April 2006

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LEGISLATION/NEWS FROM CONGRESS
Telecom Bill Likely To Hit House Floor Next Week
Info on Video Franchising Bill
Net Neutrality -- The Current Rules
Telecom Bill gets Mixed Reviews
Economist Debunks 'Net Neutrality' Issue
Landrieu Lifts Hold on FCC Nominee

INTERNET
U.S. broadband booms, but impacts lag
The BBC's Risky Game of Space Invaders

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Telecom Group wants more US Airwaves for Disasters
Homeland Security Will Embed Reporters

QUICKLY -- NSA spying comes under legal,=20
political attack; The Future of Children's Public=20
Service Media; MTV On Janet Jackson: Televisa Is=20
Working on Bid for Univision; We're Sorry, But=20
Get Over It; Comcast Seeks Set-Top Waiver from=20
FCC; FCC Names Barehand Tribal Liaison; Calif.=20
agency OKs broadband-over-power-lines test;=20
Suffolk County Plans to Offer Free Wireless Internet Access

LEGISLATION/NEWS FROM CONGRESS

TELECOM BILL LIKELY TO HIT HOUSE FLOOR NEXT WEEK
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
The telecommunications legislation approved by=20
the House Energy and Commerce Committee on=20
Wednesday is likely headed for a House floor vote=20
May 4, aides to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL)=20
said. The vote would put the bill -- sponsored by=20
Commerce Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) -- before the=20
Rules Committee on Wednesday. The timetable=20
presumes that House parliamentarians will rule=20
against an expected effort by the House Judiciary=20
Committee to seek referral of the bill. Granting=20
a referral to Judiciary likely would delay a=20
vote, but most congressional and industry sources=20
say Judiciary will not get a chance to consider=20
the bill. Rep Barton has been cautious in=20
rejecting amendments and drafting text to avoid=20
Judiciary jurisdiction. "We are going to review=20
the final bill that came out of Barton's=20
committee on Monday," Judiciary spokesman Terry=20
Shawn said. The Commerce report on the measure is=20
likely to be released Monday. If Judiciary is=20
denied a referral, the key question for the Rules=20
Committee is whether it allows a vote on the=20
contentious issue of "network neutrality," said=20
various industry, nonprofit and congressional sources.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-LCSP1146169911157.html
Also see --
* Key House Panel Defeats Net Neutrality
[SOURCE: The Nation, AUTHOR: Jeff Chester]
[Commentary] With midterm elections looming, GOP=20
leaders will come under increasing pressure to=20
make a choice. Will they continue to back their=20
few phone and cable industry supporters and keep=20
the open Internet safeguards off the table? Or=20
will they recognize that a genuine digital-age=20
protest movement is emerging that could further=20
harm their party's chances in November? The next=20
few weeks will reveal whether the "smart mobs"=20
can win over a tiny handful of communications monopolists.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060515/chester
* Save the Internet
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/35557/
* Net neutrality vote: the cost in human terms
http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=3D1061

