Internet

News Brief

Senator Cantwell wants 5G spectrum auction to fund rural broadband expansion

Microsoft rolls out tool to scan chat apps for sexual predators seeking to exploit children

by Monica Nickelsburg on January 9, 2020January 9, 2020 at 9:28 am1 Comment

Microsoft released a new tool Thursday that scans online chats for people seeking to sexually exploit children. It’s part of a broader push by the technology industry to crack down… Read More

News Brief

Bernie Sanders promises ‘high-speed internet for all’ through publicly-owned broadband service

As cities battle feds over 5G rollout, tech leaders worry Seattle will lag behind in new wireless race

by Monica Nickelsburg on November 15, 2019November 22, 2019 at 11:30 am 7 Comments

The tech hub that Amazon and Microsoft call home is typically referred to as simply “Seattle.” But zooming in, there are two distinct communities — separated by Lake Washington and… Read More

Appeals court upholds net neutrality repeal — but allows states to make their own rules

by Monica Nickelsburg on October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 at 11:57 am 2 Comments

The Federal Communications Commission’s rollback of internet regulations known as net neutrality was upheld Tuesday by a panel of federal judges. But the court struck down a key provision that… Read More

Comcast boosts internet speeds in 11 states, including Washington and Oregon

by Monica Nickelsburg on September 24, 2019September 25, 2019 at 9:08 am 7 Comments

About 85 percent of Comcast’s Washington internet customers saw their download speeds increase this week, according to the cable giant. The company boosted speeds for customers with the Performance Plus,… Read More

This island town is building a public broadband network. Is it a model for bridging digital divide?

by Monica Nickelsburg on September 12, 2019September 13, 2019 at 6:49 amComment

Anacortes, Wash., is a picturesque town on Fidalgo Island, 90 minutes north of Seattle. Best known for its marina, it’s a popular spot for travelers to stop on their way… Read More

Can 5G bridge the digital divide? Congress, experts divided on impact of next-generation wireless

by Monica Nickelsburg on July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 at 4:52 pm 3 Comments

Roughly 163 million Americans are not using broadband internet, according to Microsoft estimates. It’s a pervasive problem that impacts education attainment, economic opportunity, and access to modern healthcare. Closing the… Read More

Lawmakers and activists push for net neutrality legislation on the anniversary of its repeal

by Monica Nickelsburg on June 11, 2019June 11, 2019 at 12:53 pmComment

Senate Democrats took to the chamber floor Tuesday to demand Majority Leader Mitch McConnell call a vote on net neutrality legislation that passed the House in April. More than 100… Read More

Former Wave Broadband execs scoop up Northwest operations of ex-rival Frontier for $1.35B

by Nat Levy on May 29, 2019May 29, 2019 at 3:45 pm 2 Comments

WaveDivision Capital, an investment company operated by the founder of Wave Broadband and several former executives, has teamed up with Searchlight Capital Partners to acquire the Northwest operations of internet… Read More

Washington will create a statewide broadband office to expand internet access

by Monica Nickelsburg on May 14, 2019May 14, 2019 at 10:13 am1 Comment

Washington will soon have a dedicated broadband office tasked with expanding internet access to underserved parts of the state. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill that creates the broadband office into… Read More

Washington state considers new broadband program to expand internet access to underserved communities

by Monica Nickelsburg on April 7, 2019April 8, 2019 at 10:39 am 8 Comments

A bill that would establish a dedicated Broadband Office to expand internet access in Washington state is working its way through the legislature at the request of Gov. Jay Inslee.… Read More

Sorry, Comcast: The new Xfinity Flex streaming box won’t get me to uncut my cable cord

by Kurt Schlosser on March 21, 2019March 21, 2019 at 12:51 pm 2 Comments

Commentary: After subscribing to Comcast cable television and broadband internet in some form or another for about the past 20 years, I finally cut the cord two weeks ago. Even… Read More

