March 2008

FCC MEETING RECAP
Improving FCC Broadband Data Collection
FCC Releases Data on High-Speed Services for Internet Access
Public Knowledge Gives FCC Mixed Review on Broadband Actions
Commission Seeks nominations for=20
Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services
Second FCC Hearing on Network Neutrality
Three Items removed from FCC Agenda/FCC=20
Yields To DirecTV, Dish On HD Carriage
FCC Bans Exclusive Contracts for=20
Telecommunications Services in Apartment Buildings
Adopted Emergency Call Handling=20
Requirements for Internet-based TRS Providers

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
More People See Federal Government as=20
Secretive; Nearly All Want to Know
Where Candidates Stand on Transparency
Bush picks security aide with wiretap background

ELECTIONS & MEDIA
Obama Tells the Best Political Team on=20
Television: You Guys Have a Choice...

JOURNALISM
Five Years of the War in Iraq: Where's the Media Coverage?

BROADCASTING
NBC Puts 2 Owned Stations on Block
As Deadline Nears, Confusion Clouds Clear Channel Buyout
Tribune Mergers Miami TV, Paper Operations

INTERNET/BROADBAND
EU sets 30 percent broadband target for 2010
A Framework for a National Broadband Policy
Universal Broadband Grants for New York Announced
Older Internet Users Feel Web Advertising and Content Not Relevant
Company-created info sites deliver blow to print media

SPECTRUM/WIRELESS
700MHz auction: FCC decision coming on public safety block
FCC Asked to Probe Auction
Verizon opens up -- reluctantly

TELECOM
Kids, Thugs, Dogs, Cats Drafted Into TV Battle

QUICKLY -- The Quest to Protect Creative Policy=20
Ideas; Study: Few People to Spend Tax Rebate On=20
Gadgets; S.F. proposes fines for unwanted=20
newspapers; Philadelphia=92s Leading Healthcare and=20
Broadcast Institutions Unite to Help the=20
Southeast Asian Community; Study: Subliminal ads warp your brain

FCC MEETING RECAP

IMPROVING FCC BROADBAND DATA COLLECTION
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted an=20
order Wednesday aimed at increasing the precision=20
and quality of broadband subscribership data=20
collected every six months from broadband=20
services providers. Improvements include=20
collecting detailed subscribership information on=20
a local level and more detailed information about=20
the speed of broadband service. Specifically,=20
the Order will: 1) Expand the number of broadband=20
reporting speed tiers to capture more precise=20
information about upload and download broadband=20
speeds in the marketplace, 2) Require broadband=20
providers to report numbers of broadband=20
subscribers by Census Tract, broken down by speed=20
tier and technology type, and 3) Improve the=20
accuracy of information the Commission gathers=20
about mobile wireless broadband deployment. Also,=20
in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the=20
FCC seeks comment on broadband service pricing=20
and availability. Separately, the FCC adopted a=20
report showing that broadband services are=20
currently being deployed to all Americans in a=20
reasonable and timely fashion. The Fifth Report=20
to Congress on broadband deployment under Section=20
706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 finds=20
that there have been considerable changes and=20
advances in the delivery of broadband-based=20
services and applications since the Fourth Report in 2004.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280909A1.doc
** See much more at:
http://www.benton.org/node/10234

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RELEASES DATA=20
ON HIGH-SPEED SERVICES FOR INTERNET ACCESS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission released=20
new data on high-speed connections to the=20
Internet in the United States. For reporting=20
purposes, high-speed lines are connections that=20
deliver services at speeds exceeding 200 kilobits=20
per second (kbps) in at least one direction,=20
while advanced services lines are connections=20
that deliver services at speeds exceeding 200=20
kbps in both directions. 1) High-speed lines=20
increased by 22% during the first half of 2007,=20
from 82.8 million to 100.9 million lines in=20
service, following a 27% increase, from 65.3=20
million to 82.8 million lines, during the second=20
half of 2006. 2) Advanced services lines=20
increased by 16% during the first half of 2007,=20
from 59.8 million to 69.6 million lines. 3) The=20
FCC estimates that high-speed DSL connections=20
were available to 82% of the households to whom=20
incumbent LECs could provide local telephone=20
service as of June 30, 2007, and that high-speed=20
cable modem service was available to 96% of the=20
households to whom cable system operators could provide cable TV service.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280904A1.doc
* High-Speed Services for Internet Access: Status as of June 30, 2007
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280906A1.doc
** See more at:
http://www.benton.org/node/10235

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE GIVES FCC MIXED REVIEW ON BROADBAND ACTIONS
[SOURCE: Public Knowledge, AUTHOR: Gigi Sohn]
"The Commission today presented a mixed message=20
to the public. On one hand, the Commission issued=20
another report finding that broadband deployment=20
in the U.S. was proceeding in a =93reasonable and=20
timely=94 fashion. As Commissioners Copps and=20
Adelstein pointed out, the report is based on=20
faulty and incomplete information and so does not=20
present a true picture of broadband deployment.=20
It is a mystery why the Commission chose to issue=20
this report when, mere moments later, the=20
Commission admitted the inadequacy of the=20
information by starting the process to update the=20
data collection on broadband. The Commission=20
should be commended for recognizing the need to=20
change long-outdated definition of broadband it=20
had been using, and for starting the process to=20
collect much more detailed information about=20
broadband capabilities and deployment. It is=20
unfortunate that information about the=20
residential market is not separated from the=20
commercial, and that information on pricing was=20
put off to a further proceeding. While it=20
contemplates its new data collection, The=20
Commission should also consider making its=20
information available to the public on a more=20
frequent basis than the twice-yearly reports it issues now."
http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1464