INFO ON VIDEO FRANCHISING BILL
[SOURCE: House of Representatives Commerce Committee press release]
Specifically, the Barton-Rush legislation would:=20
1) Create a national approval process, known as a=20
=93franchise,=94 for telephone carriers and cable=20
providers that offer subscription television. By=20
streamlining this system, more competitors will=20
offer services that are similar to cable TV. The=20
likely result will be lower prices and more=20
choices for consumers. 2) Improve competition=20
between VoIP Internet-based telephone services=20
and local telephone services. 3) Require cable=20
and telephone companies to offer broadband=20
services without requiring consumers take=20
telephone, television or other services the=20
provider offers. 4) Preserve municipalities=92=20
right to collect up to a six percent fee from=20
pay-TV providers. Part of this fee will go=20
towards ensuring local communities can continue=20
to offer public, educational and governmental=20
(PEG) stations. 5) Establish penalties of up to=20
$500,000 for broadband providers that block=20
lawful content. The Federal Communications=20
Commission would have, for the first time,=20
explicit power to go after companies that violate=20
network neutrality principles. 6) Require=20
Internet-based telephone services to offer 9-1-1=20
capabilities while ensuring Internet telephone=20
providers have access to all necessary 9-1-1=20
infrastructure and technology. This will help=20
ensure that VoIP service can be a safe and=20
effective competitor to standard telephone=20
service. 7)Allow localities to retain control of=20
their rights-of-way and ensure local=20
jurisdictions still receive the franchise fees=20
they collected under the current system.=20
Additionally, the FCC will be authorized to step=20
in if a locality tries to unfairly use its=20
rights-of-way authority to block new competitors=20
from entering the local market. 8) Allow cities=20
and towns to develop their own broadband=20
networks. 9) Require broadband operators take=20
additional steps to ensure their networks aren't=20
used to transmit child pornography. 9) Strong=20
anti-discrimination provisions that include fines=20
of up to $500,000 a day and even revocation of franchises.
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/News/04272006_1857.htm
* House committee votes to streamline FCC=92s multi-mode device authorizati=
on
[SOURCE: RCR Wireless, AUTHOR: Heather Forsgren Weaver ]
The Video Franchising Bill passed Wednesday by=20
the House Commerce Committee includes provisions=20
to streamline the process that the Federal=20
Communications Commission uses to approve=20
multi-mode devices. Radio-frequency devices are=20
required to be certified to ensure they meet=20
technical standards established by the FCC. New=20
technologies must undergo commission=20
certification, but, according to the FCC=92s web=20
site, cell phones and other devices can be=20
certified by telecommunications certification=20
bodies=97outside groups authorized by the agency to=20
conduct the testing necessary for certification.=20
=93All we are trying to do is kick in a quicker=20
process so that we don't have to wait 64 days to=20
get approval for multi-mode devices,=94 said Rep.=20
John Shimkus (R-IL), the sponsor of the=20
amendment. =93We are asking FCC to streamline the=20
process. It doesn't specify the process.=94
http://www.rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=3D26234

NET NEUTRALITY....THE CURRENT RULES
[SOURCE: Washington Monthly, AUTHOR: Kevin Drum]
[Commentary] here are the current principles of=20
net neutrality that were adopted by the FCC last=20
August. These principles would be enforced by the=20
Barton-Rush bill if it were passed in its current=20
form: 1) Consumers are entitled to access the=20
lawful Internet content of their choice. 2)=20
Consumers are entitled to run applications and=20
services of their choice, subject to the needs of=20
law enforcement. 3) Consumers are entitled to=20
connect their choice of legal devices that do not=20
harm the network. 4) Consumers are entitled to=20
competition among network providers, application=20
and service providers, and content providers.
Although the Commission did not adopt rules in=20
this regard, it will incorporate these principles=20
into its ongoing policymaking activities. All of=20
these principles are subject to reasonable=20
network management. The Barton-Rush bill=20
instructs the FCC to enforce these principles if=20
a complaint is submitted, but does not allow the=20
FCC to proactively create new regulations based=20
on them. Note that these principles prohibit=20
Internet providers from blocking access to sites,=20
but do not explicitly prohibit degradation of=20
service. It's an open question how the FCC will=20
interpret "access" if someone ever lodges a=20
complaint alleging that a network provider has=20
deliberately degraded performance in a way that=20
effectively prevents a site or application from=20
working properly. Note also that these principles=20
do allow Internet providers to create special=20
high-speed lanes that they can offer for a price=20
to specific customers. The most likely customers=20
for such a service are video-on-demand providers.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2006_04/008697.php

TELECOM BILL GETS MIXED REVIEWS
[SOURCE: IDG News Service, AUTHOR: Grant Gross]
Verizon cheered the House Energy and Commerce=20
Committee's vote to approve the bill and send it=20
to the full House floor. The company and the=20
United States Telecom Association also applauded=20
the committee's vote to reject an amendment that=20
would have prohibited broadband providers from=20
blocking or impairing their customers' access to=20
competing Web sites or applications. The House=20
should pass the bill and not weigh it down with=20
issues such as "mandating government regulation=20
of the Internet," Peter Davidson, Verizon senior=20
vice president for federal legislative affairs,=20
said in a statement. "We are disappointed but not=20
surprised that the committee voted to turn over=20
the future of the Internet to the telephone and=20
cable industry," Gigi Sohn, Public Knowledge's=20
president, said by e-mail. "Neither of those two=20
sectors contributed to the creative development=20
of the Internet, and neither is known for=20
innovation. They are known for their desire to=20
control what goes over their networks."
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/04/27/77839_HNtelecombill_1.html
* Bloggers Weigh In On Net Neutrality Debate
http://www.informationweek.com/internet/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DH...
EJR5TNESAQSNDBCCKH0CJUMEKJVN?articleID=3D186701338&subSection=3D
* TV Producers, Writers & Directors Support Net Neutrality on Hill
http://creativevoices.typepad.com/blog/2006/04/tv_producers_wr.html

