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November 2011

Why the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet are Wi-Fi-only

The low-cost computer tablets coming next week from Amazon and Barnes & Noble connect only over Wi-Fi networks, which reduces costs and also cuts the nation's 3G/4G cellular carriers out of the equation. Other tablets, such as the iPad 2 and several Galaxy Tab versions, however, connect to 3G/4G cellular as well as Wi-Fi, but also have Wi-Fi-only models. So what's behind the decision to support Wi-Fi-only in Amazon's $199 Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's $249 Nook Tablet? Part of the answer stems from the way Amazon and Barnes & Noble see their tablets being used. Both see their devices primarily for consuming massive amounts of video, games, e-books and other media, which is best served over a low-cost Wi-Fi connection. "Amazon and Barnes & Noble want people to spend money on their content, not on [carrier] data plans to keep the tablets connected," said Tom Mainelli, an analyst at IDC. "So I don't think they have much interest in offering 3G/4G-enabled media tablets." Neither company has said whether it will eventually offer a cellular connection for their tablets, but there is little financial motivation to do so. Carriers might decide to offer cellular connections and service plans if the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet become popular, but they might find customers balk over data pricing, data caps and overage charges.

Appeal denied for $80 Million BTOP Grant

Despite pleas from state leaders, Louisiana won't regain an $80 million federal grant to expand broadband Internet connections, and the money instead will be returned to the federal treasury, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The department rescinded the grant last month, questioning whether Louisiana could accomplish its plan in the time allowed and whether changes made to the plans met the goals of the grant. "We have worked closely with the state throughout the last several months to rescue this project but have now concluded that we have to move on," said Commerce Department Assistant Secretary Lawrence Strickling. "The Louisiana project, as originally submitted, promised great benefits to unserved and underserved areas of the state. However, after the state determined it was unable to implement the original project plan and fell significantly behind schedule, it proposed major modifications to its original proposal without adequate technical and financial details and a viable schedule for completing the project," Strickling said.

USDA Rural Public TV Grants

The Department of Agriculture announced $4.75 million in grants to assist rural public television stations complete the digital transition of their programs.

Grant recipients are noncommercial educational television broadcast stations serving rural areas across the country and were selected for awards under the Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program on a competitive basis. Administered through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, the program is one of several designed to help rural communities expand and modernize their infrastructure and technology. Specifically, the Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program is helping bring the digital age to rural America and ensure the availability of broadcasts for communities still served by analog equipment.

Funding under the grant program can be used to acquire, lease, and/or install facilities and software necessary to the digital transition. For instance, Northern Minnesota Public Television (Lakeland Public Television) will be able to complete their digital transition and related tower work to ensure digital service for audiences in northern and central Minnesota, including five Indian reservations.

Cars to Come Equipped with Embedded Wireless

Harman and Sierra Wireless intend to serve drivers who want connection to all their electronic devices in the car. Harman will begin road tests through LTE-networked areas in Europe with similar tests in the United States to follow. Test vehicles will be equipped with the latest infotainment system platform technology integrating an AirPrime embedded wireless module developed by Sierra Wireless. Next generation automobile services include off-board navigation, video-on-demand (VOD) streaming, Internet radio, dynamic loading apps, interactive online manuals and other telematics functions or new driver assistance features such as traffic light recognition. These bandwidth-rich applications require a reliable anytime, anywhere broadband data connection to offer leading automakers and their customers the ultimate on-road experience.

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Department of Commerce
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-14/pdf/2011-29319.pdf

The primary purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Committee’s preliminary recommendations to be included in the Committee’s report to NIST. The preliminary recommendations that the Committee will consider at the meeting will be posted on the SGAC Web site at http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid. The agenda may change to accommodate Committee business. The final agenda will be posted on the Smart Grid Web site at http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid


Emergency Access Advisory Committee

Federal Communications Commission
Friday, November 18, 2011
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST)
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1110/DA-1...

It is expected that the November meeting will approve final draft language for recommendations to the Commission as required in the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).

The purpose of the EAAC is to determine the most effective and efficient technologies and methods by which to enable access to Next Generation 911 emergency services by individuals with disabilities.


Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
House Commerce Committee
Friday, November 18
09:00am
http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=9088

This is the second hearing by the subcommittee as it examines the status of internet gaming in the United States and considers how consumers and other stakeholders would be affected if current legal restrictions were eased.


Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
House Commerce Committee
Wednesday, November 16
9:00am
http://energycommerce.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=9087

A markup on H.R. 3309, the “Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2011,” and H.R. 3310, the “Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2011.” These bills will improve the way the FCC operates by increasing transparency, predictability, and consistency as part of Republicans’ ongoing effort to ensure the commission’s work encourages job creation, investment, and innovation.


Broadcasting Board of Governors

Friday, November 18
4pm
http://www.bbg.gov/pressroom/press-releases/Broadcasting_Board_of_Govern...


Quello Center for Telecommunication Management & Law
November 11-12, 2011
Georgetown University
http://gsm.quello.msu.edu/gsm-streaming
Program: http://gsm.quello.msu.edu/governance-social-media-program


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