Mari Silbey
@msilbey.bsky.social
Telecom, musicals, still a journalist at heart.
Good to remember where broadband progress continues:
*We became laser-focused over the last year on BEAD and forgot that there is continuing construction funded by programs like RDOF, CAF II, ReConnect, Middle-Mile, Tribal, and State grants funded by ARPA and the Capital Project Fund"
*We became laser-focused over the last year on BEAD and forgot that there is continuing construction funded by programs like RDOF, CAF II, ReConnect, Middle-Mile, Tribal, and State grants funded by ARPA and the Capital Project Fund"
November 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Good to remember where broadband progress continues:
*We became laser-focused over the last year on BEAD and forgot that there is continuing construction funded by programs like RDOF, CAF II, ReConnect, Middle-Mile, Tribal, and State grants funded by ARPA and the Capital Project Fund"
*We became laser-focused over the last year on BEAD and forgot that there is continuing construction funded by programs like RDOF, CAF II, ReConnect, Middle-Mile, Tribal, and State grants funded by ARPA and the Capital Project Fund"
I really think it's time for a media blitz on the story of Mark Kelly's and Gaby Giffords' lives. It's so extraordinary, and too many people have forgotten or are too young (even young adults!) to know it.
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I really think it's time for a media blitz on the story of Mark Kelly's and Gaby Giffords' lives. It's so extraordinary, and too many people have forgotten or are too young (even young adults!) to know it.
Phenomenal story. "Technology didn't save this project; human relationships did."
Hat tip, @metacurity.com
www.scientificamerican.com/article/forb...
Hat tip, @metacurity.com
www.scientificamerican.com/article/forb...
I Sent Hundreds of Thousands of E-mails to the Future. Here’s the Story
Twenty years ago Forbes.com sent hundreds of thousands of messages to the future. Here’s what happened next
www.scientificamerican.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Phenomenal story. "Technology didn't save this project; human relationships did."
Hat tip, @metacurity.com
www.scientificamerican.com/article/forb...
Hat tip, @metacurity.com
www.scientificamerican.com/article/forb...
Auctioning 180 MHz from upper C-band is tough. SES says it can relocate out of 100 MHz, but at the Americas Spectrum Management event it said vacating >100 MHz will add complexity/cost.
And this is the easy part of the 800 MHz pipeline.
www.lightreading.com/5g/fcc-wants...
And this is the easy part of the 800 MHz pipeline.
www.lightreading.com/5g/fcc-wants...
FCC sizes up upper C-band auction for 5G and 6G
The FCC is set to vote on a proposed rulemaking for auctioning up to 180MHz of spectrum in the upper C-band.
www.lightreading.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Auctioning 180 MHz from upper C-band is tough. SES says it can relocate out of 100 MHz, but at the Americas Spectrum Management event it said vacating >100 MHz will add complexity/cost.
And this is the easy part of the 800 MHz pipeline.
www.lightreading.com/5g/fcc-wants...
And this is the easy part of the 800 MHz pipeline.
www.lightreading.com/5g/fcc-wants...
Reposted by Mari Silbey
Last chance to register for the #AmericasSpectrum Management Conference! On 10/31, @jskochan.bsky.social @msilbey.bsky.social will highlight #spectrum frameworks that support American innovation.
NSC members can register with the discount code sent via email: spectrumamericas.com/registration/
NSC members can register with the discount code sent via email: spectrumamericas.com/registration/
Registration - 14th Americas Spectrum Management Conference
Registration This is a paid event, please see registration fees for each organisation type in the table below. This is a fully in-person event, taking place at National Press Club, Washington DC. Plea...
spectrumamericas.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Last chance to register for the #AmericasSpectrum Management Conference! On 10/31, @jskochan.bsky.social @msilbey.bsky.social will highlight #spectrum frameworks that support American innovation.
NSC members can register with the discount code sent via email: spectrumamericas.com/registration/
NSC members can register with the discount code sent via email: spectrumamericas.com/registration/
Reposted by Mari Silbey
If you're planning to protest tomorrow and have questions about carrying your phone, please check out this article from my colleague @yaelwrites.com
It also shares an easy trick for stripping photos of their metadata.
blog.yaelwrites.com/options-for-...
It also shares an easy trick for stripping photos of their metadata.
blog.yaelwrites.com/options-for-...
Options for Phones at Protests
Simply showing up to a protest leaves you susceptible to all sorts of surveillance, including cameras, drones, facial recognition, and more. There's not always a lot you can do about pernicious street...
blog.yaelwrites.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
If you're planning to protest tomorrow and have questions about carrying your phone, please check out this article from my colleague @yaelwrites.com
It also shares an easy trick for stripping photos of their metadata.
blog.yaelwrites.com/options-for-...
