Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FCC trying to open wifi access band for connected cars to other devices]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/fcc-trying-to-open-wifi-access-band-for-connected-cars-to-other/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/fcc-trying-to-open-wifi-access-band-for-connected-cars-to-other/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/fcc-trying-to-open-wifi-access-band-for-connected-cars-to-other/#commentsFiled under: ,

GM Wireless Pedestrian Protection

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to reexamine a 1999 decision to set aside the 5.9 GHz wireless band specifically for connected car technologies. Regulators want to allow other wireless devices to use the band in order to ease congestion at high-use areas like airports and convention centers. But automakers claim opening up the band now could jeopardize years of work on car-to-car communication. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group comprised of some 13 companies, has said the infant technology could be in danger if the federal government opens up the 5.9 GHz band now.

Automakers have been working to develop a system to allow cars on any given road to "talk" to each other to avoid accidents and reduce congestion, and developers fear allowing other devices to make use of the designated band could result in interference. But the FCC says that concern is overblown. Julius Genachowski, FCC chairman, says nearly every Wi-Fi band currently in use is also used by other services. Automakers will simply have to overcome that challenge just like other tech manufacturers.

FCC trying to open wifi access band for connected cars to other devices originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.9 ghzalliance of automobile manufacturerscar to carcar to car communicationsfccfederal communications commissionwi-fiwifiwirelessMon, 25 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20475074/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/fcc-trying-to-open-wifi-access-band-for-connected-cars-to-other/20475074/article-detail.xml 20475074 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/gm-wireless-pedestrian-detection-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/gm-wireless-pedestrian-detection-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Gov't unsure on who can establish distracted driving laws]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/govt-unsure-on-who-can-establish-distracted-driving-laws/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/govt-unsure-on-who-can-establish-distracted-driving-laws/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/govt-unsure-on-who-can-establish-distracted-driving-laws/#commentsFiled under: ,

Texting while driving

Turns out the federal government's attempts to create enforceable oversight of cellphone use in vehicles has hit a Swiftian snag: it seems there isn't a government agency specifically empowered with the authority to do so. The legislative boundaries of the Federal Communications Commission end at the phone itself, those of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration end at the vehicle itself. Neither is equipped to address how people combine the two while driving.

So, according to a report in Automotive News, what NHTSA honcho David Strickland wants is to have Congress bestow the authority on some agency to make such laws. For now, the recommendations NHTSA drafts are only just that - recommendations. Automakers aren't bound by them.

Not that it should or will stop Strickland's minions, but 37 states and our nation's capital already have laws - with teeth - addressing the use of phones while driving. If our time on the roads is any indication, those laws are almost universally ignored by police, and we can't see how a federal fiat would change that, but such laws are on the books. Strickland has testified in front of Congress on the matter, however, no one expects movement on it anytime soon.

Gov't unsure on who can establish distracted driving laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonedavid stricklanddistracted drivingfccfederal communications commissionNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationnhtsaray lahoodWed, 09 May 2012 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232534/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/govt-unsure-on-who-can-establish-distracted-driving-laws/20232534/article-detail.xml 20232534 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/texting-driving_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/texting-driving.jpg <![CDATA[Will we see (or hear) an XM/Sirius merger decision by months end?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/will-we-see-or-hear-an-xm-sirius-merger-decision-by-months-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/will-we-see-or-hear-an-xm-sirius-merger-decision-by-months-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/will-we-see-or-hear-an-xm-sirius-merger-decision-by-months-e/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It seems like forever ago when rumors started about a merger between Sirius and XM satellite radio. The rumors were made slightly more official when the two companies announced the "merger of equals" last year. Where have we heard that before? Nobody expected this $4.2 billion transaction to be a sprint, as there are laws with tall hurdles designed to govern this type of business deal, but this conjunction has creeped like an overloaded Tercel up a steep grade.

For more than a year we've been sitting around watching these two companies as they worked on securing shareholder approval (accomplished in November) and the endorsement of regulators (um, not yet). Now we're getting word from Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin that there may be an end in sight. During a talk at the Bear Stearns 21st Annual Media Conference, Karmazin said he "took heart" in recent FCC comments that mentioned that the body aims to rule by the end of March. "The fact that it has lingered this long, it has been interpreted... as good news," Karmazin said. Gary Parsons, Chairman of XM Satellite Radio, added that he was also confident the Department of Justice and the FCC were moving forward "...in a timely manner."

