Latest news with #TelecommunicationsActof1996
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Supreme Court Could Cut Off Classroom Internet Connections
The Supreme Court has the cable cutter getty For almost thirty years, the E-Rate program has made internet connectivity available to schools and libraries across the country. Now the Supreme Court could decide to end that program. The program was authorized as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, with the FCC deciding to fund E-Rate through the pool of money collected from service providers for the Universal Service Fund. The idea was to increase internet connectivity for classrooms and libraries, particularly those serving low-income or rural populations. The USF also funds connectivity services for rural health care, remote communities, and low-income households. The effect was immediate. According to a Congressional Research Service report, the requests for E-Rate funding, amounting to $2,02 billion, outstripped the program funding immediately. The percentage of public schools with internet access, according to a U.S. Department of Education survey, went from 35% in 1994 to 95% in 1999. Over that same period, internet access in actual classrooms went from 3% to 63%. The program has allowed schools that could not have managed internet connectivity for their students, and that can be transformative (I taught at one such school). The challenge to that program comes from Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research. It's an appeal of a decision from the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that found in favor of Consumers' Research, a DC-based conservative advocacy group. The argument is laid out simply in the first paragraph of the decision: In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress delegated its taxing power to the Federal Communications Commission. FCC then subdelegated the taxing power to a private corporation. That private corporation, in turn, relied on for-profit telecommunications companies to determine how much American citizens would be forced to pay for the 'universal service' tax that appears on cell phone bills across the Nation. We hold this misbegotten tax violates Article I, § 1 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has heard the case, which brought out a host of amicus briefs. The states of Alaska and Colorado argued that loss of internet access to its very rural population would be disastrous. Many groups representing schools, communities and libraries argued to overturn the Fifth Circuit decision. The National Leaguer of Cities made their plea: The potential loss of USF program benefits posed by the decision below would severely harm the economies of local communities and decrease the overall quality of life for local governments' residents. A less connected community is a less educated, less employed, and less healthy community. Briefs from a host of right-leaning groups like Americans for Prosperity, the National Taxpayers Union, and the New Civil Liberties Alliance all argue that the USF is unconstitutional. The language in these briefs is heated. 'The rule restores the Constitution's original meaning,' writes the ADF, 'at a time when it is sorely needed.' Advancing American Freedom invokes the founders and the abuse of 'taxation without representation.' A decision is expected in the nest few weeks. The impact of ending E-Rate programs would send shockwaves through classrooms across the country. At best, it would require Congress to restructure the entire funding mechanism for the program. At worst, it would cast thousands of districts serving rural and low-income students back out of the twenty-first century. Mark Walsh at Education Week says the court has signaled it is 'unlikely to upend' the program. School districts across the country are hoping he's correct.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VoIP-Pal Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google, Apple, and Samsung
Chairman and CEO Emil Malak Affirms Commitment to Antitrust Path Forward, Citing Alleged Market Exclusion and Suppression of Standalone Wi-Fi Calling Newly published article on CEOCFO Magazine WACO, Texas, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. (OTCQB: VPLM), announces the filing of a new federal antitrust lawsuit against Google, Apple, and Samsung. The complaint also names AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what VoIP-Pal alleges is a coordinated effort to suppress lawful competition in standalone Wi-Fi Calling. This marks the company's third significant legal action addressing what it contends is a long-standing structure of exclusion and control over mobile voice infrastructure. In a message to shareholders, Chairman and CEO Emil Malak issued the following statement: 'Today, I write to you not just as the Chairman and CEO of VoIP-Pal, but as a fellow believer in justice, perseverance, and the power of innovation to overcome even the most entrenched opposition. We have now filed a third significant antitrust complaint—this time against Google, Apple, and Samsung. In addition, we have named AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what we allege is a coordinated effort to suppress Standalone Wi-Fi Calling—the central breach underlying all three of our complaints. Let me be clear: this is no longer just about patents. It is about structural exclusion, denial of access, and the suppression of lawful competition.' Mr. Malak reaffirmed VoIP-Pal's legal shift from patent enforcement to broader statutory actions under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Telecommunications Act of 1996, and civil RICO statute. He noted the company's longstanding role in developing patented routing and Wi-Fi Calling infrastructure, and stated that dominant gatekeepers have allegedly blocked fair market access to the technologies VoIP-Pal pioneered. 