FCC Order: Updates Approach for Assessing Contributions to the Federal Universal Service Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                   NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

June 21, 2006                                                              Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253

                                                                                    Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov

 

 

FCC UPDATES APPROACH FOR ASSESSING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND

Interim Modifications Reflect Changes in Technology, Competitive Environment

Washington, D.C. – Preserving and advancing universal service remains one of the core principles set forth by Congress in section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  Today, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts two modifications to its approach for assessing contributions.

First, the Commission raises the existing wireless “safe harbor” percentage used to estimate interstate revenue from 28.5 percent to 37.1 percent of total end-user telecommunications revenue to better reflect growing demand for wireless services.  This interim wireless safe harbor was last updated in 2002.  Wireless carriers continue to retain the option to base contributions on their actual revenues or on traffic studies that estimate their actual interstate revenues. 

Second, the Commission expands the base of USF contributions by extending universal service contribution obligations to providers of interconnected voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, service.  For interconnected VoIP providers, the Commission establishes a safe harbor percentage of interstate revenue at 64.9 percent of total VoIP service revenue.  Interconnected VoIP providers also may calculate their interstate revenues based on their actual revenues or by using traffic studies.

The Commission also adopts a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on interim contribution obligations imposed in this Order.

The Commission’s measured interim steps will stabilize the contribution base for the Fund in the near-term and minimize the impact of any changes on consumers, Fund contributors, and Fund administration, while the Commission considers more fundamental reform of the contribution methodology. 

Action by the Commission, June 21, 2006, by Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, (FCC 06-94).  Chairman Martin, Commissioners Tate and McDowell, with Commissioners Copps and Adelstein approving and concurring in part.  Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.

 

Docket Nos. 06-122, 04-36, 96-45, 98-171, 90-571, 92-237, 99-200, 95-116, 98-170.

 

Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact:  Amy Bender at 202-418-1469, amy.bender@fcc.gov.

           

-FCC-

6.21.6 :: Bruce for Free :: Will The Real Internet Stand Up? :: Net Neutrality ::

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CyberTelecom News
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Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong
government.
Alexander Hamilton

Broadband Scandal E-Book - Kushnick offers it free for
a week, Broadband Reports, 6/21/2006
Telco critic Bruce Kushnick is offering up his e-book,
"$200 Billion Broadband Scandal", for free over at his
website for one week. Bogus phone bill fees, botched
FCC data, sophisticated disinformation campaigns and a
history of undelivered promises; Kushnick tries to dig
into all of them while demanding an investigation into
why the United States isn't seeing higher quality
broadband deployment.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/75553
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/broadband/

Fee Vs. Free - Sacramento feels ad-driven Wi-Fi the
future, Broadband Reports, 6/21/2006
The Wall Street Journal explores how the city of
Sacramento backed out of a muni-wireless deal with
MobilePro Corp after the city got a glimpse of the
free citizen Wi-Fi deals in Portland and San
Francisco.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/75554
More Info:
http://www.cybertelecom.org/broadband/muni.htm

The End User: Neutrality? Yes and no, IHT, 6/21/2006
While U.S. Internet surfers are getting whipsawed by
the debate over "network neutrality," Europe is
getting recognition in many quarters for its, well,
neutral stance on the issue.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/21/business/ptend22.php
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutral.htm

Network Neutrality V Internet Neutrality: Nonprofit
Group Draws Line, Internet Week, 6/21/2006
The debate in Congress over network neutrality should
be narrowed to focus specifically on the portion of
broadband networks dedicated to the Internet, a
prominent nonprofit public advocacy group said
Tuesday.
http://internetweek.cmp.com/189501119?cid=rssfeed_pl_inw
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutral.htm

Net Neutrality Backers Pin Hopes on Senate Action,
Ecommerce Times, 6/21/2006
Less than two weeks after hopes were dashed that the
House of Representatives would include strong net
neutrality language in a telecom bill, backers of the
approach to ensure Web services companies unfettered
access to consumers across high-speed networks are
pinning their hopes on lawmakers in the U.S. Senate.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/51223.html
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutral.htm

