U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an updated version of its frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses on its final rule requiring, among other things, the advance electronic presentation of information for all modes of inbound transportation.

MONTREAL -- FCC Chief of Staff Bryan Tramont said at the APCO conference here that, with the 800 MHz order out, the Commission will make the digital TV transition “the primary policy imperative of the agency” the next 6 months. Tramont, speaking on a panel of top FCC staffers, said Chmn. Powell is eager to establish a date certain for the transition, which will provide 700 MHz spectrum for public safety.

Rural ILEC, CLEC and wireless industry groups filed an interim universal service plan with the FCC, marking the first time they've agreed on the subject. The filing -- by OPASTCO, Rural Independent Competitive Alliance (RICA) and the Rural Telecom Group (ROUTING) -- came in response to the Commission’s proceeding on the Universal Service Joint Board’s Recommended Decision on high-cost support portability. The groups proposed minimum standardized criteria for competitive eligible telecom carrier (CETC) applicants in rural service areas. They said the plan would “provide sufficient support to both wireless and wireline ETCs and would enable the FCC to better control the future growth of the Universal Service Fund (USF), while it considers more long-term reform for all ETCs serving rural service areas.”

One of the few surprises at Wed.’s FCC mostly well scripted meeting was a strong statement from Comr. Copps warning that the FCC is still falling short on homeland security. Shortly after the session’s start, Copps -- responding to an FCC report on post-Sept. 11 communications changes that led off a meeting largely focused on homeland security -- addressed at length Commission shortcomings. Sources involved with emergency communications said Thurs. that issues remain, echoing in part Copps’ statements. Copps, sources said, delivered what he viewed as a moderate speech.

The FCC tentatively concluded Wed. that CALEA applies to facilities-based providers of “any type of broadband Internet access service -- including wireline, cable modem, wireless and powerline -- and to managed or mediated [VoIP] services.” This was the wording of a rulemaking launched to determine the appropriate legal and policy framework for implementing CALEA, particularly regarding broadband access and services. The agency said the tentative conclusions were based on its proposal that such services fall under CALEA as “a replacement for a substantial portion of the local telephone exchange service.” But FCC officials said CALEA wouldn’t apply to “non-managed” P2P VoIP services such as those provided by Pulver.com or Skype. FCC Comrs. Copps and Adelstein concurred.

On July 22, both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed H.R. 4842, the "U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Implementation Act," clearing the measure for the President.

The FCC shouldn’t give “a perpetual position of market power” to owners of broadcast flag patents in its broadcast flag proceeding, the American Antitrust Institute (AAI) said in a study filed with the Commission. The study was part of a wave of presentations to the FCC in advance of next week’s expected broadcast flag action (CD July 29 p5). Meanwhile, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the NFL said the FCC shouldn’t approve proposals to use TiVo, RealNetworks and others to distribute programming via the Internet without adequate proximity controls.

The FCC shouldn’t give “a perpetual position of market power” to owners of broadcast flag patents in its broadcast flag proceeding, the American Antitrust Institute (AAI) said in a study filed with the Commission. The study was part of a wave of presentations to the FCC in advance of next week’s expected broadcast flag action. Meanwhile, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the NFL said the FCC shouldn’t approve proposals to use TiVo, RealNetworks and others to distribute programming via the Internet without adequate proximity controls.

While disagreeing whether the FCC should grant Verizon’s petitions concerning regulatory treatment of its broadband services provided via fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), in comments to the Commission, telecom carriers agreed the Commission should focus on its broadband rulemaking proceedings, such as the wireline broadband and ILEC broadband NPRMs.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved several pieces of legislation Thurs. -- including VoIP, satellite home viewer improvement act (SHVIA), low power FM radio, junk fax and reauthorization of the Corp. for Public Bcstg. (CPB) -- but fighting over an FTC nominee brought an abrupt end to the markup, which could have prevented some amendments from being introduced. Sen. Wyden (D-Ore.) infuriated Committee Chmn. McCain (R-Ariz.) by invoking the “2-hour rule” which prevents committee meetings from lasting more than 2 hours when the Senate is in session. Wyden was battling McCain on procedures concerning Deborah Majoras, the nominee for FTC Chmn. Wyden opposed the nomination over disagreements with FTC action on gasoline prices. Sources said potential amendments to junk fax and CPB legislation couldn’t be offered after Wyden’s procedural move. The Committee had approved the 2 bills under unanimous consent with the understanding they could be amended later in the markup.