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December 2014

St. Paul (MN) library on forefront of digital learning and entertainment

St. Paul (MN) Public Library cardholders can now be active and engaged without stepping inside a library branch for years, or ever -- and library officials are fine with that.

The St. Paul Library rolled out its latest digital offering: Complimentary access to Lynda.com, a self-learning site with hundreds of courses and thousands of videos that focus on software training, business-skill building among other things. This helps move the library from its old role as a quick-reference source, which Google is rendering obsolete, to a fountain of meatier, more-sophisticated knowledge that gives patrons long-range learning and training options. The library also offers a growing portfolio of digital-entertainment options, including text and audio content, though video entertainment is not yet one of the options.

FCC Chairman Wheeler's Response to Rep. Waxman and Rep. Eshoo Regarding Open Internet

On Oct. 3, 2014, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) advocated for a hybrid approach of Title II and Section 706 to "produce the bright-line protections that advocates are seeking while avoiding the invocation of the Title II authorities most strongly opposed by the broadband providers." On Nov. 19th, 2014, Chairman Wheeler responded to Rep. Waxman by referring to the fact that they had met to discuss the issue, but reaffirmed that "there are three bright lines for any open Internet rules: no blocking, no throttling, and no fast lanes."

On Oct. 22, 2014, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler asking for Title II reclassification to support network neutrality, and to protect mobile broadband under the Open Internet Rules. On Nov. 21, 2014, Chairman Wheeler responded to Rep. Eshoo's letter by writing "...the President has announced his support for reclassification of consumer broadband services under Title II, with forbearance from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to broadband services. We are looking closely at these and other approaches, a process that reflects what I have said throughout this proceeding: all options, including Title II, remain on the table." Chairman Wheeler also agreed with Rep. Eshoo that any rules adopted must be based on solid legal ground, reaffirmed his opposition to "fast lanes", reminded Rep. Eshoo that the Supreme Court upheld the transparency rule in the 2010 Open Internet Order regarding reasonable network management and billing practices, and expressed his agreement that mobile broadband should be covered by the Open Internet rules.

FCC Chairman Wheeler's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Universal Service Policies in Rural and High Cost Areas

On Oct. 14, 2014 and Oct. 24, 2014 Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Sen Roy Blunt (R-MO), respectively, sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler urging the FCC to update the Mobility Fund within the Universal Service Fund to continue to fulfill the central tenets of the 1996 Telecommunications Act and ensure a 21st Century wireless infrastructure in rural communities.

On Nov. 13, 2014, Chairman Wheeler wrote back to each in separate letters, saying that the 2011USF/ICC Transformation Order updated the USF, including "specific performance goals to preserve and advance the universal availability of voice service and to ensure the universal availability of modern networks capable of providing advanced mobile voice and broadband services." Chairman Wheeler also wrote that, "A core component of the Commission's 2011 USF reforms was the creation of the Connect America Fund to preserve and advance voice and robust broadband services, both fixed and mobile, in high-cost areas of the nation that the marketplace would otherwise not serve." Chairman Wheeler wrote the FCC sent out a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek comments on, "how to target funding to areas in which service only exists today due to support from the Universal Service Fund. We also seek to extend service to areas that would not otherwise be covered by commercial 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) deployments."

FCC Chairman Response to Rep. Pompeo Regarding Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Patent Pool

On Oct. 27, 2014, Rep Mike Pompeo (R-KS) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler requesting information on what oversight the FCC has carried out in regards to how the Advanced Television Systems Committee patent pool fee is being set and expressing his concern of abuse by this monopoly and the negative effects it has on consumers.

On November 26, 2014, Chairman Wheeler responded in a letter, saying in January 2009, the FCC received a Petition for Rulemaking and a Request for Declaratory Ruling regarding the licensing fees for patents related to the DTV standard. The FCC sought comment on the Petition in February 2009. At the time the Petition was filed, there also were pending cases in federal courts and agencies that raised similar RAND issues for licensing terms. Those other venues -- including the Patent and Trademark Office and the International Trade Commission -- are viable options for entities seeking resolution of patent fee issues. Chairman Wheeler also offered potential reasons for some of the difference in fees between the various countries, which Rep Pompeo alluded to in his letter.

FCC Chairman Response to Sens Klobuchar and Lee Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of AT&T and DirecTV

On Oct 31, 2014, Sen Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler regarding certain concerns they had about the proposed merger of AT&T and DirecTV.

On Nov 26, 2014, Chairman Wheeler responded, writing "...concerns about stand-alone broadband services, access to independent programming, and program access issues related to regional sports networks have all been raised in the initial comment period for this transaction. I assure you that the commission will continue to conduct an open and transparent process as we review the issues presented by the proposed transaction."

