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Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) is drafting legislation that would provide new privacy protections for Americans by requiring police to obtain search warrants to track the locations of cars and cell phones.
The forthcoming bill would provide legal protections for "geolocation information," meaning data that can locate a person through a wireless device or through a GPS tracker placed on a vehicle. Even though police are tapping into the locations of mobile phones and implanting GPS bugs thousands of times a year, the legal ground rules remain unclear, and federal privacy laws written a generation ago are ambiguous at best. Courts have split over how easy it should be for police to track Americans electronically, and whether the same rules should apply to live tracking and obtaining stored information about someone's earlier whereabouts.
Sen Wyden pushes for mobile privacy reform
The U.S. media began a challenging and dramatic week mobilized to cover growing radiation fears in Japan. They ended it reporting on U.S. military intervention in Libya’s civil war.
For the week of March 14-20, the still unfolding drama at a Japanese nuclear facility and continuing coverage of the humanitarian catastrophe there accounted for 57% of the newshole, according to the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. That makes it the third-biggest story in a single week since PEJ began tracking news coverage in 2007. Things changed dramatically, however, on Thursday, March 17 when the United Nations voted to enact a no-fly zone in Libyan air space to be enforced by the U.S. and its allies. At that point, the priorities of the mainstream media shifted abruptly. From Monday through Thursday, the situation in Japan accounted for nearly-two thirds of the overall coverage (64%) while the Mideast accounted for only 10%. But on Friday, the Libyan crisis generated more attention than Japan and remained atop the headlines throughout the weekend.
Japan's Nuclear Crisis Overwhelms the News
Many teachers and administrators are only beginning to figure out the contours of the emerging field of digital humanities, and how it should be taught. In the classroom, however, digitally savvy undergraduates are not just ready to adapt to the tools but also to explore how new media may alter the very process of reading, interpretation and analysis. Those skeptical of the digital humanities worry that the emphasis on data analysis will distract students from delving deeply into the heart and soul of literary texts. But others contend that these undergraduates are in fact reading quite closely.
Giving Literature Virtual Life
In a much watched and at times criticized move, the Australian government has proposed a nationwide Internet “filter” to protect users, particularly children, from inappropriate content and contact.
On March 21, a group of Internet companies including Yahoo, Facebook and Microsoft told the Australian Federal parliament that while more needs to be done to improve safety online, private-sector efforts and user education are preferable to government intervention. At the hearing, Facebook said it was pulling down 20,000 pages a day created by users who lied about being age 13 or older, the social media site’s cut-off age to join. Whether that fact represents evidence that private sector vigilance is working, or that the problem is so large it needs government oversight, probably depends on how one looks at it. Facebook’s chief privacy advisor, Mozelle Thompson told the committee, “I would hate for the public to get the wrong impression that there is a quick technological solution for inappropriate content, because there isn't.” Indeed, critics argue that government filtering of Internet content can quickly go too far.
Internet filtering, parental controls remain ISP challenge, opportunity
Senators are beginning talks on pushing cybersecurity legislation, hoping for a successful run this time.
Top Senate staff members have been in discussions for several weeks, working to parse language from at least two separate cybersecurity bills that were introduced but not passed in the previous Congress, while senators have just joined the talks, according to Molly Wilkinson, counsel for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010 last June. The committee approved the legislation by voice vote in December, but it died in the full Senate. A similar bill, the Cybersecurity Act of 2010, was introduced by Sens. John Rockefeller (D-WV), chairman of the Commerce Committee, and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), a committee member, in April 2009. The panel approved the legislation, but the Senate never acted on it. Now, Wilkinson said, staff members from the two committees, as well as the intelligence committee and others, are trying to find the best of both bills and merge them into one.
Talks heat up behind cybersecurity law Senators start talks on larger cybersecurity bill (Federal Computer Week)
The Federal Communications Commission is the cross between the wireless industry and federal, state and local governments. When it comes to creating new technological opportunities for industries – health care, small business, municipal governments and the like – the biggest issue is spectrum.
A panel at the CTIA Wireless conference discussed how wireless technology is changing the fabric of society and the opportunities it brings. Dean Brenner, vice president of government affairs at Qualcomm, noted that there are billions of mobile devices deployed in the world and providing just basic functionality to the population can change the fabric of society. “We have the largest communications platform in the history of the world,” Brenner said. The panel touched on a variety of topics but one particular topic keeps coming up in the wireless discussion – health care. Qualcomm has partnered with the National Institutes of Health to create a mobile health summer institute, and various initiatives are being undertaken to transform the entire health care industry with mobile technology.
