Roy Mark

In the high-stakes political game of network neutrality currently under way in Washington, Google is spending a lot of time and money trying to convince the Federal Communications Commission that the agency’s network neutrality principles should be expanded for wireline carriers and extended to wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon. The carriers, in turn, […]

Both the Federal Communications Commission and the wireless industry agree on at least thing: There’s not enough available spectrum to sustain the anticipated growth in wireless broadband services. Smartphones, for instance, may represent the future, but it becomes almost a moot point if the wireless carriers can’t obtain more spectrum to run the airwaves-hungry devices.The […]

The sizzle turned to fizzle for NASA Oct. 9 as it slammed two probes traveling more than 5,000 miles per hour into the moon’s surface in a search for lunar water. While jubilant NASA scientists called the precision strike a success, they are initially puzzled about what happened to an expected 6-mile-high plume of dirt […]

Microsoft Oct. 7 announced a new Website, the H1N1 Response Center, which provides users with relevant content and allows consumers to gauge symptoms and receive guidance using an H1N1 self-assessment service. The site offers consumers a self-assessment licensed from medical and public health experts at Emory University.The service assists people in deciding whether their symptoms […]

NASA plans to literally shoot the moon Oct. 9 when the space agency smashes not one, but two spacecrafts traveling more than 5,000 miles per hour into a crater on the lunar surface. The resulting six-mile-high dust plume will be photographed by NASA as it explores the possibility of water under the moon’s surface.NASA launched […]

In what would be Dell’s first foray into the hypercompetitive smartphone market, the Texas-based computer maker is reportedly teaming with AT&T for a 2010 device running Google’s Android. According to the Wall Street Journal, Dell is also pursuing deals with other carriers.Rumors about Dell entering the cellphone market have periodically surfaced over the last year […]

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachwoski praised wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon Oct. 7 for increasing their efforts to open their networks, but warned mobile carriers gathered in San Diego for a CTIA show that “we shouldn’t have uncertainty about whether we’ll have an open Internet.” The day before the show opened and two weeks […]

AT&T changed its network policy Oct. 6 to permit VOIP iPhone applications-most notably Skype-that bypass AT&T’s own voice service. Previously, the Skype Internet phone service for the iPhone was limited to Wi-Fi connectivity. The decision does not enable the Google Voice service application for the iPhone, which AT&T told the Federal Communications Commission in August […]

Billionaire space tourist Guy Laliberte said Oct. 6 the only problem he is having at the International Space Station is hitting his head in the weightless environment environment of the space station. Laliberte, founder of the Cirque du Soleil, arrived at the ISS Oct. 1 for an 11-day stay after blasting off from Kazakhstan early […]

The U.S. Senate Oct. 5 unanimously approved legislation that would allow states to petition the Federal Communications Commission to operate wireless jamming devices in correctional facilities. Current law prohibits interference with wireless services, a safeguard to ensure the dependability of 911 emergency calls and to protect the rights of legitimate users of wireless services.The bill-the […]

Mirroring the current congressional debate, the IT industry generally supports health care reform but is uneasy with many of the legislative solutions currently on the table. According to a survey released Oct. 6 by CompTIA, the IT industry is closely watching the debate, particularly provisions involving small businesses.The survey shows 76 percent of IT firms […]

The House Republican leadership warned President Obama Oct. 2 that expanded network neutrality rules and the formal codification of those rules will jeopardize future broadband network investment by carriers. Moreover, the minority leadership claimed, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski is inserting politics into the National Broadband Plan the FCC is preparing for Congress.“We believe […]