It also shares an easy trick for stripping photos of their metadata.
blog.yaelwrites.com/options-for-...
Give me a testbed and I'll show you the fastest way to download data from multiple storage caches using a drone.
(Well not me specifically, but these guys)
advancedwireless.org/outreach/the...
(Well not me specifically, but these guys)
advancedwireless.org/outreach/the...
The AERPAW Autonomous Data Mule (AADM) Challenge Winners - PAWR
Explore the winning strategies of the AERPAW Autonomous Data Mule (AADM) Challenge, a multi-phased autonomous UAV student competition.
advancedwireless.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Give me a testbed and I'll show you the fastest way to download data from multiple storage caches using a drone.
(Well not me specifically, but these guys)
advancedwireless.org/outreach/the...
(Well not me specifically, but these guys)
advancedwireless.org/outreach/the...
Who's driving this thing?! -- First time in a Waymo. I know there are still issues, but amazing what riding in one does to lower the skepticism level. Also, it wasn't until after this recording that I realized I could control Spotify in the car. Major bonus.
October 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Who's driving this thing?! -- First time in a Waymo. I know there are still issues, but amazing what riding in one does to lower the skepticism level. Also, it wasn't until after this recording that I realized I could control Spotify in the car. Major bonus.
Ignoring the news of the day, here is the most fun demo I got to play with at MILCOM. Used AERPAW's (NC State U's) digital twin software to locate a beacon from a cell phone (think emergency rescue) using a drone as a base station. Located (w/game controller) via strongest signal-to-noise ratio.
October 8, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Ignoring the news of the day, here is the most fun demo I got to play with at MILCOM. Used AERPAW's (NC State U's) digital twin software to locate a beacon from a cell phone (think emergency rescue) using a drone as a base station. Located (w/game controller) via strongest signal-to-noise ratio.
Queen.
The legendary Jane Fonda “has relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment, the McCarthy-era initiative started by her father, Henry Fonda ...” www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
Jane Fonda relaunches free speech group started by her father during the McCarthy era
In wake of the Trump administration’s censorship threats, the actor re-established the Committee for the First Amendment with A-list support
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Queen.
Reposted by Mari Silbey
NSC and DoW are thrilled to announce 5 projects selected for the ADSSD (now ASC) awards via our OTA, boosting spectrum resilience & leadership in wireless innovation.
Congrats, InterDigital, Kostas Institute, @nokia.bsky.social, Peraton Labs & RTX BBN! www.spectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
Congrats, InterDigital, Kostas Institute, @nokia.bsky.social, Peraton Labs & RTX BBN! www.spectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
National Spectrum Consortium
www.spectrumconsortium.org
October 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
NSC and DoW are thrilled to announce 5 projects selected for the ADSSD (now ASC) awards via our OTA, boosting spectrum resilience & leadership in wireless innovation.
Congrats, InterDigital, Kostas Institute, @nokia.bsky.social, Peraton Labs & RTX BBN! www.spectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
Congrats, InterDigital, Kostas Institute, @nokia.bsky.social, Peraton Labs & RTX BBN! www.spectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
Who would have thought we'd be able to share this news even during a government shutdown.
www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
National Spectrum Consortium
www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Who would have thought we'd be able to share this news even during a government shutdown.
www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
www.nationalspectrumconsortium.org/news-detail/...
In other good news: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:02 AM
In other good news: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Ignore everything else. There's a new Wicked trailer. m.youtube.com/watch?v=vt98...
Wicked: For Good | Official Trailer
YouTube video by Universal Pictures
m.youtube.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Ignore everything else. There's a new Wicked trailer. m.youtube.com/watch?v=vt98...
Reposted by Mari Silbey
The Catholic Church in Rome has been insisting on calling attention to the suffering in Gaza, even if you don't hear much about it stateside. Seven hours of names: 16 Israeli children and 12,211 Palestinian children.
Cardinal Zuppi leads seven-hour prayer, naming every child killed in Holy Land war
The head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference took turns with dozens of other members of his diocese reading the names and ages of the 16 Israeli children and the 12,211 Palestinian children who have be...
www.ncronline.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The Catholic Church in Rome has been insisting on calling attention to the suffering in Gaza, even if you don't hear much about it stateside. Seven hours of names: 16 Israeli children and 12,211 Palestinian children.
Absolutely fascinating. And so similar (yeah obviously, but still) to the story of broadband and cellular connectivity.
Want to understand rising costs in the country’s largest grid region? Here are 5 charts that tell the story.