COMMISSION SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR FEDERAL-STATE=20
JOINT CONFERENCE ON ADVANCED SERVICES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
martin announced that the FCC is reconstituting=20
the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced=20
Services (Joint Conference). The Joint Conference=20
was convened in 1999 as part of the Commission's=20
ongoing efforts to ensure that advanced services=20
are deployed as rapidly as possible to all=20
Americans. It serves as a forum for an ongoing=20
dialogue among the Commission, state regulators,=20
and local and regional entities regarding the=20
deployment of advanced telecommunications=20
capabilities. It is comprised of commissioners=20
from state public utilities commissions and from=20
the Federal Communications Commission. Chairman=20
Kevin Martin announced the designation of=20
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate to serve as=20
Chair of the Joint Conference. In addition, the=20
Commission is soliciting nominations for state=20
commission representatives from the National=20
Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners=20
(NARUC) for seats on the Joint Conference. The=20
Commission will announce a meeting date after new=20
Joint Conference members have been selected.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280899A1.doc
* Commissioner Tate: "Broadband deployment is one=20
of my chief priorities at the Commission and my=20
state colleagues share this laudable goal as=20
well. In fact, many states are currently=20
conducting or exploring initiatives in broadband=20
deployment like Connect-Tennessee. They are on=20
the ground, know the providers and the unique=20
needs of their communities; and we can certainly=20
learn a great deal from these efforts. In this=20
role, I will reach out to states, consumer=20
advocates and industry providers across all=20
platforms to preserve and advance the principles set forth by Congress."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280922A1.doc

SECOND FCC HEARING ON NETWORK NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission announced a=20
public En Banc hearing to be held at Stanford=20
University in Palo Alto, California on Thursday,=20
April 17, 2008. The Commission will hear from=20
expert panelists regarding broadband network=20
management practices and Internet-related=20
issues. The hearing scheduled at Stanford=20
University is the second such hearing on=20
broadband network management practices and=20
Internet-related issues to be held by the FCC and=20
follows a similar hearing held at Harvard Law=20
School last month. The hearing at Stanford=20
University is open to the public, and seating=20
will be available on a first-come, first-served=20
basis. Additional details on this hearing will=20
be forthcoming. The public may file comments or=20
other documents with the Commission and should=20
reference docket numbers 07-52 and 08-7 when=20
filing by paper or submit your filing=20
electronically by going to=20
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi=20
and enter proceeding numbers 07-52 and=20
08-7. Filing instructions are provided at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280895A1.doc

THREE ITEMS REMOVED FROM FCC AGENDA
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC removed three items from Wednesday's=20
agenda after approving: 1) an order regarding=20
carriage of digital broadcast television signals=20
by satellite carriers, 2) changes to the radiated=20
power rules applicable to certain wireless=20
services, and 3) spectrum sharing among incumbent=20
and future services in the 2495-2500 MHz band.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280893A1.doc
* FCC Yields To DirecTV, Dish On HD Carriage
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
DirecTV and Dish Network have won major=20
concessions from the Federal Communications=20
Commission on the carriage of local TV signals in=20
high-definition (HD) format following completion=20
of broadcasters=92 digital transition early next=20
year. DirecTV and Dish Network struck a deal with=20
the FCC that was far better than the HD carriage=20
rules the FCC imposed on all cable operators,=20
regardless of size, last September. The satellite=20
giants=97which combined serve about 30 million=20
pay-TV subscribers=97convinced FCC officials that=20
they lacked the channel capacity to provide every=20
eligible station in HD immediately. They insisted=20
that they needed several years to prepare for a=20
full HD carriage requirement. HD signals stress=20
capacity because they take up much more bandwidth=20
than digital signal transmitted at lower=20
resolution. The FCC=92s HD rules for satellite were=20
far more lenient than the ones originally=20
proposed by FCC chairman Kevin Martin. He started=20
off at full HD carriage in February 2009, coupled=20
with a market-by-market waiver process.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6543480.html?nid=3D4262

FCC BANS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS FOR=20
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
In an order adopted today, the FCC banned=20
carriers from entering into exclusive contracts=20
to provide telecommunications services in=20
residential apartment buildings, and prohibited=20
enforcement of existing contracts that contain=20
exclusivity provisions. The Commission found that=20
these exclusive agreements between carriers and=20
building owners hurt consumers and harm=20
competition, with little evidence of=20
countervailing benefits. Moreover, exclusive=20
contracts have blocked access by consumers to=20
competitive and popular "triple-play" offerings=20
of voice, video and broadband. Opening the door=20
to competitive telecommunications services will=20
help provide consumers with increased access to=20
and choice of such providers. The Commission's=20
action is consistent with its previous moves to=20
expand competition for communications services in apartment buildings.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280908A1.doc
* FCC bans exclusive telephone service deals in apartment buildings
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9897954-7.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&tag=
=3D2547-1_3-0-5

