Benton RSS Feed

Coverage Type 

CEA: CONSUMERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO CONVERTERS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Consumer Electronics Association says broadcasters can rest assured that "every interested American" will have access to a range of retail options to obtain a digital-to-analog converter box," but stopped short of saying that would be by January 2008 or that every retail store would stock them. In a letter to National Association of Broadcasters President David Rehr, CEA President Gary Shapiro says "I imagine that certain boutique, custom installation and high-end stores may choose not to sell the coupon-eligible boxes, but rest assured any American who wants to purchase a coupon-eligible box will have a wide variety of convenient retail sources." That may or may not include Best Buy, which in a Hill hearing earlier this year would not commit to carrying the boxes in all stores.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442402.html?rssid=193

* Broadcasters Want Converters On Shelves By January
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442241.html?rssid=193


http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442402.html?rssid=193
Coverage Type 

SUPREME COURT DECLINES TELECOM RATE CASE
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
The Supreme Court Monday turned down an appeal from an Iowa telecommunications company that claimed Qwest Communications International Inc. owed it money for wireless phone calls that Qwest connected to its network. At issue in the case, which was brought by Iowa Network Services Inc., is whether federal regulators have the final say on telecom rates or whether local call rates can be set by state officials. Lower federal courts ruled in Qwest's favor and gave Iowa's state utilities board a role in resolving the dispute. By declining to take the case, without comment, the Court let stand the lower court rulings in Qwest's favor, which will save Qwest tens of millions of dollars in charges and interest that INS had sought.
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/supreme-court-declines-telecom-rat...


Supreme Court Declines Telecom Rate Case
Coverage Type 

GOP WORRIES ABOUT IRAQ FUEL WAR POLICY COVERAGE
[SOURCE: Project for Excellence in Journalism, AUTHOR: Tom Rosenstiel, Paul Hitlin, and Mark Jurkowitz]
As it has on a number of weeks this year, the political debate over U.S. policy in Iraq generated more coverage than any other story last week, filling 14% of the overall newshole, according to PEJ’s News Coverage Index from May 6-May 11. This time, however, the story was not the predictable and continuing squabbling of Democrats and Republicans over Congressional maneuvering. It was Republicans challenging the President with their concerns that the war in Iraq would damage the party’s political fortunes for years to come. And much of the American news media treated the exchange at the White House as a breakthrough event.
http://www.journalism.org/node/5575


GOP Worries About Iraq Fuel War Policy Coverage

Benton's Communications-related Headlines For Wednesday May 16, 2007

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
President Intervened in Dispute Over Eavesdropping
U.S. ISPs slam into wiretap deadline
Pentagon Newsletter Asks Soldiers to Watch YouTube -- After Banning the Si=
te
- Markey calls on Department of Defense to Reverse Decision

CONTENT
XM Satellite suspends shock jocks Opie & Anthony
PTC Urges Upfront Responsibility
Today's Kids Inundated With Ads

CABLE
FCC Needs Major Overhaul, Says McSlarrow
Cable Customers' Choices Being Debated
TV =E0 la carte? I'll take the buffet
Cable TV, Advertisers Join In Fight to Preserve Power

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Thomson, Reuters Agree on Merger Terms

INTERNET/BROADBAND
Equal Opportunity Speedway
Web 2.0 meets Campaign 2008
Embarrassment forever

QUICKLY -- Spectrum Management Advisory Committee=20
Meeting; CEA: Consumers Will Have Access To=20
Converters; Supreme Court Declines Telecom Rate=20
Case; GOP Worries About Iraq Fuel War Policy Coverage

