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The bait and switch of Government Owned Networks
We are all familiar with bait and switch, the deceptive practice where a customer is enticed by one offer and then forced into a higher…
Blog
Crickets: Congressional silence on a new communications act
In what seems to be news to legislators and regulators, the communications marketplace is innovative and dynamic. The platforms used to consume increasingly varied types…
Blog
The FCC snares broadband in web of regulation
In the children’s book Walter’s Wonderful Web, a determined spider builds webs that are too “wibbly-wobbly” to withstand the wind but perseveres until he constructs…
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Newsletter
Fingerprints, Telecom Lawsuits and Al Gore’s Carbon Footprint
The Senate considers a bill creating a new federal fingerprint registry. The House of Representatives votes to shield telecom companies from lawsuits arising from the…
Newsletter
Google, Ethanol and a Housing Trust Fund
Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) grills Google on consumer privacy concerns. Gas prices dip slightly from their record high. The Senate considers a housing “rescue” bill.
Newsletter
Cell Phone Fees, Energy Policy and Child Porn Online
The Federal Communications Commission holds a hearing to investigate “termination fees” for customers who cancel their cell phone, cable or Internet contracts early. Amid concerns…
Citation
Cell Phone Fees
Op-Eds
Unfairness Doctrine
Cord Blomquist on government censorship of political speech and the possible revival of the "Fairness Doctrine"…
News Release
Cell Phone Fees – Fair or Unfair? The FCC Decides
Today the Federal Communications Commission will hear testimony on “early termination” fees for customers who cancel their mobile phone, cable or Internet service contracts…
Newsletter
Termination Fees, Windfall Profits and a Federal Wilderness Land-Grab
The Federal Communications Commission holds a hearing to investigate “termination fees” for customers who cancel their cell phone, cable or Internet contracts early. Senate Republicans…
Citation
Broadband Metering
Newsletter
Energy Legislation, Interest Rates and Futurism
The Senate prepares for a vote to end debate on major global warming legislation. The value of the dollar climbs slightly after the Federal Reserve…
Newsletter
Time Warner, Energy Prices and Biofuels
Time Warner begins metering its customers’ Internet usage. The Senate continues debate on major global warming legislation. International officials debate the causes of soaring food…
Op-Eds
Animated Aristophanes: The Idiot, The Oddity, but not Homer (Simpson)
About half way through its 12th season, South Park (Comedy Central, Wednesdays, 10 P.M. ET) has attacked, to take just the first five…
Newsletter
Hurricanes, ISPs and Family Law
Weather forecasters predict between six and nine storms in this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. Congress considers legislation that would regulate how Internet service providers manage…
Newsletter
Farm Subsidies, Media Ownership and Global Warming
The Senate approves major farm legislation with a veto-proof majority. The Senate votes to override the FCC and make media ownership regulations more strict. Sen.
Newsletter
Gas Prices, DEA and Telephone Trends
The AAA reports that record high gas prices might soon begin to fall. CEI launches the “Politics of Pain” campaign to end harassment of pain…
Newsletter
Financial Markets, Internet Ads and Immigration
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sees turmoil in financial markets easing. New York legislators consider a bill to restrict online advertising. The Manhattan Institute releases…
Newsletter
Ethanol, Broadband and Consumer Safety
Momentum builds in Congress to repeal the mandate for use of corn-based ethanol in motor fuels. Comcast considers capping monthly Internet downloads and charging overage…
Newsletter
Satellite Radio, Gas Prices and the Credit Crunch
Sirius and XM Satellite await final government approval of their merger. Average gas prices rise to a new record high, prompting accusations of price gouging.
Newsletter
Net Neutrality, Poultry Wars and Disaster Insurance
The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee holds a hearing on proposed rules for “net neutrality.” The European Union refuses to lift a ban on the…
Citation
Internet Freedom Preservation Act
News Release
House Investigates Calls for “Net Neutrality”
Today the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Internet will hold a hearing on the Internet Freedom Preservation Act…
Newsletter
A Cooler Climate, Microsoft Drops Yahoo and Farm Subsidies
A new study in the journal Nature predicts a cooler climate than previously thought. Microsoft drops its bid to acquire Yahoo. Reporters identify more than…
Newsletter
Online Privacy, Genetic Discrimination and Grand Theft Auto IV
Privacy advocates lobby for a “do-not-track” registry to regulate how online advertisers can target Internet users. The Senate passes the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act…
Comment
Comments Submitted to the Federal Communications Commission on Broadcast Localism
CEI Recommends Liberalizing Broadcast Industry…
Newsletter
Environmental Politics, Internet Gambling and Drug Imports
Regnery Publishing releases the new book The Really Inconvenient Truths: Seven Environmental Catastrophes Liberals Don't Want You to Know About--Because They Helped Cause Them. An…
Newsletter
Deforestation, Internet Regulation and Green Buildings
Senators probe the relationship between climate change and forests. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin tells a congressional hearing that there is no need for new Internet…
Newsletter
Earth Day, Net Neutrality and Beef Exports
Environmentalists around the world celebrate the 38th anniversary of Earth Day, crediting with helping launch the modern environmental movement. Senators hear testimony on future Internet…
The Business Journals
Can the F.C.C. Enforce “Network Neutrality?”
