Category: Alan Weissberger
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FCC Allocates $603M in Additional Emergency Connectivity Funding
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dispatched almost $603 million in the sixth wave of awards under its $7.2 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program. That program helps schools and libraries link to broadband with the grants extending to 1.4 million students in 50 states. Funding for broadband projects is also coming from the U.S.…
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Augmenting the Human Worker with Cobots
Introduction: Most industrial experts agree that robotics will be essential to adapt to changes brought upon by automation of manufacturing, labor shortages in warehouses, hazardous environments, and the shift to Electric Vehicles (EVs). There are also geopolitical drivers for robotics including cybersecurity, climate change, and demographics. However, there is little or no talk about cobots. …
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FCC Chair Pai resigns; who will succeed him?
Following today’s expected [1.] resignation of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, Washington insiders believe that President-elect Joe Biden will probably pick Democrat commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel [2.] to head the FCC. Rosenworcel has won confirmation twice, which will be helpful if Republicans retain control of the Senate. Note 1. FCC Chairmen typically exit the…
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Surprising Findings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index Survey
Introduction: The latest annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) report covering wireline broadband Internet & Pay TV, Video Streaming services and WiFi usage has just been released. Wireline Broadband Internet and Pay TV Services: Verizon Fios and AT&T U-verse (1.) tied for the top ranking for telecom service as both network providers improved on their…
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Robots work to fight COVID 19; SK Telecom’s 5G Robot
Robots are being used on a large scale to combat COVID-19 and that may continue for quite some time. Automation solutions that were unthinkable twenty years ago have matured and are now very practicable, thanks to the convergence of technologies like machine vision, machine learning & AI, open-source robotic operating systems, and mobile components and…
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OpenVault: Broadband usage +47% in Q1 2020; Power users are the new normal
Introduction: Broadband analytics and solutions firm OpenVault reports that total broadband usage increased 47% in the first quarter (Q1) of 2020, to roughly 402.5 gigabytes per user, versus the year-ago period. As expected this increased use of broadband was largely due to the millions of people subject to “shelter in place” and the resultant data…