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

PRESIDENT INTERVENED IN DISPUTE OVER EAVESDROPPING
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: David Johnston]
President Bush intervened in March 2004 to avert=20
a crisis over the National Security Agency=92s=20
domestic eavesdropping program after Attorney=20
General John Ashcroft, Director Robert S. Mueller=20
III of the F.B.I. and other senior Justice=20
Department aides all threatened to resign, a=20
former deputy attorney general testified Tuesday.=20
President Bush quelled the revolt over the=20
program=92s legality by allowing it to continue=20
without Justice Department approval, also=20
directing department officials to take the=20
necessary steps to bring it into compliance with=20
the law, according to Congressional testimony by=20
the former deputy attorney general, James B.=20
Comey. The former No. 2 official in the Justice=20
Department said the crisis began when he refused=20
to sign a presidential order reauthorizing the=20
program, which allowed monitoring of=20
international telephone calls and e-mail of=20
people inside the United States who were=20
suspected of having terrorist ties. He said he=20
made his decision after the department=92s Office=20
of Legal Counsel, based on an extensive review,=20
concluded that the program did not comply with=20
the law. At the time, Mr. Comey was acting=20
attorney general because Mr. Ashcroft had been=20
hospitalized for emergency gall bladder surgery.=20
Mr. Comey would not describe the rationale for=20
his refusal to approve the eavesdropping program,=20
citing its classified nature. The N.S.A. program,=20
which began soon after the Sept. 11 attacks and=20
did not require court approval to listen in on=20
the communications of Americans and others,=20
provoked an outcry in Congress when it was disclosed in December 2005.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/washington/16nsa.html?hp
(requires registration)
* James Comey: White House pressed
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/james-comey-white-house-pressed-2007...
-15.html
* Gonzales Hospital Episode Detailed
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR200705...
0864.html
* Ashcroft and the Night Visitors
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR200705...
1890.html
* Mr. Comey's Tale
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR200705...
1945.html
* Gonzalez accused of '04 end run while Ashcroft ill
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070516/1a_bottomstrip16_dom....
.htm

US ISPs SLAM INTO WIRETAP DEADLINE
[SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service]
U.S. broadband and VOIP providers on Monday hit a=20
deadline to prove they could accommodate=20
law-enforcement wiretaps. The Federal=20
Communications Commission in 2005 required=20
broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) and=20
VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) carriers that=20
connect to the public telephone network to comply=20
with a wiretap access law. Under the=20
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act=20
(CALEA), service providers have to prove they're=20
equipped for investigators to carry out the=20
equivalent of a traditional wiretap. The=20
broadband and VOIP providers had to send the FCC=20
by March 12 a plan to comply with CALEA, and by=20
Monday they had to either set up a system that=20
allows monitoring or hire an outside company to=20
make it possible. Those that don't comply must=20
make a good-faith effort to do so and may be referred for enforcement.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/05/15/isps-slam-into-wiretap-deadlin...
.html?source=3Drss&url=3Dhttp://www.infoworld.com/article/07/05/15/isps-sla=
m-into-wiretap-deadline_1.html

PENTAGON NEWSLETTER ASKS SOLDIERS TO WATCH ITS=20
YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- AFTER BANNING THE SITE
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: ]
Eason Jordan's IraqSlogger blog notes an ironic=20
bit in the Defense Department's Multi-National=20
Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) electronic newsletter to=20
soldiers, which asks on a banner that they watch=20
its YouTube channel, even though access to the=20
site was banned worldwide via military computers=20
by the Pentagon yesterday. "Unless the Department=20
of Defense lifts (or doesn't fully apply) its=20
YouTube ban," notes IraqSlogger. "US military=20
personnel won't be able to watch their own=20
Iraq-focused YouTube channel unless they do so on=20
non-DoD computers and via non-DoD Web connectivity."
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003585414
* Rep Ed Markey (D-MA) calls on Department of=20
Defense to Reverse Decision to Block Web Sites
"While I understand concerns about bandwidth=20
strain on the network, I fail to see how blocking=20
these particular sites is consistent with=20
achieving network efficiency. If network=20
congestion was an issue, for instance, it is=20
surprising that no bandwidth-intensive gaming=20
sites are on the list of prohibited sites. I=20
believe the military should have opted to ration=20
any scare bandwidth resources it was encountering=20
rather than summarily blocking access to U.S.=20
troops completely. rationed bandwidth between=20
official and recreational use of military=20
networks abroad would have been far preferable to=20
the action the military has chosen to take, which has issues of censorship."
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D...
2&Itemid=3D141

