How ‘SIM farms’ like the one found near the UN could collapse telecom networks | PBS News

"So if you can imagine that type of magnitude on cellular networks, it would just overwhelm them and cause them to shut down," Ferrante said in an interview. He also notes that it's possible the system could be used for surveillance operations, given its proximity to the United Nations, "potentially that equipment could be used to either intercept communications, eavesdrop on communications, or actually, clone devices, as well."…

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-sim-farms-like-the-one-found-near-the-un-could-collapse-telecom-networks 

 

FCC taking a stand against spam texting | TechRadar

Under new regulations for telecom firms, the Federal Communications Commission is taking action against spammy text messages in response to an increase in consumer complaints in recent years related to unsolicited robotexts. 

According to the new regulations, phone companies must block text messages coming from shady sources, including numbers that seem to be "invalid, unallocated, or underused." FCC claims that carriers will also be required to block text messages from phone numbers that declare they never text or that have been designated by the government as non-texting numbers…

https://www.techradar.com/news/fcc-cracks-down-on-spammy-text-messages

House bill aims to secure telecom networks against foreign interference - The Hill

The bipartisan leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday introduced legislation that would ban the use of federal funds to purchase telecommunications equipment from companies deemed national security threats.....
https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/462876-house-bill-aims-to-secure-telecom-networks-against-foreign-interference

Trump's FCC votes to take $2 billion from cities and towns and give it to telecoms - Daily Kos

Donald Trump's Federal Communications Commission, headed by former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai, has done it again. This time, instead of ripping away consumer protections, Pai is continuing the telecom policy of doing away with competition, while stealing money out of the country's municipal coffers. ....
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/1798955

Spotlight falls on Russian threat to undersea cables - The Hill

New sanctions are highlighting fears Russia could target the telecom cables for espionage or sabotage. ....
http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/392577-spotlight-falls-on-russian-threat-to-undersea-cables

Will Ajit Pai's FCC Probe into Hawaii False Alarm Expose Role Telecom Giants Played in Blocking Emergency System Upgrades? | Common Dreams

Pai's claim that lack of "safeguards" is responsible for the false alert comes as he is working to dismantle rules safeguarding the internet from corporate manipulation....
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/15/will-ajit-pais-fcc-probe-hawaii-false-alarm-expose-role-telecom-giants-played

FCC clears way for big TV mergers, eases broadband price limits

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday accelerated its deregulation push under Republican control, voting to ease limits on broadcast TV ownership and prices that large telecom companies can charge businesses and governments for bulk broadband services....
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fcc-deregulation-20170420-story.html