The Federal Communications Commission approved a grant that would provide the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands ownership of broadband spectrum to deploy wireless internet services on Kaua‘i, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i and Maui.

The waiver affirms DHHL as the only entity with the legal standing to apply in the Window and implement broadband service on Hawaiian Home Lands.

The Lifeline program extends access to internet and television services to low-income Americans for free or at a reduced cost.

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. The test code used will be the National Periodic Test (NPT). Unlike last year’s test, there will be no Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test accompanying the EAS test.... Read more »

Sen. Brian Schatz, the lead Democrat on the Senate Telecommunications Subcommittee, led a hearing on Thursday to review the actions the federal government can take to stop illegal robocalls. “Frustration with illegal robocalls is something that crosses state lines, party lines, and phone lines and unites Americans everywhere,” Schatz said. “Robocalls have turned us into... Read more »

The US Senate unanimously passed the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act on Dec. 17. The bipartisan legislation, which Sens. Brian Schatz, John Thune, and Roger Wicker introduced, aims to ensure that more people receive emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. The legislation will also explore new ways of alerting the... Read more »

Under the new action, relevant state, local, and tribal agencies are required to report all false emergency alerts to the Commission.

Sen. Schatz said these cyberattacks may have prevented the public from accessing and commenting on the FCC’s net neutrality proceeding.

By Wendy Osher Maui became the final county in the state to implement a cell phone driving ban with the bill officially taking effect yesterday. The measure makes it illegal to use a mobile electronic device or telephone while driving unless it is being used with a hands-free device. Maui’s law also prohibits the county’s... Read more »

The Federal Communications Commission will shift its focus to Maui in the final week before the state makes its switch to all-digital broadcasting on January 15th.  During an informational briefing with state lawmakers yesterday, officials said they would use the final nine days to focus technical support on the neighbor islands.  West Maui Rep. Angus... Read more »