January 2012

Rural telecommunications providers need to fight to make sure the Federal Communications Commission “gets it right” – meaning Universal Service Fund reform, of course. This was the central point of former-Sen Byron Dorgan’s (D-ND) speech at the opening session of the OPASTCO Winter Convention in Florida on January 16, 2012.

Dorgan, who hails from a 300-person town in rural North Dakota, helped write the rural USF provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He emphasized the importance of ensuring comparable services at affordable prices—including advanced services—for all Americans. With the Internet providing access to literally anything in the world “just one click away,” Dorgan ominously said, “It is over for you if you are on the wrong side of the digital divide.” Dorgan expressed concern that the FCC is moving away from the founding principles of USF in the new Connect America Fund (CAF). He stated that CAF is a good idea, but the plan for rural America is “not there,” which is “a serious problem.” In these tough economic times it is more important than ever to maintain jobs and infrastructure in rural America, and it is “unfathomable” to shut down projects that would create new jobs and services—Dorgan added, “it doesn’t make any sense.” Dorgan recommended that the FCC make a public commitment to the underlying concepts of universal service, clarify the confusing aspects of the reforms, and modify provisions that are incorrect. Rural telecom providers should continue to “reach high despite the odds to connect the country.” Dorgan closed on an inspired note: “You are not going to leave rural America behind. America doesn’t get ahead by leaving anyone behind.”

Five men believed to be responsible for spreading a notorious computer worm on Facebook and other social networks — and pocketing several million dollars from online schemes — are hiding in plain sight in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to investigators at Facebook and several independent computer security researchers. The men live comfortable lives in St. Petersburg — and have frolicked on luxury vacations in places like Monte Carlo, Bali and, earlier this month, Turkey, according to photographs posted on social network sites — even though their identities have been known for years to Facebook, computer security investigators and law enforcement officials.

Right now, Congress is debating a few pieces of legislation concerning the very real issue of online piracy, including the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), the PROTECT IP Act and the Online Protection and Digital ENforcement Act (OPEN). We want to take this opportunity to tell you what the Administration will support—and what we will not support.

• Any effective legislation should reflect a wide range of stakeholders, including everyone from content creators to the engineers that build and maintain the infrastructure of the Internet. While we believe that online piracy by foreign websites is a serious problem that requires a serious legislative response, we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.
• Any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small.
• We must avoid creating new cybersecurity risks or disrupting the underlying architecture of the Internet.

The Administration calls on all sides to work together to pass sound legislation this year that provides prosecutors and rights holders new legal tools to combat online piracy originating beyond U.S. borders while staying true to the principles outlined above in this response. We should never let criminals hide behind a hollow embrace of legitimate American values. This is not just a matter for legislation. We expect and encourage all private parties, including both content creators and Internet platform providers working together, to adopt voluntary measures and best practices to reduce online piracy.

In a major concession to critics of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) said Jan 13 he will drop a controversial provision that would have required Internet providers to block infringing websites.

“After consultation with industry groups across the country, I feel we should remove Domain Name System blocking from the Stop Online Piracy Act so that the committee can further examine the issues surrounding this provision," Chairman Smith said. "We will continue to look for ways to ensure that foreign websites cannot sell and distribute illegal content to U.S. consumers." The provision that would have required Internet providers to block infringing websites was one of the most controversial aspects of the bill.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), one of the most outspoken opponents of the legislation, called Leahy's announcement "welcome news," but said he still plans to try to block the bill from coming to a vote. He said that even without the site-blocking provision, the bill would threaten "speech, innovation, and the future of the American economy."