ADOPTED EMERGENCY CALL HANDLING REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNET-BASED TRS PROVIDE=
RS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
On Wednesday the Federal Communications=20
Commission released a report and order on=20
emergency call handling requirements for=20
Internet-based telecommunications relay service=20
(TRS) providers. These measures will ensure that=20
persons using Internet-based forms of TRS,=20
i.e.,Video Relay Service (VRS), Internet=20
Protocol (IP) Relay, and IP captioned telephone=20
relay service (IP CTS), can promptly access=20
emergency services, pending adoption of a=20
solution that will permit Internet-based TRS=20
providers to immediately and automatically place=20
the outbound leg of an emergency call to an=20
appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP),=20
designated statewide default answering point, or=20
appropriate local emergency authority.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-78A1.doc
* Commissioner Copps: "A 911 call may be the most=20
important call you'll ever make. When most=20
people place such a call, 911 operators=20
immediately know where they are calling from=20
based on their phone number. But imagine if the=20
operator didn't know because you don't have a=20
phone number and because you're not calling from=20
a traditional phone line. Imagine the additional=20
time it would take to determine where to send=20
emergency services or worse, imagine if the=20
operator refused to take your call at all. The=20
deaf and hard of hearing don't need to imagine=20
these situations because they have faced these=20
scary scenarios when relying upon Internet-based=20
Telecommunications Relay Services such as Video=20
Relay Service, Internet Protocol Relay and=20
IP-captioned telephone relay service to communicate."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-78A2.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein: "Today we take a=20
significant step in furtherance of the Americans=20
with Disabilities Act's (ADA) powerful mandate=20
that telecommunications services for those with=20
hearing and speech disabilities be "functionally=20
equivalent" to those services provided to hearing=20
individuals. A hallmark of a functionally=20
equivalent service must be the ability to access=20
emergency services. Indeed, the ability to reach=20
public safety officials via "911" has had a=20
remarkably beneficial impact on American consumers."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-78A3.doc
* Commissioner Tate: "The dynamic and marvelous=20
innovations and devices that we as consumers use=20
everyday enable us to be connected globally=20
whether for travel or education; entertainment or=20
telemedicine. However, today, we ensure that all=20
Americans benefit from advances in=20
telecommunications services and equipment as=20
Congress intended, specifically in times of=20
emergency. While I often advocate a light=20
regulatory touch for Internet-based services, it=20
is essential that critical social goals-such as=20
TRS-are implemented in an equitable and=20
non-discriminatory manner across platforms,=20
service-providers and specific technologies."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-78A4.doc

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

MORE PEOPLE SEE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS SECRETIVE;=20
NEARLY ALL WANT TO KNOW WHERE CANDIDATES STAND ON TRANSPARENCY
[SOURCE: American Society of Newspaper Editors news release]
Three-quarters of American adults view the=20
federal government as secretive, and nearly nine=20
in 10 say it's important to know presidential and=20
congressional candidates' positions on open=20
government when deciding who to vote for,=20
according to a Sunshine Week survey by Scripps=20
Howard News Service and Ohio University. The=20
survey shows a significant increase over the past=20
three years in the percentage of Americans who=20
believe the federal government is very or=20
somewhat secretive, from 62 percent of those=20
surveyed in 2006 to 74 percent in 2008.
http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=3D3688585

BUSH PICKS SECURITY AIDE WITH WIRETAP BACKGROUND
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Randall Mikkelsen]
President George W. Bush named a Justice=20
Department official with experience in terrorism=20
wiretap programs as his White House homeland=20
security adviser on Wednesday. President Bush=20
chose Kenneth Wainstein, the department's first=20
assistant attorney general for national security=20
and a former FBI general counsel, to succeed=20
Frances Townsend as assistant to the president=20
for homeland security and counterterrorism.=20
Townsend stepped down in November. Wainstein, in=20
his Justice Department post, oversaw efforts to=20
bring Bush's controversial warrantless domestic=20
wiretapping program under the auspices of the=20
secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.=20
Critics have charged the wiretap program launched=20
by Bush after the September 11 attacks was=20
illegal because it lacked court oversight.=20
Wainstein has also helped lead the=20
administration's effort to pass new surveillance=20
legislation that would grant legal immunity to=20
telecommunications companies that took part in Bush's surveillance program.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1932456920080319

