Benton RSS Feed
The New America Foundation cordially invites you and your colleagues to a Capitol Hill lunch policy forum
Wireless Future:
Featuring:
- John Muleta, CEO and Co-Founder, M2Z Networks (Former Chief, FCC Wireless Bureau)
- Chris Guttman-McCabe, VP, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA - The Wireless Association
- Ben Scott, Policy Director, Free Press
- John Scrivner, President, Mount Vernon Net and Co-Founder, Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA)
- Morgan O’Brien (invited), CEO, Cyren Call, Co-Founder, Nextel Communications
Moderator:
Michael Calabrese
Vice President and Director, Wireless Future Program
New America Foundation
Friday, February 23rd, 2007
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
(Lunch will be provided)
385 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC
With U.S. broadband penetration still lagging far behind other advanced economies—and rural and low-income areas in particular being left on the wrong side of the digital divide—a variety of emerging wireless technologies offer the potential to quickly and cost-effectively bring affordable and ubiquitous broadband access to all Americans. While these wireless solutions offer great promise, they all suffer from a lack of adequate access to the public airwaves (spectrum)—either on an exclusive licensed or shared, unlicensed basis.
Recently, two start-ups have proposed innovative but controversial new nationwide wireless broadband networks, premised not on spectrum auctions, but on valuable grants of spectrum in return for extensive public interest service obligations. M2Z Networks, co-founded by former FCC Wireless Bureau Chief John Muleta, has requested 20 MHz of currently unassigned, fallow spectrum to provide a two-tier “family friendly†broadband service (including a basic free offering and a faster, premium service) reaching 95% of the U.S. population. Cyren Call, headed by Nextel co-founder Morgan O’Brien, has proposed reallocating 30 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band, currently set to be auctioned in 2008, for a Public Safety Broadband Trust. This trust would partner with private companies to build a seamless nationwide broadband network optimized for public safety use, but with excess capacity used for commercial services.
Muleta and O’Brien (invited) will compare and contrast their respective proposals. Other panelists will contrast the other contending models for providing wireless broadband services. Ben Scott of Free Press will highlight municipal and nonprofit community broadband networks. John Scrivner will discuss the important role of commercial Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) utilizing primarily unlicensed spectrum—and the need for access to more and better unlicensed spectrum in the form of vacant TV channels (“white spacesâ€). Chris Guttman-McCabe of CTIA will discuss emerging 3G cellular and fixed wireless (WiMax) services operating on licensed spectrum (much of which was acquired by carriers at auction). Panelists will also discuss the role of Universal Service reform in furthering wireless broadband deployment.
To RSVP, send an email to communications@newamerica.net. If you have questions about this event, please call or email Elizabeth Wu at (202) 986-2700 ext.315 or wu@newamerica.net.
VIOLENCE = INDECENCY, FCC TO TELL CONGRESS
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Kim McAvoy]
According to industry and FCC sources, the agency will soon issue a report concluding a two-year inquiry into TV violence and what to do about it. Apparently the findings are that the FCC should be able to regulate violence just as it does indecency and asks that Congress mandate “other forms of consumer choice†for cable subscribers -— a la carte programming menus, family tiers and channel blocking. The report finds "strong evidence" that TV violence is harmful and a correlation between TV violence and aggressive behavior in children. Despite large First Amendment obstacles, the FCC report contends that Congress has “the ability and authority†to craft a sustainable regulatory regime for TV violence. The report has bipartisan support at the FCC. Republican Chairman Kevin Martin and Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps are said to be working closely in drafting the report. A likely third vote -- all that is necessary at the five-person Commission -- is Republican Deborah Taylor Tate, a vocal proponent of cleaning up the airwaves. It is unclear where Commissioners Robert McDowell and Jonathan Adelstein stand, whether they will want to go as far as their peers in trying to curb TV violence.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/02/14/daily.2/
Also see --
* Report Urges FCC to Limit TV Violence
A new draft report from the Federal Communications Commission suggests the government may be able to limit violence on TV in a way that does not violate the Constitution.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/02/15/570660-report-urges-fcc-to-limi...
* FCC report suggests violence on TV could be regulated
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070216/fcc16.art.htm
* FCC Report suggests TV Violence Limits
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-violence16feb16,1,222...
