Feb 26, 2009 (Net Neutrality in Norway and Canada)
BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2009
Visit Headlines online at http://benton.org/headlines
NETWORK NEUTRALITY
Norway gets Network Neutrality -- voluntary, but broadly supported
Internet traffic shaping seen stifling innovation in Canada
INTERNET/BROADBAND
Structuring NTIA and RUS Broadband Grant and Loan Programs
What Exactly is Unserved?
Rural Broadband Principles and Policy Recommendations
Who Cares Where We're Ranked Internationally?
Tennessee: Stimulating broadband
Federal stimulus could expand Missouri rural broadband
Minnesota Broadband Scenarios
Supreme Court rules for AT&T unit in antitrust case
DOCSIS, not FTTH, is Technology to Watch
THE TRANSITION
President Obama Nominates Former Governor Gary Locke for Secretary of Commerce
NEW RESEARCH
US Innovation Ranks High, Progress Lacking
US should look abroad for ed lessons
QUICKLY -- Health Information Technology Policy Committee Nomination Letters; House Judiciary Hearing on Copyright, Compensation, and Licensing; FCC To Issue NOI On Content-Control Technologies ASAP; Google Tries To Kibosh Funding Of Critic; Can Google Save Local Media?; As US IT jobs are cut, H-1B use by offshoring vendors rises; FCC Opens Inquiry Into Patent Costs For Digital TVs; Neuroscientist: Internet, video games rewiring kids' brains
NETWORK NEUTRALITY
NORWAY GETS NETWORK NEUTRALITY -- VOLUNTARY, BUT BROADLY SUPPORTED
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Nate Anderson]
Several ISPs, the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority, the Norwegian Cable TV Association, and consumer groups have all signed on today to a new document outlining Network Neutrality principles. The new rules lay out three guidelines. First, Internet users must be given complete and accurate information about the service they are buying, including capacity and quality. Second, users are allowed to send and receive content of their choice, use services and applications of their choice. and connect any hardware and software that doesn't harm the network. Finally, the connection cannot be discriminated against based on application, service, content, sender, or receiver. Within those guidelines, though, ISPs still retain tremendous freedom to act as they choose. The second principle, for instance sounds more than a bit like the FCC's current Internet policy statement, and it should—it was adapted from the FCC principles. Like the FCC principles, the right to freely use a connection is limited to legal uses, so it does not preclude ISPs from blocking access some P2P file-sharing or all child pornography. In the US, this has already lead ISPs to suggest that even intrusive deep packet inspection of user traffic would be acceptable, so long as the goal was rooting out such illegal uses. Principle three prohibits traffic discrimination in general, but does allow "traffic management efforts on an operator's own network to block activities that harm the network, comply with orders from the authorities, ensure the quality of service for specific applications that require this, deal with special situations of temporary network overload or prioritize traffic on an individual user's connection according to the user's wishes."
http://benton.org/node/22578
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INTERNET TRAFFIC SHAPING SEEN STIFLING INNOVATION IN CANADA
[SOURCE: Toronto Star, AUTHOR: Chris Sorensen]
A group of more than 75 Web-focused companies and organizations, including such heavyweights as Google, eBay and Amazon, are calling on Canadian regulators to develop a "nuanced" approach when it comes to the thorny issue of phone and cable companies that manage Internet traffic on their networks. In filings this week to the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission in advance of a July probe into the issue of Internet traffic management, the group rejected the suggestion put forward by Bell Canada Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. that certain bandwidth-intensive applications need to be actively managed in order to prevent them from bogging down the Internet. Both Bell and Rogers currently use special software to sniff out mainly peer-to-peer file sharing protocols such as BitTorrent and put them in the equivalent of an Internet slow lane during peak periods of usage.
http://benton.org/node/22580
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INTERNET/BROADBAND
STRUCTURING NTIA AND RUS BROADBAND GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS
[SOURCE: Benton Foundation, AUTHOR: Kevin Taglang]
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes billions for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the Department of Commerce and Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service to create new programs to accelerate the deployment and use of broadband in the US. Per Office of Management and Budget Guidance, the NTIA and RUS must go beyond standard practices while planning competitive grants under the Recovery Act. Here's a look at OMB recommendations for getting the most out of these broadband dollars.
http://benton.org/node/22559
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WHAT EXACTLY IS UNDERSERVED?