'We are no longer merely asserting patent rights,' Malak continued. 'We are challenging what we believe is the abuse of market dominance and exclusion of competition. Since 2005, VoIP-Pal has developed and validated key technologies intended to empower consumers to access affordable, independent voice services over Wi-Fi. According to our complaint, we have been locked out of the infrastructure and denied integration.' VoIP-Pal's class action complaint seeks to represent approximately 373 million U.S. mobile subscribers whom it alleges were harmed by exclusionary practices that prevent access to non-carrier Wi-Fi-based calling. The company contends that consumers have been systematically denied alternatives to bundled carrier plans, despite the availability of widespread Wi-Fi connectivity. 'We face overwhelming opposition,' Malak said, 'but we believe the law and the facts are on our side.' VoIP-Pal believes that the allegations raised in its filings warrant close examination by federal and state regulators, including Attorneys General, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. 'VoIP-Pal believes that federal and state regulators may find cause to examine the systemic barriers described in our filings and encourages careful review of the allegations.' Malak concluded: 'We remain open to constructive engagement with all parties. While we are fully prepared to litigate these claims through trial if necessary, we will always consider resolution paths that uphold the integrity of our innovations and ensure fair competition. Until such opportunities arise, we will continue to advance this case with confidence and resolve.' An article detailing the newly filed antitrust complaint was published by . Read the full article here. About Inc. ('VoIP-Pal') is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, TX. The company owns a portfolio of patents related to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ('VoIP') technology that it is actively seeking to monetize. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. These statements reflect management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Litigation outcomes and settlement discussions are unpredictable, and there is no assurance of favorable resolution. For Further InformationCorporate Website: Inquiries: IR@ Contact: Rich Inza, (954) 495-4600Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VoIP-Pal Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google, Apple, and Samsung
Chairman and CEO Emil Malak Affirms Commitment to Antitrust Path Forward, Citing Alleged Market Exclusion and Suppression of Standalone Wi-Fi Calling Newly published article on CEOCFO Magazine WACO, Texas, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. (OTCQB: VPLM), announces the filing of a new federal antitrust lawsuit against Google, Apple, and Samsung. The complaint also names AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what VoIP-Pal alleges is a coordinated effort to suppress lawful competition in standalone Wi-Fi Calling. This marks the company's third significant legal action addressing what it contends is a long-standing structure of exclusion and control over mobile voice infrastructure. In a message to shareholders, Chairman and CEO Emil Malak issued the following statement: 'Today, I write to you not just as the Chairman and CEO of VoIP-Pal, but as a fellow believer in justice, perseverance, and the power of innovation to overcome even the most entrenched opposition. We have now filed a third significant antitrust complaint—this time against Google, Apple, and Samsung. In addition, we have named AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what we allege is a coordinated effort to suppress Standalone Wi-Fi Calling—the central breach underlying all three of our complaints. Let me be clear: this is no longer just about patents. It is about structural exclusion, denial of access, and the suppression of lawful competition.' Mr. Malak reaffirmed VoIP-Pal's legal shift from patent enforcement to broader statutory actions under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Telecommunications Act of 1996, and civil RICO statute. He noted the company's longstanding role in developing patented routing and Wi-Fi Calling infrastructure, and stated that dominant gatekeepers have allegedly blocked fair market access to the technologies VoIP-Pal pioneered. 'We are no longer merely asserting patent rights,' Malak continued. 