CDT Paper Calls For Focused Internet Neutrality
Legislation, CDT, 6/21/2006
The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) today
called on lawmakers to enact narrowly tailored
legislation to preserve the essential neutrality and
openness of the Internet, while leaving broadband
network providers free to experiment with non-neutral
arrangements elsewhere on their networks.
http://www.cdt.org/headlines/903
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutral.htm

Resolution from Cox and Authentium re Craigslist
Blocking, Craigslist, 6/21/2006
I just spent a lot of time talking to the folks at
both, and things look good; in brief, the problem
involves a genuine bug, but was made much worse by
lack of communication. It was not deliberate, just
communication issues that are pretty human. Here's the
short version of the story.
http://www.cnewmark.com/
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/ci/neutral.htm

ICANN needs to clamp down on domain name abuse, CNET,
6/21/2006
Attorney Doug Isenberg believes the current Whois
system and domain name abuses are bad enough; ICANN
shouldn't make them worse.
http://news.com.com/2010-1030_3-6084970.html?part=rss&tag=6084970&subj=news
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/dns/icann.htm

Groups Call on Congress to Immediately Disable
Technology that Blocks E-Mails from Constituents, GT
News, 6/21/2006
Say logic puzzle computer program is real threat to
democratic principles
http://www.govtech.net/rss/news_rss.php?id=99939&ti=Groups+Call+on+Congress+to+Immediately+Disable+Technology+that+Blocks+E-Mails+from+Constituents
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/egov/

Verizon sues Vonage in Internet patent flap, IHT,
6/21/2006
Vonage, the Internet telephone startup, said that it
was being sued by Verizon Communications in a dispute
over the underlying technology that allows for
Internet telephone calls.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/20/business/vonage.php
More Info:
http://www.cybertelecom.org/industry/vonage.htm

What is the internet?, Susan Crawford, 6/21/2006
For the engineers, particularly the Original
Engineers, the internet is a logical architecture that
allows us to connect virtually any kind of networking
machine together. That architecture can change
http://scrawford.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2006/6/20/2045138.html
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/internet.htm

China unblocks search engines of popular Chinese
portals, AFP, 6/21/2006
The search engines of two of China's most popular web
portals were back in operation Wednesday after they
were upgraded to censor Internet content more
effectively.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060621/tc_afp/chinainternet
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/intl/china.htm

Broadcast Flag Hidden in Telecom Bill, PK, 6/21/2006
If you’re saying, “Broadcast Flag? I thought we
defeated that?” You’re right! But we’ll have to do it
again. But we’ll have to do it now, as the bill is
being marked up THIS THURSDAY…
http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/475
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/ip/flag.htm

ABC Broadband Video a Success - 11 million downloads;
service will re-launch this fall, Broadband Reports,
6/21/2006
In May, Disney launched a two month trial website to
see if Internet downloads of some of ABC's top
properties, with ads included, would be popular. The
answer is yes, according to the company. Shows were
downloaded 11 million times the first month; in
contrast since October, Disney/ABC has sold more than
6 million downloads via iTunes (with shows priced at
$1.99 each). The website will be taken down June 30
and re-launched this fall.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/75561
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/media/ipv.htm

Internet2 and Level 3 Communications to Deploy Next
Generation Nationwide Research Network, Southwest
Nebraska News, 6/21/2006
Internet2 and Level 3 Communications, Inc. today
announced an agreement to develop and deploy a new
nationwide ...
http://www.swnebr.net/newspaper/cgi-bin/articles/articlearchiver.pl?158654
More Info:
http://www.cybertelecom.org/notes/internet2.htm

MySpace to tighten rules to protect its younger users,
IHT, 6/21/2006
Starting next week, MySpace, the popular online
hangout, will make it harder for strangers to send
messages to younger teenagers.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/21/yourmoney/myspace.php
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/privacy/

