Kevin Taglang

Headlines will return TUESDAY, March 2 (in the afternoon)

Headlines is off to explore wireless broadband solutions* in Cameron County (TX). We'll be back TUESDAY, February 23.

The proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal got two Congressional hearings on Thursday. The House Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet held a morning hearing. In general, Democrats talked about a careful and extensive review of potential anticompetitive harms, with a particular focus on access to online video, for which there are no program access regulations, the effects on broadband of combining the nation's top residential broadband provider with the fourth largest content provider and the effects on diversity and localism, among other topics. Republicans countered that the deal was between two companies with little overlap and presented few anticompetitive threats. They warned against turning the review into a referendum on criticisms of media in general or attempting to apply conditions in a game of "what ifs."

Monday was federal budget day in DC. Here's a quick take on some communications and technology-related issues raised in the fiscal year 2011 budget proposal which the White House says focuses on job creation, middle class security, and fiscal sustainability.

Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts is in Washington (DC), scheduled to speak at the State of the Net conference and pitch, of course, the proposed takeover of NBC. In an Q&A...

Last week a number of commenters weighed in on the National Cable and Telecommunications Association proposal to overhaul the federal Universal Service Fund by establishing procedures for reducing the amount of universal service high-cost support provided to rural rate of return carriers (RLECs) in areas where NCTA claims there is extensive unsubsidized facilities-based voice competition.

As is our tradition here (really, you can look it up), we're off to serve as back-up elves at Macy's for the remainder of the year and, therefore, will be unable to provide you, our dedicated readers, with our Headline service until January 4. We wish everyone communications-filled holidays!

On December 1, the Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice seeking comment on whether to issue a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) relating to the appropriate policy framework to facilitate and respond to the market-led transition in technology and services, from the circuit switched Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) system to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications world. Here's a look at the input the agency has received.

In early December, the Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice requesting public input specific data on the use of spectrum currently licensed to broadcast television stations. Here's a look at the public's input.

In early December, the Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice seeking comment on how the FCC can encourage innovation in the market for video devices that will assist the Commission's development of a National Broadband Plan. The convergence of the television and content delivered by IP makes this a critical time to promote innovation in set-top devices that could support the FCC's effort to drive broadband adoption and utilization. Accordingly, the FCC is considering taking an active role in formulating a solution that will spur the development of a retail market for nationally portable video devices that will work across all delivery platforms.