1. Monthly archive
  2. October 2013

October 2013

Nielsen To Begin Measuring Mobile Viewing

Starting next fall, Nielsen will begin counting television programs watched on mobile phones and tablets within its traditional TV ratings.

The company responsible for measuring TV viewership said it will use codes embedded by networks within the programs to collect this information. Nielsen's measurements are the lifeblood of television's economic system, and this development is an important step in adjusting to changes in how content is consumed. It is not expected to have an immediate, dramatic impact in the ratings since Nielsen estimated that only 6 percent of current viewing is not measured now. But the impact could be bigger on programs that appeal to young people who are more apt to watch on mobile devices. Nielsen's ratings are used to set advertising rates.

The US Needs a Tech-Smart Government

[Commentary] Civil servants trained in policy know little about digital technology; as a result, they can’t ask hard questions or pitch in to help. Many are risk-averse, too, and complacent when it comes to large technology projects.

Government technologists, for their part, may have no experience with modern project management and design methods. They usually aren’t at the policy-making table; instead, they’re brought in after decisions have been made and left to interpret the shifting demands of the tech-blind lawyers and economists. This is why, when faced with a big technology project, fear of failure and inadequate internal talent drive government agencies to call in giant contractors. These vendors may not be the best at managing software development, but they are the best at handling government contracts. They’ll operate using antiquated models of project management that involve detailed, fully baked project designs rather than minimum viable products. And they’ll use mainstream technologies because that’s what they know decision makers will trust. Government policy managers, by and large, leave vendors such as CGI Federal, the contractor behind HealthCare.gov, alone to do the work, not knowing what questions to ask. This is a shame, because if government could use technology responsively, it would increase public trust.

Data Industry Must Step Up to Protect Consumer Privacy

[Commentary] We are awash in data. Every time we go online or use a smartphone or credit card, our purchases and movements are tracked. We keep our schedules, plan trips and celebrate birthdays online. When we go outside, ubiquitous CCTV and security cameras capture our movements. And a world of interconnected refrigerators, thermostats and other everyday devices -- the Internet of Things -- lies just ahead.

To reap the economic and social rewards of Big Data and the Internet of Things, we're told we need to scrap many of the basic privacy principles. Data brokers, marketers and other companies that join the big-data stampede while ignoring basic privacy principles do so at their own peril. New laws would help. But there is more we can do right now to address the fundamental challenge of helping consumers regain control of their most sensitive and private information. To this end, I am calling on the data-broker industry to join a comprehensive initiative, which I call Reclaim Your Name. Through creation of consumer-friendly online services, Reclaim Your Name would empower the consumer to find out how brokers are collecting and using data; give her access to information that data brokers have amassed about her; allow her to opt-out if a data broker is selling her information for marketing purposes; and provide her the opportunity to correct errors in information used for substantive decisions. Moving forward, it will be crucial to incorporate transparency, choice, access and other basic privacy principles into big-data analytics. It will require the focused efforts of companies and experimentation by technologists. The result can be a system that respects consumer privacy and engenders consumer trust, allowing big data to reach its full potential to benefit us all.

Netflix's Ted Sarandos Slams Theater Owners: They 'Try to Strangle Innovation'

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos criticized theater owners in his keynote address at the ninth annual Film Independent Forum. He criticized the current theatrical releasing model of "antiquated windows." Movies have become "these cold spectacles that have to be sold around the world in order to recoup these huge marketing and production budgets."

Verizon to buy AWS spectrum from US Cellular

Verizon Wireless is seeking to acquire advanced wireless service (AWS) spectrum owned by a subsidiary of US Cellular, an indication Verizon remains willing to augment its 700 MHz LTE network with AWS radio waves.

According to an Federal Communications Commission filing, Verizon and Barat Wireless -- an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of US Cellular -- filed an application for Verizon to acquire 20 MHz of AWS-1 spectrum in 53 counties in 14 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs) across parts of Illinois and Missouri near the St. Louis area. According to the FCC, if the transaction is approved, Verizon would own 62-117MHz of spectrum across those CMAs, 40 MHz of which would be AWS-1. Financial details were not disclosed. T-Mobile US is using AWS spectrum for its LTE network, which now covers 202 million POPs. AWS is the most popular band for LTE in the Americas, according to Tolaga Research.

Request for Comments on Draft NIST Interagency Report

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks comments on its latest draft of its Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security, which was completed by the NIST-led Smart Grid Cybersecurity Committee (formerly the Cyber Security Working Group) of the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel.