Google, other tech giants call for law to protect
consumers, AFP, 6/21/2006
Fresh from a fight with US officials over the sanctity
of online search information, Google joined an
alliance of technology firms calling for federal
legislation protecting consumer privacy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060620/tc_afp/usinternetgovernment
More Info: http://www.cybertelecom.org/privacy/

OASIS Ratifies Data Exchange Standard, eWeek,
6/21/2006
The EDXL-DE standard is expected to facilitate data
exchange during national and international crises.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1979420,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
More Info:
http://www.cybertelecom.org/security/emergency.htm

Recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the
Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications
Networks., FCC, 6/21/2006
In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice), we
initiate a comprehensive rulemaking
to address and implement the recommendations presented
by the Independent Panel Reviewing the
Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks
(Independent Panel). Congress has charged
the Commission with promoting the safety of life and
property through the use of wire and radio
communications.1 In this regard, the Commission has
already taken a number of steps to fulfill this
mandate and we will continue to do so. The Independent
Panel’s report described the impact of the worst
natural disaster in the Nation’s history, as well as
the overall public and private response and recovery
efforts. Our goal in this proceeding is to take the
lessons learned from this disaster and build upon them
to promote more effective, efficient response and
recovery efforts, as well as heightened readiness and
preparedness, in the future. To accomplish this goal,
we invite comment on what actions the Commission
can take to address the Independent Panel’s
recommendations.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-83A1.pdf
More Info:
http://www.cybertelecom.org/security/reliability.htm

Microsoft confirms security flaw in Excel, MSNBC,
6/21/2006
A flaw in Microsoft Corp.'s Excel spreadsheet could
allow criminals to remotely control a computer, the
company confirmed Monday. In order to become
infected,the user must open a maliciously formatted
Excel document that is sent via e-mail or other means.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13447717/
More Info:
http://www.cybertelecom.org/security/vulnerable.htm

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RFC :: NIST :: draft Special Publication (SP) 800-97, Guide to IEEE 802.11i: Robust Security Networks

http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts.html#sp800-97

NIST is pleased to announce the release of draft Special Publication (SP) 800-97, Guide to IEEE 802.11i: Robust Security Networks. SP 800-97 provides detailed information on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11i standard for wireless local area network (WLAN) security. IEEE 802.11i provides security enhancements over the previous 802.11 security method, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which has several well-documented security deficiencies. IEEE 802.11i introduces a range of new security features that are designed to overcome the shortcomings of WEP. This document explains these security features and provides specific recommendations to ensure the security of the WLAN operating environment. It gives extensive guidance on protecting the confidentiality and integrity of WLAN communications, authenticating users and devices using several methods, and incorporating WLAN security considerations into each phase of the WLAN life cycle. The document complements, and does not replace, NIST SP 800-48, Wireless Network Security: 802.11, Bluetooth and Handheld Devices.
 
NIST requests comments on NIST SP 800-97 by July 7, 2006. Please submit comments to 800-97comments@nist.gov with "Comments SP800-97/802.11i" in the subject line.

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McDowell Confirmed as FCC Commissioner - Full Boat - Elephants over Donkeys

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
May 26, 2006 Daniel Gonzalez at (202)
418-1000

CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN APPLAUDS THE CONFIRMATION OF
ROBERT M. McDOWELL TO SERVE AS COMMISSIONER OF THE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman
Kevin J. Martin applauded the confirmation of Robert
M. McDowell by the United States Senate to serve as
Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission.

Chairman Martin said, “I congratulate Rob McDowell on
his confirmation as Commissioner at the FCC. He has
a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the
communications arena, and we will rely on his insight.
I am anxious to have him onboard and look forward to
working with a full complement of Commissioners to
address the important issues before us.”

