The National Emergency Number Association views the transition to next-generation 911 as a critical next step for public safety, said new NENA President Barbara Jaeger. “At NENA, we must do whatever we can to educate policy makers and legislators on the importance of NG911 and the national commitment that will be required to build and maintain these networks,” said Jaeger, also Arizona’s 911 administrator. “Our job is to make sure both Congress and the President … are committed to funding and deploying NG911,” she said. “We will work with our nation’s leaders to achieve what is in the best interest of all Americans -- especially the nearly 1 million people that reach out to 911 every day."
Against the backdrop of the European debt crisis and tight liquidity constraints, The Export-Import Bank has shown it’s ready and able to step in with its long-term, fixed rate support for U.S. exports when the private sector had withdrawn from export finance, according to Ex-Im Bank’s 2011 Competitiveness report to Congress. But as the recovery continues and liquidity gradually returns to commercial markets, different competitive challenges are emerging, the report said.
GENEVA -- Revisions to an ITU telecom treaty in December should have a “very light touch” to spur competition, liberalization and innovation, reduce costs, address security issues, and “favor” further growth of the Internet, said Hamadoun Toure, the ITU secretary-general, following three days of meetings of the Council working group on preparations for the World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) in December. The conference will revise the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs).
GENEVA -- Revisions to an ITU telecom treaty in December should have a “very light touch” to spur competition, liberalization and innovation, reduce costs, address security issues, and “favor” further growth of the Internet, said Hamadoun Toure, the ITU secretary-general, following three days of meetings of the Council working group on preparations for the World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) in December. The conference will revise the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs).
A California bill to bar state regulation of VoIP continues stirring controversy, as SB-1161 moves toward final passage. It would prohibit the California Public Utilities Commission from regulating VoIP and Internet Protocol-enabled service until 2020, unless federal law or state statute dictate otherwise. The bill’s sponsor describes it as hewing to the same regulatory approach the state has taken on VoIP and IP-enabled calls, while critics worry it may affect reliability of calls and the ability to get them in rural areas. On June 18, the California Assembly’s Committee on Utilities and Commerce voted the bill out of committee 13-1 after hearing hours of testimony. Senate approval 30-6 came May 30.
A California bill to bar state regulation of VoIP continues stirring controversy, as SB-1161 moves toward final passage. It would prohibit the California Public Utilities Commission from regulating VoIP and Internet Protocol-enabled service until 2020, unless federal law or state statute dictate otherwise. The bill’s sponsor describes it as hewing to the same regulatory approach the state has taken on VoIP and IP-enabled calls, while critics worry it may affect reliability of calls and the ability to get them in rural areas. On June 18, the California Assembly’s Committee on Utilities and Commerce voted the bill out of committee 13-1 after hearing hours of testimony. Senate approval 30-6 came May 30.
The real challenge of creating the new FirstNet comes down to communications and coordination, said utility company leaders, public safety representatives and government officials Wednesday during a United Telecommunications Council (UTC) workshop. The workshop focused on how best to foster cooperation among the groups in anticipation of FirstNet’s rollout in the 700 MHz band, as authorized by February’s spectrum law. Government officials noted Tuesday at a UTC session (CD June 20 p5) that utilities often act as first responders in emergencies and should have access to this premium spectrum along with public safety officials. Chris Essid, director of the Homeland Security Department’s Office of Emergency Communications said developing an interoperable broadband network is only a 20 percent technical challenge and 80 percent coordination. “It’s that coordination that needs to improve,” he said.
*June 18 American Consumer Institute panel on “looming spectrum crunch,” noon, 2103 Rayburn building -- steve@theamericanconsumer.org
The U.S. and India agreed to form a working group to “further discuss international norms in cyberspace and Internet governance,” a State Department fact sheet said(http://xrl.us/bnbsim). The group will be chaired by officials of the State Department and India’s Ministry of External Affairs, it said. “The group will also work to coordinate national positions in advance of important cyber events,” it said. There’s “robust cooperation” between the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team and India’s Computer Emergency Response Team, it said.
The U.S. and India agreed to form a working group to “further discuss international norms in cyberspace and Internet governance,” a State Department fact sheet said(http://xrl.us/bnbsim). The group will be chaired by officials of the State Department and India’s Ministry of External Affairs, it said. “The group will also work to coordinate national positions in advance of important cyber events,” it said. There’s “robust cooperation” between the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team and India’s Computer Emergency Response Team, it said.