CONTENT

XM SATELLITE SUSPENDS SHOCK JOCKS OPIE & ANTHONY
[SOURCE: Reuters]
Shock jocks "Opie & Anthony" were suspended on=20
Tuesday from their satellite radio show for 30=20
days after remarks by a guest who said he=20
fantasized about sex with U.S. Secretary of State=20
Condoleezza Rice and first lady Laura Bush. In=20
the latest outcry over radio content widely=20
criticized as crossing the bounds of good taste,=20
the company that carries the show, XM Satellite=20
Radio Holdings Inc., said it "deplored" the=20
comments made about a week ago on the program,=20
hosted by Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia.=20
The hosts issued an apology soon after the=20
original airing, but XM said it was not convinced=20
the two were sincere. The Opie & Anthony Show has=20
gotten the two into hot water before. They were=20
fired from a New York station for a 2002=20
broadcast in which they encouraged couples to have sex in public places.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DpeopleNews&storyID...
2007-05-15T223605Z_01_N15454274_RTRIDST_0_PEOPLE-MEDIA-OPIEANTHONY-DC.XML
* XM Radio Takes Two Hosts Off the Air for 30 Days
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/arts/music/16radi.html

PTC URGES UPFRONT RESPONSIBILITY
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
The Parents Television Council Tuesday gave a=20
shout out to advertisers for the upfront, calling=20
on companies making decisions about their=20
sponsorships to exercise corporate=20
responsibility. =93As you make your =91upfront=92=20
television-sponsorship decisions over the coming=20
weeks, please consider how the programming you=20
support with your ad dollars will affect children=20
-- even if children are not part of your target=20
demographic,=94 PTC president Tim Winter said in an open letter to companie=
s.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6442399.html?rssid=3D196

TODAY'S KIDS INUNDATED WITH ADS
[SOURCE: CBS News]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services=20
teaming up with Dreamworks animation to use the=20
widely popular movie character Shrek to get kids=20
off the couch. But beyond the public service, the=20
studio's also going after promotion -- through=20
tie-ins with more than 70 food products, some healthy, some junk.
http://wcco.com/business/finance_story_135024932.html

CABLE

FCC NEEDS MAJOR OVERHAUL, SAYS MCSLARROW
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a speech to the Media Institute in Washington,=20
National Cable & Telecommunications Association=20
President Kyle McSlarrow suggested that Congress=20
should institute some systemic reforms at the=20
Federal Communications Commission, saying the FCC=20
had gotten caught up in an "elaborate Web of=20
rules," and adding that, at the current FCC, "the=20
trivial metastasizes into the burdensome." He=20
said he favors an approach put forth by the=20
Progress & Freedom Foundation in its proposal=20
for rewriting the Telecommunications Act of 1996.=20
That approach would turn the FCC into a more=20
reactive agency, empowered to intervene "only if=20
it determines that marketplace competition would=20
not adequately protect consumers." Essentially,=20
he said, the presumption would be against=20
regulation, and the agency retooled more like an=20
FTC or Justice Department, responding to abuses through adjudication.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442420.html?rssid=3D193
* NCTA=92s McSlarrow Calls for FCC Downgrade
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6442490.html?rssid=3D196