ECONOMIST DEBUNKS 'NET NEUTRALITY' ISSUE
[SOURCE: KSBI-TV Oklahoma]
John Rutledge of Rutledge Capital warns "Network=20
neutrality is a contrived issue that would push=20
American telecommunications back towards the=20
stifling regulatory climate it's been trying to=20
escape for 20 years." "Lobbyists for the big=20
on-line service companies not only want Congress=20
to set price controls in advance, but they are=20
wrapping their self-interest in the flag of=20
network neutrality and making the ridiculous=20
claim that they want to protect affordable=20
Internet service for everyone," said Rutledge. He=20
said affordable consumer Internet service,=20
especially consumer broadband, can be best=20
assured by continued investment in networks that=20
bring super high-speed fiber connections direct=20
to homes and small businesses. This will=20
encourage more competition among phone companies,=20
cable companies and other high-speed network=20
operators. Rutledge warned that inclusion of=20
network neutrality regulations in current=20
legislation could discourage passage and if=20
adopted, would discourage both investment and=20
competition. "Every time this nation moves to=20
promote free-market competition, it seems some=20
special interest has come along to subvert the=20
intent and sink consumer interests in the muddy=20
waters of regulatory interpretation and special=20
interest legislation," Rutledge said. "The net=20
neutrality campaign is a continuation of that syndrome."
http://www.ksbitv.com/technology/2704051.html

LANDRIEU LIFTS HOLD ON FCC NOMINEE
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) agreed to stop blocking=20
the Federal Communications Commission nomination=20
of Robert McDowell after the White House agreed=20
to spend more money on cleaning up Gulf Coast=20
regions damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Sen=20
Landrieu's Communications Director Adam Sharp=20
said the senator lifted her hold late Tuesday=20
when the White House agreed to seek $2.2 billion=20
in funding to help reconstruct levees that=20
prevent storm flooding. Sen Landrieu=92s move does=20
not mean McDowell=92s nomination has been cleared=20
for a vote. It is possible that other senators=20
are blocking him. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has=20
reportedly placed a hold on McDowell related to=20
universal-service funding. Sen Rockefeller=92s=20
office is neither confirming nor denying those reports.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6329061.html?display=3DBreaking+News

INTERNET

US BROADBAND BOOMS, BUT IMPACTS LAG
[SOURCE: IDG News Service, AUTHOR: Stephen Lawson]
The number of Internet users in the U.S. has=20
jumped since last year, but the Internet's impact=20
on some aspects of users' lives hasn't grown that=20
much since 2001, according to results of a survey=20
published Wednesday. The Pew Internet & American=20
Life Project survey shows that 73 percent of=20
respondents are Internet users, up from 66=20
percent in a January 2005 survey. The results=20
indicate 147 million adults use the Internet, up=20
from 133 million at the time of the last survey.=20
Broadband penetration in U.S. homes has grown=20
even more. The share of users who have broadband=20
at home is 42 percent, up from just 29 percent in=20
January 2005. About 84 million U.S. residents=20
have broadband at home, compared with about 59=20
million in the earlier study. However, other=20
results of the survey indicate users aren't=20
getting as much out of the Internet as the growth=20
in users might suggest. In the latest survey, 35=20
percent of respondents said the Internet has=20
greatly improved their ability to do their jobs.=20
But since March 2001, that share hasn't grown by=20
even half: In a survey at that time, 24 percent=20
of the Internet users gave that response. Also=20
since March 2001, the percentage of Internet=20
users that say it has greatly improved the way=20
they pursue hobbies and interests has grown to=20
only 33 percent from 20 percent. Health Web sites=20
have had even less impact: Whereas 17 percent of=20
users in 2001 said the Internet has greatly=20
improved the way they get information about=20
health care, 20 percent said so in the latest=20
survey. Shopping has had a bigger impact, but=20
fewer than one-third of users find the Internet a=20
big boon in that area. In the latest survey, 32=20
percent of users said it has greatly improved=20
their ability to shop, up from 16 percent in=20
March 2001. The resources and services available=20
on the Web have exploded since 2001, but at the=20
same time it's become harder to make an=20
impression on users, said Mary Madden, a research=20
specialist at Pew, in Washington, D.C. In March=20
2001, 57 percent of adults in the U.S. were online.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/04/27/77846_HNbroadband_1.html
* See the Pew study "Internet Penetration and Impact"
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/182/report_display.asp

