Today, the Federal Communications Commission’s Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appointed Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld to the agency’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.

Today, Public Knowledge and Communications Workers of America notified the Federal Communications Commission of the withdrawal of objections to the Verizon/TracFone merger in exchange for commitments from Verizon that protect TracFone’s most vulnerable subscribers. Access Humboldt, the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, and the California Center for Rural Policy also joined the letter withdrawing objections. 

Today, President Biden revoked an Executive Order signed by former President Trump that would have directed the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission to regulate speech on social media platforms. Public Knowledge commends the administration for reversing an Order that would have jeopardized free speech online and urges Congress to consider our common-sense principles to ensure that any Section 230 changes promote the public interest.

Last night, Public Knowledge joined Access Now, Free Press, Mozilla Corporation, and New America’s Open Technology Institute in filing an amicus brief at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of ACA Connects v. Bonta.

Today, the Federal Communications Commission launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide qualifying households $50 discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer, laptop, or tablet. The program created by Congress subsidizes broadband and device payments for low-income consumers or families hit hard by the pandemic, including students and the unemployed.

Today, Public Knowledge joined 7 other public interest, rural, and consumer advocacy groups in a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to protect Dish Network’s Boost Mobile subscribers from disruption and potential loss of service as T-Mobile prepares to terminate its 3G network.

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to improve the framework for reporting network disruptions that affect 911 service. This action should ensure that both call centers and consumers receive timely and useful notifications of 911 service disruptions. Public Knowledge supports the proposed rules to help save lives during 911 outages.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to craft rules related to consolidation of broadcast ownership in the case of FCC v Prometheus. This will not only allow further consolidation in the broadcast industry, but also harm diversity of ownership — particularly among women and people of color. 

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission voted on circulation to approve a Report and Order to establish the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide qualifying households discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer, laptop, or tablet. The program created by Congress subsidizes broadband and device payments for low-income consumers or families hit hard by the pandemic, including students and the unemployed.

Yesterday, Public Knowledge joined New America’s Open Technology Institute in filing comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Notice on the use of E-Rate funds to enable remote learning.