The Business Journals discusses net neutrality with Wayne Crews. "Elevating the principle of mandatory net neutrality above the principles of investor ownership and…
News Release
“Future of the Internet” at Stake in Senate
Tomorrow the Senate Commerce Committee assesses “The Future of the Internet.” Among the most controversial issues is proposed federal regulation of broadband network…
Newsletter
Financial Regulations, Greenhouse Gases and Microsoft’s Bid for Yahoo
The Treasury Department’s “blueprint” for overhauling financial regulation faces strong opposition. State governments across the country pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. News Corp. considers…
Newsletter
The Exaflood, Mortgage Bailouts and Bear Stearns
Rising demand for bandwidth-intensive Internet applications threatens to swamp existing network capacity. The Senate considers a bill to “rescue” the U.S. housing market. Senators investigate…
Newsletter
Bandwidth Flood, Ethanol Victims and Insurance Mandates
Politicians debate the possibility of requiring Americans to purchase health insurance. Ethanol mandates continue to raise prices on agricultural producers around the country. Internet experts…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. HEALTHThe U.S. Department of Agriculture orders a recall of 143 million pounds of beef .CEI Expert…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. INTERNATIONAL President Bush receives praise for public health aid from crowds on his trip to Africa. CEI Expert Available…
News Release
CEI Files Comments on “Net Neutrality”
Washington, D.C., February 13, 2008—Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed public comments with the Federal Communications Commission, urging the commissioners not to regulate the…
News Release
Microsoft Could Go “Hostile” with Yahoo Offer
Washington, D.C., February 12, 2008—Yesterday, Microsoft announced that it “reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps” to present its buyout offer to Yahoo…
News Release
FTC Should Keep Mitts Off Microsoft-Yahoo Acquisition
Contact:Christine Hall , 202.331.2258 Washington, D.C., February 1, 2008— Microsoft announced today its offer to buy Yahoo! for $44 billion, a move that…
Op-Eds
Comcast in the Crosshairs
Despite Comcast's ascendancy, the cable provider remains vulnerable - yet its greatest threat is not from Baby-Bell competitors but from lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
News Release
State of the Union: Last Chance for Bush
Washington, D.C., January 28, 2008—As President Bush prepares to deliver his last State of the Union address before Congress, both the White House…
Op-Eds
FCC Leader Unnecessary
Kelley correctly concludes that there is a “vast wasteland” created by television. But while discussing her opinion, she ignores a few precious details: Waste…
Op-Eds
Free the Media
This story illuminates a disagreement about the state of traditional media ownership in the United States (“GAO report disputes FCC media data,” Dec. 18).
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TECHNOLOGY Antitrust regulators take additional time to review the proposed purchase by Google of Internet advertising firm…
Products
CEI Planet: November – December 2007
Full Document Available in PDF The Tiger at a…
Study
Politically Determined Entertainment Ratings and How to Avoid Them
Full Document Available in PDF When they…
Op-Eds
FCC auction won’t help public safety
The Mercury News (Editorial, Dec. 9)argued that the FCC’s auction of the airwaves would greatly aid public safety by creating a national broadband…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENVIRONMENT Senators vote to increase the severity of fuel economy regulations. CEI Expert Available to Comment:…
Op-Eds
Keep FCC’s hands off cable television
USA TODAY's story on re-regulating cable falls short (“FCC retreats on cable regulation plan,” Money, Wednesday). Since cable was deregulated by the Federal Communications…
Newsletter
Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. BIOTECHNOLOGY Possible regulatory reform at the Food and Drug Administration. CEI Expert Available to Comment: Senior…
Op-Eds
TRA Should Open Bahrain to Competition
In response to “TRA seeks consumers’ comments on competition” (GDN, Nov. 14), the author described a ludicrous situation with an obvious solution. A regulatory…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TECHNOLOGY Owners of iPhones sue Apple over alleged monopolistic behavior. CEI Expert Available to…
Op-Eds
Cable TV’s Monopolies
Frank Ahrens's Nov. 12 news story, “FCC Moves to Place Restrictions on Cable TV,” was highly misleading in its description of a “largely unregulated…