[SOURCE: telecompetitor, AUTHOR: ]
As the rules for the broadband stimulus plan get written, the concept of 'unserved' is receiving increased scrutiny. What's certain is that unserved territory, however it ends up being defined, will be a key determining factor in where a significant portion of the allocated $7.2 billion broadband stimulus money gets directed. "If there is no wireless broadband in a given area, we consider that area unserved," said Carolyn Brandon, Vice President of Policy at CTIA, on a panel at the recent Implementing the Broadband Stimulus workshop. But a wireline company with broadband facilities in that same territory would care to differ. Whatever the final definition, it appears that unserved will have a definite priority over underserved. Service providers who are interested in participating in the broadband stimulus program should start lining up and documenting their targeted unserved territory. While the stimulus plan has its critics, it does present a real opportunity for interested carriers to lay claim to unserved territory, fueling the expansion of their broadband footprints and enhancing their long term prospects.
http://benton.org/node/22575
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RURAL BROADBAND PRINCIPLES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
[SOURCE: Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group, AUTHOR: ]
Rural America needs broadband. The Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group has two goals: to articulate national broadband policies that provide opportunities for rural communities to participate fully in the nation's democracy, economy, culture, and society; and to spark national collaboration among rural broadband advocates. The group offers there principles: 1) Communication as a fundamental human right. 2) There is no one-size-fits-all solution for all rural communities. 3) Local ownership, self reliance, and investment in place. 4) Network Neutrality.
http://benton.org/node/22574
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WHO CARES WHERE WE'RE RANKED INTERNATIONALLY?
[SOURCE: App-Rising.com, AUTHOR: Geoff Daily]
[Commentary] The whole exercise of trying to rank the US vs. other countries is irrelevant to the decisions facing our policymakers. While of course there are lessons that can be learned from observing how we stack up relative to other countries, we must pick our own path and not just try to follow others. This is about deciding what we want our digital future to be and then aggressively pursuing programs that can lead us to that end. We want as much bandwidth as possible; we want everyone online and educated on how to use networked technologies; and we want all facets of our society utilizing broadband to its fullest degree. We want to enable the most robust digital economy, where all our content creators and creative class are empowered, where our service-based businesses are realizing new efficiencies and opening up new opportunities through the use of broadband, where what seemed like science fiction becomes a commonplace reality in how we communicate with others and access information.
http://benton.org/node/22573
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TENNESSEE: STIMULATING BROADBAND
[SOURCE: Chattanooga Times free Press, AUTHOR: Dave Flessner]
As one of Tennessee's biggest telephone cooperatives, Ben Lomand Telephone Co-op has invested more than $75 million in the past five years to upgrade its telephone, Internet and video services in and around McMinnville (TN). But company president Levoy Knowles says he is eager to expand the broadband technology to all of the coop's 41,000 customers. Ben Lomand Telephone Co-op, which has borrowed money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural utility lending programs for the past 55 years, could soon benefit from the federal stimulus package signed last week by President Obama. The plan allocates $7.2 billion for loans and grants to expand broadband service to underserved communities. While the rules for the new aid packages are still being written, utilities in Tennessee and Georgia say they will use whatever funds become available for the costly laying of fiber optic lines and switching equipment required for faster Internet services.
http://benton.org/node/22572
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FEDERAL STIMULUS COULD EXPAND MISSOURI RURAL BROADBAND
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: ]
About one-fifth of the Missouri's residents live in areas without access to high-speed Internet, according to a 2007 study from the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates telecommunications companies and other utilities. Rural areas generally have a much higher percentage than urban cores. A sliver of the federal economic stimulus package is aimed at bridging that high-speed gap. The broadband funding would come in the form of competitive grants and loans, though the law says each state should expect to receive some portion of the money. Applicants also are required to provide part of a project's funding. As a member of Gov. Jay Nixon's economic stimulus council, Carter County Presiding Commissioner Gene Oakley is helping decide how the state can access grants such as the broadband funds. He said the problem is personal. "We cannot get high-speed Internet here," said Oakley, who lives several miles outside Van Buren. "My wife's just totally frustrated. She's a big computer person." The state is interested in applying for some of federal Internet money but does not yet have a detailed proposal, said Department of Economic Development spokesman John Fougere. If the state does apply for the funds, it could use the work of a rural broadband task force that released a report just before Nixon took office. Task force member Bill Mitchell is the executive director of MOREnet, which provides high-speed connections to schools and libraries across the state. Although he doesn't handle business or residential hookups, he said getting rural areas online is much more costly and time consuming than urban areas.