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RFC :: NTIA :: Continued Transition of Tech Coordination of DNS

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2006/NOI_DNS_Transition_0506.htm

More Info: www.cybertelecom.org/dns/

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information
Administration

Docket No. 060519136-6136-01

The Continued Transition of the Technical Coordination
and Management of the Internet Domain Name and
Addressing System

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

ACTION: Notice of Inquiry, Notice of Public Meeting

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce’s
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) seeks comment on the
continuation of the transition of the technical
coordination and management of the Internet domain
name and addressing system (Internet DNS) to the
private sector. In June 1998, the Department issued a
statement of policy on the privatization of the
Internet DNS, which among other things articulated
four primary functions for global Internet DNS
coordination and management, the need to have these
functions performed by the private sector and four
principles to guide the transition to private sector
management of the Internet DNS. On June 30, 2005,
NTIA released the U.S. Principles on the Internet’s
Domain Name and Addressing System further elaborating
on these issues. The Department of Commerce seeks
comment regarding the progress of this transition and
announces a public meeting to be held on July 26,
2006, to discuss issues associated with this
transition.

DATES: Comments are due on or before July 7, 2006.
The public meeting will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. on July 26, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by U.S.
mail to Fiona Alexander, Office of International
Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room
4701, Washington, DC 20230. Paper submissions should
include a three and one-half inch computer diskette in
HTML, ASCII, Word or WordPerfect format (please
specify version). Diskettes should be labeled with
the name and organizational affiliation of the filer,
and the name of the word processing program used to
create the document. Alternatively, comments may be
submitted electronically to
DNSTransition@ntia.doc.gov. Comments provided via
electronic mail should also be submitted in one of the
formats specified above. All comments will be posted
to NTIA’s website at
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/dnstransition.html.

The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Auditorium, Washington, D.C. (Entrance to the
Department of Commerce is on 14th Street between
Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, N.W.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about
this Notice or the Public Meeting, contact: Fiona
Alexander, National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 4701, Washington, DC
20230; telephone: (202) 482-1866; or email:
falexander@ntia.doc.gov. Please direct media
inquiries to the Office of Public Affairs, NTIA, at
(202) 482-7002.

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NIST Special Publication 800-81, Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment Guide

May 16, 2006: NIST is pleased to announce the release of NIST Special Publication 800-81, Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment Guide. This publication seeks to assist organizations in the secure deployment of Domain Name System (DNS) services in an enterprise. It discusses the threats, security objectives, and relevant security approaches. Finally, it makes specific recommendation on securely configuring DNS and associated mechanisms. The publication can be obtained at the Special Publications page.

RFC :: FCC :: IP TRS Fraud NPRM

TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES; MISUSE OF INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) RELAY SERVICE AND VIDEO RELAY SERVICE (VRS). The Commission addresses the misuse of the two Internet-based forms of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), Internet Protocol Relay Service and Video Relay Service, and seeks comment on possible changes to the TRS regulations to curtail their misuse. (Dkt No. 03-123). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 05/03/2006 by FNPRM. (FCC No. 06-58). CGB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-58A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-58A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-58A1.txt

FCC Adopts Order to Enable Law Enforcement to Access Certain Broadband and VoIP Providers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              News Media Contact:

May 3, 2006                                                                                             Julius Knapp

                                                                                                                  (202) 418-2468

 

FCC ADOPTS ORDER TO ENABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ACCESS CERTAIN BROADBAND AND VoIP PROVIDERS

 

Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission today adopted a Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order (Order) that addresses several issues regarding implementation of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), enacted in 1994.  The primary goal of the Order is to ensure that Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) have all of the resources that CALEA authorizes to combat crime and support homeland security, particularly with regard to facilities-based broadband Internet access providers and interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) providers.  The Order balances the needs of Law Enforcement with the competing aims of encouraging the development of new communications services and technologies and protecting customer privacy.

 

The current CALEA proceeding was initiated in response to a Joint Petition filed by the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration in March 2004.  These parties asked the Commission to address several issues so that industry and Law Enforcement would have clear guidance as CALEA implementation moves forward.  The First Report and Order in this proceeding concluded that facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VOIP providers were covered by CALEA. This Order addresses remaining issues raised in this proceeding and provides certainty that will help achieve CALEA compliance, particularly for packet-mode technologies.