ELECTIONS & MEDIA

OBAMA TELLS THE BEST POLITICAL TEAM ON TELEVISION: YOU GUYS HAVE A CHOICE...
[SOURCE: The Huffington Post, AUTHOR: Jay Rosen]
[Commentary] This is the style of analysis--and=20
the level of thought--we have become miserably=20
utterly used to: everything is a move in the game=20
of getting elected, and it's our job in political=20
television to explain to you, the slightly=20
clueless viewer at home, what the special tactics=20
in this case are, then to estimate whether they=20
will work. But Greg Sargent at Talking Points=20
Memo said, "Obama's speech, throughout, asks its=20
listeners to transcend themselves -- it asks them=20
to choose nuance over cartoonish political=20
controversy; it asks them to acknowledge stuff=20
about race they don't want to acknowledge; it=20
asks them to think big instead of small." In fact=20
it was a speech aimed right at television's=20
chattering class and all the makers of our election year spectacle.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-rosen/obama-tells-the-best-poli_b_9213...
tml
* A Complex Speech, Boiled Down to Simple Politics (Howard Kurtz)
[Commentary] Sen Obama challenged the media to=20
lift their level of discourse above the=20
inflammatory rhetoric of his former pastor,=20
Jeremiah Wright. On the nightly newscasts and in=20
the morning papers, many journalists did try to=20
grapple with the complexity of Obama's Tuesday=20
address about the roots of racial tension. But=20
when the story hit the Cuisinart of talk-show=20
debate, it got whipped into a single question:=20
Did Obama adequately distance himself from the=20
radioactive reverend? Not surprisingly, most=20
liberals loved the speech and many conservatives=20
-- though not all -- lambasted it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/19/AR200803...
3497.html

JOURNALISM

FIVE YEARS OF THE WAR IN IRAQ: WHERE'S THE MEDIA COVERAGE
[SOURCE: The Huffington Post, AUTHOR: Paul Rieckhoff]
[Commentary] This week marks the fifth=20
anniversary of the war in Iraq, but you wouldn't=20
know it from what you see on TV. With all the=20
scandal-mongering coverage of the Democratic=20
primary, the media's been too busy to spend much=20
time talking about the two wars we're still=20
fighting. In fact, just 3% of the news in=20
February was dedicated to the war. That's down=20
from 15% of news coverage last July. For the men=20
and women risking their lives overseas, that's a=20
slap in the face. And it's skewing Americans'=20
perceptions of the war. Over 80% of Americans are=20
aware that Oprah Winfrey endorsed Senator Obama,=20
yet only 28% know how many American troops have=20
died in Iraq. That's less than one in three=20
Americans. For any readers who aren't sure, the=20
casualty number is about to hit 4,000. You can=20
see the names and faces of these brave men and=20
women here. Most Americans will say that it's the=20
very least we can do is take the time to honor=20
their sacrifice. But how can we, as Americans,=20
claim to be honoring their sacrifice if the=20
average American can't even measure it?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-rieckhoff/five-years-of-the-war-in-_b...
317.html
Believe It or Not -- 5 Years Ago Many Top Newspapers Opposed the War
[SOURCE: The Huffington Post, AUTHOR: Greg Mitchell]
[Commentary] You may be surprised to learn that,=20
precisely five years ago, at least one-third of=20
the top newspapers in this country came out=20
against President Bush taking us to war at that=20
time. Many of the papers may have fumbled the WMD=20
coverage, and only timidly raised questions about=20
the need for war, but when push came to shove=20
five years ago they wanted to wait longer to move=20
against Saddam, or not move at all.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchell/believe-it-or-not-5-ye_b_922...
html
* Penn's War: Media Lap Dogs Backed Iraq Mess
Sean Penn, the=20
actor-director-turned-political-activist,=20
narrates a new anti-war documentary that alleges=20
U.S. presidents since Kennedy have manipulated the public to wage wars.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=3D4477332&page=3D1
* Why Are Winter Soldiers Not News?
Dozens of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan=20
wars gathered in Silver Spring, Maryland last=20
weekend for the Winter Soldier: Iraq and=20
Afghanistan hearings (3/13/08-3/16/08), where=20
they offered harrowing testimony about atrocities=20
they had witnessed or participated in directly.=20
The BBC predicted that the event, organized by=20
Iraq Veterans Against the War, "could be=20
dominating the headlines around the world this=20
week." The hearings were covered as far afield as=20
the U.K., Australia (Australian Broadcasting=20
Corporation), Croatia (Javno), and Iran (Press=20
TV). Yet there has been an almost complete media=20
blackout on this historic news event in the U.S. corporate media.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3D3318

BROADCASTING

NBC PUTS 2 OWNED STATIONS ON BLOCK
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Michele Greppi]
NBC is selling two of its owned stations, WTVJ-TV=20
in Miami and WVIT-TV in Hartford, Conn. The sale=20
of Miami=92s WTVJ, which serves the 16th-largest TV=20
market in the country, and Hartford=92s WVIT, in=20
the No. 29 market, leave NBC Universal with eight=20
English-language stations, the smallest such=20
group owned by one of the major broadcast=20
networks. Some observers said the decision to=20
sell WTVJ and WVIT suggests parent company NBC=20
Universal is trying to get maximum value out of=20
the stations before they lose power. In Miami, a=20
major Hispanic population center, NBC Universal=20
also owns the Spanish-language Telemundo network=20
and Telemundo station WSCV-TV, which an NBCU=20
representative said is not up for sale. One=20
industry source familiar with the local stations=20
landscape said the availability of these two=20
stations might lead to questions from potential=20
buyers about other NBC-owned stations.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/03/nbc_puts_2_owned_stations_on_b.php
(requires free registration)

