Congress set to weigh in on tech, telecom issues

Technology and telecommunications issues will be on Capitol Hill's radar in the months ahead as lawmakers attempt to influence regulators at the Federal Communications Commission and frame the debate for next year's Congress. Among the issues at the top of the agenda: subsidies for telephone service in underserved areas and online privacy. It is unlikely lawmakers will produce much legislation upon returning from summer recess. But Congress doesn't need to pass bills to influence tech and telecom policy. Several other areas that Congress is expected to explore include: 1) The possible approval of additional funding to educate consumers about the fast-approaching transition to digital broadcasting, which will take place in February and could leave consumers who still rely on free, over-the-air broadcasting with dark television screens. 2) Wireless consumer protection measures to address growing complaints about early termination fees and other plan restrictions, as well as possible hearings on Verizon Wireless's planned $5.9 billion acquisition of Alltel Corp. 3) Potential antitrust concerns raised by an advertising partnership between Google and Yahoo that will allow Google to sell some of the ads displayed alongside search results on Yahoo's Web site. In addition, the Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing next week on deceptive and fraudulent practices surrounding prepaid calling cards that are popular with immigrants, seniors, military families and students. Still, much of the real action in Congress on telecom and technology issues won't come until next year. "Like so much of what is happening in Washington in the fall of 2008, it's all about the spring of 2009," said Stifel Nicolaus analyst Blair Levin.