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Wireless

by Mike Masnick

Tue, May 19th 2009 9:52am




Filed Under:
cdc, fcc, wireless penetration


Why Does The CDC Have Better Data On Mobile Penetration Than The FCC?

from the that's-what-we-call-regulatory-capture dept

It's well known that the FCC has long had incredibly bogus data when it comes to broadband and mobile penetration in the US. In many cases, this is due to efforts from legacy providers who don't want accurate penetration info to get out there, because that might lead the government to realize how little actual competition there is in the market. Kevin Werbach points us to the fact that it appears that when people are interested in mobile phone penetration in the US, it's not the FCC who has the data, but the Center for Disease Control (CDC), who went out and collected their own damn data because it needed to know that data to make sure its phone surveys remained accurate. It's quite telling of the state of the FCC when it's the CDC that has better data about the industry the FCC regulates.

65 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:04am

    But we're just a bunch of conspiracy theorists. These corporations could never be influential enough to influence governmental agencies to distort data. roflol. Of course data is distorted and I think this is especially true when it comes to medicine.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:12am

    BTW, I'm not really understanding your point here. I think the CDC is giving the currently used bandwidth in terms of cell phones (not broadband) but you're arguing that the FCC is the potential bandwidth vs actual bandwidth relationship?

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:12am

    Of course the CDC has to know about broadband penetration. They have to track computer virus's don't they?

     

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    •  
      identicon
      Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 3:12pm

      Re:

      "They have to track computer virus's don't they?"

      Just like it's the department of Homeland security's job to track medical issues like the Swine Flu.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB5-Y08qbjo

      Pretty soon it will be the FDA's job to track astrophysics.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      identicon
      Anonymous Coward, May 19th, 2009 @ 3:17pm

      Re:

      It seems like this whole overlapping roles issue really started getting worse after 9/11. Different governmental agencies pointed fingers at each other saying, "no, that's the CIA's job, No it's the FBI's job, etc.." and they all complained that there was a lack of communication and overlap. So they went about trying to "fix" it. At this rate it won't be long before you have NASA regulating food and drugs and the FDA regulating banks.

       

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:12am

    Or rather, the potential bandwidth vs actual bandwidth ratio.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:14am

    err, you seem to be arguing that the FCC is distorting the actual bandwidth vs potential bandwidth ratio. Again, I don't really see how these CDC numbers support such a claim so much.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:16am

    Because the CDC numbers aren't dealing with potential bandwidth they're dealing with actual bandwidth only within the scope of cell phones (not broadband).

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:19am

    By actual bandwidth I mean the actually used bandwidth. So, in the above inquiries, if I have a 1.5 Mb per second connection and I'm downloading a file (due to a slow server or whatever) only at 1 Mb / sec my potential bandwidth is 1.5 Mb/sec but my actual bandwidth is 1 Mb/sec. Just to clarify terminology here. Potential = maximum possible bandwidth. Actual = what's actually being used.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:23am

    I'm just trying to understand what his point is. The FCC seems to be saying that a lack of competition is not a limiting factor to actual bandwidth (but that there are other limiting factors and more competition would not equal more bandwidth). While this maybe untrue I don't see how these specific CDC reports contradict the FCC's claims.

     

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    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:30am

      Re:

      Perhaps you should go find a bridge and some billy goats to bother...?

       

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    •  
      identicon
      :Lobo Santo, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:33am

      Re:

      The point is accuracy.
      The FCC - whose mandate is to track this stuff, is obviously doing a poor job of it. This is not news...
      The CDC - in no way in overlapping fields with the FCC needed CORRECT statistical data concerning mobile phone/mobile broadband services (in relation to a variety of health concerns). As the FCC data was spurious/irrelevant/incomplete; they just went out and got their own.

      I envy you--I've never had to overcome such incredible reading comprehension problems like those you seem to possess. Very brave, keep it up! Someday, it'll be easier.

       

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:29am

    I guess he's not claiming that these CDC reports do contradict the FCC. My mistake.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:42am

    "Obviously he's mentally deficient and attempting to better himself."

    And you've never made a mistake. Please, Anonymous Coward, I've caught you contradict yourself several times already. People make mistakes. I just skimmed through it too quickly is all.

     

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    •  
      identicon
      Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:49am

      Re:

      and now I'm "Bettawrekonize" contradicting myself, too.
      It's that easy.

       

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    •  
      identicon
      :Lobo Santo, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:56am

      Re:

      Ingrate!

      Well buddy, that's the last time I stick up for a 'tard!!

       

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    •  
      identicon
      The infamous Joe, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:24am

      Re:

      "Anonymous Coward" is the name you are assigned when you don't give a name. Try it, it's fun!

