The National Communications System (NCS) has been moved officially to the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), ending a 40-year affiliation with the Defense Dept. Lt. Gen. Harry Raduege, who remains dir.-Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), passed his responsibilities to Maj. Gen. Bruce Lawlor, chief of staff for DHS. NCS said that “pending nomination” by President Bush and confirmation by the Senate, DHS’s undersecy. for information assurance and infrastructure protection would serve as NCS mgr. Lawlor called NCS’s work with the National Security Telecom Advisory Committee a model for industry/govt. partnership for national security and emergency preparedness. NCS, while now under the DHS umbrella, will remain at its present site at DISA hq in Arlington, Va., “until further notice.”
Oversupplies of direct-view analog and digital TVs have spawned more plant shutdowns and have touched off price war at retail, Consumer Electronics Daily survey found.
Legislation introduced Thurs. in the Senate would prevent the FCC from holding auctions for Multichannel Video Distribution & Data Service (MVDDS). The proposed Emergency Communications & Competition Act (ECCA) (S-564), introduced by Sen. Landrieu (D-La.), is designed to speed deployment of MVDDS, which she said would reduce cable rates and create more broadband access. Northpoint probably would be the biggest benefactor of such legislation, sources said.
Legislatures in 34 states have taken up bills this year on driver distraction from cellphone use, ranging from proposed requirements for hands-free devices to stepped-up data collection on accident reports. “The number keeps growing on a daily basis,” said Matthew Sundeen, a policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). “There’s more momentum on the issue.”
Wireless network interoperability among disparate public safety agencies contributes little to national security efforts unless those entities plan for and rehearse interagency communications for catastrophic events, panelists said Thurs. at a Dept. of Defense standardization symposium in Washington. Such efforts often are overshadowed by discussions of interoperable technology deployment, despite the critical need for neighboring state, regional and local agencies to work and plan together, Motorola Business Development Dir. Dennis Dibos said: “It seems so fundamental, yet throughout our history it’s been seldom done.”
Senate Communications Subcommittee Chmn. Burns (R-Mont.) said he would introduce a bill to prevent states from misallocating E911 funds, which he called “a raw violation of citizens’ trust… This situation is irresponsible, dangerous and cannot be tolerated.”
MARTA buying group retail members are getting 2nd look from manufacturers with mainstreaming of new display technologies and recent decision by Circuit City to switch to non-commissioned sales force, industry officials told Consumer Electronics Daily at group’s meetings in Orlando.
Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee released witness list for Wed. hearing on E-911 implementation. Witnesses include: Sen. Clinton (D-N.Y.); Rep. Shimkus (R- Ill.); Rep. Eshoo (D-Cal.); Michael Amarosa, TruePosition vp-public affairs; Thera Bradshaw, International Associated Public Safety Communications Officials; Jenny Hanson, Mont. Public Safety Services Office; David Koon (D), N.Y. State Assembly Member, John Melcher, pres., National Emergency Number Assn.; Mark Tuller, Verizon Wireless gen. counsel. Hearing is March 5, 9:30 a.m., Rm. 253, Russell Bldg.
Building access, Internet telephony, customer service quality and telemarketing took center stage in final panels as NARUC wrapped up its winter meeting in Washington Wed. All telecom resolutions adopted by policy committees were approved by NARUC’s board as official policy.
Some industry groups urged FCC to exercise caution before expanding basic and Enhanced 911 rules beyond wireless operators now covered. Motorola, Telecom Industry Assn. (TIA) and others said Commission shouldn’t stretch limited public safety resources beyond continuing efforts on Phase 2 wireless E911. FCC in Dec. adopted further notice to study whether mobile satellite service (MSS) operators, multiline phone systems, IP telephony providers and telematics systems should meet E911 mandates. Commenters were split on how MSS licensees should be required to track location of emergency calls. Challenge of applying E911 to PDAs and IP telephony was raised repeatedly.