 

First, the Order affirms that the CALEA compliance deadline for facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VoIP services will be May 14, 2007, as established by the First Report and Order in this proceeding.  The Order concludes that this deadline gives providers of these services sufficient time to develop compliance solutions, and notes that standards developments for these services are already well underway. 

 

Second, the Order clarifies that this May 14, 2007 compliance date will apply to all facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VoIP providers.  Applying the same compliance date to all providers will eliminate any possible confusion about the applicability of the deadline, avoid any skewing effect on competition, and prevent migration of criminal activity onto networks with delayed compliance dates.

 

Third, the Order explains that, absent the filing of a petition that assistance capability standards are deficient, it would be premature for the Commission to intervene in the ongoing process by which telecommunications standards-setting bodies, acting in concert with LEAs and other interested persons, are developing assistance capability standards.

 

           Fourth, the Order permits telecommunications carriers the option of using Trusted Third Parties (TTPs) to assist in meeting their CALEA obligations and providing LEAs the electronic surveillance information those agencies require in an acceptable format.  The record indicates that TTPs are available to provide a variety of services for CALEA compliance to carriers, including processing requests for intercepts, conducting electronic surveillance, and delivering relevant information to LEAs.  The Order makes clear that, if a carrier chooses to use a TTP, the carrier remains responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of call-identifying information and call content information to a LEA and for protecting subscriber privacy, as required by CALEA.

Fifth, the Order restricts the availability of compliance extensions under CALEA section 107(c) to equipment, facilities and services deployed prior to October 25, 1998 and clarifies the role and scope of CALEA section 109(b), under which carriers may be reimbursed for their CALEA compliance costs.  More specifically, the Order find that sections 107(c) and 109(b) of CALEA provide only limited relief from compliance requirements.

 

Sixth, the Order finds that the Commission may, in addition to law enforcement remedies available through the courts, take separate enforcement action under section 229(a) of the Communications Act against carriers that fail to comply with CALEA.

 

Seventh, the Order concludes that carriers are responsible for CALEA development and implementation costs for post-January 1, 1995 equipment and facilities, and declines to adopt a national surcharge to recover CALEA costs.  The Order finds that it would not serve the public interest to implement a national surcharge because such a mechanism would increase the administrative burden placed upon the carriers and provide little incentive for them to minimize their costs.

 

Finally, the Order requires all carriers providing facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VoIP service to submit interim reports to the Commission to ensure that they will be CALEA-compliant by May 14, 2007, and also requires all facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VoIP providers to whom CALEA obligations were applied in the First Report and Order to come into compliance with the system security requirements in the Commission’s rules within 90 days of the effective date of this Order. 

 

            Action by the Commission May 3, 2006, by Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 06-56).  Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, and Tate.

 

Office of Engineering and Technology contacts:  Geraldine Matise at 202-418-2322 and Rodney Small at (202) 418-2452

 

ET Docket No. 04-295

-FCC-

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RFC: FCC Addresses Issue of Internet TRS Fraud

For Immediate Release:                                          News Media Contact:

May 3, 2006                                                            Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511

                                                                                 e-mail: rosemary.kimball@fcc.gov

 

FCC ADDRESSES ISSUE OF INTERNET TRS FRAUD

Seeks Comment on Possible Changes in Rules to Curtail Abuses

 

            Washington, DC -- The FCC has opened a proceeding requesting comment on ways to curtail the abuse of the two Internet-based forms of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) -- Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service and Video Relay Service (VRS).  Such misuse, including, using IP Relay to make telephone purchases from merchants using stolen, fake, or otherwise invalid credit cards, or improperly using VRS as a substitute for in-person interpreters, results in

improper compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.  

