November 2009

FCC Asks for Comment on Rural Health Care Petition

On October 13, 2009, Action Communications requested a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission's rules, which requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier's universal service support obligations. Action also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC's decision, allowing Action to continue to receive monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission's review of the instant waiver request. Interested parties may file comments on or before November 16, 2009, and reply comments on or before November 23, 2009. All pleadings are to reference WC Docket No. 02-60.

House, Senate Judiciary Committees Want To Orchestrate Radio Per-Performance Fee Negotiations

The chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees sent a letter to National Association of Broadcasters President Gordon Smith, NAB Joint Board Chairman Steve Newberry and MusicFIRST Coalition Executive Director Jennifer Bendall Monday saying they want those stakeholders to start negotiating a per-performance fee for radio airplay by Nov. 17. Broadcasters have been battling legislation to that effect, pointing out the inherent promotional value of airplay to the music industry. But bills have been reported out of both committees and the legislators said it was time to come up with a negotiated payment that Congress can consider that "negotiated solution" as it considers passage of the Performance Rights Act.

Interoperability Requires Improvements in Governance

Creating interoperability in the governmental context requires government leaders to take responsibility for improving the capabilities of government agencies to effectively partner with other agencies and governments as well as the private sector, non-profit groups, and research institutions according to the Center for Technology in Government (CTG) at the University at Albany-SUNY. CTG's research has found that engaging in coordinated action across the boundaries of organizations to create interoperability requires new models of decision making, knowledge sharing, and resource allocation; in essence, new governance capability.

FCC said to draft AT&T-Centennial approval order

A draft order to approve AT&T's $2.8 billion acquisition of Centennial Communications is circulating at the Federal Communications Commission, says Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. "As we have noted, the key open issue is whether Commissioner [Michael] Copps, who has traditionally voiced skepticism about wireless concentration, will slow down the approval by considering additional conditions," states the report.

The Future For Journalism Will Always Embrace Change

[Commentary] The fate of journalism is not in the hands of institutions. The fate of journalism is in the hands of entrepreneurs. The impact of non-market competition - both government and charity - on the tender sprouts of entrepreneurial enterprises that will grow into a new ecosystem of news is a cause for concern. One such project is the New Business Models for News project at the City University of New York, which is designed to help journalists start and own successful businesses covering their communities. If one agrees that there can be such a tomorrow, then one is led not to desperate measures designed to protect incumbents, but instead to policies that encourage and enable investment and innovation. Rather than levying taxes for the sake of old media, we may want to give tax breaks to invention in new media and technology (by companies old and new). Rather than safeguarding the owners of presses, we should bring the entire nation online via broadband to create a new market and, with it, new development. Instead of declaring surrender to changing market forces, we should embrace them. Crisis? I see no crisis, only inexorable change.

Love affair with Google ends

In the coming months Google will face a series of challenges as its rivals and critics lobby against its enormous dominance on the Internet and its ambitions elsewhere. The first test comes next week over Google's controversial plans to build the world's biggest online library. In Washington, the fracas over books is likely to be just the start, according to Ben Edelman, assistant professor at Harvard Business School. The increased scrutiny of Google means that more far-reaching anti-trust investigations into questions about whether its dealings with advertisers are appropriate are now more likely. Such an investigation would strike at the heart of Google's business. In America its share of the advertising market for search is more than 70%. "That's the crux of the problem. When companies get a market share of more than 70%, they get a little bit arrogant. [Google] is beginning to initiate practices that rightly cause concern," said Edelman.

Open The Floodgates: Greater Access To Content Will Raise Studio Profits

[Commentary] The big movie studios are all sitting on 80 or 100 years of library content. Each of those libraries includes hundreds of hit films that have connected with audiences worldwide and are proven commodities in the marketplace. Maximizing the value of library content is job one for studio heads, because it permits them to exploit proven market intelligence -- that is, whether or not people like this movie over that movie -- to further capitalize on a studio's initial production and marketing expenditure. In other words, content libraries are central to growth and profitability. And outside the library stand millions of people who love movies and television series, most of whom have cell phones, iPods and laptops with them or nearby. So why can't I buy any movie I want through iTunes? Why can't I order "Saving Private Ryan" through my xBox and watch it after I play "Call of Duty"? Why can't I watch "Snakes on a Plane" when I'm on a plane?

House Panel To Examine Driving, Texting

The House Commerce Committee will take its turn Wednesday at hearing perspectives on the dangers of using handheld devices while driving. The joint session of the Subcommittees on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and Communications, Technology and the Internet comes a week after the Senate Commerce Committee staged a similar event. At the Senate hearing, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said his agency wants to play an active role in encouraging technologies that can reduce injuries and loss of life due to distracted driving.

Why Subscription TV From Apple Could Shake Cable's Tree

For months now, Apple has been rumored to have its eyes on a new type of iTunes TV subscription offering — and we may be on the verge of seeing this potentially disruptive idea come to fruition. Multiple sources have confirmed that Apple has been pitching TV networks to support a monthly subscription service that would deliver television programs via iTunes for fees far lower than $85-plus monthly cable bills.

Chicago Academy of Advanced Technology Opens

An innovative endeavor in Chicago could become an example of how to improve America's standing in educating scientists and engineers. On Sept. 8, 2009, the Chicago Academy of Advanced Technology (CAAT) opened its doors. The academy is the result of an effort -- led by Mayor Richard M. Daley and CIO Hardik Bhatt -- to fill the need for skilled IT workers and tech-savvy executives at Chicago companies and within city government.

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