How GCI is Connecting Arctic Alaska to the Rest of the World
Imagine walking outside of your home knowing that you can’t get to your neighboring town, or even the nearest hospital, without hopping on a plane. That scenario is a reality for a great number of native Alaskans, especially those living in the remote regions of the state. But for many, high speed internet is about to make their lives much easier. With the recent construction completion of seven towers in the Arctic Circle, GCI, Alaska’s largest internet service provider, is about to bring a whole new level of connectivity to a part of rural Alaska. Construction of the towers is one piece of a
New Steps Unveiled for Preventing Unwanted Robocalls
Earlier today, the FCC’s Robocall Strike Force unveiled some new steps that phone providers are taking to help prevent unwanted robocalls. A robocall is defined as a call with an automatic dialing system or with a prerecorded or artificial voice. The strike force, established earlier this year, includes among others Charter, Comcast, and Cox, all of whom are providing their customers with specific guidance and tools on how to block unwanted robocalls. NCTA joins them in supporting the task force as well as the FCC’s robocall portal that provides information about consumer rights and operator
Is the Internet Fast Enough?
In a survey we commissioned from Morning Consult, we asked people to rate satisfaction with their home wired internet download speeds. We’re pleased to see 77 percent of respondents say they are either somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with the download speeds of their wired home internet connection. Today wired internet download speeds are lightning fast, and getting faster every day. More speed means more internet of things, more streaming video, more games, and more connections. If you want to find out more about the past, present, and future of download speeds, check out our page on
Michael Powell Inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame
NCTA President and CEO Michael Powell was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame last night. The celebration, held at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, was an opportunity for Powell and the nine other inductees to be recognized for their vision, hard work, and commitment to the programming and communications industries. Powell’s decades-long career in communications technology and policy has spanned some of the most transformative years for entertainment and the internet. His long support of light-touch regulation has sustained a flourishing internet industry. And his commitment to
Internet Providers At the Top of Investment Heroes Ranking 2016
The latest Progressive Policy Institute Investment Heroes 2016 report is in, and for the third year in a row, ISPs are the biggest investors of capital in the United States. With a total of over $48 billion invested in 2015, ISPs are injecting billions of dollars into networks and equipment to meet customer demands in an ever-evolving digital world. Since its inception in 2012, the Progressive Policy Institute identified the top 25 companies that are investing in domestic long-term growth and productivity. For 2015, total capital expenditures equaled $177 billion, up from $172 billion in 2014
Paying Tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month, which started on September 15 in honor of the independence day anniversaries of several Latin American countries, is a commemoration of Latinos in American culture. And for TV programmers and internet providers it’s especially important to not only reflect the diverse voices and cultures of the nation’s fastest growing minority group, but to also encourage and support the contributions of Latinos to our communities. Networks like Univision, dedicated to Hispanic audiences, run campaigns year-round to help its viewers participate in social and civic causes. Earlier this
Live TV is Breaking Free
It will come as no surprise that technology is dramatically changing how we watch TV. We’ve written about it a few times on this blog precisely because the change is so fundamental. We’re familiar with how on-demand services have changed viewing habits, but what about live TV? Can technology transform live entertainment? There’s some new information that helps answer that question. In a survey we commissioned from Morning Consult, 44 percent of respondents say they watch live TV on a device other than a television outside their house or apartment at least once a month. That tells us that not
ESPN’s The Undefeated is Taking on Sports, Race, Culture, and Defining Modern Journalism
ESPN may be the best known brand in the world of sports. But they do more than simply report the nightly scores. Their commitment to covering sports and athletes of all types from around the world has transformed not just how athletics is covered, but how stories are told and how sports journalism is defined. So when ESPN commits itself to opening a dialogue on the issues facing African-American communities in America and how those issues intersect with sports, it’s something worth paying attention to. That’s where we get The Undefeated, ESPN’s new website dedicated to race, sports and culture
Report Reveals Programmers are Optimistic About Future Video Technology
A new report released from Akamai surveying companies that offer (or plan to offer) “direct to consumer” or over-the-top (OTT) video services reveals an optimistic and rapidly maturing marketplace. Apps like Hulu, HBO Now, and SHOWTIME are changing consumers’ relationships with streaming entertainment and while adoption is increasing, they key watchword among survey participants remains quality. According to the report, these companies are focused on how to offer scalable, interactive, live ultra-high-definition (UHD) quality experiences today while still looking towards what consumers will
The NCTA Foundation: A Catalyst for Change
Recently, we announced our new brand, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, to reflect the industry we represent and the ever-changing future ahead of us. In line with this change, today we announced another strategic shift in how NCTA is evolving as an organization as its foundation delves into its first year of grant-making. To further its support of community development and underserved populations, the new NCTA Foundation has awarded $325,000 in grants and formed partnerships with three Washington, D.C., area nonprofits–A Wider Circle, Byte Back, Inc., and BUILD Metro DC–dedicated