            Although calls that reach relay centers via the Internet contain no calling party number or location information, TRS providers and their employees who process IP Relay calls can often identify wasteful calls. The Commission asked for comments on additional steps it might take to prevent misuse.  It also asked whether it should adopt rules to guide the discretion of TRS providers in determining whether a call is illegitimate. 

            Action by the Commission May 3, 2006, by Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 06-58). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein and Tate. 

 

- FCC -

CG Docket No. 03-123

CGB Contact: Thomas Chandler at (202) 418-1475 (voice); (202) 418-0597 (TTY).

 

 

 

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FCC Sunshine Notice May 3 :: CALEA :: TRS :: USAC ::

FCC TO HOLD OPEN COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2006

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an
Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on
Wednesday, May 3, 2006, which is scheduled to commence
at 9:30 a.m. in Room TW-C305, at 445 12th Street,
S.W., Washington, D.C.

ITEM NO. BUREAU SUBJECT
1 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY TITLE:
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act and
Broadband Access and Services (ET Docket No. 04-295).
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Report and
Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order regarding
implementation of the Communications Assistance for
Law Enforcement Act.

2 CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS TITLE:
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech
Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities (CG Docket No. 03-123).
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Declaratory
Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding
interoperability of Video Relay Service.

3 CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS TITLE:
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech
Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities (CG Docket No. 03-123).
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address fraudulent
use of the Internet-based forms of Telecommunications
Relay Service.

4 WIRELINE COMPETITION TITLE: Request for Review of
the Decision of the Universal Service Administrator by
Bishop Perry Middle School, New Orleans, LA et al.,
Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support
Mechanism (WC Docket No. 02-6).
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider an Order
addressing requests for review of decisions of the
Universal Service Administrator with respect to the
Schools and Libraries Universal Service support
mechanism.

5
WIRELINE COMPETITION TITLE: Request for Review of the
Decision of the Universal Service Administrator by
Lake Grove at Maple Valley, Inc., Lake Grove Schools,
Wendall, MA, et al., Schools and Libraries Universal
Service Support Mechanism (WC Docket No. 02-6).
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider an Order
addressing requests for review of decisions of the
Universal Service Administrator with respect to the
Schools and Libraries Universal Service support
mechanism.

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House Judiciary Net Neutral Hearing April 25

http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/netneutralitymedadv42405.pdf

Telecom and Antitrust Task Force Hearing Tuesday
on Network Neutrality

What: Oversight Hearing entitled, “Network Neutrality:
Innovation, Competition and Nondiscriminatory Access”
Who: Telecom and Antitrust Task Force – Rep. F. James
Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.), Chairman

When: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Where: 2141 Rayburn Building

THIS HEARING IS EXPECTED TO EXPLORE...
. What is “net neutrality?”
. Does net neutrality promote innovation and
competition?
. Can broadband service providers “control” access to
the Internet?
. Have broadband providers engaged in illegal or
discriminatory conduct in violation of net
neutrality principles?
. How have recent legal and regulatory developments
affected competition for broadband
services?
. How can broadband providers abuse their market power
to limit access to Internet
content? Do they have an economic incentive to do so?
. How would access-tiering affect the competitive
landscape of the telecommunications
market or the open architecture of the Internet?
. How does recent consolidation in the
telecommunications marketplace affect broadband
access?
. Can a network provider effectively manage network
access or should a statutory
definition of network neutrality be adopted by
Congress? What restrictions, if any,
should be placed on the network provider to ensure a
competitive marketplace?
. What current authority exists to protect net
neutrality?
. Would legislative proposals being considered by
Congress promote or undermine net
neutrality?
. What is the role of antitrust in preventing Internet
“discrimination”?
WITNESSES: Mr. Paul Misener, Vice President of Global
Public Policy, Amazon.com; Mr. Earl W.
Comstock, President and CEO, COMPTEL; Mr. Walter B.
McCormick, President and CEO, United
States Telecom Association; and Mr. Timothy Wu,
Professor of Law, Columbia Law School.

