America’s Favorite Cell Phone Perk Is Coming Back, FCC Head Says, Because Of Obama Regs Roll-Back

Ajit Pai, the Republican chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said that the recent uptick in “unlimited” data offerings from telecommunications companies is due to his reversal of burdensome federal oversight imposed by the Obama administration. Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T – the four largest wireless providers in the U.S. – all launched new unlimited data plans in recent weeks in an apparent attempt to capitalize on the change.

Netflix employees were personally affected by U.S. President Donald…

Netflix employees were personally affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempt to ban people entering from seven Muslim countries, the company’s CEO said Tuesday. Reed Hastings has been a critic of the temporary travel ban, which Trump hopes to revive in a revised form this week, and told The Associated Press on Tuesday that some of his co-workers had gotten caught up in it.

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Telecoms companies call on Brussels to reconsider merger policy

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 28 The European Commission should help telecoms companies whose revenues it has eroded through consumer-friendly regulation by allowing more mergers to help them to build scale and boost investment, the CEOs of Vodafone and Orange said on Tuesday. European regulators are still underestimating how the present framework hinders the capacity of telecoms operators to sustain investment, unlike the regulatory landscape enjoyed by their U.S. peers, the carriers argue.

REFILE-UPDATE 1-Telecoms companies call on Brussels to reconsider merger policy

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 28 The European Commission should help telecoms companies whose revenues it has eroded through consumer-friendly regulation by allowing more mergers to help them to build scale and boost investment, the CEOs of Vodafone and Orange said on Tuesday. European regulators are still underestimating how the present framework hinders the capacity of telecoms operators to sustain investment, unlike the regulatory landscape enjoyed by their U.S. peers, the carriers argue.

FCC announces cooperation agreement with Indian counterpart

The Federal Communications Commission announced on Tuesday a partnership with its Indian counterpart, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India . During the Mobile World Congress summit in Barcelona, Spain, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai signed a non-binding agreement with TRAI Chairman R.S. Sharma to cooperate with the Indian agency and share best practices.

No Chance’ Brazil Government Waives Oi Debt, Minister Says

Brazil’s government can’t waive Oi SA’s debt with a local regulator and state-run banks, the communications minister said, denying the phone carrier a lifeline that would have helped it pull out of the biggest bankruptcy in the country’s history. “The government can’t let go of resources, they are public resources, debt with the public administration,” Science and Technology Minister Gilberto Kassab said Sunday in an interview in Barcelona, Spain.

No Chance’ Brazil Government Waives Oi Debt, Minister Says

Brazil’s government can’t waive Oi SA’s debt with a local regulator and state-run banks, the communications minister said, denying the phone carrier a lifeline that would have helped it pull out of the biggest bankruptcy in the country’s history. “The government can’t let go of resources, they are public resources, debt with the public administration,” Science and Technology Minister Gilberto Kassab said Sunday in an interview in Barcelona, Spain.

No Chance’ Brazil’s Government Can Waive Oi Debt, Minister Says

Brazil’s government can’t waive Oi SA’s debt with a local regulator and state-run banks, the communications minister said, denying the phone carrier a lifeline that would have helped it pull out of the biggest bankruptcy in the country’s history. “The govt can’t let go of resources, they are public resources, debt with the public administration,” Science and Technology Minister Gilberto Kassab, who also oversees communications, said Sunday in an interview in Barcelona, Spain.

Ex-Catalan leader on trial for holding vote on independence

Former President of the Catalan regional Government Artur Mas, center, waves to the crowd as he arrives next to former Education Minister Irene Rigaua, left, and former Vice President Joana Ortega at the Catalonia’s high court in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. Thousands took the streets of Barcelona Monday to accompany the three Catalan politicians as they walked to a high court where they face charges for disobeying a Constitutional order two years ago banning a vote on the region’s independence.

Spanish Clunkers Are Relics of Bust as Madrid Stems Fumes

Fumes belching from aging cars are part of the legacy of Spain’s economic slump, as Madrid steps up its efforts to contain traffic pollution. Madrid city council last week stopped cars with even-numbered license plates from entering the central city zone for a day and also imposed speed and parking restrictions as it acted to tackle to traffic pollution made worse by high-pressure weather conditions.

Spanish Clunkers Are Relics of Bust as Madrid Acts to Stem Fumes

Fumes belching from aging cars are part of the legacy of Spain’s economic slump, as Madrid steps up its efforts to contain traffic pollution. Madrid city council last week stopped cars with even-numbered license plates from entering the central city zone for a day and also imposed speed and parking restrictions as it acted to tackle to traffic pollution made worse by high-pressure weather conditions.