The GOP Goes After Net Neutrality, HopperGO Announced

May 26, 2016

Big happenings on net neutrality take center stage today, May 26. Here’s a look at other stories worth following.

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Net Neutrality on life support?

Republican leaders in the United States House of Representatives have released a plan that would strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the power to enforce net neutrality rules. It would also eliminate the FCC’s plan to boost competition in the set-top box market, according to Ars Technica.

In February 2015, the FCC passed rules that forbid Internet providers from blocking or throttling certain Web pages or from giving preferential treatment to specific sites. As part of the rules, the FCC is pushing for a replacement for CableCard. In doing so, consumers would be able to get TV channels on tablets, smart TVs, or set-top boxes that they can buy from other companies instead of renting a box from a cable company.

According to the report:

The budget bill again uses a definition of rate regulation that goes far beyond the utility rate-setting traditionally imposed on landline phone providers. The proposal would prevent the FCC from using its net neutrality rules to act against discriminatory data cap policies, among other things. The FCC is currently examining zero-rating plans that impose data caps on some types of content and not others, but this bill would prevent the FCC from taking any action against such plans.

- Ars Technica

The White House supports net neutrality. Advocates suggest the GOP’s proposal is a way to push the issue into 2017. President Obama leaves office on Jan. 20.

ZTE’s new Axon 7 smartphone is winning praise

China’s ZTE is getting rave reviews on its new Axon 7 smartphone. “Elegant” is the word CNET uses to describe the device, which was recently announced.

The phone is already in China and will roll out to other markets in mid-June.

DISH announces the HopperGO

Customers of DISH can now purchase the HopperGO, a personal mobile video drive priced at $99. The 64GB, rechargeable battery-powered device gives customers the ability to securely transfer up to 100 hours of recorded TV shows and movies from a Hopper 3 or Hopper 2 DVR for on-the-go, offline viewing.

Today in Tech & Media/15 Seconds

Today, May 26 is Sally Ride Day.

The TNW Conference kicks off in Amsterdam.

Looking backwards: In 1994, Michael Jackson married Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley. The marriage lasted less than two years.

Trending on Twitter/15 Seconds

NBC’s #RedNoseDay event airs beginning at 9 p.m. EDT. The charity raises childhood hunger around the world.

Also being discussed on Twitter:

Extra Minutes

Have a few more minutes? Check out these other stories making news:

Pixelmator 3.5 Canyon brings new selection tools and a retouch extension for Photos, Macworld
Will Google’s naughty list really improve Android updates?, The Verge
Apple Car, Tesla, and the charging station problem, Loop Insight

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