FCC Update

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Every 2 weeks Pulsar will give an update on what the FCC is up to. Since the last update the FCC has been busy and is making some moves.

Have you ever wondered why our smartphones don't come stock with an FM Radio app? Have you ever wondered why you have to download apps like iHeartRadio and Pandora that are connected to the Internet? Well that's because mostly all smartphones have their FM transmitters turned off. That's right, this all per Tech Times, and FCC chairman Ajit Pai wants to do something about it.

The FCC is unable to force carriers/manufacturers to turn the FM transmitters on, but Pai is recommending to them that they do it. Doesn't it make sense to turn an FM transmitter on if it's going to be part of the phone? Also you wouldn't have to download Internet streaming radio apps either, you could pick up your local radio stations on your smartphone. The only downside to this is, well, traditional FM radio isn't all that great anymore thanks to Internet radio apps and satellite radio. People want many songs and the songs they like.

According to that same Tech Times article, only 44% of smartphones have their FM transmitters activated. According to Slash Gear, the some of the current manufacturers (selling in US) that have their FM transmitters turned on are: HTC, LG, and Samsung. Samsung by far the largest out of the three.

The FCC is planning to solve the digital divide in rural areas. According to The American Genius, The FCC has a few possibilities on the table to solve this issue. Gigabit Opportunity Zones are one of them, which give incentives to broadband providers that expand service to rural areas, and tax credits for entrepreneurs that set up networks themselves. Pai also wants to bring the wireless industry into rural areas.

Here is Ajit Pai himself giving a brief overview, onFox Business, of what he wants to do and why

It's clear Pai is nothing more than a pro-consumer and pro-business FCC chairman, and that is exactly what the United States needs, especially with the pro-business Trump  administration.

Pai appeared to get into a little hot water though, recently he "praised" Amazon on their Prime Now service. Pai tweeted out to @amazonprimenow after being very satisfied with the overall service, and this allegedly puts Pai in a Kellyanne Conway situation. All this according to Gizmodo, the tweet by Pai violated the same rule  from the Code of Federal Regulations that Kellyanne Conway did when she promoted Ivanka Trump's brand. Which is totally an organized effort by retailers to boycott Trump brands, but now Ivanka's brand is number 1 on, guess what, Amazon. The Gizmodo article did not state Pai will be disciplined for this or not.

We'll end it with the spectrum auction going on, again the FCC auctions off parts of radio spectrum so we can all enjoy our phones, computers, TVs, radio, and many other digital devices. The auction will officially end on March 30th, and it looks as if it will close with a bid total close to $20 billion, all according to Broadcasting & Cable.

The FCC and its chariman Ajit Pai are gearing up to make moves and deregulate the US telecommunications industry. Business and consumers alike should all be excited for what will come out of all of this. We should expect a more business friendly environment which in turn will lead to new products and services that transfers into lower prices for the consumer. The FCC may finally bridge the digital divide, and we have the companies that can do the job.

Trump's tax plans and business friendly tone is and has been incentivizing companies to do business and build factories in the US. SoftBank, Sprint's owner, is investing $50 billion in the US. Trump and Pai can make the telecom and tech industries boom, and it seems that has already started.