'We are challenging what we believe is the abuse of market dominance and exclusion of competition. Since 2005, VoIP-Pal has developed and validated key technologies intended to empower consumers to access affordable, independent voice services over Wi-Fi. According to our complaint, we have been locked out of the infrastructure and denied integration.' VoIP-Pal's class action complaint seeks to represent approximately 373 million U.S. mobile subscribers whom it alleges were harmed by exclusionary practices that prevent access to non-carrier Wi-Fi-based calling. The company contends that consumers have been systematically denied alternatives to bundled carrier plans, despite the availability of widespread Wi-Fi connectivity. 'We face overwhelming opposition,' Malak said, 'but we believe the law and the facts are on our side.' VoIP-Pal believes that the allegations raised in its filings warrant close examination by federal and state regulators, including Attorneys General, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. 'VoIP-Pal believes that federal and state regulators may find cause to examine the systemic barriers described in our filings and encourages careful review of the allegations.' Malak concluded: 'We remain open to constructive engagement with all parties. While we are fully prepared to litigate these claims through trial if necessary, we will always consider resolution paths that uphold the integrity of our innovations and ensure fair competition. Until such opportunities arise, we will continue to advance this case with confidence and resolve.' An article detailing the newly filed antitrust complaint was published by . Read the full article here. About Inc. ('VoIP-Pal') is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, TX. The company owns a portfolio of patents related to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ('VoIP') technology that it is actively seeking to monetize. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. These statements reflect management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Litigation outcomes and settlement discussions are unpredictable, and there is no assurance of favorable resolution. For Further InformationCorporate Website: Inquiries: IR@ Contact: Rich Inza, (954) 495-4600Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
How Some Independent Radio Stations Avoid Sounding Like Corporate Drones
Before 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) restricted U.S. corporations from owning more than 40 radio stations. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 eliminated these curbs, enabling single corporate entities to own unlimited stations. At that point, listeners 'said goodbye to regionality and creativity and hello to bland, homogenized programming,' filmmaker Brendan Toller noted in his 2008 documentary I Need That Record! Corporate networks continue to dominate the airwaves. BIA Advisory Services reports that iHeartMedia owned 870 stations in 2023, making it the nation's top radio owner, followed by Audacy, Cumulus Media, Hubbard Radio, and Beasley Media Group. 'It's monopoly after monopoly,' notes Toller, now the director of operations and new initiatives at the volunteer-run WPKN, one of about 100 independent radio stations in the U.S., according to Wikipedia. 'I think the call to independence and a free-form format is important as things become more homogenized, influenced by AI, and automated.' Founded in 1963, WPKN is a 10,000-watt station in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Its terrestrial signal reaches a potential 1.5 million listeners in most of Connecticut and parts of Long Island, New York State, and southwestern Massachusetts. Millions of listeners worldwide have access to its broadcasts at Toller says WPKN hosts about 170 programs. The content of these broadcasts includes music, news, public affairs, arts and culture, environment and science, and lifestyle. Besides talented local DJs, the station looks for 'organizers and activists who want to highlight people making their communities better in the public affairs realm,' Toller states. WPKN's DJs, programmers, and hosts have full autonomy. 'Our schedule is the 'you never know what you're going to get' chocolate box of radio,' Toller says. 'We don't have the playlist requirements that an obnoxious corporate station has. We are where freedom and human-driven, anti-algorithm expression lives. That, to me, is more exciting than a curated playlist because you get the personality [of the DJ] drifting and guiding you toward all this music or information if it's a public affairs program or podcast.' He adds that independent stations like WPKN enable local musicians, artists, nonprofits, and organizers 'to reach a wider audience [and] to get contextualized properly within their region, the times, and history.' In April 2025, NPR stated that the Trump administration's proposed cuts to federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 'would have a devastating impact on American communities across the nation that rely on public radio for trusted local and national news, culture, lifesaving emergency alerts, and public safety information.' While Toller notes that such cuts will be 'major and grave,' they do not pose a threat to WPKN, which does not receive any federal funding. 