According to a column in The Journal of Commerce, professionals predict that the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports will be virtually gridlocked by the end of 2010, as local voters and politicians have decided that the environment and infrastructure are all but maxed out. (JoC, dated 01/15/07, www.joc.com )
SAN FRANCISCO -- Govt. officials defended security-education campaigns against criticism by a technologist who called many consumers “stupid” and an inherent weak link in defense against Internet attacks. Marc Groman, FTC chief privacy officer, said it wasn’t “helpful” to characterize consumers that way -- as fellow panelist Ira Winkler just had. Winkler is Internet Security Advisors Group pres., an author and a former NSA employee. Later, Winkler softened his statement, calling many consumers “naive” and “uneducated” about security. The dispute arose in an RSA Security conference discussion here late Wed. sponsored by TechNet and the Business Software Alliance.
Wireless carriers have changed their Hill strategy on federal preemption of state controls. In 2006, carriers got then-Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) to fit telecom legislation with terms sharply curbing state control on wireless service (CD June 20 p3). The bill didn’t pass. This year, CTIA and its members will seek interim gains as different bills progress, sources said. And CTIA Pres. Steve Largent will sit with NARUC members at coming meetings in D.C. to talk about state regulation of wireless.
If Congress accedes to Cyren Call demands, providing 30 MHz of spectrum for public safety broadband, it could delay a 700 MHz auction by years, if not kill it outright, members of the High Tech DTV Coalition said Tues. The group voiced its concern in a letter to Senate Commerce Committee leaders, as well as a study making an economic case against the Cyren Call proposal.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report indicates that implementing the "scan-all" provisions of a recently passed House container security bill will require an additional $160 million over the next four years. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/11/07 news, 07011110, for BP summary of H.R. 1, the House-passed security bill.) (JoC Online dated 02/05/07, www.joc.com.)
A proposed White House FY 2008 budget would double FCC spending for oversight of the Universal Service Fund, add $2 billion in interoperability funds and spend $426.3 million on the digital converter box program, according to documents submitted Mon. to Congress. OMB Dir. Rob Portman called the President’s budget request “credible” in a briefing with reporters. Portman said he consulted with Congress before drafting the document so he could be responsive to concerns.
Companies seeing huge profit in broadcast white spaces want FCC rules as loose as possible, to promote a vibrant market and get gear makers to offer many devices, they said in comments filed with the FCC. With the key question being whether the spectrum will be licensed or not, some commenters warned of the risk of interference to wireless microphones and other devices already using the TV bands.
Companies seeing huge profit in TV “white spaces” want FCC rules as loose as possible, to promote a vibrant market and get gear makers to offer many devices, they said in comments filed with the FCC. With the key question being whether the spectrum will be licensed or not, some commenters warned of the risk of interference to wireless microphones and other devices already using the TV bands.
The FCC should proceed with extreme caution and protect DBS incumbents if it lets “tweener” systems operate, EchoStar and DirecTV told the Commission. But SES Americom told the FCC the time is ripe and technology allows use of tweener devices. Commissioner offices are developing positions in the proceeding; replies were due last week.
Public safety communications will get a hearing Feb. 8 by the Senate Commerce Committee, the committee said Fri. On Wed., Chmn. Inouye (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill (S-385) to improve emergency communications, co-sponsored by Sens. Kerry (D-Mass.), Smith (R-Ore.) and Snowe (R-Me.). The bill gives guidance to NTIA for spending $1 billion in interoperability funds allocated in the 2005 budget. House Commerce Committee Chmn. Dingell (D-Mich.) has an interoperability measure (HR- 338) to set up a grant program to improve local, state and national emergency communications. The bill would dovetail with the Dept. of Homeland Security’s work on a national emergency communications plan, baseline interoperability assessment and a report on progress achieved in developing voluntary consensus-based communications standards.