On 30th anniversary of web, Amazon shares first homepage, Google keeps doodling and more

by Kurt Schlosser on March 12, 2019March 12, 2019 at 10:44 amComment

For better or worse, the World Wide Web sure has come a long way in 30 years. And what better place to feed those pangs of nostalgia on Tuesday than… Read More

Dems move to reinstate net neutrality nationwide, allow states to keep their own open internet laws

by Monica Nickelsburg on March 6, 2019March 6, 2019 at 10:43 am1 Comment

Congressional lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that would re-instate open internet protections, known as net neutrality, nationwide and allow states to continue enforcing their own laws. The two-page “Save the… Read More

Dems to introduce net neutrality legislation: Here’s what you need to know

by Monica Nickelsburg on March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 at 1:50 pm 2 Comments

Leading Democrats in Congress plan to introduce federal net neutrality legislation Wednesday, which would reinstate open internet protections repealed by the Federal Communications Commission in 2017. The legislation would prevent… Read More

Video

Telesat makes deals with Blue Origin and Loon for its internet satellite network

by Alan Boyle on January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 at 10:24 amComment

Canada’s biggest satellite operator, Telesat, has signed agreements with Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture and Alphabet’s Loon aerial telecommunications venture to support its future global broadband satellite constellation.… Read More

Video

Microsoft expands broadband initiative to bring internet to 3 million people in rural communities

by Monica Nickelsburg on December 3, 2018December 4, 2018 at 8:00 amComment

In metropolises like Seattle, it’s hard to imagine a day without internet. Urbanites are used to getting online for just about everything: work, shopping, entertainment, play, and communication. But 25… Read More

Video

Washington Gov. Inslee says state is ready for Trump attack on net neutrality law: ‘Bring it on’

by Monica Nickelsburg on October 10, 2018October 10, 2018 at 10:15 am 8 Comments

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has raised his national profile in recent months by taking aim at President Donald Trump, fueling speculation that he’s making a play for the presidency in… Read More

What California’s net neutrality battle with DOJ means for Washington and other states with open internet laws

by Monica Nickelsburg on October 1, 2018October 1, 2018 at 12:45 pm 4 Comments

Immediately after California passed a law reinstating open internet regulations in the state, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit. Although the suit only targets California, it could provide… Read More

Video

Watch: ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ trailer is a geeky peek at the world we’ve created online

by Kurt Schlosser on September 20, 2018September 20, 2018 at 10:58 amComment

Animated filmmakers figured out a while ago that the best way to get kids in theater seats is to create content that appeals to their parents, too. Disney’s “Ralph Breaks… Read More

Commentary: Seattle cannot afford to fall behind on 5G wireless technology

by Michael Schutzler on September 14, 2018September 14, 2018 at 11:20 am1 Comment

Editor’s note: Michael Schutzler, CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association, stresses the importance of embracing next-generation wireless technology in this open letter to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. For more than a… Read More

Net neutrality or not, new research shows cell carriers throttle video content all the time

by Monica Nickelsburg on September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 at 2:53 pmComment

Nearly every U.S. cell provider engages in throttling, also known as slowing service selectively, according to research from Northeastern University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Researchers found throttling to be… Read More

Proposed T-Mobile merger with Sprint on hold as FCC pauses 180-day shot clock

by Monica Nickelsburg on September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 at 2:31 pmComment

The Federal Communications Commision needs more time to consider whether to approve a multibillion-dollar merger between Sprint and T-Mobile. The FCC sent a letter to the two companies Tuesday, explaining… Read More

Why Seattle’s plan to bring Intersection WiFi kiosks and bus stop makeovers stalled

by Monica Nickelsburg on September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 at 10:54 amComment

Fast-growing cities, like Seattle, are looking for opportunities to embrace technology to become more efficient, mobile, and equitable. But working with the private sector to implement innovations can be tricky,… Read More

