => Harold Feld [picture] => files/pictures/picture-1540.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/can-att-really-walk-away-fcc-while-keeping-t- [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1322252607 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [163] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 163 [vid] => 5 [name] => Antitrust [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [121] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 121 [vid] => 5 [name] => AT&T [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [155] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 155 [vid] => 5 [name] => Forum Shopping [description] => Searching for the most favorable venue to reach a legal or policy goal [weight] => 0 ) [191] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 191 [vid] => 5 [name] => Mobile Communication [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [173] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 173 [vid] => 5 [name] => Monopoly [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [207] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 207 [vid] => 5 [name] => Spectrum [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [142] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 142 [vid] => 5 [name] => Spectrum Licensing [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [152] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 152 [vid] => 5 [name] => Wireless [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 11 [day] => 25 [year] => 2011 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

We remember the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as the end of the Civil War, despite the fact that Confederate forces remained in the field for several weeks thereafter. The announcement by AT&T and Deutsche Telekom (DT) that they have told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dismiss their application to transfer T-Mo to AT&T “without prejudice” is rather similar. [#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

We remember the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse as the end of the Civil War, despite the fact that Confederate forces remained in the field for several weeks thereafter. The announcement by AT&T and Deutsche Telekom (DT) that they have told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dismiss their application to transfer T-Mo to AT&T “without prejudice” is rather similar. [#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6408 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Can AT&T Really Walk Away From The FCC While Keeping The T-Mobile Deal Alive? . ) ) ) )

The Sprint Standing Skirmish: AT&T Loses Some Ground, DoJ Gets Road Map Forward.

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6353 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 1540 [status] => 1 [created] => 1320424487 [changed] => 1320586814 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6414 [revision_uid] => 1540 [title] => The Sprint Standing Skirmish: AT&T Loses Some Ground, DoJ Gets Road Map Forward. [teaser] =>

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage. [log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1320586814 [format] => 7 [name] => Harold Feld [picture] => files/pictures/picture-1540.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/sprint-standing-skirmish-att-loses-some-groun [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1320424487 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [121] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 121 [vid] => 5 [name] => AT&T [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [173] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 173 [vid] => 5 [name] => Monopoly [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [152] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 152 [vid] => 5 [name] => Wireless [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 11 [day] => 4 [year] => 2011 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage. [#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage. [#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6353 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of The Sprint Standing Skirmish: AT&T Loses Some Ground, DoJ Gets Road Map Forward.. ) ) ) )

Why DoJ's Win Against H&R Block Is Bad News For AT&T/T-Mo.

The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6347 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 1540 [status] => 1 [created] => 1320269685 [changed] => 1320269685 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6408 [revision_uid] => 1540 [title] => Why DoJ's Win Against H&R Block Is Bad News For AT&T/T-Mo. [teaser] =>

The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1320269685 [format] => 7 [name] => Harold Feld [picture] => files/pictures/picture-1540.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/why-dojs-win-against-hr-block-bad-news-attt-m [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1320269685 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [121] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 121 [vid] => 5 [name] => AT&T [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [191] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 191 [vid] => 5 [name] => Mobile Communication [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [173] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 173 [vid] => 5 [name] => Monopoly [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [152] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 152 [vid] => 5 [name] => Wireless [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 11 [day] => 2 [year] => 2011 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6347 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Why DoJ's Win Against H&R Block Is Bad News For AT&T/T-Mo.. ) ) ) )

AT&T Is Right: Comcast Does Not Deserve An "Access Charge Bail Out" As Part of USF Reform

It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6329 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 1540 [status] => 1 [created] => 1319662376 [changed] => 1319663170 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6390 [revision_uid] => 1540 [title] => AT&T Is Right: Comcast Does Not Deserve An "Access Charge Bail Out" As Part of USF Reform [teaser] =>