THE BBC'S RISKY GAME OF SPACE INVADERS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] The BBC is right to consider how to=20
contact and capture the millions of younger=20
people who never - or hardly ever - watch=20
television. Failure to do so would be an=20
abdication. But the initiative merits caution,=20
given its place among other expansionist moves.=20
From plans for its commercial arm to create=20
BBC.com, an advertising-supported website outside=20
the UK, to the intention to provide some free=20
video-on-demand for programmes, the BBC's=20
Internet ambitions are outpacing its remit as a=20
public broadcaster. The most immediate concern is=20
that new plans are moving forward under an old=20
system, where responsibilities lie with=20
government ministers and the BBC governors.=20
Further ahead there are two broader issues. The=20
first is that the more BBC online services draw=20
on personalized content from its users, the=20
harder it will be to show how different these=20
sites are from those of commercial media=20
companies. The second relates to funding. The=20
more the BBC's material is available without the=20
need to possess a television set, the more=20
obviously unfair it will become for its funding=20
to come so heavily from those who do still use=20
TV. The BBC can never be on equal terms with=20
commercial broadcasters. This would be true even=20
if public funding stopped tomorrow, since its=20
archive and brand have been built up with a=20
guaranteed income stream. This has enabled the=20
BBC to take risks commercial broadcasters could=20
not, often to public benefit. Over-reaching=20
digital and Internet ambitions put that at risk.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e051b590-d652-11da-8b3a-0000779e2340.html
(requires subscription)

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

TELECOM GROUP WANTS MORE US AIRWAVES FOR DISASTERS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
More airwaves should be reserved for public=20
safety and emergency workers in the United States=20
to guarantee they can communicate with each other=20
in disasters, wireless industry executives said=20
on Thursday. One of the major issues that arose=20
out of the rubble left behind by the Sept. 11=20
attacks on the World Trade Center and Hurricane=20
Katrina was the difficulty emergency workers had=20
talking via two-way radios. As the Federal=20
Communications Commission readies an auction of=20
airwaves being given up by television=20
broadcasters, Morgan O'Brien, who co-founded=20
Nextel Communications, urged the government to=20
withhold 30 Megahertz (Mhz) from the sale for=20
building a wireless network for public safety=20
officials. The 30 megahertz represents about half=20
of the airwaves to be sold in the auction, which=20
must begin by early 2008. Congress ordered the=20
sale and wants the proceeds, likely to be=20
billions of dollars, to help trim the U.S. budget=20
deficit. O'Brien, through a new venture he formed=20
with other former Nextel executives named Cyren=20
Call Communications Corp., is calling for the=20
airwaves to be put into a trust that would lease=20
them to commercial providers to build a network=20
for both public safety officials and companies to=20
use. It would likely require some 37,000 wireless=20
towers to cover most of the U.S. population, O'Brien said.
http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=3Dtelecomm&storyID=
=3DnN27448881&imageid=3D&cap=3D
* A Fix for Radio Woes?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/27/AR200604...
1922.html
* Bush: =91We have to be ready=92
[SOURCE: MSNBC]
"Obviously there was a communications problem, as=20
you well know, and we have pre-position=20
communications equipment, or have communications=20
equipment ready that is available that will help us in case of a big storm."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12519819/from/RSS/

HOMELAND SECURITY WILL EMBED REPORTERS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Reporters will be embedded with the government=20
during natural disasters, according to a plan=20
outlined by Homeland Security Secretary Michael=20
Chertoff at the Radio-Television News Directors=20
Association convention in Las Vegas.Chertoff said=20
that it is not a battleground so "we're not going=20
to be censoring information." But he also said=20
that he doesn't want "interference with our=20
physical operations," according to RTNDA.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6328620?display=3DBreaking+News

