Executives from Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (NSDQ: RIMM) have warned a committee of MPs that switching off social networks in times of civil unrest would be an “absolutely horrible idea”.

Plenty of folks have come forward to oppose the proposed merger of AT&T (NYSE: T) and T-mobile, but none of them have the clout of the merger’s newest opponent.

As AT&T (NYSE: T) and T-Mobile USA continue to work their way through regulatory approval of their proposed $39 billion merger, it looks like some of the world’s biggest tech companies have already been won over. Yesterday, eight companies—including Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) and Facebook—have now been in…

—Apple: At the company’s shareholder meeting today, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) said that it is getting ready to open a new data center in North Carolina this spring. The facility will be 500,000 square feet, nearly five times as big as Apple’s sole existing data center in New Jersey, and there…

Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and Twitter have launched a service to allow people in Egypt to send Twitter messages by leaving a voicemail on a specific number after the last internet service provider in the country saw its access cut off late on Monday.

Another small advance in the question of what will happen with unused spectrum currently owned by broadcasters: today the FCC voted unanimously in support of a notice of proposed rulemaking to explore how to reallocate the spectrum for mobile use. “The explosive growth in mobile communications threatens to outpace the…

The UK’s congested wireless networks may soon be getting an extra traffic lane: today, Ofcom took one further step along the route to putting services into the country’s “white spaces”, or parts of unused radio spectrum between television channels. A similar plan is gradually progressing through the U.S. regulatory system…

President Barack Obama signed a presidential memorandum today that is expected to double the amount of spectrum available for wireless broadband networks. The action is in line with the new National Broadband Plan unveiled in March, which identified a spectrum crunch based on Americans increasing demand for using data on…

Clearwire (NSDQ: CLWR) frequently brags about how much spectrum it has at its disposal, and how easy it will be to deliver a ton of video and other high-bandwidth services over mobile networks. It’s a luxurious postion to be in and something that has only become top of mind for…

The FCC is working on a plan that would sell a chunk of spectrum in the first half of 2011 that failed to be sold in 2008 because of the strict conditions of use. The spectrum, which was earmarked for public-safety use, may now have different terms and conditions, if…

With the FCC cracking down on net neutrality and re-evaluating the country’s broadband plans, the CTIA has ramped up its own campaign to see to it that the wireless industry gets what it is looking for. Today, CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent issued a statement to the FCC, explaining…

AT&T (NYSE: T) said if regulators are considering new “net neutrality” rules for wired and wireless networks, then they should also regulate companies like Google (NSDQ: GOOG), which are started to roll out competing phone-like services, Reuters reports. Following the letter, Google fired back by writing a post on its…

Last week was the deadline for companies, non-profits and other institutions to apply for a first round of stimulus funds that are earmarked for building out broadband access to underserved areas. Today, the government agencies involved said 2,200 applications were received, requesting a total of $28 billion in funding. Release.…

The FCC met today and agreed to investigate the wireless industry, a process that could lead to more regulation for cell phone industry, reports the WSJ. In addition to a public inquiry, the FCC will look into what is being called “innovation” in the wireless industry. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski…

The FCC has announced yet another formal review of the wireless industry that will allow regulators access to examine pretty much any aspect of the business they want to—a clear indication that the Obama administration is determined to bring more scrutiny to the industry. The WSJ reports that the FCC…

The banning of Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Voice from the iPhone’s App Store, set off a series of events over the past month—consumers and tech elitists protested; Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt resigned from Apple’s board and the FCC started investing wireless open access and handset exclusivity. In a WSJ article today,…

Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) is disputing anti-trust claims in Japan, where regulators say the company is forcing customers in the country to accept unfair licensing provisions, reports Reuters. In a statement, Qualcomm said it “naturally disputes the notion that any provisions in our license agreements with Japanese companies were forced upon…

The deadline to receive $4.7 billion in stimulus money to help pay for the roll out of high-speed internet access in underserved areas is Aug. 20, and as of right now, broadband giants such as AT&T (NYSE: T), Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) are unlikely to apply for…