It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service. [log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1319663170 [format] => 7 [name] => Harold Feld [picture] => files/pictures/picture-1540.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/att-right-comcast-does-not-deserve-access-cha [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1319662376 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [121] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 121 [vid] => 5 [name] => AT&T [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [123] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 123 [vid] => 5 [name] => BitTorrent [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [85] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 85 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [307] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 307 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband Authority [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [124] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 124 [vid] => 5 [name] => Comcast [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [201] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 201 [vid] => 5 [name] => Deregulation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [197] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 197 [vid] => 5 [name] => Enforcement [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [62] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 62 [vid] => 5 [name] => Network Neutrality [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [200] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 200 [vid] => 5 [name] => Regulation [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [208] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 208 [vid] => 5 [name] => Wireline [description] => Wired telecommunications [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 10 [day] => 26 [year] => 2011 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service. [#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service. [#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6329 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of AT&T Is Right: Comcast Does Not Deserve An "Access Charge Bail Out" As Part of USF Reform. ) ) ) )

What Is It About Germany That Makes AT&T Allies Accidentally Speak Truth? The Curious Case of CWA's Larry Cohen.

Much like the great and powerful Wizard Oz, AT&T’s spin machine relies on smoke and illusion combined with a powerful voice and a chorus of believers to maintain the belief in its awesome power and infallibility. But the fact that the “Great and Powerful Oz” is merely an old fraud with a handful of tricks and a magnificent PR campaign is increasingly clear to anyone who, like the intrepid little dog Toto, ignores the illusion and pulls back the curtain.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6320 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 1540 [status] => 1 [created] => 1319526843 [changed] => 1319552221 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6381 [revision_uid] => 1540 [title] => What Is It About Germany That Makes AT&T Allies Accidentally Speak Truth? The Curious Case of CWA's Larry Cohen. [teaser] =>

Much like the great and powerful Wizard Oz, AT&T’s spin machine relies on smoke and illusion combined with a powerful voice and a chorus of believers to maintain the belief in its awesome power and infallibility. But the fact that the “Great and Powerful Oz” is merely an old fraud with a handful of tricks and a magnificent PR campaign is increasingly clear to anyone who, like the intrepid little dog Toto, ignores the illusion and pulls back the curtain.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1319552221 [format] => 7 [name] => Harold Feld [picture] => files/pictures/picture-1540.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/what-it-about-germany-makes-att-allies-accide [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1319526843 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [163] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 163 [vid] => 5 [name] => Antitrust [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [121] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 121 [vid] => 5 [name] => AT&T [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 10 [day] => 25 [year] => 2011 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Much like the great and powerful Wizard Oz, AT&T’s spin machine relies on smoke and illusion combined with a powerful voice and a chorus of believers to maintain the belief in its awesome power and infallibility. But the fact that the “Great and Powerful Oz” is merely an old fraud with a handful of tricks and a magnificent PR campaign is increasingly clear to anyone who, like the intrepid little dog Toto, ignores the illusion and pulls back the curtain.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Much like the great and powerful Wizard Oz, AT&T’s spin machine relies on smoke and illusion combined with a powerful voice and a chorus of believers to maintain the belief in its awesome power and infallibility. But the fact that the “Great and Powerful Oz” is merely an old fraud with a handful of tricks and a magnificent PR campaign is increasingly clear to anyone who, like the intrepid little dog Toto, ignores the illusion and pulls back the curtain.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6320 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of What Is It About Germany That Makes AT&T Allies Accidentally Speak Truth? The Curious Case of CWA's Larry Cohen.. ) ) ) )

How The FCC Can Create Thousands Of Jobs -- But Won't

If it wanted to, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could create tens of thousands of jobs.  But it doesn't want to.

If it wanted to, Congress could let the FCC create tens of thousands of jobs.  But Congress doesn't want to.  (In fact, Congress is contemplating actions that could thwart job creation.)

We know this because it happened in equipment, telephone and online services. Unfortunately, none of those good things will happen in the immediate future, even though the past has some lessons to teach about how an open, competitive regulatory environment can create conditions conducive to job growth.  Let's take a look at the record.



stdClass Object ( [nid] => 6153 [type] => blog [language] => [uid] => 4 [status] => 1 [created] => 1319123466 [changed] => 1319140295 [comment] => 0 [promote] => 1 [moderate] => 0 [sticky] => 0 [tnid] => 0 [translate] => 0 [vid] => 6214 [revision_uid] => 4 [title] => How The FCC Can Create Thousands Of Jobs -- But Won't [teaser] =>

If it wanted to, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could create tens of thousands of jobs.  But it doesn't want to.

