AT&T set to test speedy ‘5G’ (USA Today)
AT&T said it is ready to conduct “5G” field trials by the end of the year, following a similar announcement from Verizon. 5G is shorthand for the “fifth generation” of wireless and it translates into speeds, AT&T says, that are 10-100 times faster than today’s average 4G LTE connections.
Google extends European Right to Be Forgotten link blocks (USA Today)
Google will extend the platforms that will block links of people who have successfully lobbied European regulators for their “right to be forgotten.” The search giant will block links on all its international platforms, including the U.S. search platform google.com, for searches coming from the country of the person who requested the block.
Local Stations’ Digital, Mobile Platforms Primary Source for Blizzard News (Broadcasting & Cable)
When looking for emergency weather information during the recent East Coast and Midwest blizzards, viewers flocked to digital and mobile platforms of their local broadcast TV stations, according to an analysis by the Television Bureau of Advertising.
NAB: FCC Right to Target Set-Tops (Broadcasting & Cable)
The National Association of Broadcasters was taking a bit off the alarm the Future of Television Coalition said the broadcast trade group was sounding over the FCC’s new set-top box proposal, though concedes it does have concerns over content protection.
In Deal With Fox, Dish Agrees to Disable Ad-Skipping for 7 Days After Shows First Air (Hollywood Reporter)
Fox Broadcasting and Dish have finally come to an agreement to settle a bitter lawsuit over the ad-skipping, place-shifting Hopper. Court papers were filed stipulating to a dismissal, marking the end of a legal battle that has lasted nearly four years and resulted in judicial guidance on newer uses of copyrighted programming.
The Difference Between Facebook and Twitter: Twitter Is Lonely for New Users (Recode- Commentary)
Twitter’s product needs help. Despite an anonymous, public atmosphere that’s intended to encourage conversation, Twitter’s product is actually hindering people from doing what social networks are supposed to do best: Connect people.
Facebook Referral Traffic is Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be (Media Shift)
NPR effectively proved that readers who are referred to a post from Facebook, Twitter, and other social sites may not engage with a post for as long as readers who are referred via other sources. Or, social traffic is not all it’s cracked up to be.
INTERNET RATE REGULATION (The Hill)
Republicans advanced a bill meant to prevent the FCC from regulating the rates charged for Internet service. The House Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on communications passed the bill over objections from Democrats, who said it could have overly broad implications because “rate regulation” is not defined.
HOW LIBRARIES ARE INCREASING HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION (Tech Soup for Libraries- Commentary)
Cutting-edge libraries are addressing all aspects of broadband adoption: home Internet access, public Internet access, digital literacy training, and support and access to devices. As part of this effort, libraries are searching for and experimenting with innovative digital divide solutions that include increasing home broadband access.
FCC PRIVACY FIGHT (The Hill)
Some of Washington’s most prominent trade groups want to dissuade FCC Chair Tom Wheeler from significantly changing the way data privacy issues are regulated for Internet service providers. The groups argue that any new privacy regime for ISPs stemming net neutrality rules should reflect the way the FTC currently handles privacy.
Making Digital Sense In A Broadcasting World (TV News Check)
When it comes to balancing the needs of a TV station’s news marketing, creative services directors should “follow the money.” What’s more important, the 40-50 hours of local news being broadcast on the TV screen, or the station’s growing usage of mobile, news apps, websites and social media?
Happy Birthday, Telecom Act (Cable Fax)
While there’s been plenty of talk over the years of the need to update the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to account for the changes in technology, it’s still the law of the land. And this week, it celebrated its 20th birthday. The bill was the first major overhaul of telecommunications law in more than 60 years.
Face Scanning Used To Track TV Viewer Tastes (Independent)
The BBC is pressing ahead with plans to utilize new facial coding technology – revealing viewers’ subconscious “emotional attachment” to programs – after running successful trials. Developed by a British start-up, CrowdEmotion, the technology uses cameras to record individuals’ expressions and actions.