RFC FCC :: AT&T / BS Merger

COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENT ON APPLICATION FOR
CONSENT TO TRANSFER OF CONTROL FILED BY
AT&T INC. and BELLSOUTH CORPORATION

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-904A1.doc

WC Docket No. 06-74

PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED

Comments/Petitions Due: June 5, 2006
Responses/Oppositions to Petitions Due: June 20, 2006

AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) and BellSouth Corporation
(“BellSouth”) (collectively, “the Applicants”) have
filed a series of applications pursuant to sections
214 and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended and section 2 of the Cable Landing License
Act. In these applications, the Applicants seek
Commission approval of the transfer of control to AT&T
of licenses and authorizations held directly and
indirectly by BellSouth. This transfer of control
will take place as a result of a proposed acquisition
whereby BellSouth will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of AT&T. These transfer of control
applications pertain to domestic and international
section 214 authorizations, cable landing licenses,
Part 25 satellite earth station authorizations,
various wireless licenses and Part 5 Experimental
Radio Service licenses.

The Applicants also seek consent to the transfer of
control of Cingular Wireless LLC (“Cingular”) and its
various subsidiaries and affiliates. The Applicants
assert that the transfer of control of the vast
majority of Cingular’s licenses and authorizations
will be non-substantial (i.e., pro forma) in nature
and that the Commission’s rules and precedents require
only post-consummation notification rather than
advance consent for the proposed transaction.
Nevertheless, the Applicants have filed applications
seeking advance consent out of “an abundance of
caution.”

These transfer of control applications were filed in
connection with a proposed acquisition whereby AT&T
will acquire BellSouth. At closing, a wholly owned
subsidiary of AT&T will be merged with and into
BellSouth, with BellSouth being the surviving entity.
Each share of common stock of BellSouth will be
converted into 1.325 shares of AT&T common stock.
BellSouth thus will become a wholly owned subsidiary
of AT&T. While AT&T will become the new parent of
BellSouth, BellSouth will continue to own the stock of
its subsidiaries, and BellSouth and its subsidiaries
will continue to hold all of the FCC licenses and
authorizations that they hold prior to the merger.

In addition, by combining the separate interests AT&T
and BellSouth currently have in Cingular, that entity
will become a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T.
Cingular will continue to hold all of its current
interests in its subsidiaries and affiliates, and
Cingular, its subsidiaries, and its affiliates will
continue to hold all of the FCC licenses and
authorizations that they hold prior to the merger.

RFC: Federal Plan for Cyber Security and Information Assurance Research and Development

http://www.nitrd.gov/

Public comment on the Plan is welcome during a
two-week comment period. Please send any comments to
csia-plan-comments@nitrd.gov before April 28, 2006.

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), a
Cabinet-level Council that coordinates science and
technology policies across the Federal Government,
today released the Federal Plan for Cyber Security and
Information Assurance Research and Development. This
report sets out a framework for multi-agency
coordination of Federal R&D investments in
technologies that can better secure the interconnected
computing systems, networks, and information that
together make up the U.S. information technology (IT)
infrastructure.

“This country’s IT infrastructure – which includes not
only the public Internet but also the networking and
IT systems that control critical infrastructures
ranging from power grids to emergency communications
systems – is vital not only to our national and
homeland security but to our economic security,” said
John H. Marburger III, Science Adviser to the
President and Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy. “This report provides a blueprint
for coordination of Federal R&D across agencies that
will maximize the impact of investments in this key
area of the national interest.”

The Federal Plan for Cyber Security and Information
Assurance outlines strategic objectives for
coordinated Federal R&D in cyber security and
information assurance (CSIA). The Plan presents a
broad range of CSIA R&D technical topics and
identifies those topics that are multi-agency
technical and funding priorities. The Plan’s findings
and recommendations address R&D priority-setting,
coordination, fundamental R&D, emerging technologies,
roadmapping, and metrics. Together with commentaries
about the CSIA R&D technical topics that describe
their significance, the current state of the art, and
gaps in current capabilities, these elements provide a
baseline for implementing the Plan’s recommendations.

