NTIA, RUS To Delay Announcement Of Broadband Bid Winners

NTIA, RUS To Delay Announcement Of Broadband Bid Winners: "The naming of winning bidders in the broadband stimulus grant/loan program ..."

FCC May Take Back TV Airwaves - WSJ.com

Wall Street Journal article from today on how the FCC may create more spectrum for wireless.

FCC May Take Back TV Airwaves - WSJ.com

Comments on Net Neutrality Due 1.14.10

Last week the FCC issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, titled In the Matter of Preserving the Open Internet Broadband Industry Practices. This is the anticipated Net Neutrality rulemaking proposal. Comments are due January 14, 2010.

The FCC is proposing to codify the four Internet principles it announced in its Internet Policy Statement of 2005 plus two additional principles. The proposed new rules are:

1. Subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service may not prevent any of its users from sending or receiving the lawful content of the user’s choice over the Internet.
2. Subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service may not prevent any of its users from running the lawful applications or using the lawful services of the user’s choice.
3. Subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service may not prevent any of its users from connecting to and using on its network the user’s choice of lawful devices that do not harm the network.
4. Subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service may not deprive any of its users of the user’s entitlement to competition among network providers, application providers, service providers, and content providers.
5. Subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service must treat lawful content, applications, and services in a nondiscriminatory manner.
6. Subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service must disclose such information concerning network management and other practices as is reasonably required for users and content, application, and service providers to enjoy the protections specified in this part.

Where the FCC ultimately comes down on what constitutes ‘reasonable network management’ will determine whether the resulting rules will be manageable or onerous for broadband providers.

The backgrounds and personalities of this FCC is different from years past. These Commissioners appear to be focused on more recent entries into the market than traditional telecom providers. Incumbent providers will need to be diligent in making their concerns known and specific regarding the potential ramifications of hastily considered rules.

Here is a link to the NPRM. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-93A1.doc.
Please contact one of us at the firm if you wish to discuss or submit comments.

Link to article on interactive advertising.

Cable Digital News - Video - Comcast COO: Nat'l Platform Key to
Interactive Ads - Telecom News Analysis

View this online at:
http://ping.fm/nMRqU

Retransmission Reform - Mediacom Asks FCC For Retrans Help

Many companies are looking for similar relief.


Mediacom Asks FCC For Retrans Help: "Mediacom Communications is back in battle formation against Sinclair Broadcas..."

FCC ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF REPORT ON BARRIERS TO BROADBAND ADOPTION BY
THE ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS LAW & POLICY INSTITUTE. News Release. (Dkt
No 09-51 ). News Media Contact: Mark Wigfield at (202) 418-0253, email:
Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov WCB
http://ping.fm/iThH1
http://ping.fm/pm8te
http://ping.fm/pSbwk

Comcast Says TV-Over-The-Net getting high marks in testing

Comcast says TV-over-the-Net getting high marks in testing - Philadelphia Business Journal ( http://ping.fm/WNYUa )

FCC Releases Net Neutrality NPRM

The FCC refers to "Open Internet" rather than Net Neutrality now. The NPRM and Commissioner Statements are on www.fcc.gov.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Home Page: "10/22/09
Commission Seeks Public Input on Draft Rules to Preserve the Free and Open Internet.
NPRM: Word Acrobat
News Release: Word Acrobat
Genachowski Statement: Word Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word Acrobat
Clyburn Statement: Word Acrobat
Baker Statement: Word Acrobat
Staff Presentation: Acrobat"

FCC Approves Proposed Net Neutrality Rules - Political News - FOXNews.com

Look for the FCC to release to release its proposed rules on net
neutrality or "open internet" today. Check in later at www.fcc.gov.

Integra Telecom Earns PHONE+ Top 50 Channel Program Honors | Reuters

Integra Telecom Earns PHONE+ Top 50 Channel Program Honors Reuters

It's AT&T vs. Google in Upper Midwest

It's AT&T vs. Google in Upper Midwest The Republican Eagle Red Wing, Minnesota

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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Begins OpenInternet.gov Blog « ResourceShelf

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Begins OpenInternet.gov Blog « ResourceShelf

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Chorus Against Net Neutrality Grows - Washington Post

 

Washington Post Blog entry on net neutrality. 

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/the_companies_that_sell_equipm.html?wprss=posttech

Chorus Against Net Neutrality Grows

The chorus of critics against a proposal for open-Internet policies at the Federal Communications Commission is growing. Thursday, the companies that sell the equipment for Internet networks and the people laying down fiber and engineering cell phone networks complained to the FCC chairman that the proposal could hurt the economy and slow the spread of broadband Internet networks.

And a common refrain has emerged among the protests. Companies, trade groups and a lawmaker appear to object to details in the proposal that would clearly make the new rules apply only to Internet service providers. A draft proposal being circulated to commissioners include a rewriting of current guidelines that apply only to access providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. Critics, say that while they don't want new guidelines, any changes to the rules should encompass Web applications service and content makers like Google, Amazon and Yahoo. Take a look at my post Wednesday that explains the change.

The proposal should "ensure consistency in all proposed principles by protecting consumers' access to vibrant competition (4th principle) and transparency (6th principle) among all Internet participants, including network providers, application and service providers and content providers," labor union Communications Workers of America wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Thursday.

