The Federal Communications Commission has formally started the process for reviewing the proposed $39 billion merger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA that was announced last month. The FCC has posted its public notice that establishes procedural rules for the review process and will allow the public to weigh in on the proposed merger. AT&T and …

T-Mobile USA is taking on its wireless competitors with its new “unlimited” everything cell phone plan for only $79.99 a month, proving that it’s still looking to compete as regulators consider AT&T’s bid to buy it. Sarah Tew/CNET Today the company launched the new plan that includes unlimited talk, texting, and data up to 2GB a month. While talk and …

It’s easy to understand why Internet infrastructure giant Cisco Systems needed to get out of the consumer electronics business, but did it have to send a popular product, like to the Flip camcorder, to an early grave? Cisco on Tuesday announced that it will stop making the Flip camera, a popular pocket-sized video camera it bought only a couple of …

The first cuts to Cisco Systems’ business have been announced, and the Flip video camera is among the first items to go. Cisco announced today that it will exit parts of the consumer electronics business as it strategically realigns its business to focus on five main areas: core routing; switching and services; collaboration; architectures; and video. One of the first …

The real-life drama between Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg appears to be over, as a federal appeals court judge tells the twin brothers to accept their $65 million settlement with Facebook and move on. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg On Monday the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District ruled in favor of Facebook, …

Cablevision is the next cable operator on Viacom’s hit-list as the company tries to stop cable companies from offering apps that stream its content on iPads. Last week, Viacom notified Cablevision that its iPad app, which delivers live TV and video-on-demand to its subscribers on their iPads while they’re inside their homes, is not authorized. This is just the latest …

All good things must come to an end. At least that’s likely the case for T-Mobile USA customers who like using the carrier’s Wi-Fi calling feature on certain smartphones. In this week’s column, I discuss whether I think AT&T will keep the Unlicensed Mobile Access Wi-Fi calling feature that T-Mobile offers on some of its smartphones. I also discuss Samsung’s …

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules today at its monthly public meeting that will require wireless service providers, such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, to negotiate wireless data roaming deals with competitors. As expected, the FCC voted along party lines, with the three Democrats including Chairman Julius Genachowski voting in favor of the measure. Meanwhile, Republicans Robert McDowell and …

The Obama administration has enlisted the help of more than 100 economists to make its case for incentive spectrum auctions that will free up more airwaves for wireless broadband services. Today, the White House presented a letter signed by 112 economists “who specialize in telecommunications, auction theory and design, and/or competitive policy.” The signed letter was part of a summit …

The Federal Communications Commission may soon set new rules that could help ensure that your smartphone is able to access the Internet anywhere in the U.S. that wireless service is offered, even if your provider doesn’t offer network coverage. On Thursday the FCC will vote on new rules that would force wireless phone companies, such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, …