CABLE CUSTOMERS' CHOICES BEING DEBATED
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
Sports fans everywhere want to know: "Why do I=20
have to subscribe to the soap opera channel when=20
all I really want is ESPN?" That's the kind of=20
question the cable TV industry hates answering.=20
The channel choice issue comes up every few=20
years, but people who argue that subscribers=20
should be able to choose channels "a la carte"=20
have never made any real headway. The latest=20
effort, and the newest reasoning for requiring=20
cable companies to offer channel choice, or a la=20
carte cable, has to do with yet another issue:=20
television violence. The overall lack of support=20
for a la carte might seem surprising, considering=20
that the average household in 2006 received 104=20
channels, yet tuned in to only 16 of them.=20
Federal law requires cable companies to offer a=20
bare bones, "basic tier" of service, consisting=20
of local broadcast and public access channels.=20
The second tier, commonly known as "expanded=20
basic," includes most of the major cable=20
networks. There's usually no choice on this tier;=20
subscribers get all the channels or none of them.=20
Beyond that, subscribers may pick premium=20
channels like HBO, that are priced separately.=20
Unlike over-the-air broadcasters, which rely=20
almost entirely on advertising to stay in=20
business, cable networks earn about half their=20
revenue from per-subscriber charges levied on=20
cable system operators. Those costs are passed on=20
to cable subscribers. Two types of companies=20
dominate the cable industry: those that own both=20
broadcast and cable networks (like Walt Disney=20
Co.); and those that own both cable systems and=20
cable networks (like Time Warner Inc.). An a la=20
carte regime would blow up that system and=20
disrupt its economic model. And that would lead=20
-- according to the National Cable and=20
Telecommunications Association, an industry trade=20
group -- to higher prices and less programming=20
diversity. Fewer channels would mean less=20
advertising and fewer advertising dollars. An a=20
la carte system would also require more customer=20
service representatives, higher billing costs and=20
higher marketing costs. These factors and others=20
-- according to the NCTA -- would ultimately lead=20
to higher rates for consumers. The bottom line,=20
though, is there is no way of knowing for sure. A=20
2003 GAO report stated that "a variety of=20
factors" make it "difficult to ascertain how many=20
consumers would be better off and how many would=20
be made worse off under an a la carte approach."=20
Consumers Union has lobbied long and hard for a=20
la carte, saying it would put a halt to steadily=20
rising cable prices. It has an ally in the=20
Parents Television Council, a group that=20
successfully pushed for higher fines for=20
broadcast stations that air raunchy programming.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/936590/cable_customers_choices_b...
g_debated/index.html?source=3Dr_technology

TV A LA CARTE? I'LL TAKE THE BUFFET
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Rep Hilda L. Solis (D-CA)]
[Commentary] In 2002, arch-conservative civic=20
groups joined with consumer groups to fight the=20
Federal Communications Commission-proposed "media=20
concentration" rules that would have given large=20
media companies the right to gobble up local=20
print and television outlets. It was a watershed=20
moment -- the kind of left-right consensus rarely=20
seen but fused together over the populist issue=20
of diversity in media. Today, the issue of media=20
concentration is again at the center of a=20
controversial proposal by the FCC that would=20
change how 90 million consumers watch television.=20
The idea is per-channel-charges -- or in the more=20
sanitized lexicon known as =E0 la carte pricing for=20
the cable industry -- federal rules which would=20
allow consumers to purchase cable channels on a=20
per-channel basis. A close look at the idea of =E0=20
la carte pricing shows that it would be a=20
disaster for consumers. Most consumers would pay=20
more for less, as the sweeping rules would=20
decimate small and niche cable channels while=20
raising prices. The fact of the matter is this:=20
nearly every study, nearly every major civic=20
group on the political right and left, and nearly=20
every cable programmer who lives in the=20
competitive trenches all have said that =E0 la=20
carte pricing is a bad deal for consumers and a=20
poison pill for the cause of media diversity.=20
When it comes to cable programming, I'll take the=20
buffet approach over =E0 la carte. On numerous=20
occasions, Congress has made it clear to the FCC=20
and the public its view, to quote old adage, that=20
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The chief=20
federal communications' agency out not to be tone deaf to this message.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/chronicle/archive/2007...
/15/EDG23PQO3C1.DTL

CABLE TV, ADVERTISERS JOIN IN FIGHT TO PRESERVE POWER
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Shira Ovide shira.ovide( at )dowjones.com]
Advertisers are teaming up with cable operators=20
to fight back as the Web erodes the power of the=20
traditional TV ad and as viewers use=20
digital-video recorders to zip through=20
commercials. Cable operators, through which a=20
majority of Americans watch TV, are developing a=20
new generation of marketing platform, including=20
video-on-demand and interactive ads that marry=20
traditional TV viewing with the ability to order=20
coupons, target messages to specific viewers or=20
interact in other ways that are more common=20
online. The business model is nascent, but cable=20
operators, which today generate less than 10% of=20
their total revenue from advertising, have made=20
such new advertising platforms among their=20
highest future priorities. The ability to direct=20
ads to viewers' specific interests or demographic=20
groups is driving the growth of Internet=20
advertising, and could fuel the new ad opportunities on cable platforms.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117928330711804439.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)
* Disney aims to sell trips via TV remote
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-disney16may16,1,78785...
story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