"Commentary that suggests all the innovation occurs 'at the edge' of the Internet with content and applications and software is both inaccurate and short sighted," Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.), ranking member of the Commerce Committee, wrote to Genachowski earlier this week. "We need to understand whether the commission will apply its principles and rules on an open Internet to everyone in the Internet community or requires additional authority to do so."

The concern was echoed in a letter by AT&T to the FCC's wireline bureau, asking regulators to prevent Google from blocking calls to rural areas through its Web-based voice application, Google Voice: "As communications services increasingly migrate to broadband Internet-based platforms; we can now see the power of Internet-based applications providers to act as gatekeepers who can threaten the “free and open” Internet.

Other letters protest language in the draft proposal that may include managed Internet services in rules that could limit carriers’ ability to offer digital cable and certain premium services, sources that have seen the draft proposal said.

None of these details are public, but they have been trickling out before the proposal goes up for vote next Thursday, Oct. 22. Public interest groups say the criticism appears premature, as the vote next week isn't for final rules. The vote would begin a months-long process, that would include public comment, on what new rules would look like, said Art Brodsky, a spokesman for the advocacy group Public Knowledge.

"In my 20 plus years in this business, I've never seen this kind of noise to try to stop the vote of a proposal just to begin a process of rule-making," Brodsky said. "This is unprecedented."

Report from Minnesota High Speed Broadband Task Force - November 6, 2009

The highly anticipated report from the Minnesota High Speed Broadband Task Force will be presented at the State Capitol on November 6, 2009.

 

Here are the details:

FRIDAY, November 6, 2009
11:00 AM
Room: G-15 Capitol
Chair: Rep. Sheldon Johnson
Agenda: Presentation and overview of the final report of the Minnesota High Speed Broadband Task Force.

 

 

Senate Republicans Send Another Letter to FCC on Net Neutrality

Latest on Net Neutrality from the Washington Post.

Senate Republicans Send Another Letter to FCC on Net Neutrality

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/senate_republicans_sen
d_anothe.html?referrer=emaillink

(c) 2009 The Washington Post Company

Net Neutrality Opponents Continue to Press Case in Washington

Net Neutrality Opponents Continue to Press Case in Washington: "Free-market think tank Phoenix Center circulated a policy bulletin Monday, ..."

Rural Consumers Pay the Price for Network Management Regulation

Rural Consumers Pay the Price for Network Management Regulation

FCC Extends Wireless Inquiry Comment Deadlines

FCC Extends Wireless Inquiry Comment Deadlines: "The FCC has given the public and industry more time to weigh in on its inquir..."

Google Voice service worries North Dakota PSC | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

Google Voice service worries North Dakota PSC | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

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Show Me The Money: Does Net Neutrality Hurt Or Help Investments?

Washington Post blog on net neutrality policy.

 

 

Show Me The Money: Does Net Neutrality Hurt Or Help Investments?

via Post Tech on 10/12/09

Will net neutrality hurt or help the economy? Amid a stubborn recession, that question will take center stage as critics and proponents debate how new rules at the Federal Communications Commission would impact investments in the Web. At a high level, the arguments are straight forward. But the details supporting those views -- which will likely be debated for months at the FCC -- become vastly more complicated. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and proponents of new rules say the next Google or Amazon being cooked up in some garage may not see the light of day if a policy isn't put in place that ensure they'll make it on the Web. "There are hundreds of thousands of Americans whose small businesses rely upon the free and open Internet," Genachowski said in a Q&A last week. "The rules I am proposing seek to preserve the Internet as unparalleled engine for economic

 

 

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FCC Seeks Comment on Cost Estimates for Connecting Anchor Institutions to Fiber

By: Michael R. Bradley

Another public notice from the FCC related to the National Broadband Plan. Comments are due on October 28, 2009.


http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2194A1.pdf

FCC Comment Sought on Broadband Clearinghouse

By: Michael R. Bradley

The FCC released a public notice seeking comment on the topic of a broadband clearinghouse. Comments are due on November 16, 2009. The full notice is found at:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2167A1.pdf

The public notice states, "In the course of the Commission’s development of a National Broadband Plan, its review of the record and discussions during the broadband workshops, several parties have suggested that a broadband clearinghouse should be created for easy access to broadband best practices. A broadband clearinghouse could reduce information barriers for municipalities, agencies, businesses, and non-profits that want insights into more effectively utilizing broadband infrastructure, or into broadband deployment or adoption projects. Such a clearinghouse could also provide information and a forum for scholars and policymakers to gather and contribute data. We seek targeted comment on the notion of a broadband clearinghouse."

FCC Seeks Comment on Impact of Middle and Second Mile Access on Broadband Availability and Development

By: Michael R. Bradley

The FCC is seeking comment on the impact of middle and second mile access on broadband availability and development, which will be used in the development of the National Broadband Plan. The full public notice can be found at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2186A1.pdf

More Spectrum and More Regulation in Store for Wireless Industry

By: Michael R. Bradley

In speaking to the CTIA in San Diego, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced a new initiative to add more wireless spectrum for high-speed internet and gave assurances that the FCC will make efforts to speed up the deployment of 4G wireless networks. Chairman Genachowski indicated that he wanted the make more wireless spectrum available and impose a "shot clock"on local governments reviewing tower applications. He also indicated that he wants to impose net neutrality on the wireless industry.

Links to news coverage:
http://m.news.com/2166-12_3-10369871-10356022.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125493452581671117.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond