All articles tagged with #internet service
SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites, expanding its internet satellite constellation and reaching over 3 million global customers. The Falcon 9 rocket successfully deployed the satellites and marked its 311th booster landing. Starlink service is now available in 99 countries, including Fiji, and SpaceX demonstrated the first video call via Starlink Direct to Cell satellites, set to roll out to T-Mobile customers later this year.
The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that internet service providers must now provide standardized "nutrition labels" for their services, similar to the nutrition labels on packaged food. These labels include information such as monthly cost, internet speeds, and extra fees. Consumers can find these labels on the providers' websites by entering their address. However, not all labels are currently compliant, and some information may be incomplete. While there are shortcomings, such as the labels only applying to internet service and not bundled packages, they are still considered a win for consumer transparency and a step in the right direction for empowering consumers with more information about their internet service options.
The FCC's new Broadband Facts mandate requires major ISPs in the U.S. to provide transparent information about internet service to prospective customers, similar to nutrition labels on food products. However, some ISPs are making it difficult to access these labels and omitting key details such as data cap overage charges and equipment rental fees. Grades for various ISPs' compliance with the mandate range from A- for AT&T Fiber to D for Verizon Fios, with CenturyLink being the only one to fully embrace the spirit of the rules.
Starting today, US home Internet and mobile broadband providers are required to display consumer labels with information on prices, speeds, and data allowances, as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The labels must include details such as monthly price, speed, data caps, and additional fees, and must be displayed prominently at the point of sale. Despite initial industry complaints, major ISPs like Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Charter Spectrum are complying with the new rules, which aim to provide consumers with transparent and easily comparable information about broadband services.
The Federal Communications Commission has announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides monthly discounts on internet service to over 23 million low-income US households, will only have enough funds to provide partial benefits in May before shutting down altogether. This could result in low-income Americans having to pay significantly more for internet or potentially giving up the service entirely. The Biden administration has blamed congressional Republicans for the lack of funding extension, while bipartisan efforts are being made to approve $7 billion in new funding for the program. Internet service providers are encouraged to step in voluntarily to help keep low-income Americans connected.
The FCC has implemented a new rule requiring large internet service providers (ISPs) to display "nutrition labels" showing plan details, fees, data allowances, and more both in store and online, aiming to prevent hidden fees and provide transparency to consumers. The labels must include information on speeds, fees, and any additional costs, and must be easily accessible to customers. ISPs with over 100,000 subscribers must comply immediately, while smaller providers have until October 10 to do so. Consumers can file complaints with the FCC for non-compliance or inaccurate information.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base to deploy 22 Starlink satellites, expanding the company's satellite network aimed at providing internet service in remote areas. The reusable first stage booster completed its 19th flight and is set to land on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean after the satellite deployment.
Google Fiber is set to launch its ultra-fast 20-gigabit internet service in the Triangle, with installations expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024. Priced at $250 per month, the service offers faster Wi-Fi known as Wi-Fi 7 and significantly reduces latency, benefiting video streaming, gaming, and large data file transfers. This speed surpasses any other commercially available service in the Triangle, with AT&T and EarthLink offering access up to 5 gig. Google Fiber also offers an 8 gig service at $150 per month, with lower-tier options starting at $70 for 1 gig.
Google Fiber is launching its 20-gig symmetrical Internet service in select cities, including Kansas City, North Carolina's Triangle Region, Arizona, and Iowa, with plans to expand to more cities in the future. The new service will cost $250 per month and is built on Nokia's upgradable "Quillion" Fiber platform. Google Fiber aims to bring 20-gig service to most, if not all, of its markets. Other pricing tiers for Google Fiber remain the same, ranging from $70 for 1 gig to $150 for 8 gig, with 20-gig installations starting in Q1 of 2024.
Google is launching its 20-gig internet service for Fiber customers in select markets, starting in Q1 2024. The service, which includes the latest Wi-Fi 7 hardware, will cost $250 per month. Initially available in Kansas City, North Carolina, Arizona, and Iowa, the offering coincides with infrastructure upgrades that connect all the way to customers' homes. Google also offers 5Gbps and 8Gbps internet services for $125 and $150 per month, respectively. The 20Gbps tier promises simultaneous multi-gig connections across multiple floors with Wi-Fi 7 hardware. Early access sign-ups are available.
SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 22 Starlink satellites for its internet service. The first stage booster, on its 13th flight, will attempt to land on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. The new version of the Starlink satellites offers upgraded features and four times more bandwidth. SpaceX has already signed up over two million subscribers in more than 60 countries for its Starlink internet service.
Starlink users were locked out of their accounts due to an overzealous fraud detection bug that falsely flagged legitimate accounts as fraudulent. Affected users received an email acknowledging the mistake and stating that account modifications would be reverted by the end of the week. However, some users are still unable to access their accounts and have faced difficulties contacting Starlink's limited customer support options. Additionally, some users reported a service interruption coinciding with the account lockout.
Amazon's Project Kuiper, aimed at providing high-speed internet to homes and businesses, has successfully completed early testing of its two satellites in space. The satellites have demonstrated the ability to maneuver and maintain orbit, marking a significant milestone for the project. Amazon plans to launch more satellites next year after months of testing. The internet service will offer different speed options, ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with prices expected to be competitive, potentially below $100 per month.
Elon Musk admits feeling pressure to provide his Starlink internet service to Gaza after Israeli airstrikes destroyed communication infrastructure in the area. Musk plans to support communication links with aid organizations in Gaza, but it is unclear how this will be implemented due to the lack of terminals on the ground. Israel's communications minister suggests using the promise of internet access to negotiate the release of hostages and warns that Starlink could be used for "terrorist activities" if provided. The Gaza Strip has been without internet connections since the airstrikes, causing a near-total blackout.
SpaceX is set to launch 23 Starlink internet satellites tonight on the second of two planned missions for the day. The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with backup opportunities available if needed. The first stage of the rocket will attempt a vertical landing on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas. This launch is part of SpaceX's broadband megaconstellation, Starlink, which aims to provide internet service worldwide. SpaceX has already launched over 5,000 Starlink satellites and has permission to deploy thousands more.