1. Monthly archive
  2. March 2016

March 2016

Consumer Action Slams Netflix Over Slowing Speeds

Consumer Action is taking Netflix to the woodshed over the video site's slowing of traffic for some wireless Internet service providers but not others and without informing either the companies or their subscriber. That could run afoul of new Open Internet rules if ISPs were the ones slowing the traffic, but edge providers like Netflix are not covered by the rules.

Consumer Action has recently come out in favor of Federal Communications Commission proposals on unlocking set-tops and new rules for broadband customer proprietary network information (CPNI), both of which are opposed by ISPs. But in the case of Netflix, it says ISPs are the ones getting the short end of the stick, joining a host of critics that have weighed in since the practice was first revealed. "Netflix’s underhanded tactics deceive customers and cast aspersions on Internet providers," the group said. "Netflix’s recent admission that it has been automatically degrading the picture quality for AT&T and Verizon wireless customers is surprising and concerning," said Ken McEldowney, executive director of Consumer Action. He also said it was a bit bewildering. "Not only does this action demonstrate a complete lack of transparency with customers, but the news is also confusing: Netflix settings have long allowed users to choose their own preferred balance of picture quality vs. data usage." And Consumer Action was not just concerned about the impact on consumers, but the harm the misimpression the practice could leave inflicts on ISPs.

Digital disruption on the Potomac

[Commentary] The way the world conducts business and how we live our daily lives is fundamentally changing. Some has termed this change a "digital disruption wave." Consider the following passage from Tom Goodwin — variations of which have gone viral on social media — that encapsulates this phenomenon: "Uber, the world's largest taxi company, owns no vehicles. Facebook, the world's most popular media owner, creates no content. Alibaba, the most valuable retailer, has no inventory. And Airbnb, the world's largest accommodation provider, owns no real estate."

How does this private-sector digital disruption potentially translate to federal government sectors like health, security, education, transportation, agriculture, energy, etc.? There are recent initiatives (among others) that comprise government's transition to digital citizen services: Open Data, Smart Cities and the Opportunity Project. According to a Forrester report from 2014, "Social and mobile technologies have recast citizens' expectations for service, and improved data collection and analysis, coupled with innovative thinking, allow governments to deliver new and more appropriate programs and contacts."

[Brooks serves as the vice president for government relations and marketing at Sutherland Government Solutions. He is also vice chairman of CompTIA's New and Emerging Technologies Committee. Logsdon is the senior director of public advocacy for CompTIA.]

Idea to retire: Cybersecurity kills innovation

[Commentary] The “security disables” paradigm plays out in a multitude of ways. Government project leaders leave security requirements off the list within top innovative priority projects and keep cyber professionals off mission-critical teams, thinking that innovation will be slowed. On other occasions, innovation projects may not get priority treatment because of security concerns. Although history has shown that both public and private sector business leaders deploy new solutions with the mindset that security slows down innovative opportunities, the reality is the opposite.

From Wi-Fi and cloud computing to mobile devices and social computing, security enhancements came long after initial deployments. Had better security been included from the start, the later costs incurred from vulnerability remediation and data breach cleanup would have been less. Simply stated, security is a central component of innovation, as identified by the White House in their move to accelerate innovation in cybersecurity research and development. There is an unavoidable, symbiotic relationship between innovation and security. The benefits of innovation are not possible without the risks. However, effective security builds trust and is a win/win/win for the public sector, private sector, and citizens. If we are to improve trust in government, better security is an innovation imperative which starts with a different mindset towards developing secure applications and systems from the start.

[Dan Lohrmann is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Chief Strategist for Security Mentor]

AT&T asks FCC for more time to deploy smart grid services with Nokia in WCS C, D Block spectrum

AT&T plans to offer smart grid services in the unpaired WCS C and D Blocks it once hoped to use for in-flight Wi-Fi services, but it's asking the Federal Communications Commission for more time to do so.

The operator has long struggled to find ways to leverage its WCS C and D Blocks, which can interfere with adjacent airwaves used for Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) and Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT). AT&T said in Feb in an FCC filing that while the "long history of disputes in the band have largely been resolved," the C and D Blocks "remain encumbered by strict limitations" designed to protect SDARS and AMT. But AT&T has been working with Nokia to develop what it called "a private, highly secure, high-capacity LTE network solution" for smart grids and related smart cities applications using the C and D Block airwaves. The carrier said it won't be able to deploy its offering broadly enough to meet the FCC's build-out deadlines for using the spectrum, however. So it filed a petition seeking a waiver or modification of the deadline "to afford utilities across the country sufficient time to take advantage" of its offering.

Internet Association Endorses the Trans-Pacific Partnership

The Internet industry is encouraged that the Trans-Pacific Partnership recognizes the Internet as an essential American export, and supports the agreement’s passage. Historically, pro-Internet policies have been absent from trade agreements, which is why the TPP is an important step forward for the Internet sector that accounts for 6 percent of the GDP and nearly 3 million American jobs. The TPP requires countries to allow the transfer of information across borders and prohibits requirements to use inefficient, localized computing facilities.

The TPP also acknowledges the benefits of the full scope of copyright law – requiring countries to adopt innovation-critical limitations and exceptions as well as safe harbors that protect the basic functionality of the Internet, social media, and online platforms. For too long, US trade agreements have failed to reflect the balance of US copyright law under which individual creators, right holders, Internet platforms and users have all benefitted. The TPP is a move in the right direction. Finally, the TPP promotes a more inclusive trade economy by supporting the ability of small businesses to use the Internet to serve customers and users in key markets. It will be critical that the TPP is implemented in a way that supports the Internet economy. The Internet industry is committed to working with US trade officials and Congress to ensure that future trade negotiations build upon this framework and reflect the priorities of all stakeholders, including a rapidly growing Internet sector.

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