QUICKLY

NSA SPYING COMES UNDER LEGAL, POLITICAL ATTACK
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
President Bush's no-longer-secret surveillance=20
program employing the National Security Agency=20
came under a two-pronged attack this week on both=20
political and legal fronts. First, Sen. Arlen=20
Specter (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary=20
Committee, said Thursday that he was=20
contemplating pulling the plug on the NSA spying=20
program by cutting funding--unless, that is, the=20
Bush administration comes clean on how the=20
program works and whether it complies with=20
privacy rights guaranteed by the U.S.=20
Constitution. Second, on Wednesday, U.S. District=20
Judge Vaughn Walker in the northern district of=20
California set two hearing dates over the next=20
two months for a lawsuit that seeks to prove that=20
AT&T illegally cooperated with the NSA and=20
violated federal wiretapping laws in doing so.=20
One date is May 17 and the other is June 21.
http://news.com.com/NSA+spying+comes+under+legal,+political+attack/2100-...
8_3-6066123.html?tag=3Dhtml.alert
* Specter Wants More Debate on Spying
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/27/AR200604...
0977.html
* Wiretap Funding Cutoff Is Warned
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-nsa28apr28,1,645...
1.story?coll=3Dla-news-a_section

THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN'S PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA
[SOURCE: PBS press release]
The Public Broadcasting Service announced the=20
creation of the Next Generation Media Advisory=20
Board to help define the role public service=20
media will play in the changing digital=20
children's media landscape. The Board will=20
provide strategic counsel regarding content=20
creation, distribution, business development,=20
education and community impact. Composed of=20
experts from top organizations in the country=20
that share a commitment to children's success and=20
development, the full list of board members is=20
attached. The first Board meeting was held at PBS headquarters on April 26.
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=3D6a4d426f81b7d982&cat=3Df...
cc818e15aecf

MTV ON JANET JACKSON: WE'RE SORRY, BUT GET OVER IT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
MTV Networks President Christina Norman told a=20
National Press Club audience Wednesday that MTV=20
was sorry about the Janet Jackson half-time=20
incident, now over two years ago, but that the=20
network had "moved on" and it was time for the=20
country to do the same. She was asked how she=20
felt about being one of the channels that groups=20
like the Family Research council are trying to=20
avoid -- by lobbying for a la carte cable --=20
because they say MTV glorifies sex, drugs and=20
violence. She said it was unfortunate that there=20
were people who continued to criticize MTV=20
"despite never having really watched it." She=20
said that "the MTV of today is very different=20
from the one they might remember." She also=20
pointed out that there are parental controls, so=20
that people who don't want MTV in their homes don't have to have it.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6329057?display=3DBreaking+News

TELEVISA IS WORKING ON BID FOR UNIVISION
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Meg James]
The board of Mexico's broadcasting giant, Grupo=20
Televisa, on Thursday authorized senior=20
executives to put together a bid to increase its=20
ownership stake in Spanish-language broadcaster=20
Univision Communications. The Mexico City company=20
produces the wildly popular telenovelas that=20
generate about 40% of Univision's revenue, and is=20
eager for a bigger slice of the U.S.=20
Spanish-language advertising pie. Televisa holds=20
about 11% of the shares of Los Angeles-based=20
Univision. Its 38-year-old chairman, Emilio=20
Azcarraga Jean, has long searched for a way to=20
reclaim the company that his grandfather launched=20
in 1961. Televisa could not buy Univision=20
outright. U.S. rules prevent foreign citizens=20
from owning more than 25% of a U.S. broadcasting=20
company. That restriction forced Azcarraga's=20
father to sell the Univision TV stations two decades ago.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-televisa28apr28,1,274...
4.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

COMCAST SEEKS SET-TOP WAIVER FROM FCC
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Matt Stump]
Comcast Corp. asked the Federal Communications=20
Commission for permission to continue deploying=20
low-cost digital set-tops after the July 1, 2007,=20
deadline that calls for all new boxes to have=20
separate conditional-access security, such as=20
CableCARD software. The waiver request, Comcast=20
argues, will allow it to offer more subscribers=20
family and ethnic programming tiers. It would=20
also provide a low-cost way for consumers with=20
analog-TV sets to continue receiving cable=20
service after all TV stations begin broadcasting=20
in digital in February 2009. Under FCC rules, all=20
set-tops deployed after July 1, 2007, must have=20
removable conditional-access features, which the=20
commission hopes will foster a more competitive=20
set-top market and widen choices consumers have=20
for purchasing digital-cable-ready TVs at retail=20
stores. But when the agency adopted those rules,=20
it said it would consider waiver requests for=20
low-end boxes, Comcast said, adding that such=20
low-end boxes will make it easier and more=20
cost-effective for consumers to buy family or=20
ethnic programming tiers, receive digital-quality=20
pictures, widen parental-control features and=20
increase access to video-on-demand.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6328785.html?display=3DBreaking+News