Why Prices Are Soaring in the Country’s Largest Grid Region, Explained in 5 Charts - Inside Climate News
PJM Interconnection has overseen two record-breaking capacity auctions, leading to costs that get passed on to consumers.
insideclimatenews.org
August 10, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Absolutely fascinating. And so similar (yeah obviously, but still) to the story of broadband and cellular connectivity.
It's called segregation.
August 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It's called segregation.
Google Photos gave me highlights from July, and damn if that wasn't a long and emotionally heavy month. Grateful for the reunion with friends at the end
August 2, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Google Photos gave me highlights from July, and damn if that wasn't a long and emotionally heavy month. Grateful for the reunion with friends at the end
Reposted by Mari Silbey
Try and come for my marriage, you goons. Just try.
August 1, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Try and come for my marriage, you goons. Just try.
Why no major tsunami?
1. Quake not as large as those in previous disasters
2. Power of tsunami depends on how an earthquake occurs and the physical features of the land absorbing the impact- we don't have the sensing capabilities to calculate the result quickly
3. Alerts= better safe than sorry
1. Quake not as large as those in previous disasters
2. Power of tsunami depends on how an earthquake occurs and the physical features of the land absorbing the impact- we don't have the sensing capabilities to calculate the result quickly
3. Alerts= better safe than sorry
Another earthquake story from @sciam.bsky.social by the always-excellent @squigglyvolcano.bsky.social explaining why the tsunami from the Russia quake wasn't as huge as the one from the 2011 Japan quake, for example. 🧪
Why the Russia Earthquake Didn't Cause a Huge Tsunami
Russia's magnitude-8.8 earthquake spawned serious tsunami warnings, but waves have been moderate so far. Here's the geological reason why
www.scientificamerican.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Why no major tsunami?
1. Quake not as large as those in previous disasters
2. Power of tsunami depends on how an earthquake occurs and the physical features of the land absorbing the impact- we don't have the sensing capabilities to calculate the result quickly
3. Alerts= better safe than sorry
1. Quake not as large as those in previous disasters
2. Power of tsunami depends on how an earthquake occurs and the physical features of the land absorbing the impact- we don't have the sensing capabilities to calculate the result quickly
3. Alerts= better safe than sorry
I know companies aren't worried about the government enforcing the TikTok ban, but the fact that Samsung automatically installed the app on my phone while doing a security update overnight seems a bit much.
August 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I know companies aren't worried about the government enforcing the TikTok ban, but the fact that Samsung automatically installed the app on my phone while doing a security update overnight seems a bit much.
Reposted by Mari Silbey
Want a part-time remote job helping edit @techmeme.com?
We're hiring! Apply here: techmeme.com/jobs
No special experience is needed, but you should avoiding cheating on the application with AI, as noted here:
We're hiring! Apply here: techmeme.com/jobs
No special experience is needed, but you should avoiding cheating on the application with AI, as noted here:
Ok, mainly for fun, I added hidden text that only appears when you copy and paste from www.techmeme.com/jobs
Try pasting question #3 into ChatGPT and see what happens!
This should make it very easy to tell when people hastily use AI to complete the application. 🤭
Try pasting question #3 into ChatGPT and see what happens!
This should make it very easy to tell when people hastily use AI to complete the application. 🤭
Funny-but-sad situation involving AI and hiring: we revamped our application questions here techmeme.com/jobs to make them more "AI-proof". So if your answers came from ChatGPT, it's typically easy for us to tell.
The sad part is over half the applicants get "no thanks" in part because of this and…
The sad part is over half the applicants get "no thanks" in part because of this and…
July 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Want a part-time remote job helping edit @techmeme.com?
We're hiring! Apply here: techmeme.com/jobs
No special experience is needed, but you should avoiding cheating on the application with AI, as noted here:
We're hiring! Apply here: techmeme.com/jobs
No special experience is needed, but you should avoiding cheating on the application with AI, as noted here:
I 100% do not understand how we're calling this AI. It's accelerated data collection, computation, and analysis. Which is good! It's what computers do well! But it is in no way original thought.
California's statewide power grid operator is poised to become the first in North America to deploy generative AI to manage outages.
California is set to become the first US state to manage power outages with AI
The software uses generative AI to analyze and carry out real-time analyses for grid operators.
www.technologyreview.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I 100% do not understand how we're calling this AI. It's accelerated data collection, computation, and analysis. Which is good! It's what computers do well! But it is in no way original thought.
Hilarious thing about John Proctor is the Villain, it takes place in 2018 like, look at all the crazy stuff happening. And now it's 2025 and so very clear how much nobody learned.
July 13, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Hilarious thing about John Proctor is the Villain, it takes place in 2018 like, look at all the crazy stuff happening. And now it's 2025 and so very clear how much nobody learned.