January 2009

Chairman Copps Speaks With Federal Communications Commission Staff

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps spoke with Commission staff on Monday to address what to create opportunities for people through communications. He noted that President Obama called on the country to build the "digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together." To succeed, Chairman Copps said, the Commission must "utilize its resources-especially its human resources-smartly and inclusively." The first task is to improve lines of communication, enhance the level of transparency in FCC work, and bring to the Commission's daily decisions the kind of openness that gives true credibility. He asked Bureaus and Offices to collaborate. Chairman Copps announced that he will hold a weekly Chairman's Office Briefing with Bureau and Office chiefs, and representatives from each Commissioner's office. He also called for a more transparent and open FCC that is "useful to the stakeholders that we serve." He called for a update of the Commission's website to make it more user-friendly. He announced: "In the weeks ahead, our three most important priorities will be, as you have heard me say already, DTV, DTV and DTV." The FCC's next open meetings will be Feb 5 and March 5. Finally, Copps named Rick Chessen the Acting Chief of Staff and Scott Deutchman the Acting Senior Legal Advisor. Paul Murray, who is currently a Legal Advisor to the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, will serve on an interim basis as the Legal Advisor for wireless and international issues.

Consumer interests should guide FCC

[Commentary] If Julius Genachowski is the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, he should give attention to Network Neutrality, advocating for equal and open access to Internet content, services and applications. Internet users, rather than service providers, should be able to determine the content they view and the applications they use online. And, if Genachowski deems it necessary, he should advocate for a new law allowing FCC enforcement of that principle. He should then shift his attention to maximizing broadband access, which is not only sound telecommunications policy but also important for economic development.

Martin Offers Advice For FCC Successor

A Q&A with former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin. Martin advices the next FCC chairman "look hard at the facts and the underlying arguments that are being made and -- while they will have whatever ideology they bring to the issues -- they should be prepared to actually examine the underlying facts and have it be more of a fact-based decision-making process as opposed to just an ideological one." He thinks there could be bi-partisan support for universal service reform and lowering cable rates in 2009.

Senate Votes to Delay DTV Transition; House Expected to Agree in Vote This Week

On Monday night, the Senate, on a voice vote, unanimously agreed to delay the nation's digital TV transition from Feb 17 to June 12. There was no debate before the vote. The House could vote on the measure by week's end and it is expected to pass easily. Democrats, including aides to President Barack Obama, have expressed concern that viewers still don't know which sets do and do not need converter boxes and don't know how to hook up and program their converter boxes. They also fear there are insufficient help centers available for people having trouble setting up their sets. There also has been concern that viewers may not know be aware of signal patterns that could make some stations more difficult to see. Finally, there has been concern from both Democrats and Republicans that not enough money was set aside to help defray the cost of converter boxes needed for TV sets not connected to cable or satellite. The government was issuing up to two $40 coupons per household, but that money has been used up, so it can only issue new coupons when existing coupons expire. Nearly 2.6 million households are on the waiting list, and those coupons won't be in consumers' hands by Feb. 17.

DTV Delay Would Cost PBS $22 Million

Public Broadcasting Service chief Paula Kerger wants lawmakers to know that a four month delay of the digital television transition would cost public broadcasters $22 million. PBS stations will face additional power costs, and in some cases make new arrangements, for sending over-the-air TV signals after mid-February.

Study: Only 56% of US HDTV Owners Receive HD Programming

Of the estimated 39 million U.S. households that now own an HDTV set, just 22 million -- or 56% -- are actually receiving high-definition programming from a cable provider or another source, according to research firm In-Stat. The 22 million U.S. HDTV households at the end of 2008 -- defined as households having an installed HD-capable TV set and that also receive and watch HD programming -- represented an almost 40% increase from the year prior, In-Stat said.

The 700 MHz Waiting Game

The spectrum in the 700 MHz band that was auctioned last year is well-suited for rural areas because of its excellent propagation characteristics. Network operators should be able to cover large areas with relatively few towers, offering an economical alternative for delivering broadband to remote areas — once the equipment is available. Some smaller 700 MHz spectrum winners hope to minimize costs by making the same technology choice as dominant carriers AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, even though equipment to support that technology, based on the long-term evolution standard, is not expected to be available until 2010 at the earliest.

Some Myths and Misunderstandings about Wireless Safety Broadband

Myths and misunderstandings surround the discussion of the "D Block", the proposed creation of a national wireless broadband network for safety agencies and users. Three in particular appear in almost every story or speech on this topic. These misunderstandings are also present in one way or another in most debates over the broader topic of emergency information and communications technology, of which the D Block is only one limited part.

1) "Broadband and Internet Protocol will solve the problem". "Pipes" alone will not solve the emergency response information and communications technology problems.

2) "A new safety wireless broadband network will solve the interoperability problem." Lack of voice and data interoperability is a huge problem in emergency response. A prominent myth is that the primary reason for creating a wireless broadband access network (or any transport network) is achieving interoperability with other agencies. It doesn't, anymore than building any new network is about interoperability -- unless everyone will be on that network -- which is never going to happen.

3) "A wireless broadband network for responders is critical". Emergency response organizations don't just need a wireless broadband network. They need to be connected to all the broadband networks that are already there: terrestrial fixed (fiber, microwave), wireless and satellite for backup.

Recession hits Silicon Valley as layoffs pile up

The recession turned up late on Silicon Valley's doorstep but is likely to stay awhile, as technology companies slash thousands of jobs and rein in costs to make up for shrinking earnings and tight-fisted customers. Job cuts in the technology sector have trailed other industries until recent weeks. Now they are coming fast and furious as the economic downturn grips the Valley, the strip of land in northern California that is home to household names like Google and Amazon units. Tech giants like Intel and Microsoft are laying off thousands of employees, while start-up companies are firing in smaller numbers as they struggle to survive with fewer customers and venture capital dollars. And this is just the start, analysts say, expecting thousands more to lose their jobs this year as the recession forces the industry to slash marketing and capital spending.

Sprint Nextel to cut 8,000 jobs

On Monday Sprint Nextel announced it will fire 8,000 people as the economic meltdown cuts into the telecommunications carrier's business. The workforce reduction is expected to result in a $300 million charge in the first quarter for severance payouts, but also is anticipated to save the company $1.2 billion in annualized labor costs. In addition, Sprint plans to suspend its 401k match in 2009, as well as continue with its salary freeze for a second year. The telecommunications carrier's tuition reimbursement program will also be suspended this year.

Benton

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