http://benton.org/node/22571
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MINNESOTA BROADBAND SCENARIOS
[SOURCE: Blandin Foundation, AUTHOR: ]
There is much discussion about the accuracy of the Connected Nation maps and the legitimacy of the speed tests. So here's a look at broadband availability scenarios for various regions of Minnesota.
http://benton.org/node/22570
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SUPREME COURT RULES FOR AT&T UNIT IN ANTITRUST CASE
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: James Vicini]
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday for an AT&T subsidiary in an antitrust lawsuit accusing it of anti-competitive practices over high-speed Internet access (broadband). The justices unanimously rejected a claim that AT&T's Pacific Bell Telephone subsidiary had engaged in a "price squeeze" aimed at driving out competition in the market for digital subscriber line, or DSL, service. The case involved wholesale prices AT&T charged for high-speed service to Internet service providers who then compete with AT&T for retail Internet customers. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including LinkLine Communications, buy high-speed service from AT&T, combine it with other services and then sell Internet-access services that compete with AT&T. The lawsuit, filed in 2003 in federal court in California, claimed a "price squeeze" that involved AT&T selling at high prices in its wholesale sales and low prices at retail to undercut rival retail sellers.
http://benton.org/node/22567
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DOCSIS, NOT FTTH, IS TECHNOLOGY TO WATCH
[SOURCE: TMCnet.com, AUTHOR: Michael Dinan]
In a sign that consumers and businesses are willing to invest in faster communications despite a slower economy, Dittberner Associates, a market research firm, is reporting this week that shipments of optical fiber-based network architecture systems increased 71 percent in 2008. The company says say that fourth-quarter fiber-to-the-home, or "FTTH" shipments didn't rise as much as first projected, but still topped 3 million for the first time. According to Dittberner, the new technology to watch is not FTTH - the fiber optic cable connection that runs directly from a telephone switch to a subscriber's home - but rather DOCSIS 3.0-based subscribers. The technology - short for "Data over Cable Service Interface Specification" - defines interface standards for cable modems and supporting equipment. The technology lets manufacturers produce cable modems for retail, so consumers no longer have to depend on leased cable modems from their cable providers. Devices that recognize and support the DOCSIS standard include HDTVs and Web enabled set-top boxes for regular televisions. DOCSIS, not FTTH, is Technology to Watch
http://benton.org/node/22581
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THE TRANSITION
PRESIDENT OBAMA NOMINATES FORMER GOVERNOR GARY LOCKE FOR SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
[SOURCE: The White House]
President Barack Obama officially nominated former Washington Governor Gary Locke for Secretary of Commerce. In this key role on the administration's economic team, Locke will work to foster and promote the nation's economic development at home, and serve as an influential ambassador for American industry abroad. President Obama noted, "It is entrepreneurship and industry that are the wellsprings of an economy that has been the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history. It is America's workers and businesses that employ them that will determine our economic destiny. It is the task of the Department of Commerce to help create conditions in which our workers can prosper, our businesses can thrive, and our economy can grow. That's what Gary did in Washington state, convincing businesses to set up shop and create the jobs of the 21st century -- jobs in science and technology; agriculture and energy -- jobs that pay well and can't be shipped overseas. That's what he did by establishing favorable markets abroad where Washington state's businesses could sell their products. That's what he did by unleashing powerful partnerships between state and local governments, between labor and business -- all with an eye toward prosperity and progress for all those in his state who had dreams of their own." Gov Locke said, "Our nation's economic success is tied directly to America continuing to lead in technology and innovation, and in exporting those products, services and ideas to nations around the globe. The Department of Commerce plays a critical role in nurturing innovation, expanding global markets, protecting and managing our ocean fisheries, and fostering economic growth. The Department of Commerce can and will help create the jobs and the economic vitality our nation needs."
