let’s do this thing

(Consumerist)

Incoming FCC Chair Calls For End To Ban On Unlocking Cell Phones

Earlier this year, an ill-advised ruling by the Librarian of Congress made it illegal for cellphone owners to unlock their new wireless devices — thus allowing the phones to be used on compatible networks — without permission from their current carriers. Recently exited FCC Chair Julius Genachowski had expressed concerns over this new rule, but he’s gone back to the private sector. Luckily, his apparent successor also wants consumers to be able to do what they want with the devices they buy. [More]

Senate Expected To Vote On Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Tomorrow

Senate Expected To Vote On Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Tomorrow

It feels like it was ages ago when former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (not to be confused with his doppelganger NBC page Kenneth Ellen Parcell) was announced as the White House’s nominee for director of the recently formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Now it’s almost time to cue some sort of dramatic music as the Senate is expected to thumbs-up-or-down the nomination on Thursday. [More]

DOJ Petitions Supreme Court To Review Health Care Challenge

DOJ Petitions Supreme Court To Review Health Care Challenge

It was inevitable that it would come to this; it was just a matter of which side would make the request first. Yesterday, the Dept. of Justice filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the nine robed ones to review the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. [More]

AT&T Seeking "Prompt Trial" In T-Mobile Case

AT&T Seeking "Prompt Trial" In T-Mobile Case

Yesterday was the first hearing in the Justice Department’s lawsuit to block AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile USA. And even though the judge had reportedly told both parties to be prepared to discuss settlement at yesterday’s first hearing in the matter, it looks like no such terms were discussed, as AT&T is hoping to bring the case to trial sooner than later. [More]