      The point is, it's not the same guy/gal posting everytime. I know it gets confusing. I just assume every AC is a different person.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:45am

    But when you contradict yourself and look like an idiot I don't start calling you mentally deficient and such, I simply correct you. You caught me in an error, and unlike you I admit to my mistakes and corrected myself, and you still couldn't pass up the opportunity to dwell on my mistake and say something offensive.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Tgeigs, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:47am

    The point

    I think maybe the point is simply this:

    1. The CDC needs statistical data to make sure they're surveys are being accurately utilized
    2. The FCC is responsible for gathering this data, and I assume would make it available to the CDC
    3. The CDC wrinkled its nose and said, "Yeah...no thanks", then proceeded to get the data themselves

    How damning is it of a government affiliated regulating commission that another govt. group don't recognize their data as being accurate or worth anything? And more importantly, if the govt. doesn't trust their own data, why should we?

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:50am

    "and now I'm "Bettawrekonize" contradicting myself, too.
    It's that easy."

    In reading your contradictions I was aware of the possibility that someone could impersonate you. And no, it's NOT that easy. There is such a thing as a hostmask that does identify you, Mike has access to it and he can tell. If you know about the internet you'll know that.

     

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    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:57am

      Re:

      Just FYI that was me.
      AND I don't contradict myself
      AND you're calling out Anonymous Coward for something that :Lobo Santo said.
      AND yes, Mike can tell, but it's not displayed on the general thread, so YOU can't. My point is that the contradictions are typically done by trollers.
      AND nobody likes it when people get upset when they're called on they're own shortcomings; CTFU

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    icon
    kirillian (profile), May 19th, 2009 @ 10:51am

    Twitter

    hey y'all...I know that we discuss Twitter here pretty much every day, but it's ok to make comments over 160 characters in length...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:52am

    In other words, I calculated that it wasn't someone impersonating you (being aware of that possibility) but you yourself. Mostly because you didn't, in future conversations, deny your previous posts, but even if you did Mike could still identify the truth since he probably has access to everyone's hostmasks. So faking others probably won't last long.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:53am

    and Mike even pointed out your clear contradictions (some of which I pointed out) and fallacies. Again, impersonating someone won't work against him since he has actual hostmasks. Nice try.

     

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    •  
      identicon
      Chronno S. Trigger, May 19th, 2009 @ 10:57am

      Re:

      Just because it's really hard to read the posts like this:
      There is a Reply to this comment link directly below the comment you would like to link to. I have no idea who you're replying to half the time.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        identicon
        Anonymous Coward, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:32am

        Re: Re:

        Ok, If I click that and the box shows up, how do I link it back to what it's replying to? Is there a good way to see who a post is replying to? All it says is RE: often times, doesn't specify exactly what post.

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

        •  
          identicon
          Derek Kerton, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:48am

          Re: Re: Re:

          "Ok, If I click that and the box shows up, how do I link it back to what it's replying to? Is there a good way to see who a post is replying to? All it says is RE: often times, doesn't specify exactly what post."

          See "Your Preferences" at the top right of this page. Select Threaded View.

           

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:07am

    It seems Lobo Santo = Anonymous coward.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:07am

    "AND I don't contradict myself"

    You never contradict yourself? That's a tall claim.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:08am

    So you're mister perfect, you never make mistakes. If it sounds too good to be true ...

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:12am

    "AND nobody likes it when people get upset when they're called on they're own shortcomings"

    I simply pointed out that there was no reason to resort to personal attacks for making a mistake. After all, it's clearly not like you've never contradicted yourself or made obvious fallacies. Correcting someone and resorting to personal attacks are not the same thing.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Travis, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:18am

    Bettawrekonize...please take a deep breath and just think about what you want to say for about 30 seconds. Once the thoughts stop you can put together a single post instead of 9 or 10 in a row. It's really not that challenging.

     

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    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:30am

      Re:

      Bettawrekonize, also please take a moment to

      NOTICE WHO'S MAKING THE POSTS!

      In this thread alone there have been DJ(myself), Anonymous Coward, :Lobo Santo, Travis, kirillian, Chrono S. Trigger, Tgeigs and yourself. We are NOT all the same person. If you don't like what someone says, please respond to THAT person, and do not attribute to him/her what someone ELSE has said.

       

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:20am

    "AND you're calling out Anonymous Coward for something that :Lobo Santo said."

    If it's not anonymous coward then I apologize to him. Lobno Santo shouldn't impersonate you here

    http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090518/0211554920.shtml

    "AND yes, Mike can tell, but it's not displayed on the general thread, so YOU can't. My point is that the contradictions are typically done by trollers."

    Well, either you're the same person or you're impersonating him. Either way you're the troll impersonating others.