AS DEADLINE NEARS, CONFUSION CLOUDS CLEAR CHANNEL BUYOUT
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Matthew=20
Karnitschnig matthew.karnitschnig( at )wsj.com]
Confusion surrounded the buyout of Clear Channel=20
Communications yesterday amid escalating tensions=20
between the private-equity companies behind the=20
deal and the banks that have agreed to finance=20
it. As a key deadline approached, it was unclear=20
whether the deal would close, some 16 months=20
after it was announced. These doubts prompted a=20
nearly 9% drop in Clear Channel's shares to=20
$32.60, below the $39.20 per share Thomas H. Lee=20
and Bain Capital LLC agreed to pay for the=20
company in May, suggesting the market is betting=20
the transaction won't close. If the deal isn't=20
completed by the end of a so-called marketing=20
period, which ends next week, Clear Channel could=20
turn to the courts to force the private-equity=20
concerns and the banks to finish the deal. People=20
close to three of the five banks funding the=20
deal, which include Citigroup Inc., Royal Bank of=20
Scotland Group PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, Credit=20
Suisse Group and Morgan Stanley, insisted the=20
syndicate was prepared to go ahead with the deal.=20
They blamed the private-equity companies for=20
delaying the close. People close to the=20
private-equity concerns assert it is the banks that are holding out.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120598326920151039.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)

TRIBUNE MERGES MIAMI TV, PAPER OPERATIONS
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
Tribune Co. announced that it will join the=20
broadcast and interactive operations of its Miami=20
CW affiliate WSFL with those of its Fort=20
Lauderdale-based newspaper, the South Florida=20
Sun-Sentinel, under a single roof. Tribune said=20
that the benefits of combining TV, newspaper and=20
online operations in South Florida include: 1)=20
The Sun-Sentinel will serve as a =93new and=20
innovative content engine for WSFL=92s on-air and=20
online programming.=94 2) More choices and greater=20
market coverage for advertisers. 3) Increased=20
efficiency for advertisers, who will have a=20
single point of contact for all three properties.=20
and 4) Unlimited cross-promotional activities.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/03/19/daily.6/

INTERNET/BROADBAND

EU SETS 30 PERCENT BROADBAND TARGET FOR 2010
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Huw Jones]
The European Commission wants to raise broadband=20
Internet penetration in the European Union to 30=20
percent in 2010 from 20 percent today in an=20
effort to drive economic growth, its top telecoms=20
regulator said on Wednesday. Information Society=20
Commissioner Viviane Reding said only eight of=20
the bloc's 27 member states were ahead of the=20
United States in broadband use, with Denmark,=20
Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden world leaders=20
with nearly a third of homes hooked up. Reding=20
said she wants broadband penetration to hit 30=20
percent by 2010 and that her proposed reforms of=20
the telecoms market would help the bloc reach=20
this target. Reding sees increasing the use of=20
broadband as key to boosting competition in the=20
retail sector, offering consumers more choice and=20
driving down prices. Broadband is also seen as=20
key to helping set up new businesses, particularly in more remote regions.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSL1992113920080319
* FCC overhauls its broadband data as EU points and laughs
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Nate Anderson]
[Commentary] That chortling you hear is the sound=20
of Brussels bureaucrats. The EU today released=20
new data on broadband availability across the=20
region and concluded that eight European=20
countries (including Denmark, Finland, the=20
Netherlands, and Sweden) have better broadband penetration than the US.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080319-fcc-overhauls-its-broadban...
ata-as-eu-points-and-laughs.html

A FRAMEWORK FOR A NATIONAL BROADBAND POLICY
[SOURCE: Aspen Institute, AUTHOR: Philip J. Weiser et al]
While the importance of broadband access to=20
functioning modern society is now clear, millions=20
of Americans remain unconnected, and Washington=20
has not yet presented any clear plan for fixing=20
the problem. Condensing discussions from the 2008=20
Conference on Communications Policy and Aspen=20
Institute Roundtable on Spectrum Policy (AIRS)=20
into a single report, Professor Philip Weiser of=20
the University of Colorado at Boulder offers a=20
series of specific and concrete policy=20
recommendations for expanding access,=20
affordability, and adoption of broadband in the United States.
http://www.aspeninstitute.org/atf/cf/%7Bdeb6f227-659b-4ec8-8f84-8df23ca7...
5%7D/A_FRAMEWORK_FOR_A_NATIONAL_BROADBAND_POLICY.PDF=20

UNIVERSAL BROADBAND GRANTS FOR NEW YORK ANNOUNCED
[SOURCE: Government Technology]
New York Governor David A. Paterson announced=20
that nine public/private sector partnerships will=20
receive funds to help promote the research,=20
design and implementation of innovative solutions=20
to create affordable broadband Internet access=20
for underserved urban and rural communities=20
throughout the state. The New York State Council=20
for Universal Broadband, which is charged with=20
developing strategies to ensure every New Yorker=20
has access to affordable, high-speed Internet=20
service, met for the second time this week and=20
the competitive grants were announced at that=20
meeting. The funds will help build high-speed=20
broadband access networks, foster equal and=20
universal access in underserved areas, and=20
develop digital literacy programs. "In an age=20
when our competitiveness depends on fast and easy=20
access to information, too many communities in=20
New York State still lack sufficient broadband=20
access," said Governor Paterson. "Improved=20
broadband technologies can spur economic=20
development, increase learning opportunities and=20
connect more New Yorkers to the wide array of=20
resources available online, including government=20
services. The Council will provide strategic=20
oversight as we work with these partnerships to=20
ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-speed=20
Internet and the skills necessary to get the most out of online tools."
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/276287?utm_source=3Drss&utm_medium=3D...