THOMPSON, REUTERS AGREE ON MERGER TERMS
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Reuters Group PLC and Thomson Corp. said Tuesday=20
they agreed on terms for a merger to create one=20
of the world's largest financial news providers.=20
The cash and stock transaction values Reuters at=20
$17.2 billion. Reuters trustees, who could have=20
vetoed any takeover, endorsed the deal. Reuters=20
competes with Thomson and Bloomberg LP in=20
providing data terminals to the world's major=20
banks and brokerages. Reuters was the market=20
leader for years before steadily losing ground to=20
Bloomberg. An April report from Inside Market=20
Data Reference said Bloomberg has a 33 percent=20
share of the market, with Reuters holding 23=20
percent and Thomson 11 percent. London-based=20
Reuters was born in 1851 when Paul Julius Reuter=20
started sending stock market quotations between=20
London and Paris via the new Calais-Dover cable.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003585181
* Thomson Adds Reuters in $17 Billion Bid to Be Giant
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/business/media/16thomson.html
* Reuters Trustees Say Sale Won't Hurt Journalism
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/business/media/16integrity.html
* Reuters, Thomson Reach Deal to Create Data Giant
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR200705...
0229.html
* Reuters trustees approve $17B offer
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070516/2b_reuters16.art.htm
* Thomson's acquisition of Reuters faces scrutiny
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Thomson Corp.'s $17.6-billion takeover of Reuters=20
Group announced Tuesday now faces scrutiny from=20
antitrust regulators and unions unhappy about=20
expected job cuts. The renamed Thomson-Reuters=20
Corp. would reduce the number of major companies=20
providing financial data, news and trading=20
systems to the financial services industry from=20
three to two and vault it slightly ahead of the=20
current market leader, privately held Bloomberg.=20
Reuters journalists expressed their "deep=20
concerns" in an open letter to Pehr Gyllenhammar,=20
chairman of the trustee company, "over whether a=20
reconstituted Reuters would maintain the high=20
standards of journalism and the integrity,=20
independence and freedom from bias that have=20
shaped the company's 156-year-old reputation and=20
are crucial to its future success."
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-reuters16may16,1,6013...
.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

INTERNET/BROADBAND

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SPEEDWAY
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: ]
Speedy Internet connections once were considered=20
perks for the privileged. Robust Net access was=20
enjoyed by 30% of U.S. households as late as=20
2005, mostly in white homes. Meanwhile, so-called=20
broadband adoption by blacks was a mere 14%,=20
according to data from the Pew Internet &=20
American Life Project. The resulting "digital=20
divide" between white and black was considered a=20
lasting socioeconomic problem--like the=20
protracted disparity between black and white=20
unemployment. But in the past two years, African=20
Americans have been devouring broadband=20
technology--and the digital divide has shrunk=20
significantly, at least for this group. The share=20
of black households with a cable modem, DSL, or=20
satellite Internet connection climbed to 40% this=20
year, Pew says. That's almost twice as fast as=20
the growth of broadband penetration for the=20
general population, which grew to 47%. The income=20
gap has narrowed, too, but not as much:=20
Households making less than $30,000 a year=20
doubled their broadband participation, to 30%.=20
That still pales next to 76% for households that=20
have incomes of at least $75,000. Some of the=20
closing of the racial divide can be traced to=20
falling prices and rising availability of new=20
technology. But that masks a deeper shift in the=20
relationship of blacks to the Web. The Net today=20
offers an abundance of entertainment=20
riches--digital music, pictures, movies, video=20
chat, games--that can be tailored to individual=20
taste, not to mention services such as job=20
networks and training. Gaining access to that=20
killer content without broadband speeds would be=20
like sucking hot fudge through a straw.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_21/b4035061.htm?campaign...
=3Drss_tech