Spectrum: The looming question for wireless innovation Discussion on wireless spectrum innovation at CTIA (see video of the panel)
Kudos to Politico's Morning Tech for dusting off this January 4, 2010 filing from the Department of Justice which Politico offers may offer a few clues as to how DOJ might receive the AT&T-T-Mobile merger. The gist of the argument, filed as part of its comments on the National Broadband Plan, went like this: High-speed wireless service could serve as a competitive check on wired broadband providers, and there are a few ways to promote that competition. Freeing up spectrum is key, DOJ antitrust lawyers wrote, as is stimulating competition in the wireless market.
"Promoting competition," the DOJ concluded, "is likely to take the form of enabling additional entry and expansion by wireless broadband providers," among other things. Justice could adopt a tough line on a merger that would reduce the number of major wireless carriers.
Recall, too, that on the same day, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration filed comments, too, at the Federal Communications Commission.
"A key question looking forward," wrote NTIA head Lawrence Strickling "is whether emerging 'fourth generation' (4G) wireless services will have price and performance characteristics that might make them a viable alternative to wireline services for a significant number of customers."
The NTIA filing reads: "The next several years will test the limits of wireless broadband, including the adequacy of in-building coverage and the ability of wireless networks to accommodate large numbers of data-intensive users. It remains to be seen, for example, whether WiMax and Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology services will be offered at prices and on terms (e.g., speed and quality) that make them attractive to wireline users. The [FCC] also must keep in mind that the two largest US wireless providers, Verizon and AT&T, also offer wireline services in major portions of the country, raising the question of whether these providers will market these services as replacements for wireline services, either within the region where they provide wireline services or at all."
"Given the projections of explosive growth in wireless bandwidth requirements," NTIA wrote, "a primary tool for promoting broadband competition should be to make more spectrum available for broadband wireless services. The Administration supports exploring both commercial and government spectrum available for reallocation, and favors a spectrum inventory to determine how radio frequencies are currently being used and by whom. The [FCC] and NTIA also should explore ways to create incentives for more efficient use of limited spectrum resources, such as dynamic or opportunistic frequency sharing arrangements in both licensed and unlicensed uses. NTIA also supports research and development that leads to innovative new spectrum access technologies, because these can spur a new round of innovation that will increase domestic spectrum efficiency through sharing and opportunistic use."
NTIA concludes: "Based on the Department of Justice’s experience with other highly concentrated telecommunications markets, NTIA agrees with the Department that 'there are substantial advantages to deploying newly available spectrum in order to enable additional providers to mount stronger challenges to broadband incumbents.'"
Flashback: Wireless, Competition and the National Broadband Plan Justice Department Calls for Airwaves for Wireless (Bloomberg - Jan '10) NTIA to FCC: National Broadband Plan should include More Spectrum to Spur More Competition (NTIA)
[Commentary] AT&T's plan to take over T-Mobile has set the stage for Washington's high-tech policy battle of 2011. But that's not all that's at stake. This proposed deal paints a dark scenario for the future of all communications -- a future that looks increasingly like a bygone era of monopoly control. If AT&T succeeds it will form a communications colossus to rival Ma Bell. Two companies, AT&T and Verizon, would control close to 80 percent of the mobile marketplace in America -- a figure that could exceed 90 percent, if, as many anticipate, Verizon buys Sprint. For the hundreds of millions of American people who rely on handheld phones and wireless Internet devices this equation spells disaster.
AT&T Takes America Back to the Future
[Commentary] I've been critical of the light touch the business press tends to give roll-up consolidation by companies trying to corner markets and raise prices on consumers. But it does a pretty good job covering this news today and emphasizing the bold consolidation it would entail. We're getting a very distinct impression that this deal could be bad news for consumers and is a bold test of just how weak antitrust enforcement has really gotten in the US.
How bold a test? AT&T will have to pay T-Mobile $3 billion and give it a chunk of valuable wireless spectrum if the deal gets blocked. It must be pretty confident about its regulators. What we’re talking about is the consolidation of a duopoly that dominates cellphone market in the U.S. If regulators let the deal go through -- and based on past behavior, you have to bet they will -- AT&T (42 percent) and Verizon (31 percent) would control 73 percent of the nation’s cellphone market. Sprint, which lost $3.5 billion last year, would be a distant third place with about 16 percent (there are minor players like U.S. Cellular that have less than 2.5 percent market share). But it’s hard to think of beleaguered Sprint as much of a competitor. Here are it’s annual losses for the last four years: $3.5 billion, $2.4 billion, $2.8 billion, $29.4 billion, with losses of $3.5 billion last year. Its revenue has tumbled 20 percent from four years ago and its stock is down 84 percent from 2006. Effectively, you'll now have a two-company market, plus one waiting to be sold off for its assets. It’s hard to imagine that that won't result in higher prices for consumers. It will be even more problematic if Sprint disappears. The press is off to a good start with its skepticism of this deal. This one deserves much more of it in the coming weeks and months.
