May the 4th (US Will Change Stance on Secret Phone Tracking)
BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015 (May the Fourth Be With You)
For a wrap-up of the top recent news, see our Weekly Round-up at https://www.benton.org/headlines/weekly-roundup
INTERNET/BROADBAND/TELECOM
What Can the Government Do to Expand Broadband’s Reach (in 30 Questions)? - Kevin Taglang analysis
Twenty Years after the Birth of the Modern Internet, US Policies Continue to Help the Internet Grow and Thrive - NTIA analysis
Broadband is like a river (but not the way you think) - Richard Adler op-ed [links to web]
AT&T extends 1-Gig business fiber services to 180 US cities [links to web]
Verizon and Cogent settle differences, agree to boost Internet quality [links to web]
Verizon Rural Call Completion Hotline Launched in FCC Compliance Plan [links to web]
Crown Castle to acquire Quanta Fiber for $1 Billion [links to web]
NETWORK NEUTRALITY
Telecommunications Companies Seek FCC Stay Of Title II
Public Knowledge Rejects Unfounded Industry Petitions Against Net Neutrality - press release
SPECTRUM/WIRELESS
Moffett: 'No discernable patterns' in the long-term value of spectrum [links to web]
AT&T Completes Acquisition of Nextel Mexico - press release [links to web]
Do You Really Own Your Smartphone?
Sprint makes Wi-Fi the 'fourth layer' of its network with new Boingo deal, small cell push and Wi-Fi router
PRIVACY
US Will Change Stance on Secret Phone Tracking
Progress Safeguarding Student Data - White House press release [links to web]
Protecting student data in a digital world - McKinsey analysis [links to web]
TELEVISION
Verizon-ESPN dispute may pave way for a la carte pay-TV programming - David Lazarus analysis [links to web]
OWNERSHIP
No Broken Heart for Comcast - Spencer Jakab analysis [links to web]
ELECTIONS AND MEDIA
Hillary Clinton courts Silicon Valley [links to web]
Campaign Coverage via Snapchat Could Shake Up the 2016 Elections
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
US Will Change Stance on Secret Phone Tracking
Obama’s Social Media Hits and Misses [links to web]
Data-Breach Alert Laws May Be Eased [links to web]
OPEN GOVERNMENT
House Republicans Query FCC About Greenhill Volunteer
FCC REFORM
Problems with FCC Advisory Committees - FCC Commissioner O'Rielly press release
PEOPLE
President Obama Taps Tribble for National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee - press release [links to web]
Dave Goldberg, Head of SurveyMonkey and Half of a Silicon Valley Power Couple [links to web]
Joseph Lechleider, a Father of the DSL Internet Technology [links to web]
INTERNET/BROADBAND/TELECOM
WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO TO EXPAND BROADBAND'S REACH (IN 30 QUESTIONS)?
[SOURCE: Benton Foundation, AUTHOR: Kevin Taglang]
[Commentary] How can the federal government best promote coordination and use of federally-funded broadband assets? What regulatory barriers exist within the agencies of the Executive Branch to the deployment of broadband infrastructure? These are some of the overarching questions asked by President Barack Obama’s Broadband Opportunity Council in a Public Notice released the week of April 27. The Council, created in a March 2015 Presidential Memorandum, is made up of 25 federal agencies and charged with developing a framework of recommendations to explore ways to remove unnecessary regulatory and policy barriers, incentivize investment, and align funding polices and decisions to support broadband access and adoption. In the Memorandum, the President made it the official policy of the Federal Government to: identify and address regulatory barriers that may unduly impede either wired broadband deployment or the infrastructure to augment wireless broadband deployment; encourage further public and private investment in broadband networks and services; promote the adoption and meaningful use of broadband technology; and otherwise encourage or support broadband deployment, competition, and adoption in ways that promote the public interest. The Departments of Agriculture and Commerce -- which are co-chairing the Council -- are asking the public for input in helping to identify regulations and other barriers that are hampering deployment of broadband. The Council also is seeking recommendations on ways to promote public and private investment in broadband and get a better understanding of the challenges facing areas that lack access to broadband.
https://www.benton.org/blog/what-can-government-do-expand-broadbands-rea...
