March 2013

NAB: OET-69 Changes Violate Law

The National Association of Broadcasters filed comments to the Federal Communications Commission claiming proposed changes to OET-69 software (TVStudy) used to calculate TV station coverage areas would violate the Spectrum Act and reduce the coverage of several TV stations across the country. “And even if the TVStudy software’s numerous defects could be rectified, the timing of the proposed changes — on the cusp of the incentive auction, yet before the auction’s procedures have been determined — is the height of arbitrary and capricious agency action,” NAB said.

Promoting the Benefits of Digital Literacy

Closing the digital divide – and getting all Americans online – requires a multipronged approach. It’s not enough just to provide affordable computer equipment and access to broadband at a reasonable price. Just as important is digital literacy training to teach people how to use the Internet and take advantage of everything it has to offer. That’s why NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) has invested roughly $200 million in public computer centers that provide Internet access for those who don’t have it at home, and roughly $250 million in broadband adoption programs that cover everything from how to navigate the Web and set up an email account to how to post a resume online and conduct an online job search. Today, we are pleased to spread the word about the launch of an important new effort to raise awareness of the benefits of digital literacy and promote programs working to ensure that all Americans can participate in our information-age society. Connect2Compete, a non-profit seeking to close the digital divide, has teamed up with the Ad Council to kick off the “EveryoneOn, 3-21” Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign just in time for March 21, or 3/21.

Sen Thune Calls for More Cleared Wireless Spectrum

I am glad to see the [Federal Communications Commission] is taking steps to pair and auction together the 1755-1780 MHz and 2155-2180 MHz wireless spectrum bands, and I applaud Commissioner Pai for advocating the FCC use its notify-and-auction authority.

This letter begins that process, and Chairman Genachowski has once again shown he clearly understands the tremendous potential of commercial mobile broadband and the importance of making more public resources available to the private sector for development. While I am confident in the leadership of Assistant Secretary Strickling to provide an accurate and responsible relocation assessment related to the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands, I urge the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Obama administration to now concentrate their efforts on reallocating the 1755-1780 MHz band for as much exclusive, non-federal use as is feasible. Cleared spectrum is the best way to meet consumer demand and raise revenues needed to relocate current users and reduce the deficit.

Memorable Moments from a Departing Telecom Regulator

After his seven-year stint regulating the nation’s communications industry, Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell had his share of colorful moments and exchanges with lasting impacts. Take these, for example:

Commissioner McDowell wanted to review every FCC regulation on the books.
He sometimes clashed publicly with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Commissioner McDowell sounded the alarm on Internet freedom.

CNN, MSNBC Criticized Over Lack Of Diversity In Recent Reshuffles

Several commentators have recently noticed that, for all of the turnover in cable news these days, one thing is constant: the faces being shuffled around all seem to be white.

MPAA Report: Global Box Office Breaks Records, China Becomes 2nd Largest Market

Global ticket sales broke records in 2012, hitting $34.7 billion internationally, thanks to the strength of foreign markets and a rebound at the domestic box office. Overall, the box office rose 6 percent last year, according to a state of the movie industry report released by the Motion Picture Association of America.

The findings were further evidence that Hollywood's obsession with crossing language and cultural barriers to broaden its footprint is paying off in dividends. In particular, China, with its burgeoning population of moviegoers, announced itself emphatically as the dominant foreign market last year. It surpassed Japan to be the biggest international source of box office revenue, contributing $2.7 billion in total. That was a 36 percent jump from the previous year and may be partly attributable to the country loosening restrictions on the number of foreign films that can be shown in its theaters.

6 Lessons Hollywood Is Learning From Silicon Valley

For the first time, Hollywood is genuinely interested in learning something from Silicon Valley, which has created some impressively nimble and profitable companies. And as Hollywood’s traditional models struggle to adapt to the tech tsunami that has overtaken the entertainment industry, NoCal’s business culture and practices look all the more alluring.

Herewith are 6 lessons that Hollywood is learning from Silicon Valley:

Take Equity Over Cash
Hollywood is starting to see the wisdom in getting a product out fast and then making necessary tweaks based on consumer response.
Chase Intellectual Property, Not Talent
Treat YouTube As The Next Cable TV
Lose The Corner Office
Get Off The Phone

Congress to force Postal Service to keep Saturday delivery

Congress foiled the financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service's plan to end Saturday delivery of first-class mail when it passed legislation requiring six-day delivery.

Congress traditionally has included a provision in legislation to fund the federal government each year that has prevented the Postal Service from reducing delivery service. The Postal Service had asked Congress not to include the provision this time around. Despite the request, the House of Representatives on gave final approval to legislation that maintains the provision, sending it to President Barack Obama to sign into law. The Senate already approved the measure. But some lawmakers who support the Postal Service's plan have said there may still be some room for it to change its delivery schedule. They point out that the language requiring six-day delivery is vague and does not prohibit altering what products it delivers on Saturdays.

US cyber plan calls for more scanning of private Web traffic

The U.S. government is expanding a cybersecurity program that scans Internet traffic headed into and out of defense contractors to include far more of the country's private, civilian-run infrastructure.

As a result, more private sector employees than ever before, including those at big banks, utilities and key transportation companies, will have their e-mails and Web surfing scanned as a precaution against cyberattacks. Under last month's White House executive order on cybersecurity, the scans will be driven by classified information provided by U.S. intelligence agencies - including data from the National Security Agency (NSA) - on new or especially serious espionage threats and other hacking attempts. U.S. spy chiefs said on March 12 that cyberattacks have supplanted terrorism as the top threat to the country. The Department of Homeland Security will gather the secret data and pass it to a small group of telecommunication companies and cybersecurity providers that have employees holding security clearances, government and industry officials said. Those companies will then offer to process email and other Internet transmissions for critical infrastructure customers that choose to participate in the program. By using DHS as the middleman, the Obama administration hopes to bring the formidable overseas intelligence-gathering of the NSA closer to ordinary U.S. residents without triggering an outcry from privacy advocates who have long been leery of the spy agency's eavesdropping.

Yes, Cyberattacks are perfectly Legal Under the Laws of War

What’s the fastest way to annoy someone who works in national security? Just say "cyberwarfare" and watch them combust. The term is meaningless in the worst way -- it puts the imagination into paranoid overdrive and is not limited by any legal definitions.

All the rules we’ve got on armed conflict today apply to ye olde bombs and bullets, not viruses and botnets. This makes a recent study from a group of NATO experts very, very welcome. Called the Tallinn Manual, it seeks to adapt the existing laws of war to cyberspace, laying down 95 new ideas over 282 pages. Many of them are just common-sense extensions of current international principles: According to one rule, cyberwarriors must take care not to hit the same targets that are off-limits to conventional forces. These include civilians, albeit with a crucial caveat: If you’re a civilian who’s decided to join the fight, you become a legitimate target even if you aren’t affiliated with a government or a military.

Benton

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