SAN JOSE -- Congress accomplishes more for Internet security by accident than it does directly, said a Washington think-tanker. Side effects of Gramm-Leach-Bliley, Sarbanes- Oxley and Health Improvement Portability & Accountability Act have been to focus attention on cybersecurity much better than direct legislative efforts, which apart from the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) have “invariably gotten screwed up,” Technology Policy Dir. James Lewis of the Center for Strategic & International Studies said on an RSA Conference panel here late Tues.

Classifying BPL as an information service will drive BPL deployment and put the technology on par with cable modem and DSL, the United Power Line Council (UPLC) said in comments to the FCC. But some state regulators cautioned the Commission against rushing to classify BPL without resolving key technical issues such as interference to ham radio. The FCC began a pleading cycle on a UPLC petition for a declaratory ruling that BPL is an interstate information service. That would provide regulatory clarity and a level field for BPL providers to compete with DSL and cable modem services, the UPLC said.

Classifying BPL as an information service will drive BPL deployment and put the technology on par with cable modem and DSL, the United Power Line Council (UPLC) said in comments to the FCC. But some state regulators cautioned the Commission against rushing to classify BPL without resolving key technical issues such as interference to ham radio. The FCC began a pleading cycle on a UPLC petition for a declaratory ruling that BPL is an interstate information service. That would provide regulatory clarity and a level field for BPL providers to compete with DSL and cable modem services, the UPLC said.

FCC Chmn. Martin could expand his authority over cable operators by reviewing whether they have enough subscribers to warrant further regulation, said industry sources. The Commission said Fri. it will seek comments on how to measure the percentage of U.S. homes subscribing to cable service with at least 36 channels (CD Feb 13 p2). Under the Telecom Act, if that proportion exceeds 70%, the so-called 70/70 rule will give the FCC authority to impose additional regulation. The Commission said it will also ask for comments on what actions to take if it finds the threshold was met.

Congress won’t pass a telecom bill this year, ex-Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) Said Wed. at an event commemorating the Telecom Act’s 10th anniversary. “Congress holds hearings, hearings, hearings… There’s a lot of tough talk but nothing passes,” said Pressler, one of the ‘96 Act’s framers. The lag occurs because voters have scant interest in telecom policy, so bills focus on business, depriving bills of “electoral” benefit and dotting them with political dangers, he said.

A consensus of opinion among senators failed to emerge Tues. during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on net neutrality that considered a swirl of industry promises, academic arguments and economic analyses of the complex issue. Some committee members said premature legislation could hurt more than help, but worried the U.S. is falling behind globally in broadband deployment. Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said net neutrality needs to be defined before the committee can move forward with legislation. Sen. Burns (R-Mont.) said the debate should play out in the marketplace.

A consensus of opinion among senators failed to emerge Tues. during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on net neutrality that considered a swirl of industry promises, academic arguments and economic analyses of the complex issue. Some committee members said premature legislation could hurt more than help, but worried the U.S. is falling behind globally in broadband deployment. Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said net neutrality needs to be defined before the committee can move forward with legislation. Sen. Burns (R-Mont.) said the debate should play out in the marketplace.

NTIA, which Congress assigned to administer the digital- to-analogue box voucher program -- a consumer program unprecedented for the agency -- will spend the first dollars targeted to the programs under the Bush Administration budget for fiscal year 2007, which was released Mon. But whether the NTIA is up to running a $100 million voucher program -- the amount allocated by the bill for administrative costs -- is but one of the concerns facing retailers at the front lines of a DTV converter box giveaway.

The Washington File reports that the U.S. and South Korea will open negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to remove tariff and nontariff barriers and expand trade between the countries. The talks are expected to begin in or around May 2006 after a consultation period. (Washington File Pub 02/03/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2006/Feb/02-508129.html)

Attorney Gen. Alberto Gonzales will have a tough job when he testifies Mon. before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the National Security Agency’s (NSA) electronic surveillance program. Gonzales must defend the Justice Dept.’s actions while “showing that he is an attorney general in an independent way,” ACLU Washington Legislative Dir. Caroline Fredrickson told reporters Thurs.