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It has been 100 days since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) delivered "Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan" to Congress. To mark this early milestone for the Plan, the Benton Foundation, a longtime advocate for a comprehensive broadband strategy for the U.S., has launched a new tracker to make it easier to follow implementation of the Plan -- and to hold policymakers accountable for reaching the Plan's goals. Fueled by Benton's daily Communications-related headlines service, the tracker provides updates for each individual recommendation as well as a timeline of progress made so far. read more

A new report from the Pew Center on the States finds that states increasingly see broadband as a powerful vehicle for driving long-term economic growth and delivering services more efficiently and effectively. A growing number of states are stepping up their efforts to expand high-quality, high-speed broadband for their residents. read more

The last time a Federal agency connected with the winds of change to broadband (NTIA) had a closed door meeting with incumbents' arm twisters, rules got "modified" that pretty much screwed communities' by diminishing their role in the stimulus program and elevating the role of private providers. This in direct contradiction of the intent of Congressional legislation that set up the broadband stimulus program. read more

Comcast Corp. rivals and business partners flooded the Federal Communications Commission Monday night with suggested requirements to impose on Comcast before approving its takeover of General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal media unit, including conditions that could alter the online-video marketplace. read more

Entrepreneur Stuart Shapiro thinks lawmakers have an image problem. That's why his company, iConstituent, recently began a service called MiCongress, which lets lawmakers buy their own on-demand cable channels. For a fee, members of Congress can speak directly to their constituents using the same technology that allows cable subscribers to watch back episodes of regular TV programming whenever they want. read more

Mark Mays, chief executive of CC Media Holdings, is to step down by the end of 2010, ending the founding Mays family's executive control of the largest US radio company. read more

On June 23, lawmakers will hear split views on proposed cuts in Saturday mail delivery from two of the nation's leading online retailers and largest customers of the U.S. Postal Service. read more

As of Tuesday, 98 percent of the 47 million households that had failed to return their census questionnaires had been contacted by a census worker. read more

Since the D.C. Circuit's decision in the Comcast Internet-discrimination case more than two months ago, there has been a vibrant debate among stakeholders from all parts of the broadband community on the best path forward. Some stakeholders have shared their ideas with staff at the FCC, including ideas for legislative options. Senior FCC staff are making themselves available to meet with all interested parties on these issues. To the extent stakeholders discuss proposals with FCC staff regarding other approaches outside of the open proceedings at the FCC, the agency's ex parte disclosure requirements are not applicable. But to promote transparency and keep the public informed, the FCC plans to post notices of these meetings. read more

We are appalled at the idea put forward by the Federal Communications Commission Chief of Staff Edward Lazarus that there will be no disclosure requirements for meetings the FCC staff will hold on topics directly related to ongoing FCC proceedings. read more

On June 22, Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg said that the company is willing to find a compromise on federal rules that would prevent it and other broadband Internet service providers from blocking or degrading traffic on their networks. But Verizon doesn't agree with a controversial proposal by the Federal Communications Commission to redefine those services as regular phone services. read more

A meeting between senior Federal Communications Commissions officials and companies that provide Internet services and access to the Web, continued Tuesday with no apparent solutions. read more

Only 63 percent of all Americans have high-speed Internet connections. That's low compared with other countries. But when it comes to American Indians, the Federal Communications Commission estimates that fewer than 10 percent are connected. read more

White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra told the Senate Commerce Committee June 22 that he would have a report within 60 days on the impact of the Recovery Act funding on investments, innovation and access to capital. That would include more than $7 billion that is being handed out in broadband grants and loans through the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture. read more

The Federal Communications Commission approved AT&T's $2.35 billion purchase of wireless licenses from Verizon Wireless. read more

Noting the benefits of competitive markets for promoting investment and protecting consumers, the Federal Communications Commission released an order denying Qwest's request that the current pro-competition policy status quo be changed in the Phoenix (AZ) market. read more

As a part of an effort to make a comprehensive, national map, states are mapping broadband coverage and options available in their states. read more

This headline is presented in partnership with:Plans that will see fiber optic cable broadband rolled out across the UK are to be discussed at an upcoming industry event. read more

This headline is presented in partnership with:UK Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed that the 50p a month landline tax ear-marked for next-generation broadband will be scrapped. read more

This headline is presented in partnership with:A portion of the BBC licence fee is set to be used to help pay for the construction of high-speed broadband networks in rural areas. read more