An NTIA report on contraband cellphones in prisons said cell signal jamming, which is strongly opposed by wireless carriers, presents many problems and, in the case of state or local prison officials, would be a violation of the Communications Act. The report said managed access technologies “hold promise as a solution.” Cellphone detection also may offer a solution, the report said. NTIA took comments, conducted tests at its lab in Boulder, Colo., and participated in a field test at a prison in Cumberland, Md., in preparing the study.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a final rule, effective June 28, 2011, that establishes new mandatory consumer product safety standards for full-size and non-full-size baby cribs, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA1).
The record shows a growing threat to the Internet if the FCC failed to impose net neutrality rules, according to the text of the order, which the commission released late last week. The FCC approved the order Dec. 21, over the strong dissents of Commissioners Robert McDowell and Meredith Baker (CD Dec 22 p1), who questioned whether the Internet is at risk. In a series of footnotes, the order rebuts arguments made by the two Republicans in their dissents.
The record shows a growing threat to the Internet if the FCC failed to impose net neutrality rules, according to the text of the order, which the commission released late last week. The FCC approved the order Dec. 21, over the strong dissents of Commissioners Robert McDowell and Meredith Baker (WID Dec 22 p1), who questioned whether the Internet is at risk. In a series of footnotes, the order rebuts arguments made by the two Republicans in their dissents.
GENEVA -- The Radio Regulations Board is putting the finishing touches on recommendations to the WRC-12 aimed at tightening the use of “reliable information” to improve maintenance of the ITU master register and world plans, according to a copy of a draft report by the board that we obtained. Radiocommunication Bureau consultations with administrations have resulted in a number of cancellations, suspensions and suppressed satellite frequency assignments, it said. The board reviewed some of the bureau’s actions under a routine procedure. Recommendations in the report may be revised next year. Satellite executives have said networks’ squatting on underused resources works against developing countries, established operators and direct-to-home services. Proposed stricter measures are aimed at aligning the master register more closely with reality.
The International Trade Commission announced that a section 337 patent-based complaint has been filed regarding certain reduced ignition proclivity cigarette paper wrappers and products containing the same.
A coming FCC rulemaking notice on retransmission consent deals may take a broad look at the contracts between subscription-video providers and TV stations, said agency and industry officials watching development of the draft. The notice may not propose many specific remedies to reduce the number of carriage disputes that lead to TV station blackouts on cable, DBS or telco-TV systems, they said. Although styled as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the draft may read more like a notice of inquiry (NOI), in that it may ask many questions and not propose many specific rules, said agency and industry officials not involved in writing the item.
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk has announced that the U.S. has requested consultations with China under the dispute settlement provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning a program known as the Special Fund for Wind Power Manufacturing.
A continuing resolution approved Tuesday by the Senate includes broadband oversight money sought by the NTIA. It also prevents a spike in Universal Service Fund contributions by extending an exemption of the USF from a Civil War-era law. The resolution keeps the government running until March 4. The drama over broadband funding and the last-minute, temporary nature of the fix raised concerns about whether the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program can work long term.
Although the House passed H.R. 6517, a bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences program and the Andean Trade Preferences Act/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, implement hundreds of duty suspensions and reductions, etc., on December 15, 2010, opposition has to this point prevented the Senate from moving forward with H.R. 6517.