OLDER INTERNET USERS FEEL WEB ADVERTISING AND CONTENT NOT RELEVANT
[SOURCE: Center for Media Research, AUTHOR: Jack Loechner]
A recent BurstMedia survey of more than 13,000=20
web users 18 years and older found that online=20
content providers are not meeting the needs of=20
all age segments. A majority of Internet users 45=20
years and older believe online content is focused=20
on younger age segments. Overall, 52.0% of=20
respondents believe Internet content is primarily=20
focused toward people their own age. Not=20
surprisingly, says the study, younger respondents=20
are most likely to say online content is focused=20
on people their age. This is particularly true=20
for the 18-24 year and 25-34 year segments.=20
Additionally, 55.7% of respondents 35-44 years=20
perceive online content as focused toward their=20
age segment. Few respondents 55 years and older=20
say Internet content is primarily focused on people their age.
http://blogs.mediapost.com/research_brief/?p=3D1663
* Online Ageism =96Content and Advertising Miss an Important Target
http://www.burstmedia.com/research/current.asp

COMPANY-CREATED INFO SITES DELIVER BLOW TO PRINT MEDIA
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Mike Feibus]
If you haven't seen PC.com, you should check it=20
out. It is a well-designed, easy-to-navigate new=20
Web site that cuts through all the techno-speak=20
that can make purchasing a PC so intimidating.=20
Neophytes and casual computer users will find the=20
slick video tutorials and other powerful,=20
easy-to-use decision-making tools helpful. But=20
PC.com is more than just a well-presented=20
Internet information service. It is a harbinger=20
that will send a chill through the publishing=20
world. Here's the rub: PC.com is designed, built,=20
funded, sourced and hosted by Intel Corp., the=20
world's largest and most powerful chipmaker. Put=20
another way, Intel is taking a portion of its=20
nine-figure marketing budget - dollars that=20
otherwise would be spent on ads in this and other=20
media - and delivering editorial content directly=20
to the public. That stings the media on two=20
fronts: lost income and lost readers.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/opinion/ci_8635236?nclick_check=3D1

SPECTRUM/WIRELESS

700MHZ AUCTION: FCC DECISION COMING ON PUBLIC SAFETY BLOCK
[SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Grant Gross]
The Federal Communications Commission closed its=20
auction of 700MHz spectrum late Tuesday, but it=20
faces a major decision on what to do with a block=20
of spectrum designated for use by public safety=20
agencies that did not meet the minimum bidding=20
requirements. high bid for the so-called D block,=20
a 10MHz band of spectrum that would have been=20
paired with another 10MHz assigned to public=20
safety agencies, was only $472 million, far short=20
of the $1.33 billion reserve price set by the=20
FCC. Until the FCC decides what next to do with=20
the D block, it won't announce the winners of the=20
rest of the spectrum, a source at the FCC said.=20
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed that=20
commissioners "de-link" the D block from the rest=20
of the spectrum, allowing the FCC to make new=20
rules for the sale of the public safety block,=20
the source said. The FCC does not yet have a=20
timeframe for the decision on whether to de-link=20
the D block. The FCC required that the winning D=20
block bidder build a nationwide voice and data=20
network to be shared among commercial users and=20
public safety agencies such as police and fire=20
departments. But several of the rules attached to=20
the D block raised objections, including a=20
requirement that the winning bidder would have to=20
give up millions of dollars in a deposit if it=20
couldn't come to an agreement on network design=20
with the Public Safety Spectrum Trust, which=20
controls the public safety spectrum. The winner=20
of the D block would also have had to spend=20
billions of dollars to build a nationwide=20
wireless network that could handle both voice and data traffic.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/19/700MHz-auction-FCC-decision-co...
g-on-public-safety-block_1.html
* Questions about Block D linger in aftermath of auction
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080319-questions-about-block-d-li...
r-in-aftermath-of-auction.html
* Airwaves Bidders Await Word From FCC
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
A majority of the Federal Communications=20
Commission is in favor of a measure that will=20
allow for the quick release of the names of the=20
winners of a record airwaves auction. The=20
identity of the anonymous bidders in the $19.6=20
billion auction could be released early next week or perhaps as soon as Fri=
day.
http://news.lp.findlaw.com/ap/a/w/1155//03-19-2008/20080319165006_04.html
* Quick 700 MHz Updates (Harold Feld)
http://www.wetmachine.com//item/1114http://www.wetmachine.com//item/1114