With satellite radio in need of some more customers, let's hope they can quickly put this merger in the books and focus on more important issues like signal reception and more varied content.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Will we see (or hear) an XM/Sirius merger decision by months end? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FCCGary ParsonsGaryParsonsMel KarmazinMelKarmazinMergerRadioSatelliteSiriusXMThu, 13 Mar 2008 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1138701/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/13/will-we-see-or-hear-an-xm-sirius-merger-decision-by-months-e/1138701/article-detail.xml 1138701 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/satellite_radio_ii_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/satellite_radio_ii_opt.jpg <![CDATA[REMINDER: OnStar goes dark for analog subscribers on 1/1/08]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/reminder-onstar-goes-dark-for-analog-subscribers-on-1-1-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/reminder-onstar-goes-dark-for-analog-subscribers-on-1-1-08/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/reminder-onstar-goes-dark-for-analog-subscribers-on-1-1-08/#commentsFiled under: ,



If this affects you, chances are that you've already received a letter in the mail from General Motors and OnStar informing you that the analog network supporting older GM models with the OnStar service will be turned off on January 1st, 2008. The reason is because the Federal Communications Commission ruled in 2002 that cellular companies could stop supporting their analog networks in favor of digital ones, and OnStar was originally set up on an analog network owned by Verizon Wireless in 1996.

GM began selling vehicles with dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware in 2004 after all appeals to the FCC to overturn its ruling had failed. All GM cars and trucks are now likely sold with digital-only equipment. Some GM vehicles produced between 2002 and 2004 may have been equipped with analog hardware that is digital ready, meaning it can be upgraded to accept a digital signal. To find out if your vehicle is digital-ready, click here and have your VIN ready. If you do have equipment that can be upgraded, GM will do it for you, including parts and labor, for only $15 if you agree to a $199 1-year subscription to OnStar.

Nevertheless, it's a bum-deal for those GM customers with older OnStar models that can't be upgraded, as their service will ride off into the sunset on New Year's Eve thanks to the FCC.

[Source: Straightline, GM]

REMINDER: OnStar goes dark for analog subscribers on 1/1/08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analog digital onstaranalog onstaranalog sunsetAnalogDigitalOnstarAnalogOnstarAnalogSunsetdigital onstarDigitalOnstarFCCgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmonstarThu, 27 Dec 2007 10:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1071761/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/27/reminder-onstar-goes-dark-for-analog-subscribers-on-1-1-08/1071761/article-detail.xml 1071761 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/onstardigitalanalog_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/onstardigitalanalog_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Nader wants FCC to probe GM's radio ties]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a letter to the FCC, Ralph Nader, the world's most visible consumer advocate, has requested an investigation into the advertising practices of General Motors with regard to several radio personalities.

The letter from Nader was prompted by an Automotive News article entitled, "Puff Piece. Rush Limbaugh is one of the radio personalities GM is working with to talk up its vehicles" (sub. req.). The article goes on to detail how the General has supplied DJs, broadcasters and Limbaugh with test vehicles, private meetings and VIP tours of GM facilities.

Nader contests that this type of promotion may be against FCC laws requiring disclosure of payments for endorsements. Some choice quotes from Limbaugh include, "GM has a ton of momentum," and, "GM cars and trucks have never been better."

Whether or not an investigation will take place is up to the FCC, but General Motors made it clear in a statement that everything they've done with broadcasters is above board and meets with the FCC's regulations.

You can read Ralph Nader's letter in full by following the jump.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req., Nader.org]

Continue reading Nader wants FCC to probe GM's radio ties

Nader wants FCC to probe GM's radio ties originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fccfederal communcations commissionFederalCommuncationsCommissiongeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmmgralph naderRalphNaderSat, 18 Aug 2007 16:34:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/968234/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/968234/article-detail.xml 968234 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/nader.jpg_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/nader.jpg.jpg <![CDATA[FCC lobbied by debt collectors to allow auto-dialing of mobile phones]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/25/fcc-lobbied-by-debt-collectors-to-allow-auto-dialing-of-mobile-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/25/fcc-lobbied-by-debt-collectors-to-allow-auto-dialing-of-mobile-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/25/fcc-lobbied-by-debt-collectors-to-allow-auto-dialing-of-mobile-p/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to the Washington Post, debt collectors are lobbying the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to again use automated dialers to contact mobile phones of debtors. Previously, collectors could use such technology but were banned back in 2003 as part of the FCC's crackdown on telemarketers. Debt collectors argue they should not be under the same restrictions since their calls are not random, but rather targeted at debtors. Currently, collectors must dial cell numbers manually. The FCC has stated it will review the request.

Cell phones as driving distractions have been discussed here, here, and here. What's your feeling about the collectors' claims? Would there be an impact if the FCC grants their request, or is this a non-issue? If granted, would it open the door for telemarketers and the ilk? (Answering the phone in the fast lane only to find a bill collector or telemarketer is recipe for road rage if we've ever heard one).

[Source: Washington Post via textually.org via Engadget]

FCC lobbied by debt collectors to allow auto-dialing of mobile phones originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill collectorBillCollectorCell phoneCellPhonedebtdebt collectionDebtCollectiondebtorFCCMobile phoneMobilePhoneroad rageRoadRagetelemarketertelemarketingTue, 25 Apr 2006 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/611595/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/25/fcc-lobbied-by-debt-collectors-to-allow-auto-dialing-of-mobile-p/611595/article-detail.xml 611595 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/Cell-Phone-Driver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/Cell-Phone-Driver.jpg -1 2