WEB 2.0 MEETS CAMPAIGN 2008
[SOURCE: The Christian Science Monitor, AUTHOR: Linda Feldmann]
There's no doubt that interaction with voters =96=20
aided and amplified by still-unfolding Web=20
innovations =96 is the name of the game in the 2008=20
presidential race. What's clear is that the=20
advent of Web 2.0 =96 the wave of=20
social-networking, file-sharing, and=20
collaborative sites that have come into common=20
use =96 has expanded the playing field for=20
presidential candidates in ways that were=20
unthinkable just a few years ago. Wherever there=20
are people, there will be politics. That's why=20
candidates have flocked to set up pages on=20
MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. In the=20
6-million-member Second Life cyberworld,=20
presidential candidates have "offices," organized=20
by volunteers who keep in touch with the official=20
campaigns. MySpace will push the envelope in=20
Web-based politics when it conducts its own=20
presidential primary on Jan. 1 and 2, 2008 =96 just=20
before the real primaries begin. With 64 million=20
MySpace members being asked to vote, that's a=20
contest the candidates cannot ignore.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0516/p01s02-uspo.html

EMBARRASSMENT FOREVER
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Jim Louderback, PC magazine]
[Commentary] Everyone wants their 15 seconds of=20
fame, but from now on it's more likely to be 15=20
seconds of embarrassment -- and it will live=20
online forever. YouTube, pervasive cell-phone=20
video cameras, and even newer technologies are=20
conspiring to foster an environment where nothing=20
is private. Today's Internet and the powerful=20
computers that feed it mercilessly record=20
everything they see and hear and store those=20
recordings forever. Breakthrough technologies=20
debut and quickly spread, without regard to how=20
they might be misused. Take headcasting, for=20
example. It's now possible for anyone to staple a=20
tiny wireless camera to their head and broadcast=20
their life 24 hours a day. Or Twitter, which lets=20
anyone send the most banal thoughts instantly to=20
anyone's computer or phone in the world. Forget=20
"Candid Camera;" it's likely that you're live=20
now, and recorded forever for posterity.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/chronicle/archive/2007...
/15/EDGGTP3E441.DTL

QUICKLY

SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration]
The Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, which=20
provides advise on spectrum management to the=20
National Telecommunications and Information=20
Administration, will meet again on May 30 at the=20
US Department of Commerce. The Committee will=20
receive recommendations from its Subcommittee on=20
Technical Sharing Efficiencies and provide advice=20
to NTIA on its Spectrum Sharing Test-Bed=20
Proposal; will receive a status report from its=20
Subcommittee on Operational Sharing Efficiencies,=20
and will hear public comment. Interested parties=20
are invited to attend and to submit written=20
comments. Written comments should be sent to the=20
above listed address and received by close of=20
business on May 24, 2007 to provide sufficient=20
time for review. Comments received after May 24,=20
2007, will be distributed to the Committee, but=20
may not be reviewed prior to the meeting.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/SMACMeeting_051507.html

CEA: CONSUMERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO CONVERTERS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Consumer Electronics Association says=20
broadcasters can rest assured that "every=20
interested American" will have access to a range=20
of retail options to obtain a digital-to-analog=20
converter box," but stopped short of saying that=20
would be by January 2008 or that every retail=20
store would stock them. In a letter to National=20
Association of Broadcasters President David Rehr,=20
CEA President Gary Shapiro says "I imagine that=20
certain boutique, custom installation and=20
high-end stores may choose not to sell the=20
coupon-eligible boxes, but rest assured any=20
American who wants to purchase a coupon-eligible=20
box will have a wide variety of convenient retail=20
sources." That may or may not include Best Buy,=20
which in a Hill hearing earlier this year would=20
not commit to carrying the boxes in all stores.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442402.html?rssid=3D193
* Broadcasters Want Converters On Shelves By January
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442241.html?rssid=3D193

SUPREME COURT DECLINES TELECOM RATE CASE
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
The Supreme Court Monday turned down an appeal=20
from an Iowa telecommunications company that=20
claimed Qwest Communications International Inc.=20
owed it money for wireless phone calls that Qwest=20
connected to its network. At issue in the case,=20
which was brought by Iowa Network Services Inc.,=20
is whether federal regulators have the final say=20
on telecom rates or whether local call rates can=20
be set by state officials. Lower federal courts=20
ruled in Qwest's favor and gave Iowa's state=20
utilities board a role in resolving the dispute.=20
By declining to take the case, without comment,=20
the Court let stand the lower court rulings in=20
Qwest's favor, which will save Qwest tens of=20
millions of dollars in charges and interest that INS had sought.
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/supreme-court-declines-telecom-rat...
ase/n20070514103709990036?cid=3D1225