http://benton.org/node/22576
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NEW RESEARCH
US INNOVATION RANKS HIGH, PROGRESS LACKING
[SOURCE: CongressDaily, AUTHOR: Andrew Noyes]
The United States ranks sixth in the world on global innovation-based economic competitiveness, ahead of the European Union, which ranked 18th, according to a new report from a high-tech think tank. The ranking of 39 countries and regions on 16 indicators in six key areas, authored by Information Technology and Innovation Foundation President Robert Atkinson and Scott Andes, also found the nation comes in last when measured by progress over the last decade. Issues ITIF measured include: human capital, innovation capacity, entrepreneurship, IT infrastructure, economic policy factors and economic performance. "This study is based on the importance of benchmarking global competitiveness and innovation on a variety of factors, not simply policy factors or economic performance," Atkinson said. "It's important to look at the competitiveness of United States, Europe, Asia and the rest of world based on variety of factors -- not just one." While the United States leads Europe, it "is not the runaway leader that some recent studies have found it to be," added Atkinson.
http://benton.org/node/22569
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US SHOULD LOOK ABROAD FOR ED LESSONS
[SOURCE: eSchool News, AUTHOR: Maya Prabhu]
In a report titled "Benchmarking for Success," high-level state officials call for action to ensure that American students are globally competitive. Education leaders, the report advises, should renew the focus on international benchmarking and look toward other countries for help in drafting state achievement standards. The report's advisory group, which consisted of governors, state education commissioners, business executives, researchers, and other officials, identified five transformative steps the U.S. education system should take to produce more globally competitive students. The group was convened by the National Governors Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and Achieve. The five steps American education should take to produce more globally competitive students: 1) Upgrade state standards by adopting a common core of internationally benchmarked standards in math and language arts for grades K-12; 2) Leverage states' collective influence to ensure textbooks, digital media, curricula and assessments are aligned to internationally benchmarked standards and draw on lessons from high-performing nations; 3) Revise state policies for recruiting, preparing, developing, and supporting teachers and school leaders to reflect the 'human capital' practices of top-performing nations and states around the world; 4) Hold schools and systems accountable through monitoring, interventions, and support to ensure consistently high performance, drawing upon international best practices; and 5) Measure state-level education performance globally by examining student achievement and attainment in an international context to ensure that students are receiving the education they need to compete in the 21st century economy.
http://benton.org/node/22564
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QUICKLY
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY COMMITTEE NOMINATION LETTERS
[SOURCE: Government Accountability Office, AUTHOR: Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro]
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 established the HIT Policy Committee to make recommendations on the implementation of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, whose office was also established by the Act. The HIT Policy Committee consists of at least 20 members, 13 of which are to be appointed by the Comptroller General within 45 days of enactment of the Act. For appointments to the HIT Policy Committee that will be made no later than April 3, 2009, letters of nomination and resumes should be submitted by March 6, 2009 to ensure adequate opportunity for review and consideration of nominees prior to appointment of members.
http://benton.org/node/22568
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HOUSE JUDICIARY HEARING ON COPYRIGHT, COMPENSATION, AND LICENSING
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The bright lines between industries, as well as some intersecting lines, continued to be drawn Wednesday as Congress held its second and third hearings on changes to the law circumscribing cable and satellite's licenses to carry TV station signals. In a House Judiciary Committee hearing, "Copyright Licensing in a Digital Age: Competition, Compensation and the Need to Update the Cable and Satellite TV Licenses," NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow and NAB President David Rehr weighed in, joined by representatives of the satellite, programmer and consumer sides. The most pressing issue is reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA), which deals with satellite's compulsory license to import distant signals to un-served customers. That is because that license expires at the end of the year. But, per the Copyright Office's suggestions for reforming and/or harmonizing related permanent compulsory licenses for cable and satellite distant and local signals, Congress is looking to deal with those issues as well.