FCC ASKED TO PROBE AUCTION
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Spencer S. Hsu and Cecilia Kang]
The failure of a Federal Communications=20
Commission auction to draw sufficient bids to=20
build a wireless network for emergency responders=20
provoked sharp criticism by members of Congress,=20
consumer groups and leaders of the 9/11=20
Commission yesterday. It also prompted a call to=20
investigate whether auction rules were broken.=20
Nine organizations, including the Consumer=20
Federation of America and Consumers Union, wrote=20
to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, saying the FCC=20
should "investigate carefully the allegations"=20
that representatives of the nation's police, fire=20
and emergency officials undermined the auction.=20
They cited reports that public-safety=20
representatives demanded that any winner of the=20
auction make additional payments to them.=20
Chairman Martin yesterday said that the FCC could=20
vote within days to re-bid the public safety=20
airwaves. Martin also said he asked the FCC=20
inspector general to investigate complaints.=20
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John=20
D. Dingell (D-MI) and telecommunications=20
subcommittee chairman Edward J. Markey (D-MA)=20
prepared to hold hearings early next month and=20
will consider whether the public-private=20
partnership model for building the wireless=20
network for emergency responders should be changed.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/19/AR200803...
3668.html
(requires registration)

VERIZON OPENS UP -- RELUCTANTLY
[SOURCE: Fortune, AUTHOR: Scott Moritz]
In a world of exasperatingly imperfect cell phone=20
calls, Verizon Wireless has nonetheless managed=20
to paint itself as the "reliable" network. By=20
controlling the phones and the applications that=20
run on the network, Verizon has put a lock on=20
some of the variables that can influence quality.=20
But that increasingly controversial so-called=20
walled garden approach to its network has run=20
into a challenge. Last year, at Google's=20
insistence, regulators stipulated that the winner=20
of the latest air wave auction must allow open=20
network access and an open application policy. In=20
theory, the move would open the gate to a new=20
generation of devices that can capitalize on the=20
faster wireless networks that will be built on=20
the newly licensed 700 megahertz radio spectrum.=20
Verizon immediately filed a lawsuit to challenge=20
the move, but withdrew it soon after. The company=20
is now in the somewhat unusual position of having=20
to comply with the rule that would loosen its=20
grip on the network and yet keep the door open to=20
new revenue opportunities. Verizon took a big=20
step Wednesday to help determine what outside=20
devices will be allowed inside its network. The=20
No.2 wireless service provider hosted its Open=20
Development Device Conference in New York=20
Wednesday where it shared its Version 1.0 specs -=20
a list of technical requirements for new devices=20
that are targeted for its network.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/19/technology/moritz_verizon.fortune/index....
?section=3Dmoney_technology
* Open Questions for Verizon's Open Access
Many of the attendees at the Open Development=20
Device Conference said the event marked a good=20
first step toward defining an open-access model.=20
But they noted that many questions remain. Among=20
the biggest concerns: Verizon did not divulge any=20
details of the pricing plans customers would be=20
offered to use such devices. Nor did it publish=20
any specifications to help software developers=20
create applications for the network. In fact, the=20
company distributed materials to attendees=20
online, stressing that the company "will not=20
approve, test, or service third-party=20
applications that customers load onto their Open=20
Development Devices." And despite numerous claims=20
by Verizon executives that testing and=20
certification for new devices could take as=20
little as four weeks, many attendees are=20
skeptical the process will be that easy.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2008/tc20080319_832420...
m?campaign_id=3Drss_tech
* Verizon Wireless opens its network
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9898119-7.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&tag=
=3D2547-1_3-0-5
* Verizon Wireless Unveils Open-Network Policy
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120594200879448767.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
* Verizon Works to Let Other Devices on Network
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/19/AR200803...
3649.html

TELECOM

KIDS, THUGS, DOGS, CATS DRAFTED INTO TV BATTLE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Dionne Searcey dionne.searcey( at )wsj.com]
In the fight between phone and cable companies=20
for TV subscribers, things are getting a bit more=20
personal. There's an important shift in strategy=20
by major telecommunications companies, who have=20
fought for years over everything from price to=20
high-definition-channel offerings to picture=20
quality. Verizon, which is planning to spend=20
roughly $18 billion to roll out its fiber-optic=20
network to deliver TV and fast Internet service=20
to customers, is betting that its strategy of=20
developing its own original, hyper-local,=20
human-interest TV programming will help set it=20
apart. The company, which offers FiOS TV in 13=20
states, started a 24-hour TV channel in the=20
Washington, D.C., area called FiOS1 about a year=20
ago. The idea is to feature "super-local" stories=20
on people who probably wouldn't be seen on=20
more-typical shows. After all, local content has=20
long been used by cable companies to defend their=20
turf from satellite-TV operators, whose ability=20
to offer local programming is limited by their=20
national reach and capacity on their satellites.=20
For years, Cablevision Systems Corp. and the=20
other big cable companies have operated channels=20
that serve up local news, weather, sports and=20
traffic reports. Cablevision's internal surveys=20
show that many customers cite the company's News=20
12 channels on Long Island, N.Y., where Verizon=20
is aggressively marketing its FiOS TV service, as=20
the reason they refuse to switch to FiOS.=20
Cablevision touts it in TV ads with the tagline,=20
"News 12 traffic and weather, not on phone=20
company TV." Now, cable operators are also=20
beefing up their focus on hyper-local features.=20
This past spring Cablevision began airing the=20
features as part of its "Local on Demand," which=20
offers an array of community parades, street=20
fairs and high-school sports. One show, "Meet the=20
Leaders," features 30-minute interviews with=20
local elected officials. "Neighborhood Journal"=20
is similar to Verizon's Push-Pause, with slice-of-life community features.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120598375751051107.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