Cities across the country join escalating legal battle over net neutrality

by Monica Nickelsburg on August 31, 2018August 31, 2018 at 10:30 am 4 Comments

Top officials in 27 cities across the country are backing a lawsuit over the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality, claiming that removing those protections makes it more difficult for municipal governments to… Read More

Most Americans believe tech companies should be regulated like news publishers, survey finds

by Monica Nickelsburg on August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 at 10:19 am 3 Comments

A whopping 79 percent of Americans believe that tech companies should be regulated in the same way that news organizations are, according to a new survey from Gallup and Knight… Read More

What the repeal of net neutrality regulations means for cyber security

by Corey Nachreiner on August 7, 2018August 8, 2018 at 10:45 am 6 Comments

COMMENTARY: Security issues aside, the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality pisses me off. I know – that’s an unusual introduction to an article, but it’s important you know an author’s… Read More

Video

TLDR: Buy food and drinks with just a fingerprint, Seattle’s complex history of urban internet access, T-Mobile’s tech truck

by Starla Sampaco on August 7, 2018August 7, 2018 at 4:54 pmComment

Today’s featured stories Seattle sports stadiums all Clear for new biometric security, payments and alcohol ID verification Comcast’s Seattle expansion highlights complex history of urban internet access T-Mobile takes its… Read More

Comcast’s Seattle expansion highlights complex history of urban internet access

by Monica Nickelsburg on August 7, 2018August 9, 2018 at 2:33 pm 4 Comments

Comcast will start serving two dense and popular Seattle neighborhoods for the first time Aug. 18. The company’s internet and cable services will become available for residents of First Hill… Read More

Senator Cantwell wants 5G spectrum auction to fund rural broadband expansion

Microsoft rolls out tool to scan chat apps for sexual predators seeking to exploit children

Bernie Sanders promises ‘high-speed internet for all’ through publicly-owned broadband service

As cities battle feds over 5G rollout, tech leaders worry Seattle will lag behind in new wireless race

Appeals court upholds net neutrality repeal — but allows states to make their own rules

Comcast boosts internet speeds in 11 states, including Washington and Oregon

This island town is building a public broadband network. Is it a model for bridging digital divide?

Can 5G bridge the digital divide? Congress, experts divided on impact of next-generation wireless

Lawmakers and activists push for net neutrality legislation on the anniversary of its repeal

Former Wave Broadband execs scoop up Northwest operations of ex-rival Frontier for $1.35B

Washington will create a statewide broadband office to expand internet access

Washington state considers new broadband program to expand internet access to underserved communities

Sorry, Comcast: The new Xfinity Flex streaming box won’t get me to uncut my cable cord

On 30th anniversary of web, Amazon shares first homepage, Google keeps doodling and more

Dems move to reinstate net neutrality nationwide, allow states to keep their own open internet laws

Dems to introduce net neutrality legislation: Here’s what you need to know

Telesat makes deals with Blue Origin and Loon for its internet satellite network

Microsoft expands broadband initiative to bring internet to 3 million people in rural communities

Washington Gov. Inslee says state is ready for Trump attack on net neutrality law: ‘Bring it on’

What California’s net neutrality battle with DOJ means for Washington and other states with open internet laws

Watch: ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ trailer is a geeky peek at the world we’ve created online

Commentary: Seattle cannot afford to fall behind on 5G wireless technology

Net neutrality or not, new research shows cell carriers throttle video content all the time

Proposed T-Mobile merger with Sprint on hold as FCC pauses 180-day shot clock

Why Seattle’s plan to bring Intersection WiFi kiosks and bus stop makeovers stalled

Cities across the country join escalating legal battle over net neutrality

What the repeal of net neutrality regulations means for cyber security

TLDR: Buy food and drinks with just a fingerprint, Seattle’s complex history of urban internet access, T-Mobile’s tech truck

Comcast’s Seattle expansion highlights complex history of urban internet access

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