FCC NAMES BAREHAND TRIBAL LIAISON
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC announced the naming of Shana Barehand=20
(formerly Shana Greenberg) as Tribal Liaison,=20
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs in the=20
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. The=20
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs administers=20
the Commission's Indian Telecommunications=20
Initiatives (ITI), a comprehensive FCC program=20
designed to increase access to telecommunications=20
services on tribal lands and to promote=20
understanding, cooperation and trust among the=20
FCC and other government agencies, the=20
telecommunications industry, American Indian=20
tribes, Native American Indian tribal=20
organizations and Alaska Native corporations and=20
communities. As Tribal Liaison, Ms. Barehand=20
will play an essential role in ITI-sponsored=20
events and other activities. Ms. Barehand joins=20
the Commission from the United States=20
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") where she=20
served as a Senior Enforcement Attorney, and was=20
also instrumental in helping the Agency work with=20
tribal governments to develop and implement=20
environmental programs and to identify issues in=20
Indian Country. Additionally, she conducted=20
briefings and training seminars with EPA staff=20
regarding the federal trust responsibility and=20
basic principles of Indian law. Ms. Barehand is=20
a Founding Board Member of the Society of=20
American Indian Government Employees. She served=20
as Treasurer and Agent for the National Native=20
American Bar Association from 2001 to 2006 and=20
coordinated the Federal Bar Association's=20
mid-year Indian Law Conference in 2000 and=20
2001. She served on the Board of the Native=20
American Bar Association of Washington, DC in=20
1999 and helped coordinate the National Native=20
American Veteran Pow Wow in Washington, DC in=20
1997 and 1998. Ms. Barehand is Mono Indian from=20
California. Ms. Barehand received her J.D. in=20
1994 from the Arizona State University College of=20
Law, where she served for several years as=20
President of the Native American Law Students=20
Association. In 1990-1991, she also served as=20
the President of the National Native American Law=20
Students Association. While a student, Ms.=20
Barehand worked as a law clerk for California=20
Indian Legal Services and for a large Phoenix=20
firm representing a Navajo client in a=20
Hopi-Navajo land claim settlement. Ms. Barehand=20
received her BA in Psychology from the California=20
State University, Long Beach, in 1990.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-265123A1.doc

CALIFORNIA PUC OKs BROADBAND-OVER-POWER-LINES TEST
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Leonard Anderson]
The California Public Utilities Commission=20
approved a plan on Thursday allowing providers of=20
high-speed Internet services to test electricity=20
lines to deliver online access throughout the=20
state. CPUC commissioner Rachelle Chong, who=20
drafted the plan, said broadband over power=20
lines, or BPL, could become a new competitor to=20
Internet services delivered via telephone, cable=20
and satellites and help reduce prices for consumers.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DtechnologyNews&sto...
D=3D2006-04-27T212159Z_01_N27428854_RTRUKOC_0_US-UTILITIES-BROADBAND-CALIFO=
RNIA.xml
* STATE REGULATORS CLEAR WAY FOR CONSUMERS TO ONE=20
DAY GET BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/14450201.htm
* PUC Approves Power Lines for Net Access
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-puc28apr28,1,6866639....
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

SUFFOLK COUNTY PLANS TO OFFER FREE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Bruce Lambert]
Suffolk County (NY) is planning a wireless system=20
to provide free access to the Internet to the 1.5=20
million residents who live throughout its 900=20
square miles. It would be one of the largest=20
government-sponsored wireless networks in the=20
nation. The system would allow anyone to use=20
computers and P.D.A. devices with wireless=20
capabilities anywhere in the county, and would=20
also be available to visitors, businesses,=20
government agencies, institutions and groups.=20
County officials hope to start installation next year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/28/nyregion/28suffolk.html
(requires registration)
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... and we're outta here. Have a great weekend.
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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.
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