QUICKLY

THE QUEST TO PROTECT CREATIVE POLICY IDEAS
[SOURCE: Chronicle of Philanthropy, AUTHOR: J.H. Snider]
[Commentary] Congress often lacks the political=20
motivation to find and champion good=20
public-policy ideas out of fear that they would=20
offend powerful special interests. Another=20
explanation for the lack of innovation by=20
Congress is that think tanks and college scholars=20
put too little money into developing such ideas=20
because public-policy ideas can easily be stolen=20
without legal or social sanction. It is time for=20
foundations, which sponsor the bulk of this=20
research, to change the rules of the game so that=20
the incentives are to create rather than=20
plagiarize socially valuable public-policy innovations.
http://s173754652.onlinehome.us/MyWritings/08-03-20--ChronicleOfPhilanth...
y--TheQuestToProtectCreativePolicyIdeas.mht

STUDY: FEW PEOPLE TO SPEND TAX REBATE ON GADGETS
[SOURCE: TVPredictions, AUTHOR: Philip Swann]
Only seven percent of consumers are likely to=20
spend their special federal tax rebate on=20
consumer electronics. That's according to a=20
consumer survey conducted by research firm=20
ChangeWave. As part of a stimulus package to=20
boost the sagging economy, the federal government=20
will issue one-time $600 tax rebate checks to=20
most Americans late this spring. However, the=20
ChangeWave report says 33 percent of consumers=20
plan to use it to pay down their debts while 23=20
percent will invest it and 21 will simply save the money.
http://www.tvpredictions.com/rebate031908.htm

SF PROPOSES FINES FOR UNWANTED NEWSPAPERS
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle 3/19, AUTHOR: Wyatt Buchanan]
Unwanted newspapers that pile up on San Francisco=20
sidewalks and turn to mush in the rain could=20
become less common under a law proposed Tuesday.=20
The measure, introduced by Supervisor Ross=20
Mirkarimi, would hit publishers with stiff=20
penalties for delivering the free publications.=20
It is intended to cut trash on city streets and=20
satisfy frustrated residents who want the=20
deliveries to stop, Mirkarimi said. Many=20
residents complain that the newspapers pile up=20
when they are away from home, scatter when it is=20
windy and turn to mush in the rain, Mirkarimi=20
said. Cleaning up the newspapers - if they are on=20
the sidewalk in front of a residence and not in=20
the street - is the responsibility of the=20
property owner, according to the city's=20
Department of Public Works. Under the proposed=20
law, newspapers that deliver unsolicited copies=20
would have to publish a phone number or e-mail=20
address residents could use to place their=20
residence on a do-not-deliver list. If newspapers=20
keep coming, the publisher would face a $100 fine=20
per residence on the first violation, $200 for=20
the second and $500 for any thereafter. Also, in=20
some circumstances, people living at the=20
residences where the unwanted newspapers are=20
delivered could collect three times the amount of=20
the fine from those who violate the law.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=3D/c/a/2008/03/19/BALNVM76A.DTL

PHILADELPHIA'S LEADING HEALTHCARE AND BROADCAST=20
INSTITUTIONS UNITE TO HELP THE SOUTHWEST ASIAN COMMUNITY
[SOURCE: New Routes to Community Health press release]
In an effort to foster dialogues about health and=20
healthcare services in Philadelphia=92s Southeast=20
Asian immigrant community, leading local=20
healthcare institutions have joined with=20
community and media to crack the knowledge and=20
language barriers that often prevent this=20
population from accessing preventive and other=20
health services. Media Partnerships for Community=20
Engagement in Southeast Asian Health will launch=20
on March 26, 2008 with an open house at WHYY from=20
9:30 a.m-11a.m. The project is part of New Routes=20
to Community Health, a national project of the=20
Benton Foundation, funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538752/?sc=3Drsmn
* New Routes to Community Health
http://newroutes.org/

STUDY: SUBLIMINAL ADS WARP YOUR BRAIN
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Tom Krazit]
Researchers from Duke University and the=20
University of Waterloo have published the results=20
of a study that suggests that brief exposure to=20
Apple's brand logo drives higher levels of=20
creativity than exposure to IBM's logo. In fact,=20
the researchers suggest that subliminal=20
advertising is actually more effective than=20
regular advertising, because people don't have=20
time to raise their anti-ad defenses.
http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9898078-37.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&...
=3D2547-1_3-0-5
--------------------------------------------------------------
OK, in a fit of madness, I picked Kansas -- how about you?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------