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NEWS FEED
Startup News Digest 11/20/20
The Big Story: FCC opens up unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi. The Federal Communications Commission voted this week to free up spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band for unlicensed use, a move that will add 45 MHz to the 5GHz spectrum band currently used for Wi-Fi networks. The spectrum had been allocated to the U.S. Department of Transportation nearly two decades ago but had been largely unused. The move to open up spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band will increase Internet speeds and connectivity once devices are able to support it, largely because it’s near the portion of the 5GHz band already used for Wi-Fi. And, as FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly noted in a statement, “most equipment will be able to take advantage of this spectrum with only a quick software upgrade.”
Statement on Mozilla v. FCC Decision
“Today’s DC Circuit Court decision is disappointing, particularly because the court, like the FCC, failed to take seriously the reliance interests of startups, entrepreneurs, and investors on the FCC’s enforcement of net neutrality protections. The startup ecosystem has grown over the past decade precisely because of the FCC’s long history of using its authority to stop abusive ISP practices—authority the current FCC has now abandoned.”
Startups push Senate to support net neutrality
This morning, on the one-year anniversary of the repeal of net neutrality, Engine released a letter signed by over 160 startups in support of H.R. 1644 / S. 682, the Save the Internet Act.
Statement on House Passage of the Save the Internet Act
“We are pleased that House lawmakers voted to advance H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, a bill that would fully restore the strong net neutrality protections that were enshrined in the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order. Net neutrality helps preserve the Internet as a level playing field for companies of all sizes, promoting competition and innovation.”
Startups speak out as net neutrality bill advances
This afternoon, Engine released a letter signed by over 120 startups in support of H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act. The legislation would restore the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order, which allowed startups to grow and succeed by keeping the Internet a level playing field.
Engine Supports Congressional Efforts to Save the Internet
Engine supports congressional Democrats’ efforts to adopt legislation that would reinstate the Federal Communications Commission’s 2015 Open Internet rules.
Primer: Telecom
A primer on Telecom—specifically Net Neutrality and Broadband Access—and why it matters to startups.
2017 Year in Review: Telecom
Once again, net neutrality has taken up most of the space in the telecom policy debate this year. FCC Republican Ajit Pai rose to chairman and quickly introduced a proposal to roll back the hard-fought net neutrality protections that the agency put in place in 2015.
Engine's Statement on FCC Net Neutrality Rollback Proposal
“Chairman Pai’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order offers freedom only to Big Telecom. For companies that do business on the Internet, this change in regulation will bring increased uncertainty in their ability to access their users as they have under the current rules.
Engine Supports David Redl's Nomination to National Telecommunications and Information Administrator
Engine wishes to express its strong support for David Redl’s nomination to the position of National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA) Administrator.
2016 Year in Review: Net Neutrality + Telecommunications
The net neutrality debate that dominated tech headlines in 2014 and 2015 was once again the top telecom issue in 2016, peaking in June with the U.S. Court of Appeals decision to uphold the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 2015 Open Internet Order. The telecom excitement didn’t end there, as policymakers dealt with a huge number of issues related to promoting telecom competition; preparing for a wireless, connected future; and building out broadband access in underserved parts of the country. In short, the momentum in 2015 carried over into 2016 in a big way. Looking ahead, 2017 is poised to be yet another busy year in telecom policy, though the impact of an incoming Trump Administration still remains uncertain.
