The world copyright levy system needs drastic change, an alliance of technology policy leaders said Thurs. Assessing the global copyright levy mechanism for high- tech and consumer electronics products, alliance members urged industry-driven, voluntary efforts to dovetail with emerging and improving content protection technologies like digital rights management applications (DRM). Signatories CEA, the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Assn. (EICTA) and the Japan Electronics & Information Technology Industries Assn. (JEITA) issued the statement at a Brussels summit on DRM.
DirecTV will close its Miami broadcast center that handled its service in Central and S. America by 2nd quarter, eliminating 100 jobs as operations are combined with a similar facility in Long Beach, Cal. At the same time, retailers reported DirecTV has cut the required forecast for purchases of combo satellite receiver/TiVo PVR to 3 months from 6 as it readies delivery its first device based on the NDS PVR platform.
TV’s role in underpinning democracy faces threat from media concentration as well as pressure on public service broadcasters (PSBs) to compete with commercial stations, George Soros’ Open Society Institute (OSI) said Tues. The state of TV in 20 nations, including European Union (EU) members, transition countries, candidate states, and potential candidates such as Turkey was assessed by OSI’s European Union Monitoring & Advocacy Program. As many were reviewing the 1,662-page document, one regulator disputed its claim that commercialism imperils PSBs.
The FCC should consider paging services as it develops a redundant multiplatform emergency alert system (EAS), USA Mobility told the agency. As the FCC readies a further NPRM, it should recall that “paging networks offer distinct features which lead to broad geographic coverage, high reliability and low cost,” the firm said. After Hurricane Katrina, one-way paging and 2-way text messaging were “among the most reliable methods of electronic communication available,” said Mobile USA. The storm interrupted operations at 291 of the firm’s towers along the Gulf Coast, bu USA Mobile restored ground-level service throughout most of the area within 48 hours, enabling first responders to “communicate when other wireline and wireless networks were not functioning,” the firm said. USA Mobile said its system’s design ensures operation in crisis because: (1) Its narrowband PCS network simulcasts messages from multiple towers, easing the impact of a service interruption at one location. (2) The one-way paging network relies on satellite communications to backhaul traffic to each tower, and the 2-way paging network relies on satellite to backhaul traffic to and from each tower. This leaves paging services far less dependent on wireline infrastructure than most cellular services. (3) Paging antennas are located far higher on towers than cellular ones, so paging signals travel farther. (4) The paging network operates at higher power than cellular, enabling wider coverage and deeper penetration into buildings. “The comparatively low prices of one-way and 2-way paging devices and monthly service plans enable federal, state and local government agencies facing budget pressures to equip emergency officials with reliable communications tools,” USA Mobile said: “The long backup battery power associated with paging services also makes them an important and reliable tool for first responders.” Meanwhile, the Rural Cellular Assn. (RCA) warned the FCC of short messaging service and cell broadcast technology’s capacity limitations. The RCA urged study of integration into cellular handsets of a supplemental reception capability so subscribers opting into the service can receive messages broadcast on the national weather alert radio network. Messages important to all would be received by all, RCA said. Local messages would be received from the National Weather Service (NWS) station closest to the cellphone user, it said: “Such a delivery system would be most effective if the wireless network would dynamically program the Specific Area Message Encoding code that corresponds to the area being sent an alert by a local national weather station into the supplemental NWS receiver in the handset as that handset moves from cell to cell.”
Telecom isn’t considered critical enough to be listed among priorities under the Stafford Disaster Relief & Emergency Assistance Act, meaning telecom firms don’t have precedence for restoration of commercial power after natural disasters. Besides facing zero priority, telecom companies in Gulf states ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were hobbled in service restoration efforts by EPA limits on diesel storage and generator exhaust emissions and security issues, our inquiries revealed.
Nothing concrete has emerged about the use of regional coding for the Blu-ray or HD DVD next-gen disc formats. But a search by Consumer Electronics Daily reveals a Blu-ray patent application that suggests any imposition of region codes could be more flexible and considerate of customers’ desires than today’s DVD is.
Satellite radio licensees should comply with FCC Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules, 21 House lawmakers, including Majority Whip Blunt (R-Mo.), said in a letter to FCC Chmn. Martin and Comrs. Abernathy, Copps and Adelstein. As the FCC considers its order to modify EAS rules, it should require satellite radio providers to comply with EAS rules that apply to terrestrial radio, TV broadcast and cable systems, the letter said. The FCC should require satellite radio to participate in national EAS just as it required VoIP services to comply with E-911 obligations, it said.
The wireless industry is watching with concern FCC moves to create a new Homeland Security Bureau, speakers said at a FCBA lunch in Washington. As the FCC prepares a further NPRM on whether to make wireless part of the more robust, multi-modal alert system, speakers warned that the industry doesn’t need another mandate. “To the extent that there is a consumer demand, you are going to see us all responding,” Verizon Wireless Deputy Gen. Counsel John Scott said: “Regulations would restrain carriers from moving ahead.”
GlobalStar said it developed an emergency communications system consisting of a satellite backhaul network mated to a miniaturized cellular system, or picocell. The system can link to the public telephone network, GlobalStar said. Called GEMCOMS, the fixed unit system is “similar to one of the products that Globalstar plans to develop if and when the FCC grants an authorization to deploy an Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC),” a company statement said. Officials said they expect an FCC ruling on GlobalStar’s ATC application 4th quarter this year. GEMCOMS consists of multiple Globalstar fixed phones connected to a mini cellular switch, so emergency workers can use Globalstar to call anyone on the public telephone network using standard cell phones, officials said. The system permits connection to satellite from inside buildings, said a spokeswoman for National Communications System, which deployed a unit in the St. Bernard parish.
Satellite radio licensees should comply with FCC Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules, 21 House lawmakers, including Majority Whip Blunt (R-Mo.), said in a letter to FCC Chmn. Martin and Comrs. Abernathy, Copps and Adelstein. As the FCC considers its order to modify EAS rules, it should require satellite radio providers to comply with EAS rules that apply to terrestrial radio, TV broadcast and cable systems, the letter said. The FCC should require satellite radio to participate in national EAS just as it required VoIP services to comply with E-911 obligations, it said.