http://benton.org/node/22566
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FCC TO ISSUE NOI ON CONTENT-CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES ASAP
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission will issue a notice of inquiry (NOI) March 2 on how to implement the Child Safe Viewing Act, which requires it to collect data for a report to Congress (due Aug. 29) on the most advanced methods for blocking video content, including on wired and wireless platforms and across a variety of platforms including TVs, DVD players, VCRs, cable set-tops and wireless handsets. One of the arguments broadcasters are making in their challenges to FCC indecency actions is that the V-chip/ratings system is an effective content-control tool and, thus, a more narrowly tailored means to the government's end of protecting children. The new law asks the FCC to look at technologies that operate independently of any ratings system as well.
http://benton.org/node/22565
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GOOGLE TRIES TO KIBOSH FUNDING OF CRITIC
[SOURCE: MediaPost, AUTHOR: Wendy Davis]
Google's critics have complained for several years that the company has grown too large and powerful to be entirely trustworthy. Now, new revelations have given some of Google's most ardent critics additional ammunition. This week, it came to light that Google attempted to persuade a foundation to stop funding Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica (CA)-based non-profit that criticized the search giant for its privacy stance. Google's Bob Boorstin, director of policy communications, sent an email to the Rose Foundation on Feb. 9 complaining about the group Consumer Watchdog and asking the charity to consider "whether there might be better groups in which to place your trust and resources." Last year, the Rose Foundation gave Consumer Watchdog $100,000.
http://benton.org/node/22563
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CAN GOOGLE SAVE LOCAL MEDIA?
[SOURCE: The Big Money, AUTHOR: Chris Thompson]
Google has played no small role in redefining how people read the news, and last week, one of its most prominent executives launched a side project to see if he can save local reporting from the lethal dynamics that threaten papers. When Tim Armstrong isn't busy running Google's North and South American advertising arm, he's behind the Polar Capital Group, which has just funded Patch, a new company dedicated to providing online local reporting in small towns that newspapers can no longer afford to cover. So far, the company has set up one reporter in each of three New Jersey suburbs: South Orange, Maplewood, and Milburn. Patch is based out of New York, where former Time Out New York Editor in Chief Brian Farnham will try out the new model.
http://benton.org/node/22562
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AS US IT JOBS ARE CUT, H-1B USE BY OFF-SHORING VENDORS RISES
[SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Patrick Thibodeau]
The number of H-1B visas that can be issued annually is capped by Congress at 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 set aside for foreigners who hold advanced degrees from US universities. But while the total of available visas remains constant, the number issued to the major offshoring vendors is rising. The four largest H-1B recipients last year are all based in India: Infosys Technologies , with 4,559 visas; Wipro, with 2,678; Satyam Computer Services, with 1,917; and Tata. The number of visas issued to Infosys was identical to what it received in fiscal 2007, but Wipro, Satyam and Tata all saw increases. In total, the top 10 IT services firms on the H-1B list received nearly 13,300 visas last year, almost 1,000 more than they were issued in 2007. Some of those companies are based in the U.S., such as Cognizant Technology Solutions. But they all have substantial operations in India or other offshore locations.
http://benton.org/node/22561
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FCC OPENS INQUIRY INTO PATENT COSTS FOR DIGITAL TVs
[SOURCE: Dow Jones, AUTHOR: Fawn Johnson]
The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday opened a public inquiry into a petition by a pair of digital TV manufacturers that claim they are being overcharged by their competitors for patent licenses. Vizio Inc., a privately held company, and Westinghouse Digital Electronics LLC, say their TVs cost up to $50 more than they would if the patent prices they pay matched those in other countries. The licenses are worth millions to the patent holders. The issue is prescient because demand for digital TVs is expected to surge as the nationwide digital TV transition approaches in June. About one-third of TV stations already have switched to an all-digital format.
http://benton.org/node/22582
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NEUROSCIENTIST: INTERNET, VIDEO GAMES REWIRING KIDS' BRAINS
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Jacqui Cheng]
Fast-paced bytes of information gathered from today's social networks and video games are responsible for rewiring kids' brains, says UK neuroscientist Susan Greenfield. Though she doesn't cite any research, she connects these new technological habits to the behaviors of infants and autistic children.
http://benton.org/node/22579
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