'The station has remained largely listener-supported [since 1989], with a hint of underwriting from local nonprofits, organizations, and businesses,' Toller explains. Unlike WPKN, which is unaffiliated, some local stations disburse their content through independent networks like the Pacifica Foundation, which owns and operates non-commercial stations KPFA, KPFK, KPFT, WBAI, and WPFW. It also oversees the Pacifica Network, which provides content to more than 200 stations, according to the network's website. Britannica states that Pacifica 'funds and promotes news and public affairs programs, most notably 'Democracy Now!' and 'Free Speech Radio News.'' Meanwhile, the nonprofit, volunteer-run indie radio network A-Infos Radio Project presents 'an alternative to the corporate and government media, which do not serve struggles for liberty, justice and peace, nor enable the free expression of creativity,' according to its website. The freedom of expression that terrestrial radio offers may help explain this medium's enduring popularity despite competition from online outlets. 'Sparked by the advent of social media in the early 2000s, the landscape of communication underwent a monumental transformation,' the International News Media Association observed in 2024. 'This was further accelerated by the global lockdowns of 2020, where the demand for instant, online news reached unprecedented heights, highlighting the growing preference for short-form content among audiences.' Sound of Life, a platform designed 'to foster a community of curious connoisseurs and share stories through the lens of sound,' states that indie radio stations have grown in popularity despite challenges like overhead costs and rising rents. 'During the pandemic, the… [number] of radio and podcast listeners boomed, and habits stick. In the U.S., 92 percent of the population listen to [the] radio every week,' stated a 2024 article on its website. This boom may have helped several independent radio stations in the U.S. survive challenges that wiped out many British stations, including soaring living expenses and energy bills. Indie stations like WBHF, Aggie Radio, WFMU, KUCR, KEXP, the SoCal Sound, and Rinse FM have adapted to industry shifts by offering multiple streaming options. WPKN has also embraced the digital format. Besides posting content to its website, it maintains a podcast channel on all major platforms, an archiving system, and a video sessions format. Toller says he has witnessed a surprising amount of interest in traditional radio among young people. 'What's amazing to me is that the youth are being raised with these digital devices that are so attention-commanding all the time, and I see people coming in here from other stations who are much younger than me and are interested in this as a tried-and-true platform that has existed far longer than social media. If youth is still interested, that tells me this is going to be around for another 60 years.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VoIP-Pal Affirms Court Acceptance of Second Amended Complaint and Service upon Defendants in Federal Antitrust and RICO Lawsuit
WACO, Texas, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. (OTCQB: VPLM) announced that the United States District Court for the District of Columbia has granted its motion for leave to enter its Second Amended Complaint as the operative pleading in its ongoing federal antitrust and RICO action against AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Additionally, VoIP-Pal confirms they have served all Defendants through their legal counsel by the previously extended court deadline of April 23, 2025. Following the effecting timely service and satisfactorily responding to the Court's procedural inquiry, the Honorable Judge Randolph D. Moss issued an order on May 7, 2025, vacating the prior show-cause deadline and discharging the associated order. Defendants now have until June 22, 2025, to respond to VoIP-Pal's operative complaint, which alleges violations of the RICO statutes, the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts, and Section 251 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, based on alleged coordinated conduct among Defendants aimed at excluding VoIP-Pal and other potential competitors from the mobile voice-routing market. If RICO violations are proven, liability could extend to all named Defendants involved in the alleged enterprise. VoIP-Pal will continue to provide updates as the case proceeds through the next phase of litigation. About Inc. ('VoIP-Pal') is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, TX. The company owns a portfolio of patents related to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ('VoIP') technology that it is actively seeking to monetize. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. These statements reflect management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Litigation outcomes and settlement discussions are unpredictable, and there is no assurance of favorable resolution. For Further InformationCorporate Website: Inquiries: IR@ Contact: Rich Inza, (954) 495-4600