Good Consolidation Coverage for a Change on AT&T Deal
Sometimes, even with digital ink, there's too much news to fit. here's additional insight (and links!) into the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA.
AT&T Deal Should Boost Verizon (WSJ)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870385840457621466014078342...
Consider: The deal would take at least a year to close, with a likely tough regulatory review distracting AT&T's senior management during that time. While AT&T is working hard to emphasize what it says are the public-interest benefits, it is hard to get past the likelihood a deal would lead to higher prices for many cellphone users over time. T-Mobile, a Deutsche Telekom unit, had positioned itself at the cheaper end of the market, offering lower prices than rivals such as AT&T. AT&T will grandfather in those customers' price plans—until they want a more sophisticated phone. But even if AT&T wins over regulators, the company will then start what is likely to be a period of a couple of years integrating the two networks. That is no small task. A top priority is adding extra radios to some former T-Mobile cell towers so they work on the same spectrum bands as AT&T's network. AT&T also will shift some of T-Mobile's customers to new spectrum bands, requiring handset replacement. That is in addition to cost-saving measures, such as giving up redundant cell towers, closing surplus retail stores and, presumably, stopping T-Mobile's AT&T-bashing advertisements. During this time, Verizon can push for regulatory concessions from AT&T while building on the market advantages it enjoys. It began operating an LTE network, the next generation of wireless technology, in December and is now selling its first LTE-compatible handset, making faster broadband speeds more of a reality for customers. AT&T has yet to launch LTE and struggles with severe network congestion in some major cities. At the same time, Verizon, now selling Apple's iPhone, has erased a handset advantage AT&T once enjoyed.
Biz Break: What AT&T's T-Mobile deal means for iPhone, Android owners (SJ Merc)
http://www.siliconvalley.com/ci_17666074
AT&T deal with T-Mobile - pros and cons (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/22/BUUP1IG5K2.D...
AT&T, T-Mobile merger blasted (WashPost)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/atandt-t-mobile-merger-bl...
Spectrum at the heart of AT&T’s bold move (FT)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cb2f97e2-53eb-11e0-8bd7-00144feab49a.html
AT&T Paying Twice Valuation for Customer-Losing Firm: Real M&A (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-22/at-t-paying-twice-valuation-for...
AT&T's T-Mobile deal shows importance of spectrum (IDG News Service)
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-technology/atts-t-mobile-deal-shows-im...
Randall Stephenson, AT&T’s chief executive, said the decision to pursue a domestic deal rather than an international transaction was driven by AT&T experiencing explosive data growth on its mobile network because of booming consumer demand for smartphones. “The US market has fundamentally changed over the past three years,” he said. “If you are going to address this, our capital allocation has to be focused on the US.” By buying T-Mobile USA, the fourth-largest US mobile operator, AT&T would increase its spectrum holdings by almost 60 per cent. T-Mobile USA’s spectrum is particularly suitable for improving mobile services in urban areas, where the company has its highest concentrations of iPhone customers.
AT&T is so determined to surpass Verizon Wireless that it’s willing to pay double its own valuation for the only US wireless operator losing customers. In T-Mobile USA, AT&T is getting a business that reported profit declines in four of the past five years as it trailed U.S. rivals in building out a third-generation mobile network and missed out on sales of the iPhone. About 56,000 customers abandoned T-Mobile last year, while Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint all boosted their subscriber counts. The $39 billion price tag is 28.8 times T-Mobile USA’s net income of $1.35 billion last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. T-Mobile USA’s earnings slipped 7.9 percent in 2010 as sales declined for a second straight year. The valuation was 121 percent higher than AT&T’s price- earnings ratio, 77 percent greater than Verizon and 5.3 percent pricier than Deutsche Telekom, data compiled by Bloomberg show. It’s also more than twice the median valuation of 11.9 times profit as of last week for 32 global cellular phone companies with market capitalizations of more than $1 billion, excluding those in Hong Kong or China. The purchase price represented a multiple of 7.1 times 2010 T-Mobile USA’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, Deutsche Telekom said. That’s lower than the median Ebitda multiple of 9.3 for global telecommunications takeovers of more than $1 billion in the past five years.