GOP WORRIES ABOUT IRAQ FUEL WAR POLICY COVERAGE
[SOURCE: Project for Excellence in Journalism,=20
AUTHOR: Tom Rosenstiel, Paul Hitlin, and Mark Jurkowitz]
As it has on a number of weeks this year, the=20
political debate over U.S. policy in Iraq=20
generated more coverage than any other story last=20
week, filling 14% of the overall newshole,=20
according to PEJ=92s News Coverage Index from May=20
6-May 11. This time, however, the story was not=20
the predictable and continuing squabbling of=20
Democrats and Republicans over Congressional=20
maneuvering. It was Republicans challenging the=20
President with their concerns that the war in=20
Iraq would damage the party=92s political fortunes=20
for years to come. And much of the American news=20
media treated the exchange at the White House as a breakthrough event.
http://www.journalism.org/node/5575
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Top Bush Administration Officials To Discuss U.S. & Global Broadband Policy Perspectives At WCA 2007

WASHINGTON, DC (May 15, 2007) – Top Bush Administration officials will highlight broadband wireless policy perspectives in the U.S. and globally during a keynote-level session at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 14 at WCA 2007 – the wireless broadband industry’s premier global convention organized by the Wireless Communications Association International.

Addressing the industry’s premier annual event will be John M. R. Kneuer, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce; and Ambassador David A. Gross, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications & Information Policy, U.S. Department of State. The session will kick off a nearly day-long WCA’s 700 MHz Issues & Answers Summit, which will convene participants from WCA’s diverse membership of organizations vitally interested in the band.

“As the President’s top communications officials, John Kneuer and Ambassador Gross are at the center of a host of vital policy issues affecting both government and commercial spectrum users and are in a unique position to shape the broadband wireless regulatory environment,” commented WCA President Andrew Kreig. “We have seen their offices be very responsive to industry concerns throughout their tenure and much look forward to their views on most current issues.”

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, WCA 2007 will be held from June 12-15, 2007 at historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. It will convene over 1,700 industry leaders and high-level government officials from over 40 nations, with 140+ distinguished speakers debating business, policy, technology, investing, security and international wireless issues. For details, visit: Agenda and Speakers. To register: Register Me!

About John M. R. Kneuer

John M. R. Kneuer was nominated to his post by President George W. Bush on May 1, 2006, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 9, 2006. As Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, he oversees and directs NTIA, which seeks to promote market-based policies. In addition to representing the Executive Branch in domestic and international telecommunications and information policy activities, NTIA also manages the federal use of spectrum; performs cutting edge telecommunications research and engineering, including resolving technical telecommunications issues for the federal government and private sector; and administers infrastructure and public telecommunications facilities grants. For more information, please visit: NTIA Website.

About David A. Gross

Ambassador David A. Gross has served since August 2001 as the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Ambassador Gross began his career in communications twenty-five years ago. Since joining the Department of State, Ambassador Gross has addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and has led more U.S. delegations to major international telecommunication conferences than anyone in modern history. For more information, please visit: U.S. Department of State Website.

About the Wireless Communications Association

Founded in 1988, WCA (www.wcai.com) is the trade association for the broadband wireless industry, with some 250 member companies on six continents.

http://www.wcai.com/event/07/07gen.htm

Coverage Type 

SO FAR, MURDOCH'S BID TO ENTER SATELLITE TV IN U.S. GOES NOWHERE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal 5/15/1997, AUTHOR: John Lippman, Mark Robichaux, and Bryan Gruley]
Ten years ago, Rupert Murdoch had cornered the satellite TV market in Asia and Europe and had start up companies in Latin America. But the US market was not falling into his lap. Murdoch made a too-hasty deal with EchoStar, which then fell apart and EchoStar then sued News Corp. for $5 billion. Also Murdoch's plans were a threat to the cable industry and Murdoch couldn't anger cable too much because he needed cable systems to carry News Corp's F/X entertainment and Fox News Network.
http://online.wsj.com/PA2VJBNA4R/snippet/SB863654164502561500-search.html
(requires $2.95 fee)