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN INTERNET, US POLICIES CONTINUE TO HELP THE INTERNET GROW AND THRIVE
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, AUTHOR: John Morris]
These are six key policies that I believe have contributed to the strength of the US digital economy and provide a model for developing countries, such as those that participated in the United State Telecommunications Training Institute course, to consider as they seek to grow their economies:
Trusting the Private Sector: This is particularly powerful as we are celebrate the 20th anniversary of the US decision to take a network it had originated and trust it to the private sector to innovate and take the Internet to the next level.
Connecting Users: The US government has invested heavily in supporting broadband access and penetration with a range of programs aimed at supporting the deployment of broadband. NTIA’s BroadbandUSA is an initiative to support community broadband projects and to promote broadband deployment and adoption.
Empowering Users: US policies have empowered users to access knowledge, communicate, express their opinions and launch small businesses to reach global audiences.
Protecting Platforms: US law provides strong protections for online platforms from undue interference and regulation. A critical example of US law is “Section 230” of the Communications Act as amended in 1996, which protects online platforms against claims arising from hosting information posted by users and other third parties.
Strong and Balanced Intellectual Property Regime: The United States is dedicated to the protection of intellectual property to foster and protect creativity. The United States supports a balanced approach to intellectual property that includes an emphasis on enforcement and protection but also recognizes limitations and “fair use.”
Reliance on Multistakeholder Policy Approaches: Throughout all of our work, we have looked to multistakeholder consensus-based processes to keep the Internet and its innovation moving forward. NTIA, working with other parts of the Department of Commerce through the Internet Policy Task Force, has supported multistakeholder efforts focused on the domain name system, privacy, intellectual property and cybersecurity.
[John B. Morris, Jr., is Associate Administrator and Director of Internet Policy, Office of Policy Analysis and Development]
benton.org/headlines/twenty-years-after-birth-modern-internet-us-policies-continue-help-internet-grow-and | National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationShare: Twitter | Facebookback to top
NETWORK NEUTRALITY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES SEEK FCC STAY OF TITLE II
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a joint petition, USTelecom, CTIA, AT&T, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association and CenturyLink have asked the Federal Communications Commission to stay its Feb. 26 order classifying Internet access as a Title II common carrier service. They have all challenged the new open Internet order in court as well. In their motion, they point out that the FCC was sharply divided. But that still leaves a majority backing the decision, and an FCC stay is highly unlikely. The rules go into effect mid-June unless they are stayed by the FCC or the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, which is hearing the appeals of the decision. "Petitioners request that the Commission immediately stay the Order insofar as it subjects broadband Internet access service and the interconnection of Internet Protocol ('IP') networks to Title II, including the broad, but amorphous, 'Internet conduct standard' that allows the Commission to adjudicate whether new and innovative services and offerings may proceed," they said.
benton.org/headlines/telecommunications-companies-seek-fcc-stay-title-ii | Broadcasting&Cable
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE REJECTS UNFOUNDED INDUSTRY PETITIONS AGAINST NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: Public Knowledge, AUTHOR: Harold Feld]
The Internet service providers argue that the Federal Communications Commission must delay implementation of its Open Internet Order because the Order protects consumers too much. Respecting the privacy of subscribers, they argue, constitutes an ‘irreparable harm’ that warrants the extraordinary relief of a stay request. Petitioners also object that the FCC requirement that any interconnection agreement must be just and reasonable rather than the product of market power creates ‘uncertainty’ and so gravely undermines their ability to conduct business that they deserve a stay. It speaks volumes that Petitioners regard respecting subscriber privacy as ‘irreparable harm,’ and are so uncertain whether they are exercising market power when they demand companies like Netflix pay tolls for interconnection, that the ‘uncertainty’ would disrupt their business. Likewise, the objection by Petitioners to the ‘general conduct’ rule which requires that ISPs not circumvent the net neutrality rules tells us volumes about their future business plans. Petitioners boldly assert that granting the stay will not harm anyone. From a consumer perspective, the fact that ISPs think they have a right to violate our privacy, exercise market power over interconnection negotiations, and plot clever ways to undermine the open Internet makes it clear how vitally essential these rules are, and why they must go into effect on schedule.
benton.org/headlines/public-knowledge-rejects-unfounded-industry-petitions-against-net-neutrality | Public Knowledge
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
SPECTRUM/WIRELESS
DO YOU REALLY OWN YOUR SMARTPHONE?
