tech:

taffy

FCC Launches Connect America Fund

[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

The principle of universal service is that all Americans need access to affordable communications. In the last century, universal service programs connected virtually the entire nation to telephone service.  The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously last year to reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund. The goal is to bring broadband access to the more than 18 million Americans, mostly rural, who lack it.

The centerpiece of this modernization is the Connect America Fund, or CAF.  The FCC also imposed long-overdue fiscal responsibility and accountability measures, limiting the universal service fees paid by consumers and business across the country.

The CAF first phase (Phase 1) is being launched by taking $300 million in savings recovered through reforms and directing it to provide an immediate boost to connect up to 400,000 homes, businesses and anchor institutions that currently lack access to high-speed Internet, says Sharon Gillett, chief, Wireline Competition Bureau with the FCC. Carriers will have 90 days to accept the Commission’s funding offer.

Under the revised method, over 500 carriers serving over 2 million lines across the country will get more funding, which they can use to expand broadband, says FCC.

Upload: 04-30-12

Just in

Apple sued in a landmark iPhone monopoly lawsuit — CNN

The US Justice Department and more than a dozen states filed a blockbuster antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, accusing the giant company of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market, writes Brian Fung, Hannah Rabinowitz and Evan Perez.

Google is bringing satellite messaging to Android 15 — The Verge

Google’s second developer preview for Android 15 has arrived, bringing long-awaited support for satellite connectivity alongside several improvements to contactless payments, multi-language recognition, volume consistency, and interaction with PDFs via apps, writes Jess Weatherbed. 

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman is paid more than the heads of Meta, Pinterest, and Snap — combined — QZ

Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman has been blasted by Redditors and in media reports over his recently-revealed, super-sized pay package of $193 million in 2023, writes Laura Bratton. 

British AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman joins Microsoft — BBC

Microsoft has announced British Artificial Intelligence pioneer Mustafa Suleyman will lead its newly-formed division, Microsoft AI, according to the BBC report. 

UnitedHealth Group has paid more than $2 billion to providers following cyberattack — CNBC

UnitedHealth Group said Monday that it’s paid out more than $2 billion to help health-care providers who have been affected by the cyberattack on subsidiary Change Healthcare, writes Ashley Capoot.