Internet Access

Meta dives deep: $10 bn subsea global cable to dominate internet traffic

Meta plans to build a 40,000-kilometre global subsea cable connecting the United States, India, South Africa, and Australia

Australia rejects Musk's claim about govt plans to control internet access

An Australian Cabinet minister on Friday rejected X Corp owner Elon Musk's allegation that the government intended to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Musk's criticism was unsurprising after the government introduced to Parliament on Thursday legislation that would fine platforms including X up to 150 million Australian dollars ($133 million) if they allow children under age 16 to hold social media accounts. The idea that Elon Musk is not delighted with our steps to try and protect kids online is not an especially big surprise to us, nor does it trouble us greatly, Chalmers told reporters. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators' efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass legislation as soon as next week that would oblige X, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit and ...

I&B ministry introduces crucial amendments to cable TV network rules

According to the press release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, MSOs are now required to apply for registration or the renewal of registration online

Editors Guild voice concern over blocking of Kashmir-based news website

The Editors Guild of India and other media bodies on Thursday voiced concern over the blocking of the website and the de-activation of social media accounts of Srinagar-based news website Kashmir Walla. The Guild is disturbed by the censorship measures undertaken by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology without following due processes and against the principles of natural justice, the Editors Guild of India said in a statement here. A joint statement issued by the Press Club of India, Press Association, Indian Women Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists and the Working News Cameraman Association demanded immediate restoration of the Kashmir Walla and Gaon Savera websites. According to the joint statement, "Apparently, no reason was given for taking such drastic action either to the owners of the websites or the public. The case seems to have not been referred to any Court either. This move raises serious questions about the state of press freedom and freedom

Biden govt to announce plan worth billions for expanding internet access

President Joe Biden is expected to announce on Monday his administration's plans to distribute billions of dollars appropriated by Congress to deliver the internet to every household and small business in the United States. Likening the push for universal connectivity to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, when the federal government installed the electric utility lines that brought light to the countryside all across the U.S., White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said access to high-speed internet is as imperative to day-to-day life as electricity. We all know how difficult life is when electricity goes down after a storm or for other reasons, Zients said on a Friday call with reporters to preview the announcement. For millions of Americans in rural communities in particular, the internet is down a lot. Sometimes there's not even any access. The amount each state, territory and Washington, D.C., will receive from the $42.5 billion program depends primarily on the number of ...

$930 mn grants announced in Biden's effort to expand internet access in US

The massive federal effort to expand internet access to every home in the U.S. took a major step forward on Friday with the announcement of $930 million in grants to shore up connections in remote parts of Alaska, rural Texas and dozens of other places where significant gaps in connectivity persist. The so-called middle mile grants, announced by the Department of Commerce, are meant to create large-scale networks that will enable retail broadband providers to link subscribers to the internet. Department officials likened the role of the middle mile the midsection of the infrastructure necessary to enable internet access, composed of high-capacity fibre lines carrying huge amounts of data at very high speeds to how the interstate highway system forged connections between communities. These networks are the workhorses carrying large amounts of data over very long distances, said Mitch Landrieu, the White House's infrastructure coordinator, in a media Zoom call. They're the ones tha

NASA mission to avert 'internet apocalypse' that could pause online access

Such an event could cause people to lose internet access for months or even years, rendering satellites and power lines useless

Internet for everyone has become reality with launch of K-FON: Kerala CM

Internet access to everyone has become a reality in the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday after launching K-FON -- a government-owned broadband service provider. After launching the service, which in its initial phase would provide internet connections to 14,000 households in the state, Vijayan, in a dig at the Congress-led UDF opposition, said there were those in Kerala who were opposed to any kind of development in the state. The Congress-led UDF opposition boycotted the launch of the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) alleging corruption in the implementation of the project. In a press conference held at Kochi, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan contended that such an "extravagant" event was being conducted in the Legislative Assembly at a cost of over Rs 4 crore when various welfare schemes and pension payments were stalled due to lack of funds. Satheesan also alleged that the optical fibres were not made in India, but were inste

Pakistan among world's worst performers in internet access: Report

The report said that despite a rise in internet penetration, approximately 15% of the population still lacked access to the internet and mobile or telecom services

Pakistan among world's worst performers in internet access: Report

Pakistan in 2022 remained among the world's worst performers in terms of internet access and digital governance, according to a report released on Monday. Titled "Pakistan's Internet Landscape 2022", the report was released by Bytes For All -- a human rights and advocacy organisation -- which explores in detail the relationship between human rights and information and communication technologies in Pakistan last year. In terms of internet access and overall governance, Pakistan made some gains, but in the context of the world, the country remains among the worst performers, even within just Asia, according to the report. It highlights that despite an increase in internet penetration, approximately 15 per cent of the population still lacked access to the internet and mobile or telecom services. Add to this a lack of inclusivity and digital literacy, one of the biggest global gender gaps in access and a struggle to stay online due to load-shedding and blackouts brought on by an energy

Wikipedia ban shows attempts by Pak authorities to restrict internet access

The Wikipedia ban in Pak shows the inconsistent and recurring attempts by authorities to restrict internet access, a concerning pattern that undermines the country's nascent knowledge economy

How digitisation and access to the internet are leaving Indian women behind

The pandemic reinforced the importance of access to mobile and mobile internet for information, healthcare, education as well as e-commerce, financial services and income-generation opportunities

Google Chrome most unsafe browser in 2022 with 303 vulnerabilities: Report

With 303 vulnerabilities and a cumulative total of 3,159 vulnerabilities as of 2022, a new report said that Google Chrome is the most vulnerable browser available

Internet in Ukraine disrupted as Russian troops advance

Disruptions to Ukraine's telecommunications networks could affect civilian defence groups that have been mobilising to defend their cities

Windows 11 Pro will need a Microsoft Account, internet connection

Currently, Windows 11 Pro users can avoid a Microsoft Account by disconnecting a PC from the internet during setup and creating a local user account

Students travel 3 km to access internet for online class in Mizoram village

The poor connectivity is hampering the examinations and assignment submission by students.

Internet shutdowns in India jump 27 times since 2012, shows data

Between 2012 and 2021, 468 incidents of internet shutdowns have taken place in the country

Elon Musk's SpaceX receives $886 mn from FCC to boost rural Internet access

A total of 180 bidders won part of the auction support totaling $9.2 billion to be distributed over the next 10 years.

94% kids don't have smartphones or internet to access e-education: CRY

The objective of the study was to embark on a fact-finding mission on 'internet accessibility of children' in the age group of 11-18 years

Jump Networks Limited envisages to tap the $100-bn opportunities in India

India has the highest number of disconnected people despite having the second largest online market in the world