Focus of the F.C.C. in a second Obama administration: More spectrum

The direction of the Federal Communications Commission during a second Obama Administration will be decided in two places: In the chairman’s office, which could have a new occupant next year, and in federal court, where cases are pending that challenge the F.C.C.’s authority over broadband service, internet traffic and wireless data, The New York Times reports. Julius Genachowski, the F.C.C. chairman since 2009, made the expansion of broadband service a priority during his tenure, but the next chairman will face formidable foes in efforts to free up more airwaves, or spectrum, for use by wireless phone companies…

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AT&T will spend $14B to pump up wireless, wireline networks

AT&T laid out a broad plan to upgrade both its wireline and wireless networks and keep its growth moving, CNET reports. Project Velocity IP, or VIP, consists of an investment of $14 billion over the next three years — $8 billion for wireless and $6 billion for wireline — and is designed to expand the company’s 4G LTE coverage on the wireless side and faster service, more fiber-optic lines, and expanded U-Verse availability on the landline side…

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AT&T settles with the FCC over unauthorized switching of data plans

Are you an AT&T customer with a grandfathered unlimited data plan? If so, you may want to check your bill to make sure that’s still the plan you’re paying for, reports the Houston Chronicle. In 2009, AT&T adopted new, tiered data plans for smartphone users, dropping its traditional unlimited data plans for new customers. Those who already had the plans could keep them, AT&T said, even if they got a new device or signed a new contract…

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Rural schools still facing ed-tech challenges

Rural students often lack access to high-speed internet.

Educational technology stakeholders tout the benefits of mobile devices, broadband internet, and technology in the classroom—but in some rural schools, even the most basic ed-tech access is still a pipe dream. However, digital tools and persistence on the part of school leaders can help rural students achieve the same “connectedness” found in more populated parts of the nation.

Statistics indicate that rural high school students are less likely to complete advanced math courses and are less likely have access to Advanced Placement courses. Many have never visited a college campus or talked with a guidance counselor about attending college, according to Terri Dugan Schwartzbeck, a senior policy associate for the Alliance for Excellent Education, during a webinar focusing on educational technology opportunities for rural schools.

Often, there exists a “disconnect between these students’ aspirations and the resources available to them to reach these goals,” she said.…Read More

How to realize ed tech’s game-changing potential

The move toward digital education comes with a number of important considerations.

During a recent webinar, the nation’s director of educational technology highlighted how technology can support more effective instruction—and a North Carolina superintendent revealed how his district has successfully made the shift to a digital teaching and learning environment.

With support from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and modeled by local school districts across the country, school district leaders can identify goals that will help them make this shift themselves, while at the same time boosting student access, learning, and engagement.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in February that U.S. schools should transition to digital learning in the next five years, and in 2010 ED released its latest National Education Technology Plan (NETP), spearheaded by Karen Cator, director of ED’s Office of Educational Technology.…Read More

Poll: Teachers, parents want more technology

Teachers and parents said access to broadband has wide implications for student success.

Results from a new poll suggest that parents and teachers support more use of technology to improve students’ education and real-world skills. The poll comes from the Leading Education by Advancing Digital (LEAD) Commission, a non-governmental organization exploring the opportunity to use technology to improve education in the United States.

The survey reflects responses from 812 K-12 public school teachers and 883 parents of K-12 public school children in August 2012. This included an over-sampling of low-income parents.

Both parents and teachers said they believe U.S. public schools have some catching up to do when it comes to technology use. Many believe the nation is behind the curve when it comes to other parts of the economy and other countries.…Read More

Google Fiber could widen digital divide in Kansas City area

The city’s school district is worried that many of its buildings will be left without the fiber optic connections that will blossom in areas that are better off.

She has no internet access at home, so Robinett Foreman sweats over lost computer time at school.

The 17-year-old is one of 11 students out of 18 without home access in her business technology class at Kansas City Public Schools’ Central Academy of Excellence.

Stress builds in class, she said, “when I’m on a project, trying to do research, and [the internet] is running slow.”…Read More

Broadband: Huge potential, but access barriers remain

Broadband access boosts online learning’s potential, educators say.

Broadband internet access is crucial for student learning as online and blended learning expand throughout the country, but obstacles such as digital access and policy roadblocks must be addressed, said panelists during an Internet Innovation webinar on broadband’s potential in education.

A broadband backbone is invaluable for expanding learning quality and opportunities for students and teachers when it comes to differentiated instruction, content, communication, and administrative needs, said David Teeter, director of policy for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

Broadband supports online and blended learning, enables and enhances personalized learning and differentiated instruction, and supports decision-making.…Read More

Phone cos. lose broadband subscribers for 1st time

Phone companies are losing the high-speed internet game, the Associated Press reports. In the second quarter, the landline phone industry lost broadband subscribers for the first time, as cable companies continued to pile on new household and small business customers, thanks to the higher speeds they offer in most areas. The flow of subscribers from phone companies to cable providers could lead to a de facto monopoly on broadband in many areas of the U.S., say industry watchers. That could mean a lack of choice and higher prices…

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Are kids all that techno-smart? Maybe not

Millennials, like most people, mainly use technology as a tool for communication.

The Millennial Generation was born and raised in the digital world. Whether they are checking their Facebook status or running a business on the go, this constantly connected generation has earned the reputation of being the most tech savvy ever. But are they really?

“What we are seeing today is a certain amount of familiarity for the millennial generation around using technology. Whether it is a mobile phone, a tablet or computer, or also doing things with television, video recordings, gaming, there is a particular set of skills that they have developed,” says Akhtar Badshah, senior director of Global Community Affairs at Microsoft Corp. “However, we also know that just because you’ve had familiarity with the use of a device, it may not necessarily lead to proficiency in the use of technology where youth are effectively using technology to better their lives through a job, start something, or undertake further studies.”

Being connected…Read More

Google to include people’s Gmail in search results

Google is creating an information bridge between its influential internet search engine and its widely used Gmail service in its latest attempt to deliver more personal responses more quickly, the Associated Press reports. The experimental feature unveiled Wednesday will enable Google’s search engine to mine the correspondence stored within a user’s Gmail account for any data tied to a search request. For example, a query containing the word “Amazon” would pull emails with shipping information sent by the online retailer. Such Gmail results will typically be shown to the right of the main results, though in some instances, the top of the search page will highlight an answer extracted directly from an email. For example, the request “my flight” will show specific airline information imported from Gmail. Something similar could eventually happen when searching for a restaurant reservation or tickets to a concert…

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NYC expanding Wi-Fi coverage using pay phone kiosks

New Yorkers have been making fewer and fewer calls on the city’s 12,000 pay phones, yet the kiosks likely will be getting heavier use soon, reports the Associated Press: The city on July 11 announced an innovative pilot program that has converted 10 kiosks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens into free Wi-Fi hotspots.

The plan is to expand the program to all 12,000 pay phones in the city, bringing wireless access to more city residents—including students—free of charge. “We are taking an existing infrastructure and leveraging it up to provide more access to information,” said Rahul Merchant, the city’s chief information officer.

Merchant said the program is part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s effort to help New Yorkers and the 50 million people who visit the city each year stay connected. The pay phones remain, but a router is installed at each kiosk. The internet signal extends a couple of hundred feet, Merchant said. Users simply approach the kiosk with an internet device and log on; no password is needed. They can connect for as long as they need, 24 hours a day.…Read More