     

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    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:31am

      Re:

      No, I impersonated YOU, for one post, simply to prove a point; that point was lost, which means the failure was mine.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:21am

    "Bettawrekonize...please take a deep breath and just think about what you want to say for about 30 seconds. Once the thoughts stop you can put together a single post instead of 9 or 10 in a row. It's really not that challenging."

    I'm not used to this structure, still need more getting used to. I'm used to being able to edit my posts for mistakes later on. Thanks for the advice though.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:36am

      Re:

      Also, if you want to reply to what someone says, DON'T scroll to the bottom and add a new comment.

      just click "reply to this comment"

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:29am

    "Anonymous Coward" is the name you are assigned when you don't give a name. Try it, it's fun!"

    This is Bettawrekonize. Testing, testing.

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:30am

    "Anonymous Coward" is the name you are assigned when you don't give a name. Try it, it's fun!"

    Thanks so much for pointing that out to me. That's nice to know.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:36am

    So I just don't see the good it does to hit the reply to this comment link since all it says is RE: and I don't see how it specifies who it's replying to where.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:45am

      Re:

      scroll up to the bottom of Mike's original post. There are two links there. One says Flattened, the other says Threaded. Click on Threaded and you'll see what good the reply link does.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        identicon
        Anonymous Coward, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:47am

        Re: Re:

        Thanks so much. Now it makes a lot more sense for me to use the reply key and it makes it easier for me to do so and follow up on it.

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:37am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Ow. My butt hurts.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    korrosive, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:50am

    OMG

    This whole thing has F'ed up the whole discussion. I even forgot what the hell we were talking about. I wish something could be done, but I guess it's Freedom of Speech to get tutoring on how to use a site :(

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      identicon
      DJ, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:54am

      Re: OMG

      LMAO. There've been more posts to this article than any I've seen since I found the site (just over a month). Of course, this falls snuggly into the SNAFU niche.

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Derek Kerton, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:52am

    Advice For All Commenters

    "So I just don't see the good it does to hit the reply to this comment link since all it says is RE: and I don't see how it specifies who it's replying to where."

    Go to top right of this page. Your Preferences. Select Threaded view.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

    •  
      identicon
      Korrosive, May 19th, 2009 @ 11:58am

      Re: Advice For All Commenters

      Since this post is already derailed, I'll just continue adding fuel to the ire :)

      The only ill side effect I see with threaded view is in order to find the latest comments, one has to scroll up and down checking each thread. With flattened view I simply skip to the bottom to see the latest posted comments.

      Any insight??

       

      [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        identicon
        Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 12:14pm

        Re: Re: Advice For All Commenters

        Perhaps a scrollbar to the left (or right) that lists all the post subjects in chronological order. You click the subject and it scrolls you to it automatically and puts a box around that specific comment.

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

        •  
          identicon
          Derrick Hinkle, May 19th, 2009 @ 12:36pm

          Re: Re: Re: Advice For All Commenters

          Bettawrekonize, seriously, this isn't twitter. Make your freaking point and stfu and gtfo my Internets. Techdirt is a great website, but you don't need to post 30 times in a single story either. Every post you've made is totally irrelevant to the story so far.

          As to the story, that's hilarious. Did the CDC contract out the work though? Also, isn't there some sort of accountability on the FCC to have accurate data?

           

          [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        identicon
        Bettawrekonize, May 19th, 2009 @ 12:36pm

        Re: Re: Advice For All Commenters

        Better yet, a menu bar fixed to the top of the screen that lists everything in order. You normally see it in threaded view but when you want to see the topics in chronological order you hit the menu bar and scroll through the tops and click and it takes you to a specific place.

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

      •  
        identicon
        Anonymous Coward, May 19th, 2009 @ 12:43pm

        Re: Re: Advice For All Commenters

        In thread view there should be a link at the bottom of each post with a next link and a previous link. You click on next and it brings you to the next post in chronology. You click on previous and it brings you to the previous. That way you won't have to scroll.

         

        [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased), May 19th, 2009 @ 11:59am

    Sad

    I guess the troll won this time.

     

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  •  
    icon
    Killer_Tofu (profile), May 19th, 2009 @ 1:10pm

    Comments

    I am commenting about the comments.
    Next time Wreckage-ize, please think before posting. That way you won't need a ton of posts to make one or two or less than one point. One post would have done.

    And I am always happy to see Lobo Santo and TGiegs post. You guys have the most amusing serious posts in general. =)

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, May 20th, 2009 @ 10:21am

    The people in charge of the FCC should get fired for not doing their job.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]

  •  
    identicon
    Almost Anonymous, May 20th, 2009 @ 11:26am

    Could it be?

    Hate to derail a thread, but since this one has been so thoroughly derailed already, what the heck?

    I got the feeling that I was watching an Artificial Intelligence (AI) evolve as I read through all the 'Bettawrekonize' stuff above...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in chronology ]


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