FCC Chairman Response to Senators Booker, Senator Menendez and Rep. Pallone Regarding License Renewal of WWOR-TV

On Nov 26, 2014, Sen Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Rep Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler regarding broadcasting license renewal of New Jersey broadcast station, WWOR-TV.

On Nov 26, 2014, Chairman Wheeler responded by noting the Media Bureau granted WWOR-TV's license renewal on August 8, 2014, and that the pending Applications for Review were timely field subsequent to the Bureau's action and are currently under review. Chairman Wheeler also agreed with the congressmen in stating that the FCC should quickly resolve these pending issues. He offered assurance that the concerns raised by the parties are being carefully considered and will be presented to the full Commission for consideration in the coming weeks.

December 4, 2014 (Social Media Help Fuel Protests)

BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Today’s busy agenda includes the Rainbow PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund Annual Media & Telecom Symposium http://benton.org/calendar/2014-12-04

OWNERSHIP
   FCC Restarts Clock On Mergers and Establishes Dates for Respective Pleading Cycles - public notice
   Comcast Opponents Team Up to Kill Time Warner Cable Deal
   Comcast publicly doubts its own claim that merger won't reduce competition
   Newly Released FCC Documents Show Just How Frustrated Comcast Is With Netflix
   CenturyLink: Comcast/TWC merger poses cost challenges for telco TV providers

INTERNET/BROADBAND
   NCTA Outlines Potential Title II Tax Hikes
   A unified 20-year history of the radically changing way we relate to the Web - op-ed
   Comptroller Stringer Raises Equality Concerns Over New York City’s Plan for Wi-Fi Hot Spots [links to web]

PRIVACY/SECURITY
   Enforcing Digital Privacy Might Be Tough - op-ed [links to web]
   Private-sector computer networks are becoming increasingly vulnerable to destructive cyberattacks - editorial [links to web]

CONTENT
   Social Media Help Fuel Protests After New York Officer Not Indicted Over Death of Eric Garner
   In Google Books appeal, judges focus on profit and security [links to web]
   Verizon Shuts Down SugarString, Site That Had Drawn Journalistic Criticism [links to web]
   Google is replacing the CAPTCHA with a simple checkbox [links to web]

TELEVISION
   New cord cutting data spells trouble for traditional TV [links to web]
   Content is King, but Viewing Habits Vary By Demographic - Nielsen press release [links to web]

JOURNALISM
   Stuart Elliot Takes Buyout as New York Times Continues to Lose Top Media and Advertising Reporters [links to web]

CHILDREN AND MEDIA
   Google to revamp its products with 12-and-under focus [links to web]

WIRELESS
   Google's "impossible" plan to beam Internet from solar-powered balloons is actually working. Here's how. [links to web]
   Verizon to install teeny tiny cells for its enterprise customers [links to web]
   Verizon starts killing off 3G networks to make room for LTE [links to web]
   AT&T installs free Wi-Fi along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena [links to web]
   Operators Placing Big Bets On Carrier-Grade Wi-Fi: Study [links to web]

DIVERSITY
   Diversity tops agenda at Microsoft shareholders meeting [links to web]

OPEN GOVERNMENT
   Why we're not going to see cameras in the courtroom anytime soon [links to web]

LOBBYING
   Apple's Tim Cook visits White House, Capitol [links to web]
   Public Knowledge Joins global Net Neutrality Coalition and Global Net Neutrality Website - press release [links to web]

POLICYMAKERS
   House Commerce Committee Chairman Upton Releases Republican Subcommittee Rosters for 114th Congress - press release [links to web]

STORIES FROM ABROAD
   EU’s Privacy Law U-Turn Seen Thwarting Google to Facebook [links to web]
   French Official Campaigns to Make 'Right to be Forgotten' Global [links to web]
   UK to implement 25 percent "Google tax" [links to web]

MORE ONLINE
   Congress must modernize communications regulations to protect competition and consumers - AEI analysis [links to web]