If it wanted to, Congress could let the FCC create tens of thousands of jobs.  But Congress doesn't want to.  (In fact, Congress is contemplating actions that could thwart job creation.)

We know this because it happened in equipment, telephone and online services. Unfortunately, none of those good things will happen in the immediate future, even though the past has some lessons to teach about how an open, competitive regulatory environment can create conditions conducive to job growth.  Let's take a look at the record.

[log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1319140295 [format] => 7 [name] => Art Brodsky [picture] => files/pictures/picture-4.png [data] => a:6:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:10:"form_token";s:32:"8ccae93257cd5bd08279c4b915d339a4";s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/how-fcc-can-create-thousands-jobs-wont [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1319123466 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [85] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 85 [vid] => 5 [name] => Broadband [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [79] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 79 [vid] => 5 [name] => FCC [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

If it wanted to, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could create tens of thousands of jobs.  But it doesn't want to.

If it wanted to, Congress could let the FCC create tens of thousands of jobs.  But Congress doesn't want to.  (In fact, Congress is contemplating actions that could thwart job creation.)

We know this because it happened in equipment, telephone and online services. Unfortunately, none of those good things will happen in the immediate future, even though the past has some lessons to teach about how an open, competitive regulatory environment can create conditions conducive to job growth.  Let's take a look at the record.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

If it wanted to, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could create tens of thousands of jobs.  But it doesn't want to.

If it wanted to, Congress could let the FCC create tens of thousands of jobs.  But Congress doesn't want to.  (In fact, Congress is contemplating actions that could thwart job creation.)

We know this because it happened in equipment, telephone and online services. Unfortunately, none of those good things will happen in the immediate future, even though the past has some lessons to teach about how an open, competitive regulatory environment can create conditions conducive to job growth.  Let's take a look at the record.

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6153 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of How The FCC Can Create Thousands Of Jobs -- But Won't. ) ) ) )

4G + Data Caps = Magic Beans

This Public Knowledge whitepaper on data caps is available as a PDF.

For information on your wireless data cap, visit WhatIsMyCap.org.

A special note to all the unpaid family tech support specialists out there …

For years you have been giving advice to your family about what technology to buy and what technology to skip. You have told them that when they are buying a laptop it is worth paying for extra RAM, but that the base hard drive will be fine for holding their holiday photos. You have told them that the five dollar HDMI cable is just as good as the 100 dollar one. You have told them that more megapixels does not always mean a better camera.

Handset Exclusivity

Handset exclusivity is a common practice by mobile cell phone carriers—so common, in fact, that most people may take it for granted. “Handset exclusivity” happens when mobile networks make exclusive, anti-competitive deals with device manufacturers. Think iPhone/AT&T (and now also Verizon), Droid/Verizon, and Palm Pre/Sprint.

“Handset exclusivity” hearkens back to the days when you had to rent your landline phone from the telephone companies. The practice severely limits consumer choice over devices and providers.

Public Knowledge’s Position

Imagine if, instead, you could have any phone on any network. The competition this would create would inevitably lead to greater innovation, lower costs, and better data plans.

Freedom to Text

The convenience and low overhead of text messages have made them vitally important—in emergencies, and in spreading the word on important, time-sensitive issues. Text messages to loved ones can get through even when voice networks are overwhelmed. Businesses can use text messages to alert their best customers to special offers. Text messages can also be used to alert the public about dangerous situations or urge political action.

However, mobile carriers currently can and do discriminate in who is allowed to send and receive text messages.

This is because mobile carriers have complete discretion over something called short codes. You know short codes: “Text ‘HAITI’ to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts” – that 90999 is called a short code. It’s not a normal 10-digit phone number. Short codes are the only way an organization or company can send or receive text messages.

The AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

In December 2011, AT&T dropped its bid to acquire T-Mobile. This was following both the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission taking steps to block the proposed takeover.

In March 2011, AT&T made known its intention to acquire T-Mobile USA for $39 billion. The announcement drew immediate scrutiny. According to analysts, "The combined companies would have 43% market share overall, and 44% of the postpaid market." Were the two companies allowed to merge, only three companies would dominate the U.S. wireless market, a market that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already found be growing increasingly less competitive.