The FCC voted 5-0 on Tues. to adopt masks, based on requests by law enforcement agencies, for their use of 4.9 GHz spectrum. As expected, the FCC overrode objections by Motorola, which asked for a more restrictive mask, citing potential interference concerns. Members of the Commission emphasized that the masks give agencies significant flexibility to buy equipment from a broad array of manufacturers.
Public broadcasters are preparing for “a strong grassroots response” to stave off funding cuts for discretionary programs like CPB because of the tight budgetary situation in Congress. The Assn. of Public TV Stations (APTS) believes that with a strong grassroots response from stations, public broadcasters can “make our case for continued funding,” Pres. John Lawson told us. He said despite the Senate’s new composition, “we expect to maintain strong bipartisan support.”
Vonage’s DigitalVoice VoIP service is interstate so it can’t be regulated by state PUCs, the FCC ruled Tues. The ruling, which asserts federal jurisdiction over Vonage-like services, came in response to a preemption petition filed last year by Vonage. Although referring to Vonage service, the decision applies to other types of IP- enabled services, the Commission said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule that amends 15 CFR Parts 740 and 774 effective November 5, 2004, to expand the availability of License Exception CIV for certain "deemed exports" of microprocessor technology on the Commerce Control List (CCL) of the Export Administration Regulations.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule that amends 15 CFR Parts 740, 748, and 774 effective November 5, 2004, to expand the availability of license exceptions for certain "deemed exports" of computer technology and source code under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
An FCC source said while the Triennial Review Order’s final UNE rules appear a “virtual certainty” to get a vote at the Dec. meeting, the Commission has more “leeway” to delay the DTV transition. The source noted that the victory this week of President Bush means Chmn. Powell has more time to complete his agenda. “There’s obviously less urgency now,” the source said: “Powell doesn’t have to leave.”
Washington Trade Daily reports that House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee will have a new chairman next year now that the current chairman, Representative Phil Crane lost his bid for a 19th term on November 2, 2004. WTD dated 11/02-03/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
NAB renewed its push at the FCC to craft emergency alert system (EAS) regulation that would make cable operators better protect local broadcasters’ emergency signals. In comments filed with the FCC on EAS, NAB proposed a selective override in which the FCC mandates that cable operators use a filter system enabling a cable operator to replace certain channels selectively during an EAS interruption.
The FCC started a project to encourage Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) facilities to participate in the Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) program during crises. TRS gives national security and emergency preparedness users priority use of telecom services needed to coordinate and respond to disasters and crises. The FCC said relay services are essential in making sure disabled people can communicate. The new program will provide educational information to TRS facilities and urge them to participate in the TSP programs. The FCC said it would sponsor TRS applications to the National Communications System for participation in the program and help carriers identify circuits or lines that are links to the switch that handles TRS calls.
Making an argument that the measure of “dominant” in a telecom market shouldn’t be limited to a company’s share of “plain old telephone service” (POTS), SBC told FCC staff in an ex parte meeting Oct. 13 that numerous other measurements challenge this traditional approach. Data from outside market research firms show there are 4 other factors that should be taken into consideration in determining dominance, SBC said in a report given out at the meeting: (1) Changing consumer behavior. “Consumers increasingly use multiple forms of devices, networks, connections and applications to communicate,” with wireless and the Internet emerging as “preferred communications methods,” SBC said. (2) Revenue share. Consumers are spending on new communications services at the expense of POTS, SBC said. Nationally, 22 providers have a revenue share of the consumer communications market of greater than 1% and none has more than 9%, SBC said. (3) POTS displacement by VoIP, wireless and other advanced services. About 5% of households in SBC’s territory now use only wireless for their voice service, SBC said. (4) Pricing trends. “Competition in the communication market prevents any one provider from being able to exercise control over the market price, which has been reflected in decreasing average revenue per customer,” SBC said. The average household bill has dropped to $45 from $52 for a package of local and long distance service and to $31 from $51 for broadband data products, the report said.