A digital-age communications regulatory regime is needed that embraces competition and IP video services’ promise, said telecom pundits, saying such factors drive broadband demand. Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF)’s Randolph May and Charles Davidson, dir. of N.Y. Law School’s Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, spoke at a Council on Competitiveness lunch on broadband’s future on Capitol Hill Thurs.
Verizon’s merger with MCI took 2 more steps toward completion as a state in Verizon’s region, Vt., and one out-of-region, Ohio, gave their approvals. The actions leave 6 states standing in the way of closing the merger - - the in-region states of N.J., Pa. and W.Va., and the out-of-region states of Alaska, Ariz. and Wash. Meanwhile, N.J.’s regulators are expected to vote on the merger this week; a Pa. hearing officer recommended unconditional PUC approval; and Wash. regulators completed their case record Tues., so only the final vote remains to be done.
The Swiss Federal Communications Commission seeks bids on 3 broadband wireless access licenses there. Deadline is Feb. 28 for a June auction, date uncertain. The licenses could be used to offer WiMAX services, said Urs von Arx, head of the Swiss Federal Communications Office’s mobile and satellite radio services section, but they're “technology neutral,” which means they could be used to offer other technologies on these frequency bands, he said. Users must fulfill several conditions to employ the frequencies.
The FCC is “engaged” in improving its own disaster response process and the federal response plan, said Office of Homeland Security Dir. Ken Moran. Speaking at a Satellite Industry Assn. workshop, Moran said the satellite industry was able to quickly provide disaster solutions to wireless, broadcasters and emergency responders after Hurricane Katrina hit, but that satellite needs to be “better factored” into the response plan in the future. “The Commission needs to have a better inventory and awareness” of satellite gateways, infrastructure and solutions, said Moran. And the Commission needs to maintain an accurate and up-to-date emergency contact list, he said. “Satcom needs to be a critical part of emergency communication and emergency response plans,” said Moran: “Including the FCC’s own plans.”
PALM SPRINGS, Cal. -- Broadband consumer protection and disaster recovery issues dominated telecom discussions at the NARUC meeting here. But NARUC panels on broadband- related policy resolutions either tabled or refocused resolutions when states sparred on how or whether to voice broadband concerns.
President Bush will nominate FCC Comr. Copps to serve out a 5-year FCC term expiring June 30, 2010, and Republican Tenn. regulator Deborah Tate for the rest of a 5-year term expiring June 30, 2007, the White House announced Wed. Democrat Copps is a reappointment. Tate replaces departed FCC Chmn. Michael Powell. FCC Comr. Abernathy’s position remains to be filled. Her term expired in June 2004, and she must leave office when Congress adjourns for the year. White House aide Richard Russell was originally picked for that slot, but Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said he wants to search for another candidate (CD Nov 9 p1).
An FCC notice outlining VoIP providers’ E-911 obligations was greeted with dismay by VoIP companies that say it could impede efforts to add customers. VoIP providers said they were obviously pleased with the first part of the FCC’s announcement -- that they don’t have to cut off service where they haven’t achieved full E-911 capability. But they're concerned about the 2nd part, barring them from marketing service to new customers where full E-911 service isn’t available.
In a win for Bells and FCC Chmn. Martin, the Commission opened what officials called a “broad” inquiry into its power to ensure municipalities fairly award broadband franchises. Unveiling a proposed rulemaking on local franchise authority (LFA) obligations, FCC staff said they “tentatively” found the Communications Act allows Commission oversight in this area.
A Remington Arms Co. petition to waive Part 15 rules has tentative conditional FCC approval, with the FCC circulating an order to that effect, FCC sources said. Remington needs the waiver to sell a device intended for law enforcement, counter-terrorism and security use. The agency is considering whether to impose eligibility and operational restrictions to minimize interference to other unlicensed devices in the band where Remington’s device would operate, an FCC source said. The draft order looks at granting the petition but limiting the device’s use to law enforcement agencies.
FCC approval of the SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI mergers marked a compromise, with no one on the Commission completely happy with the conditions attached to it, commissioners said. FCC Chmn. Martin said he and colleagues “struggled to find a compromise” because the Commission wanted to act as quickly as possible to avoid uncertainty in the telecom industry. Martin and Comr. Abernathy said they felt some conditions were unnecessary while Democratic Comrs. Adelstein and Copps said the conditions should have been stronger. Adelstein and Copps cast concurring votes.