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OWNERSHIP

FCC RESTARTS CLOCK ON MERGERS AND ESTABLISHES DATES FOR RESPECTIVE PLEADING CYCLES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Public Notice]
On October 3 and 22, 2014 respectively, the Federal Communications Commission stopped the informal 180-day clock and suspended the pleading cycle in the Comcast-Time Warner Cable and AT&T-DIRECTV merger proceedings. The FCC is now restarting the informal 180 day clock in both proceedings as of today, December 3, 2014. The clock for the AT&T-DIRECTV merger proceeding is reset to Day 70. The clock for the Comcast-Time Warner Cable proceeding is restarted at Day 85.
benton.org/headlines/fcc-restarts-clock-mergers-and-establishes-dates-respective-pleading-cycles | Federal Communications Commission
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COMCAST OPPONENTS TEAM UP TO KILL TIME WARNER CABLE DEAL
[SOURCE: Revere Digital, AUTHOR: Amy Schatz]
Opponents of Comcast’s $45 billion deal to buy Time Warner Cable launched a new coalition in an effort to convince federal regulators to derail the merger. The group, called StopMegaComcast, includes 15 public interest groups, competing pay-TV operators and other organizations that have previously come out against the deal. Members of the group include Dish Network, the Parents Television Council, the Consumer Federation of America and the Writers Guild of America, West.
benton.org/headlines/comcast-opponents-team-kill-time-warner-cable-deal | Revere Digital | The Hill | Politico
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COMCAST PUBLICLY DOUBTS ITS OWN CLAIM THAT MERGER WON'T REDUCE COMPETITION
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Jon Brodkin]
A blog post by Comcast Vice President Sena Fitzmaurice repeated the company's talking point that "if the proposed transaction goes through, consumers will not lose a choice of cable companies. Consumers will not lose a choice of broadband providers. And not a single market will see a reduction in competition. Those are simply the facts." But in the original version of this blog post, that paragraph was followed by a seemingly out-of-place sentence. It said, "We are still working with a vendor to analyze the [Federal Communications Commission] spreadsheet but in case it shows that there are any consumers in census blocks that may lose a broadband choice, want to make sure these sentences are more nuanced." This seems to be an editing suggestion that was disregarded -- but not deleted until after the blog post went live.
benton.org/headlines/comcast-publicly-doubts-its-own-claim-merger-wont-reduce-competition | Ars Technica
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NEWLY RELEASED FCC DOCUMENTS SHOW JUST HOW FRUSTRATED COMCAST IS WITH NETFLIX
[SOURCE: AdWeek, AUTHOR: ]
Comcast is tired of Netflix, that's for sure. The company had to answer a number of difficult questions from the Federal Communications Commission after Netflix objected in the strongest possible terms to a pending merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Comcast's answers are now redacted and available for all to see. And one of the most talked-about entities is Netflix: Its name comes up some 179 times over the course of the document, including in the footnotes. As the public portion of this process continues, it's becoming easier to understand the ins and outs of contemporary data traffic, although cures for the industry's growing pains are anything but clear.
benton.org/headlines/newly-released-fcc-documents-show-just-how-frustrated-comcast-netflix | AdWeek
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CENTURYLINK: COMCAST/TWC MERGER POSES COST CHALLENGES FOR TELCO TV PROVIDERS
[SOURCE: Fierce, AUTHOR: Sean Buckley]
CenturyLink has become the latest service provider to protest against the pending Comcast and Time Warner Cable merger, saying that if the deal is approved, it will increase content costs for emerging telecommunications company TV players like itself that don't have the same scale and impede competition. In a regulatory filing, CenturyLink said that large providers like Comcast, which have a much larger audience to provide video service, have more buying power to negotiate deals with content owners. Being a new player in the video services market, CenturyLink said it "has minimal value when negotiating for reasonable content costs" and if the Comcast/Time Warner Cable deal is approved "the combined company's purchasing power threatens to push their margins wider and further from the rest of the industry."
benton.org/headlines/centurylink-comcasttwc-merger-poses-cost-challenges-telco-tv-providers | Fierce
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INTERNET/BROADBAND

NCTA OUTLINES POTENTIAL TITLE II TAX HIKES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association wants the Federal Communications Commission to know just how much of a state and local tax hit Title II reclassification could mean to cable operators and their customers. In a follow-up to a meeting between NCTA Executive Vice President James Assey and FCC General Counsel Jonathan Sallet, Assey drilled down on the issue to three key types of tax: property taxes, transaction-based taxes, and income, franchise and gross receipts taxes. "Reclassifying broadband service as a regulated telecommunications service may subject cable operators that provide broadband and their customers to materially higher taxes and fees, either because a statute specifically references the federal definitions or because a state tax authority interprets state law in a manner that follows the federal definitions," said Assey.
benton.org/headlines/ncta-outlines-potential-title-ii-tax-hikes | Multichannel News
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A UNIFIED 20-YEAR HISTORY OF THE RADICALLY CHANGING WAY WE RELATED TO THE WEB
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Doug Belshaw]
[Commentary] Over the past 20+ years, our understanding of what the Web is and how it impacts society has developed. So has our understanding of Web literacy. My focus isn’t the history of the Web itself, but the history of the skills that people have thought necessary to use it. It’s a subtle, but important distinction. The 5 eras of Web literacy:
1993-1997: The Information Superhighway
1999-2002: The Wild West
2003-2007: The Web 2.0 era
2008-2012: The Era of the App
2013+: The Post-Snowden era
My hope is that in this new fifth era, we understand the Web for what it is, a platform for human flourishing. Perhaps we will learn to teach current and next generations how to read, write and participate, effectively using it.
[Belshaw is Web Literacy Lead at the Mozilla Foundation.]
benton.org/headlines/unified-20-year-history-radically-changing-way-we-relate-web | Washington Post | dmlcentral
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CONTENT

SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS FUEL PROTESTS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jennifer Smith, Andrew Tangel]
Soon after a grand jury decided not to indict a white New York City police officer in the death of a black man, Twitter and Facebook lighted up with thousands of messages organized around hashtags such as #EricGarner, #ICantBreathe and #BlackLivesMatter. Analytics firm Topsy said more than 69,000 tweets were being sent per hour with the hashtag #EricGarner and 16,000 per hour with #ICantBreathe. Several Web pages on Facebook and Tumblr popped up calling for protests in cities around the country, from Westlake Center mall in Seattle to the downtown Underground Atlanta shopping center. “There’s no need for a group when you have a hashtag,” said Stephanie Koithan, 28, who said she found out about the protests on Facebook. “There’s no one managing it. A hashtag takes a life of its own.” New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has said police are watching social media closely.
benton.org/headlines/social-media-help-fuel-protests-after-new-york-officer-not-indicted-over-death-eric-garner | Wall Street Journal
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Social Media Help Fuel Protests After New York Officer Not Indicted Over Death of Eric Garner

Soon after a grand jury decided not to indict a white New York City police officer in the death of a black man, Twitter and Facebook lighted up with thousands of messages organized around hashtags such as #EricGarner, #ICantBreathe and #BlackLivesMatter.

Analytics firm Topsy said more than 69,000 tweets were being sent per hour with the hashtag #EricGarner and 16,000 per hour with #ICantBreathe. Several Web pages on Facebook and Tumblr popped up calling for protests in cities around the country, from Westlake Center mall in Seattle to the downtown Underground Atlanta shopping center. “There’s no need for a group when you have a hashtag,” said Stephanie Koithan, 28, who said she found out about the protests on Facebook. “There’s no one managing it. A hashtag takes a life of its own.” New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has said police are watching social media closely.

Private-sector computer networks are becoming increasingly vulnerable to destructive cyberattacks

[Commentary] Networks in the United States remain vulnerable to intrusion, disruption, theft, espionage and attacks that could produce physical damage, all weaknesses that cry out for a more aggressive defense than has been mounted so far.

Although the US military is standing up a major cyber effort, both offensive and defensive, private-sector networks in the nation are overly exposed. These networks are the backbone of the economy, health care, education, transportation, energy and countless other critical functions. In the future, attacks are certain to be aimed at them with potentially dire consequences. Warnings about this have been issued for several years, with insufficient effect.

Admiral Michael Rogers, the new head of the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command, recently predicted a cyberattack on critical US infrastructure -- such as water or electrical systems -- in the next decade, saying that it is “only a matter of when, not if, we are going to see something dramatic.” He added, “This is not theoretical.” Or reassuring.

Comptroller Stringer Raises Equality Concerns Over New York City’s Plan for Wi-Fi Hot Spots

The proposal appears uncontroversial: replace New York City’s moldering pay phones -- known in 2014 as sidewalk-eating obstacles or, at best, rain shelters -- with thousands of Wi-Fi hot spots across the five boroughs. But the plan became the latest entry in the fraught relationship between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller.

After Mayor de Blasio’s administration presented its finalized plan, arguing that it would help “close the digital divide,” Comptroller Stringer suggested the project might in fact perpetuate it by providing faster Wi-Fi speed in some neighborhoods. He said that according to the agreement with CityBridge, a consortium of companies including Qualcomm and Titan, Manhattan would have none of the lower-speed Wi-Fi by the eighth year of the contract. But at that same point, more than 40 percent of Brooklyn and Bronx kiosks -- and more than 90 percent on Staten Island -- would have the slower speed, he said. The difference, the comptroller’s office said, owed to a business model “that puts advertising dollars ahead of people,” with faster speeds in more affluent areas that will attract ads to the kiosks.

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