NASUCA backs M2Z’s petition seeking authority to build and run a broadband network in the 2155-2175 MHz band, it said in a filing at the FCC. M2Z also got potentially significant support from the National Assn. of Telecom Officers & Advisors (NATOA). The endorsements contrasted with a number of harsh oppositions in the FCC docket on M2Z’s controversial proposal.
The National Assn. of State Utility Consumer Advocates backs M2Z’s petition seeking authority to build and run a broadband network in the 2155-2175 MHz band, it said in a filing at the FCC. M2Z also got potentially significant support from the National Assn. of Telecom Officers & Advisors (NATOA). The endorsements contrasted with a number of harsh oppositions in the FCC docket on M2Z’s controversial proposal.
The Library of Congress (LOC) is barreling forward with digitization, leaders told a Tues. House Appropriations Legislative Subcommittee hearing. The LOC website offers 22 million items, more than 1/2 on U.S. history and culture, and it handled 5 billion “electronic transactions” in 2006, said Librarian of Congress James Billington.
Several “burning regulatory issues” remain unresolved in Europe’s increasingly competitive telecom sector, the EC said Thurs. in its 12th and final report on the state of European e-communications rules and markets before it issues proposals for reform of the regulatory framework. The main problems, Information Society & Media Comr. Viviane Reding said at a briefing, are “inconsistencies, inconsistencies, inconsistencies.” Incumbents and new entrants said they welcome more competition but questioned some EC findings.
Congress would do well to heavily scrutinize the full 199-page report by the DoJ inspector general on National Security Letter (NSL) procedural abuses by the FBI (CD March 12 p2), the ACLU said in a conference call Mon. The report’s executive summary fails to get at “the heart” of the most serious findings, including agency lawyers’ unease over -- but ultimate acquiescence to -- flagrant violations by FBI staff with no investigatory authority, said Caroline Fredrickson, Washington legislative dir. Considered in full, the report shows “a pattern of intentional misconduct” by FBI personnel, said Mike German, national security policy counsel: “This goes far beyond simple incompetence and mismanagement,” the impression given by the report’s summary.
Top officials with the National Emergency Number Assn. met separately last week with all 5 FCC commissioners, the group said in a filing with the Commission. Topics included the pace of E-911 rollout, difficulties resolving disputes in the states over surcharging of prepaid wireless service, and “what NENA believes to be the slow pace of the states in legislating requirements for locating 911 callers whose communications are processed through PBXs and other multi- line telephone systems,” NENA said.
Congress would do well to heavily scrutinize the full 199-page report by the DoJ inspector general on National Security Letter (NSL) procedural abuses by the FBI (WID March 12 p1), the ACLU said in a conference call Mon. The report’s executive summary fails to get at “the heart” of the most serious findings, including agency lawyers’ unease over -- but ultimate acquiescence to -- flagrant violations by FBI staff with no investigatory authority, said Caroline Fredrickson, Washington legislative dir. Considered in full, the report shows “a pattern of intentional misconduct” by FBI personnel, said Mike German, national security policy counsel: “This goes far beyond simple incompetence and mismanagement,” the impression given by the report’s summary.
James Turner, ex-Dept. of Energy, chosen National Institute of Standards & Technology deputy dir… Bruce Campbell, ex-NBC, becomes Discovery pres.-digital media, emerging networks & business development… In-text advertising firm Vibrant Media names Scott Deutrom, ex-BSkyB, as European sales dir.
With an FCC decision likely as early as April, parties from across the wireless world entreated the Commission one last time on proposals for creating a national broadband network for public safety. The comments lead inevitably to the conclusion that an FCC proposal for public safety in a late 2006 rulemaking is “deeply flawed,” the Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) said.
Washington Trade Daily reports that on March 13, 2007, the Senate passed S. 4, a bill to implement recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. According to the article, S. 4 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to come up with a plan that will eventually result in 100% scanning of all U.S.-bound containers. (The House-passed version of this legislation, H.R. 1, would establish deadlines for 100% scanning. See ITT's Online Archives or 01/11/07 news, 07011110, for BP summary of H.R. 1, as passed by the House.) (WTD dated 03/14/07, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)