October 2013

FCC Adopts Technical Rules For Use Of The Public Safety Spectrum Licensed To FIRSTNET

The Federal Communications Commission adopted technical service rules to govern the spectrum that will be used for deployment of a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

The rules, which include power limits and other technical parameters for operating in this spectrum band, will provide a foundation for FirstNet’s operations, help avoid harmful interference to spectrum users in adjacent bands, and expedite the availability of equipment for use on the public safety network, thereby fostering competition and innovation in the marketplace.

Toward More Resilient Communications Networks

Hurricane Sandy was a powerful reminder of the importance of resilient communications networks – whether you are calling for help, checking on the well-being of loved ones, or just trying to resume day-to-day business after a disaster strikes.

Unfortunately, millions of Americans faced communications problems after the storm. For example, at its peak, Sandy disabled approximately 25 percent of cell sites in the affected region – and more than 50 percent in the hardest-hit counties. But some wireless providers fared better than others because of the preparations they undertook, suggesting that there are additional steps providers can take to bolster network resiliency. In fact, the Commission held field hearings after Hurricane Sandy to hear from stakeholders about how to improve disaster-time communications. Based on one of the ideas raised, the Commission recently proposed rules that would require wireless service providers to publicly disclose the percentage of cell sites within their networks that are operational during and immediately after disasters. The concept is simple: by providing consumers with a yardstick for comparing wireless performance in emergencies, this proposal could empower consumers and in turn create competitive incentives in the wireless industry to improve network reliability. We are seeking public comment on this and other approaches.

Broadcasters Launch Dyle Mobile DTV Promotions

A number of broadcasters have announced plans for a major marketing campaign to boost consumer awareness of mobile digital TV broadcasts and the Dyle mobile DTV effort that is being backed by the Mobile Content Venture (MCV).

MCV is a joint-venture of the 12 major broadcast groups belonging to Pearl LLC (Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media) and Fox, ION Television and NBC. The marketing campaign, which will Oct. 28 and is scheduled to run through Jan. 19, will be carried out by stations belonging to MCV and by stations from Sinclair, Univision, and CBS in those 12 markets. It will cross-promote features of the emerging mobile TV technology that allow consumers with mobile DTV enabled devices and accessories to receive live broadcast TV and the recently announced Audiovox device. As part of the campaign the stations in the 12 markets are planning a number of on-air, digital and live interactive events.

NSA Surveillance Back in Congressional Crosshairs

Senate Intelligence Committee leaders plan to advance legislation behind closed doors Oct 29 -- ironically aimed at lifting the cloak-and-dagger opacity of the National Security Agency's controversial domestic-surveillance methods.

By tightening or codifying current practices and adding transparency and accountability measures, the legislation from Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Vice Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), is a response to critics who have questioned the NSA's rationale for secretly collecting phone and Internet records of millions of Americans. The bill they plan to move through the committee protects the NSA's power to conduct sweeping surveillance approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and is unlikely to go anywhere near appeasing reform advocates.

KKR Sets $100 Million Wireless Deal

Apparently, Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts, a multinational private equity firm, has struck a $100 million pact to build wireless-communications infrastructure alongside Associated Partners LP, an investment firm run by one of the sector's pioneering families, according to people familiar with the matter.

Associated Partners' managers, brothers David and Bill Berkman, are the scions of a Pittsburgh family that made a fortune in communications. The family business started selling greeting cards and went on to own radio and TV stations and eventually operate and sell off early cellular networks. KKR will initially pump about $100 million into the partnership, but it could contribute more later, some of the people said. The way the deal is structured, KKR is making minority investments in three businesses managed by Associated Partners. Associated Partners is aiming to ramp up its business upgrading wireless systems in rural areas, which generally lag behind those in urban areas in data-handling capacity. The firm has about 20 teams around the country working on rewiring hard-to-reach cell sites with the latest high-speed equipment on behalf of major carriers such as Verizon Wireless and AT&T.

Michigan Launches Volunteer Cybersecurity Corps

Gov. Rick Snyder (R-MI) wants to tap community expertise to strengthen his state's cybersecurity posture. He announced the creation of the Cyber Civilian Corps, a volunteer IT force that would help the state respond to cyber incidents. The new team of volunteers would work with state IT staff and existing IT resources to create a broader network of cyber-responders. Snyder made the announcement during opening remarks for the 2013 Michigan Cyber Summit, a daylong information security event organized by Michigan state government.

Consumers Remain Indifferent To Smart TVs

A majority of consumers aren’t interested in buying a new smart TV over the next 12 months -- but advertising its strong attributes could help turn that indifference around. Some 73% of consumers have given a thumbs down to buying a new smart TV over the next 12 months, according to a survey from TV Systems Intelligence Service unit of IHS. It says “purchase intention” is just 7%.

Photo and Video Sharing Grow Online

More internet users are sharing photos and videos online. A new study by the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project shows that 54% of internet users have posted original photos or videos to websites and 47% share photos or videos they found elsewhere online.

The mobile landscape has also added to photo- and video-sharing. Apps like Snapchat and Instagram have capitalized on the ubiquity of cell phones and smartphones that make it simple to upload and share images. Some 9% of cell phone owners use Snapchat and 18% use Instagram. This is the first time the Pew Internet Project has asked cell owners about Snapchat and Instagram. Posting and sharing photos and videos is especially popular among women. Some 59% of online women post photos and videos they have taken themselves, while 53% share visual content they found elsewhere on the web. Young people are also especially likely to take and share photos and videos online, including on mobile apps. Among internet users ages 18-29, 81% have uploaded original multi-media, while 68% have reposted photos or videos they found elsewhere online. Some 26% of cell owners age 18-29 use Snapchat, while 43% use Instagram.

Broadband and electricity: the perils of the public utility model

[Commentary] Broadband should be like electricity. Or so says Professor Susan Crawford, whose 2012 book Captive Audience calls for public utility-style regulation of the nation’s broadband networks. Electricity is ubiquitous and inexpensive. Anywhere I go, I can plug in my electronic device and immediately get power. Professor Crawford and others argue that the government should impose common carrier regulations on broadband providers, which will lead to similarly inexpensive Internet access for all. On the surface, the parallels between broadband and electricity are intriguing. So it’s worthwhile to pause and consider just how bad an idea it would be to subject the broadband industry to the convoluted regulatory environment that governs electricity.

PTC Welcomes Comcast's Offer for More Choice

The Parents Television Council called Comcast’s move to offer more choice to consumers “welcome news.” Comcast is offering subscribers a package for $39.99 that includes access to local channels, HBO, and the Internet.

“It’s welcome news for any cable company to offer some measure of choice to consumers when most cable companies say they can’t give consumers more choice, ” said PTC President Tim Winter. “We hope that this is a sign of things to come. Ultimately, our hope is that cable companies will offer consumers the ability to choose and pay for only the cable networks they want. After all, HBO was already offered individually if a subscriber bought a cable package, so since unbundling HBO from dozens of other cable networks makes sense it makes sense for every other cable network too. There is no good reason why a real cable choice solution cannot happen. Technology makes it possible. There are bi-partisan-sponsored bills in Congress that can give cable choice to consumers. And a recent survey of cable consumers even found that a majority (73%) want more choice over what they pay for on their cable bills. We hope the industry continues to make strides in offering choice to consumers, who are currently forced to buy bundles of cable networks they don’t want or don’t watch in order to get access to those networks they do want.”

Benton

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