[SOURCE: Government Technology, AUTHOR: Colin Wood]
In July, the US Copyright Office will decide whether tractor-maker John Deere’s claim that its customers don’t really own the tractors they’ve paid for is a valid one. Consumers don’t hold the copyright on the software that runs on John Deere tractors, therefore the company claims that its customers aren’t allowed to modify or repair their equipment in some cases. This conflict of ownership and copyright has been around as long as digital technology, and as software becomes woven into more and more products, the issue will only create more conflicts. That’s why Rep Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) has been struggling to change that law for the past 17 years. Lofgren submitted the Unlocking Technology Act of 2015 to committee in March -- the newest iteration of her ownership crusade. And if it’s made into law, tractor owners would be allowed to modify the equipment they’ve paid for and otherwise treat their software-enabled property as they would any other object they own. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) was originally instated to protect copyright holders from having their intellectual property illegally distributed, but Rep Lofgren said the law hasn’t kept up with the times. Software will eventually infiltrate everything; even today, software is finding its way into everything from mopeds to toasters. But the DMCA doesn’t just make it illegal to distribute copyrighted works, it also makes it illegal to bypass the copy protection. Rep Lofgren’s bill would change that. The US Copyright Office’s decision in July will provide at least a single precedent for future decisions at the intersection of copyright and ownership. But until then, farmers -- and everyone else -- must wait.
benton.org/headlines/do-you-really-own-your-smartphone | Government Technology
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
SPRINT MAKES WI-FI THE 'FOURTH LAYER' OF ITS NETWORKS WITH NEW BOINGO DEAL, SMALL CELL PUSH AND WI-FI ROUTER
[SOURCE: Fierce, AUTHOR: Phil Goldstein]
Sprint CTO Stephen Bye wrote that the carrier views Wi-Fi as "a complementary fourth layer of our network (the first three layers being our 1.9 GHz, 2.5 GHz, and 800 MHz spectrum bands). By enabling customers to move more smoothly between trusted Wi-Fi and cellular, our customers will have a better mobile experience in more locations, all while lowering their cost of data usage." Sprint offers Wi-Fi calling on the newest iPhones and most of its Android smartphones. Sprint now has more than 25 smartphone models and more than 15 million customers with the ability to use Wi-Fi calling. However, currently Sprint's Wi-Fi-to-cellular handoff is not smooth and if a customer initiates a call in a Wi-Fi coverage area and then leaves Wi-Fi coverage the call will likely drop. Sprint also launched Wi-Fi Connect, a consumer Wi-Fi router that prioritizes Sprint specific Wi-Fi Calling over all other Wi-Fi traffic and includes "smart connect" technology that dynamically manages 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands for optimal Wi-Fi data performance. For customers who need additional in-home coverage, the device is free of charge if they have broadband Internet access and Sprint's Wi-Fi Calling capability on their phone. Interestingly, Sprint is also launching outdoor small cells with Wi-Fi to enhance coverage and capacity. "The current product we are working with for outdoor street level coverage includes Wi-Fi and should be commercially deployed in the near future," Bye wrote. Sprint's Wi-Fi push comes as the carrier is reportedly planning to announce a new network upgrade effort.