Ten Years Ago... So Far, Murdoch's Bid To Enter Satellite TV In U.S. Goes Nowhere
Coverage Type 

USDA ANNOUNCES NEW PROPOSED RULES FOR BROADBAND IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
[SOURCE: US Department of Agriculture]
On Friday, Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr announced the publication of new proposed rules designed to facilitate the further deployment of broadband services to rural communities nationwide. Key elements include: 1) Promoting deployment to rural areas with little or no service; 2) Ensuring that residents in funded areas get broadband access more quickly; 3) Limiting funding in urban areas and areas where a significant share of the market is served by incumbent providers; 4) Clarifying and streamlining equity and marketing survey requirements; 5) Increasing the transparency of the application process, including legal notice requirements, to make more informed lending/borrowing decisions; 6) Promoting a better understanding of all application requirements, including market survey, competitive analysis, business plan, and system design requirements; and 7) ensuring that projects funding are keeping pace with increasing demand for bandwidth.
http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/05/14/rural-broadband-gets-a-plan/


USDA Announces New Proposed Rules for Broadband in Rural Communities
Coverage Type 

INTERNET'S VALUE TIED TO KEEPING IT NEUTRAL
[SOURCE: Portland Press Herald, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] Successful economic eras can usually be traced back to a technology breakthrough and the public policy decisions made to support it. In the years leading up to and during the early 21st century, the Internet has emerged as a technological development on par with the creation of the railroad or telephone. And like those inventions, the impact of the Internet on our economy -- and, in this case, on our ability to exercise our free-speech rights -- has been aided by sensible public policy choices. Setting the Internet up as a resource available to all on the same, low-cost terms has made it an unprecedented innovation tool. It has also allowed the Internet to become the place where just about anybody can start a business or make their voice and views available to the world. Now, however, there are forces working to undo the sensible and essential rules that govern the use of the Internet. Some -- though not all -- Internet service providers want the ability to create two standards for Internet transmission. Even if it's true that getting rid of net neutrality would bring consumers cheaper Internet service, the cost to the overall economy in lost innovation would hardly make the change worthwhile. Besides, the surest way to give consumers the best price is to make it possible for multiple players to package and offer local and national television content, high-speed Internet, phone and cell-phone services. As we move in that direction, we'll also need a system for raising money to provide incentives to providers to serve rural areas. All that can be accomplished without undermining the principle that the Internet should serve all comers on an equal basis.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/viewpoints/editorials/070512netneutral...


Internet's value tied to keeping it neutral
Coverage Type 

LET THE EXPERTS RUN CITYWIDE WIFI
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Steve Falk, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce]
[Commentary] San Francisco has an unprecedented opportunity to build a new model for Internet access across the country and demonstrate our unique capacity to provide this dynamic and essential technology to all who live here. It is well understood that the Internet will continue to grow as a primary means of communications, education and commerce. Expanding its use will certainly fuel our continued economic competitiveness. San Francisco's controller has confirmed the WiFi proposal will favorably impact the local economy and save consumers between $9 million and $18 million annually. It's time for San Franciscans to make their voices heard in the corridors of City Hall. Today's hearing will be the first of a series of public hearings on the WiFi proposal. Let the Board of Supervisors know you support free WiFi for all San Franciscans and the negotiated agreement to get the project going today. Stop the politics -- San Franciscans expect and deserve more.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/0...


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/05/14/EDG…
Coverage Type 

DIRECTV MAY TRY BROADBAND ON POWER LINES
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Yinka Adegoke and Robert MacMillan]
Satellite television provider DirecTV Group Inc. may test delivering high-speed Internet service through power lines in a major U.S. city in the next year, its chief executive said on Monday. DirecTV and others are talking to companies that specialize in providing broadband through the electrical grid. DirecTV would like to test delivering Internet access on power lines in a "top 50 city where you're covering at least half the city." While DirecTV and fellow satellite TV operator EchoStar Communications Corp. have managed to keep increasing their subscriber base in the face of stiff competition from cable operators, Wall Street analysts have long questioned what broadband strategy the satellite operators will employ to counter competitive pressures.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1433448320070514


DirecTV may try broadband on power lines