* FCC wants to regulate TV violence
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=televisionNews&story...\
Violence = Indecency, FCC to Tell Congress
DINGELL APPLAUDS INDUSTRY'S DTV MOVES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The cable, broadcasting and equipment-manufacturing industries united Wednesday behind a digital-TV consumer-education campaign that won quick praise from House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell (D-MI). The three industries promised to use various communications strategies to inform consumers about maintaining TV service when analog-TV signals are terminated by law Feb. 17, 2009. Backing the consumer campaign were the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association. The presidents of all three groups -- the NCTA’s Kyle McSlarrow, the NAB’s David Rehr and the CEA’s Gary Shapiro -- sent a joint letter to Dingell and other congressional leaders in telecommunications policy Wednesday about their commitment to a fully informed public leading up to the analog cutoff. "Our goal is to ensure that no American loses the ability to view over-the-air television signals due to a lack of accurate information about the transition," the trade groups’ letter said.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416632.html?display=Breaking+News
* Rep. Dingell: No TV Viewer Left Behind
http://www.tvpredictions.com/dingell021507.htm
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416632.html?display=Breaking%20News
SINCLAIR EYES $48 MILLION IN RETRANS FEES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
Sinclair Broadcast Group, on the heels of its bitter battle with Mediacom Communications, this year expects to generate nearly $48 million from retransmission-consent agreements, nearly double last year’s figure, officials said Wednesday. The expected $48 million will represent almost a 90% increase from the $25.4 million in retransmission-consent revenue that the broadcaster secured in 2006, Sinclair officials said during a conference call on fourth-quarter results. Sinclair CEO David Smith urged his fellow broadcasters to continue the quest for cash from cable companies.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416344.html?display=Breaking+News
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416344.html?display=Breaking%20News
REP MARKEY SEEKS CARRIAGE OF PUBLIC TV SIGNALS VIA SATELLITE
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 2/13, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Ed markey (D-MA), one of the strongest congressional proponents of public television, on Tuesday urged DirecTV and EchoStar Communications to carry the multiple signals that public TV stations will offer after converting to digital. Neither company has committed to carrying the channels, but major cable operators have agreed do so. "There's no greater, higher priority than protecting public broadcasting," said Rep Markey.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-ZLIL1171483507659.html
Rep. Markey Seeks Carriage Of Public TV Signals Via Satellite
COMMITMENT TO CHANGE NEEDED BEFORE HELPING PBS
[SOURCE: Digital Destiny, AUTHOR: Jeff Chester]
[Commentary] Groups such as Moveon.org and others have rightly responded to the proposed Bush Administration budget slash to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. While reversing the cuts is necessary, it is too early to support any permanent funding plan. More money won't cure PBS’s problems. It will just enable the network to display higher-priced collectibles on Antiques Roadshow. The system needs to be restructured so the public interest is better guaranteed via a truly non-commercial approach. We also must think beyond today’s PBS and NPR to ensure there will be funding to support a much more expansive and diverse non-commercial digital environment.
http://www.democraticmedia.org/jcblog/?p=173
http://www.democraticmedia.org/jcblog/?p=173
FTC URGED TO BOOST INTERNET OVERSIGHT
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Christopher Rugaber]
Consumer advocates on Tuesday said federal regulators need to increase oversight of telephone and cable companies that offer Internet access to ensure they aren't discriminating against certain providers of video and other Web content. Gigi B. Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, a nonprofit group that focuses on communications law, said the Federal Trade Commission should also require more disclosure from telephone and cable companies about the Internet access speeds they promise to deliver to consumers. Sohn spoke on the first of a two-day workshop convened by the FTC to discuss "network neutrality" issues. The phrase is shorthand for the concept that all online traffic should be treated equally by Internet service providers.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8N93O980.htm
FTC urged to boost Internet oversight
EARTHLINK IS SELECTED AS HOUSTON'S WIFI PROVIDER
[SOURCE: Houston Chronicle, AUTHOR: Alexis Grant & Matt Stiles]
Houston has chosen Atlanta-based EarthLink Municipal Networks to provide a citywide, wireless Internet network within the next two years. While the agreement with EarthLink still needs City Council approval, its terms put Houston in line to have the largest such network in North America, covering nearly all of the city's 600 square miles by spring of 2009, White told the Chronicle. Some low-income residents could get subsidized access for as little as $10 a month, and most customers would pay less than they do now. After announcing Tuesday that Internet service provider EarthLink has been selected to build the city's wireless network, Mayor Bill White wasted no time moving toward the next step -- City Council approval.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4552151.html
* No lags in city's plan to go wireless
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4552151.html
EarthLink is selected as Houston's WiFi provider
SF BOARD DELAYS VOTE ON FREE WI-FI
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Heather Knight]
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors opted Tuesday to delay a key vote on free, citywide Internet access -- signaling what could be a long, drawn-out battle over the issue to come. Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed a free Wi-Fi system two years ago, and his administration last month revealed the outlines of a proposed contract between the city and EarthLink and Google. According to the contract, EarthLink would pay the city $2 million over four years for the right to build, own and maintain the network. Google would provide free Internet access, while EarthLink would offer a faster service that could be accessed for a $22 monthly fee. The terms of the deal haven't sat well with some members of the Board of Supervisors who say it's not good enough for the city. Board Budget Analyst Harvey Rose has said the city could run its own Wi-Fi system or contract with a nonprofit Internet provider -- but left the merits of such a decision to the supervisors.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/14/BAGUGO4A0C1.DTL&...
EFF TAKES VIACOM TO TASK OVER YOUTUBE TAKEDOWN
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Greg Sandoval]
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is encouraging those wrongly accused of posting pirated Viacom material on YouTube to stand up to the giant conglomerate -- even if it means a court fight. Two weeks ago, when Viacom demanded that YouTube remove 100,000 videos featuring unauthorized clips of its films or TV shows, some innocent users got caught up in the sweep, said EFF, an advocate for the rights of Internet users. In a video posted to YouTube last week, EFF said it wanted to hear from anyone who may have been unfairly blamed. EFF compared Viacom's actions to fishermen who cast a wide net and mistakenly trap a porpoise. The group suggested in a note on its Web site that some of those accused of copyright violations may need legal help.
http://news.com.com/EFF+takes+Viacom+to+task+over+YouTube+takedown/2100-...
EFF takes Viacom to task over YouTube takedown