A new govt. IT agenda began to emerge as officials laid out policy positions Tues. at the Computer & Communications Industry Assn. Washington Caucus. It includes mainstays like removing trade barriers and increasing math & science education spending, along with new points like energy independence. Speakers heavily emphasized bipartisanship in crafting the policy.
After denying for months that it had a proposal for building a shared but dedicated public-safety data network using 12 of the 24 MHz available in the 700 MHz band for public safety, Verizon Wireless advocated that approach in filings with the Southern Governors Assn. (SGA) last month. Verizon Wireless urged the SGA to adopt a plan using a “dedicated” public safety data network “paid for and operated by the public sector but which leverages existing commercial infrastructure” to reduce costs and provide priority access to commercial networks during emergencies.
After denying for months that it had a proposal for building a shared but dedicated public-safety data network using 12 of the 24 MHz available in the 700 MHz band for public safety, Verizon Wireless advocated that approach in filings with the Southern Governors Assn. (SGA) last month. Verizon Wireless urged the SGA to adopt a plan using a “dedicated” public safety data network “paid for and operated by the public sector but which leverages existing commercial infrastructure” to reduce costs and provide priority access to commercial networks during emergencies.
The FTC Thurs. issued a mixed report card to the videogame, movie and music industries, in its latest study on the marketing of violent entertainment to kids. All 3 industries “generally comply with their own voluntary standards regarding the display of ratings and labels” but they “continue to market” some M-rated video games, R-rated movies and explicit-content music recordings on TV shows and websites with “substantial teen audiences,” the FTC said.
Public safety groups said a VoIP E-911 bill (S-428) would help ensure full E-911 services for VoIP subscribers, according to testimony Tues. before the Senate Commerce Committee. S-428, introduced by Sens. Nelson (D-Fla.), Snowe (R-Me.) and Clinton (D-N.Y.) would require every VoIP provider to give customers the E-911 services mandated in FCC regulations. The service would have to be comparable to the 911 requirements of wireless providers. The Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) hasn’t taken a formal position on the bill, but it “strongly” supports the bill’s goal, said Pres. Wanda McCarley in her prepared testimony. APCO supports the provision extending liability protection for public safety answering points (PSAPs) for VoIP 911 calls and a provision that allows state and local govts. to collect 911 fees from VoIP service providers, McCarley said: “We believe that VoIP providers should not be able to offer new services to new customers in geographic areas where the provider is not able to comply with the FCC’s 911 and E-911 requirements contained in the FCC’s Order in WC Docket No. 04-36 and 05-196.” The National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) also supports the bill, Pres. Jason Barbour told the committee. Barbour asked Congress to appropriate funds for 911 grants that were created under a 2004 law and urged expansion of the program to include IP-based solutions. Barbour said progress has been made in deploying E-911 service for landline and wireless service with 97% of U.S. counties having access to wireline E-911 service. Nearly 85% of the PSAPs can receive both call back and location information from cell phones, he said. However, there are still many areas that lack E-911 service for landline, wireless or VoIP, Barbour said.
BPL may not see all smooth sailing even when it comes to duty in automated meter reading and remote control of home appliances, judging from filings with the N.Y. PSC. The BPL industry is banking on heightened regulatory focus in Congress and state emphasis on energy conservation and better grid management to get “risk-averse” utilities to adopt the technology to improve grid efficiencies and maintenance. In response to the N.Y. PSC’s advanced meter reading order, major power utilities seemed reluctant in filings to commit to BPL as the sole answer, and one rejected BPL because it’s still evolving.
BPL may not see all smooth sailing even when it comes to duty in automated meter reading and remote control of home appliances, judging from filings with the N.Y. PSC. The BPL industry is banking on heightened regulatory focus in Congress and state emphasis on energy conservation and better grid management to get “risk-averse” utilities to adopt the technology to improve grid efficiencies and maintenance. In response to the N.Y. PSC’s advanced meter reading order, major power utilities seemed reluctant in filings to commit to BPL as the sole answer, and one rejected BPL because it’s still evolving.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice providing the guidelines for liquidated damages and penalties on wood packing material (WPM) which went into effect on March 9, 20071.
On March 30, 2007, President Bush notified Congress of his intent to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Panama.
With 3-5 states poised to pass e-waste bills this year, there is increased recognition in the CE industry that a proliferation of state laws would make it more difficult to get a harmonized national system through federal law, officials said. “There is more willingness to compromise” among manufacturers and even retailers, said CEA Environmental Counsel Parker Brugge. Industry is banking on leadership by Sen. Wyden (D-Ore.), who has urged industry representatives to meet with him after the spring recess, to kickstart e-waste efforts in Congress.