The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued press statements announcing that the House of Representatives and Senate have passed legislation to implement the free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman. The next step is for the President to issue a proclamation. (USTR House release, dated 07/20/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/July/Statement_of_USTR_Susan_C_Schwab_on_House_Passage_of_US-Oman_Free_Trade_Agreement.html, USTR Senate release, dated 6/29/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/June/Statement_of_US_Trade_Representative_Susan_C_Schwab_on_Senate_Passage_of_US-Oman_Free_Trade_Agreement.html)
Video programmers must make emergency notices accessible to those with impaired hearing or sight, the FCC said. National and local emergency information must be accompanied by closed captioning or crawls, and programmers must run an audible tone to alert the visually impaired to turn to another source for more information, the Commission said.
The U.S. emergency alert system (EAS) needs upgrading to reflect new technology and new threats, Rep. Upton (R-Mich.), chmn. of the House Telecom Subcommittee said Thurs. at a hearing on the Warning Alert & Response Network (WARN) Act. The Senate is considering similar legislation.
Fidelity National Finance has sold off a portion of its 10% stake in RentWay. Fidelity reduced its holdings in RentWay to 2.7 million shares in selling off 304,700 at $7.90. Fidelity’s stock sell-off came soon after reports emerged that RentWay was in talks to sell the chain.
Telecommuting does more than enable employees to work remotely, a Verizon official told a subcommittee of the House Govt. Reform Committee Tues. It’s a way for govt. agencies to keep working in disasters or national security emergencies, Verizon Federal Pres. Jerry Edgerton said: “It doesn’t take a major… emergency to displace thousands of workers, as several straight days of rain showed us last month,” he told the subcommittee during a hearing on telecommuting. “Through the evolution of traditional communications services, wireless communications and advanced applications, the definition of ’teleworking’ is rapidly broadening,” said Edgerton. Workers can train, handle citizens’ calls, and “interact” with colleagues, all via the Internet, he said. “A successful teleworking program is one in which remote working looks no different than time spent in the office,” Edgerton said. “Undoubtedly barriers remain that prevent agencies from fully reaping the benefits of telecommuting [but] technology is not one of those barriers,” he said. The keys are “security, reliability and agency endorsement,” Edgerton said. The panel should monitor agencies’ teleworking efforts, which boost productivity, help the environment by reducing traffic, permit hiring of the disabled, keep workers who otherwise might leave and offers continuity in crisis, he said: “When savings on office space and utilities are factored in, I would contend that the cost to agencies is negligible.”
Only about half of U.S. counties have E-911 Phase II capability, NENA said in documents filed this week at the FCC. Nationwide, 74.5% of counties have Phase I capability. NENA, which did a survey using a Dept. of Transportation grant, said it would cost $335 million to extend Phase II to all areas.
Telecommuting does more than enable employees to work remotely, a Verizon official told a subcommittee of the House Govt. Reform Committee Tues. It’s a way for govt. agencies to keep working in disasters or national security emergencies, Verizon Federal Pres. Jerry Edgerton said: “It doesn’t take a major… emergency to displace thousands of workers, as several straight days of rain showed us last month,” he told the subcommittee during a hearing on telecommuting. “Through the evolution of traditional communications services, wireless communications and advanced applications, the definition of ’teleworking’ is rapidly broadening,” said Edgerton. Workers can remotely attend training sessions, handle citizens’ calls and “interact” with colleagues, he said. “A successful teleworking program is one in which remote working looks no different than time spent in the office,” Edgerton said. “Undoubtedly barriers remain that prevent agencies from fully reaping the benefits of telecommuting [but] technology is not one of those barriers,” he said. The keys are “security, reliability and agency endorsement,” Edgerton said. The panel should monitor agencies’ teleworking efforts, which boost productivity, help the environment by reducing traffic, permit hiring of the disabled, keep workers who otherwise might leave and offers continuity in crisis, he said: “When savings on office space and utilities are factored in, I would contend that the cost to agencies is negligible.”
Chmn. Martin last week began circulating a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on revised service rules for the 700 MHz auction, readying for a vote at the Aug. 3 FCC meeting. Revised Emergency Alert System (EAS) requirements that have made carriers nervous aren’t on circulation, sources said. Commissioners also are being asked to vote on a broadband over powerlines (BPL) reconsideration item, plus one addressing maritime wireless issues.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued an annual report on the status of its practice with respect to violations of its administrative protective orders (APOs) in investigations under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 in response to a direction contained in the Conference Report to the Customs and Trade Act of 1990. (FR Pub 07/12/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-10914.pdf)
Frustrations kindled by the Copyright Royalty Board’s (CRB’s) early performance have basis, but its mechanics will smooth out, Chief Judge James Sledge told us Wed. The CRB, which in 2004 replaced the 12-year-old Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP), is hearing its first case, on webcasting rates and terms. Sources close to the trial said the board’s actions are complicating the process, making it more costly than litigants anticipated (CD July 11 p2).