AT&T's Stephenson is betting that adding T-Mobile USA’s 34 million customers and wireless spectrum will boost sales and reduce dropped calls after losing exclusive rights to the iPhone. The Dallas-based company is spending what Deutsche Telekom’s finance chief called an “enormous” price that avoids taking on T-Mobile USA’s $15.9 billion of debt and may ward off other suitors.
Stevenson's big bet (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-22/stephenson-returns-at-t-to-era-...
AT&T, T-Mobile at Odds Over Spectrum Issue (National Journal)
http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/03/att-and-tmobile-at-odds...
Statement (House Commerce Committee GOP Leadership)
http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=8373
House Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) released the following statement regarding AT&T’s announcement of its plans to acquire T-Mobile USA: “We look forward to the ensuing discussion about what this transaction means for consumers, job creation, competition and our evolving communications marketplace. The committee has already expressed interest in examining the Federal Communications Commission’s transaction review process, in light of its dual – and often times conflicting – role to provide both transaction approvals and industry regulations. A proposed transaction of this scale also underscores the importance of an objective review process at the FCC. A key question for this committee is whether the FCC is conducting thorough market analysis and how that influences the agency’s decision-making. We believe such analysis is essential to this and other transactions, and we intend to determine how Congress should reform the FCC’s process going forward.”
Sen Klobuchar urges FCC and DOJ to take closer look at proposed AT&T and T-Mobile merger
http://hometownsource.com/2011/03/21/klobuchar-urges-fcc-and-doj-to-take...
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) calling on the agencies to look into AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile to ensure it does not limit competition and that consumers not face higher prices or reduced services as a result. “At a time when many Americans are using wireless phones as the sole means of telephone communication, it is vital that competition in the wireless market remain robust,” Sen Klobuchar wrote in the letter. “That is why I urge you to take a close, hard look at this proposed acquisition and ensure that consumers are provided with adequate choice in the wireless market.”
Sen Blumenthal calls for net neutrality conditions on AT&T merger (The Hill)
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/151393-senate-dem-ca...
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said in a statement: "Regulatory approval should contain strict conditions to ensure that consumer concerns about cost, access, choice, and competition are adequately addressed. Moreover, such high wireless market concentration raises serious potential net-neutrality concerns that should be addressed. The largest mobile network in the nation must not be allowed to limit access to content in a discriminatory manner."
For Consumers, Little to Cheer in AT&T Deal (NYTimes)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/technology/22phone.html?ref=todayspaper
AT&T buying T-Mobile: A disconnect for consumers (WashPost)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/atandt-buying-t-mobile-a-...
AT&T's T-Mobile deal ominous for consumers (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/22/ED591IG7AU.DTL
Will AT&T customers get satisfaction from merger? (LATimes)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20110322,0,1163343.column
Sharp Scrutiny for Merger of AT&T and T-Mobile (NYTimes)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/technology/22regulate.html?ref=todaysp...
AT&T Digs In for a DC Fight (WSJ)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870435530457621501230957404...
Wireless Deal Dials Up Worries (WSJ)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870435530457621502200607295...
Sprint Left Scrambling as Rival Gets T-Mobile (WSJ)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870385840457621440056634061...
For Consumers, Little to Cheer in AT&T Deal (NYTimes) AT&T buying T-Mobile: A disconnect for consumers (WashPost) AT&T's T-Mobile deal ominous for consumers (SF Chronicle) Will AT&T customers get satisfaction from merger? (LATimes) Sharp Scrutiny for Merger of AT&T and T-Mobile (NYTimes) AT&T Digs In for a DC Fight (WSJ) Wireless Deal Dials Up Worries (WSJ) Sprint Left Scrambling as Rival Gets T-Mobile (WSJ) AT&T Deal Should Boost Verizon (WSJ) Spectrum at the heart of AT&T’s bold move (FT) AT&T's T-Mobile deal shows importance of spectrum (IDG News Service) Biz Break: What AT&T's T-Mobile deal means for iPhone, Android owners (SJ Merc) AT&T deal with T-Mobile - pros and cons (SF Chronicle) AT&T, T-Mobile merger blasted (WashPost) AT&T Paying Twice Valuation for Customer-Losing Firm: Real M&A (Bloomberg) Stevenson's big bet (Bloomberg) AT&T, T-Mobile at Odds Over Spectrum Issue (National Journal) Statement (House Commerce Committee GOP Leadership) Sen Klobuchar urges FCC and DOJ to take closer look at proposed AT&T and T-Mobile merger Telecom Merger Dials Up Debate in Washington (WSJ) For Verizon, Little Cause to Be Worried by AT&T Deal (New York Times) AT&T buying T-Mobile: A disconnect for consumers (Washington Post)