The document has been updated to address changes in technologies and implementations since the draft’s release in September 2010. In addition, the document development strategy, cryptography and key management, privacy, vulnerability classes, research and development topics, standards review, and key power system use cases have been updated and expanded to reflect changes in the Smart Grid environment since 2010. This is in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which requires the Director of the NIST ‘‘to coordinate the development of a framework that includes protocols and model standards for information management to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems.’’ The final version is expected to be posted in the fall of 2013. Comments must be received by December 24, 2013.

Cyber What? What Older Adults Need to Know about Their Online Security and Safety

Project GOAL
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Older adults are often concerned about maintaining their privacy and security online, including on a mobile device or tablet. Join Project GOAL for this informative session on the importance of securing a computer or mobile device. Speakers include:

  • Kristina Dorville, Director of Cyber Awareness Programs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Debra Berlyn, Executive Director, Project GOAL (Project to Get Older Adults onLine)
  • Thomas Kamber, Executive Director, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)
  • Donna Rattley Washington, Regional Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Comcast

Workshop On E911 Phase II Location Accuracy

Federal Communications Commission
Monday, November, 18, 2013
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Much more info here: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-1873A1.pdf
Rescheduled: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db1028/DA-1...
Agenda: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db1113/DA-1...

Monday, November, 18, 2013, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will host a public workshop to discuss recent developments in the use of wireless technology to contact emergency services. The workshop will explore current trends that may be affecting the provision and quality of 911 location information delivered to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), including the increased volume of wireless 911 calls and the increase in wireless calls originating from indoor locations.

9:30 a.m.: Welcoming and Opening Remarks -- David S. Turetsky, Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

9:45 a.m.: Overview of Technical Process for Generation and Delivery of E911 Location Information
Presentation: John Snapp, Senior Technical Officer and Vice President, Intrado Corporation

10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Topic 1: Improving E911 Location Information
Moderator: David Furth, Deputy Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

Presentations: Public Safety Perspectives (10:00 – 10:35 am)

  • Karen Wong - Assistant Director, Public Safety Communications, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, State of California
  • Lisa Hoffmann - Deputy Director, Division of Emergency Communications, Department of Emergency Management, City & County of San Francisco
  • Renee Hardwick - Director, Horry County Emergency Management Department, Horry County, South Carolina
  • Terry Hall - Director of Emergency Communications, York-Poquoson-Williamsburg ECC (on behalf of Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO))
  • Brian Fontes - Chief Executive Officer, National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

Presentations: Wireless Carrier Perspectives (10:35-11:00 am)

  • Kelly Springer - Director of Regulatory Technology Development, AT&T Labs
  • Jeanna Green - Network Development Engineer, Sprint
  • Ryan Jensen - Director of Technology and Compliance, T-Mobile
  • Susan Sherwood - Manager of E911 Network & Engineering Operations, Verizon Wireless

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Break

Roundtable Discussion (11:15 a.m. -12:30 p.m.)

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Topic 2: Advancements in Location Information Technologies
Moderator: Timothy May, E911 Projects Manager, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau

Presentations: (1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.)

  • Ganesh Pattabiraman - Co-Founder and President, NextNav
  • Kirk Burroughs - Senior Director of Technology, Qualcomm Engineering Services Group
  • Rob Anderson - Chief Technology Officer, TruePosition
  • Timothy Lorello – Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, TeleCommunication Systems (TCS)
  • Carol Politi - Chief Executive Officer, TRX Systems, Inc.

2:15 -2:30 p.m.: Break

Roundtable Discussion (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)


Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

November 4, 2013
9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-25/pdf/2013-25103.pdf

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) will conduct a public hearing with current and former government officials and others to address the activities and responsibilities of the executive and judicial branches of the federal government regarding the government’s counterterrorism surveillance programs.

This hearing will continue the PCLOB’s study of the federal government’s surveillance programs operated pursuant to Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Recommendations for changes to these programs and the operations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court will be considered at the hearing to ensure that counterterrorism efforts properly balance the need to protect privacy and civil liberties.


Spectrum Management Advisory Committee

National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Department of Commerce
December 13, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-28/pdf/2013-25389.pdf

The Committee will receive reports on the progress of the following new subcommittees established to help the NTIA develop new or revised strategies for responding more efficiently and effectively to fundamental technological, operational, and other trends to continue advancement of delivering spectrum products, services, and solutions that will support the everincreasing demand for spectrum:

1. Enforcement
2. Transitional Sharing
3. General Occupancy Measurements and Quantification of Federal Spectrum Use
4. Spectrum Management via Databases
5. Federal Access to Non-Federal Bands
6. Spectrum Sharing


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