benton.org/headlines/sprint-makes-wi-fi-fourth-layer-its-network-new-boingo-deal-small-cell-push-and-wi-fi | Fierce
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
PRIVACY
SECRET PHONE TRACKING
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Devlin Barrett]
The Justice Department will start revealing more about the government’s use of secret cellphone tracking devices and has launched a wide-ranging review into how law-enforcement agencies deploy the technology, according to Justice officials. In recent months, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has begun getting search warrants from judges to use the devices, which hunt criminal suspects by locating their cellphones, the officials said. For years, FBI agents didn’t get warrants to use the tracking devices. Senior officials have also decided they must be more forthcoming about how and why the devices are used—although there isn’t yet agreement within the Justice Department about how much to reveal or how quickly. The move comes amid growing controversy over the Justice Department’s use of such devices, some versions of which, as The Wall Street Journal reported last year, are deployed in airplanes and scan data from thousands of phones used by Americans who aren’t targets of investigations.
benton.org/headlines/us-will-change-stance-secret-phone-tracking | Wall Street Journal
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
ELECTIONS AND MEDIA
SNAPCHAT AND 2016
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Jonathan Mahler]
Snapchat, America’s fastest-growing smartphone app, hired Peter Hamby, a political reporter for CNN, to lead its nascent news division. Snapchat has said little about its plans. But a couple of things are clear: A company known for enabling teenagers in various states of undress to send disappearing selfies to each other is getting into politics. And with well over 100 million users, a huge swath of whom are in the United States and between the ages of 18 and 31, its potential to shake up the next election is considerable. “There is no harder riddle to solve in politics than reaching young Americans who are very interested in the future of their country but don’t engage with traditional news,” wrote Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Obama. “Snapchat may have just made it a whole lot easier to solve this riddle.”
benton.org/headlines/campaign-coverage-snapchat-could-shake-2016-elections | New York Times
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
OPEN GOVERNMENT
HOUSE REPUBLICANS QUERY FCC ABOUT GREENHILL VOLUNTEER
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Three Republican House leaders have written the Federal Communications Commission asking for information on a former member of banking firm Greenhill & Co., who had volunteered services worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the FCC after his former firm had received a contract to produce incentive auction-related material. Greenhill produced a slick packet of incentive auction financial information to help broadcasters decide whether to put spectrum up for auction. According to the letter to the FCC from the trio of legislators, they are concerned about possible conflict of interest given the FCC contract and ties to the "high-profile temporary volunteer." Sending the letter were full House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) and House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “FCC decisions have sweeping impact on the economy well beyond the industries it regulates. We want to be sure that any work done by the commission or on its behalf is for the benefit of the American people. This relationship warrants questions and we look forward to the chairman’s timely response,” they wrote. Among there concerns are that they say the value of the donated services was $300,000 according to an FCC gifts report, which they say is an unprecedented amount. They want answers by May 13 to why Lawrence Chu, former Greenhill managing director, provided those services. They also want to know about his interaction with the General Counsel's office, are seeking copies of the Greenhill contract, want to know how Chu was selected and much more.
benton.org/headlines/house-republicans-query-fcc-about-greenhill-volunteer | Broadcasting&Cable
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top
FCC REFORM
PROBLEMS WITH FCC ADVISORY COMMITTEES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly]
I’ve raised quite a few issues with the current operations of the FCC, especially the workings of the so-called 8th Floor, and the critical need to improve transparency and accountability. Let me add another area in need of review and reform: the FCC’s advisory committees (and councils). Specifically, I believe changes are necessary in such areas as the appointment process, internal operations, work assignments, reporting requirements, staff involvement, and implementation of recommendations. In other words, a top-to-bottom examination and overhaul is in order. A fundamental problem with the current workings of the non-statutorily set advisory committees, however, is that the Chairman’s office has absolute and complete power over every aspect of their existence. The membership, selection of the committee chairs, timing of any reports and/or recommendations, and all other aspects of their operations are determined solely by the Chairman. Given our recent practices, I also worry whether participation by some outside parties is actually truly voluntary. The independence of the advisory committees must also be examined. In the end, the opinions and operations of the Commission’s advisory committees are only valid if the Commission allows them to offer independent, unbiased recommendations on the issues they consider. Failure to fix the problems identified above affects the integrity of these committees and raises unnecessary questions regarding their input.
benton.org/headlines/problems-fcc-advisory-committees | Federal Communications Commission
Share: Twitter | Facebook
back to top