The Plan was prepared by the Interagency Working Group
(IWG) on Cyber Security and Information Assurance
(CSIA), whose members represent more than 20
government organizations. The CSIA IWG operates under
the auspices of the NSTC’s Subcommittee on
Infrastructure and Subcommittee on Networking and
Information Technology Research and Development
(NITRD). The Federal Plan for Cyber Security and
Information Assurance Research and Development is
available on the NITRD Program Web site: http://www.nitrd.gov/.

FCC RFC: Petition for Limited Waiver Filed by Country Code 1 Enum LLC

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-839A1.doc

DA 06-839
April 12, 2006

PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED FOR COMMENTS ON PETITION
FOR LIMITED WAIVER FILED BY COUNTRY CODE 1 ENUM LLC

CC Docket No. 99-200

Comments Due: April 28, 2006
Reply Comments Due: May 5, 2006

On March 28, 2006, Country Code 1 ENUM LLC (“ENUM
LLC”) filed a petition for limited waiver with the
Commission to allow ENUM LLC to obtain North American
Numbering Plan (NANP) numbering resources. The
petition requests that the Wireline Competition Bureau
grant a limited waiver of section 52.15(g) of the
Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 52.15(g), to allow
ENUM LLC to obtain numbering resources directly from
the Pooling Administrator to be used in conjunction
with a trial of ENUM technology within the Country
Code 1 North American Numbering Plan.

This Public Notice establishes the procedural
requirements relating to consideration of ENUM LLC’s
petition. This matter shall be treated as a
“permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with
the Commission's ex parte rules. See 47 C.F.R. §§
1.1200, 1.1206. Persons making oral ex parte
presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing
the presentations must contain summaries of the
substance of the presentations and not merely a
listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or
two sentence description of the views and arguments
presented generally is required. See 47 C.F.R. §
1.1206(b). Other rules pertaining to oral and written
ex parte presentations in permit-but-disclose
proceedings are set forth in Section 1.1206(b) of the
Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).

. . . . .

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FCC Release Data on Internet Broadband

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-264738A1.doc

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RELEASES DATA ON
HIGH-SPEED SERVICES FOR INTERNET ACCESS

High-Speed Connections to the Internet Increased from
37.9 Million to 42.9 Million Lines in the First Half
of 2005

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) today released new data on high-speed
connections to the Internet in the United States.
Twice a year, facilities-based broadband providers
report the number of high-speed connections in service
pursuant to the FCC’s local telephone competition and
broadband data gathering program (FCC Form 477).
Statistics released today reflect data as of June 30,
2005.

All facilities-based providers of high-speed
connections to end users were required to report to
the Commission basic information about their service
offerings and types of customers as of June 30, 2005.
Previously, providers with fewer than 250 high-speed
connections in service in a particular state were not
required to report data for that state. More than
twice as many holding companies and unaffiliated
entities reported information about high-speed
connections as of June 30, 2005 as had reported six
months earlier.

For reporting purposes, high-speed lines are
connections that deliver services at speeds exceeding
200 kilobits per second (kbps) in at least one
direction, while advanced services lines are
connections that deliver services at speeds exceeding
200 kbps in both directions. The June 30, 2005 data
provide more information about the “speeds” of
advanced services lines and finer distinctions among
technologies than previously reported. They also
enable, for the first time in this data collection,
estimation of the extent to which high-speed Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) connections are available to
households residing in the areas served by incumbent
local exchange carriers (ILECs) and the extent to
which high-speed cable modem service is available to
households residing in the areas served by cable TV
systems.

1) Advanced Services Lines

· Advanced services lines, which deliver
services at speeds exceeding 200 kbps in both
directions, increased by 31% during the first half of
2005, from 28.9 million to 37.7 million, compared to a
23% increase, from 23.5 million to 28.9 million lines,
during the second half of 2004. For the full twelve
month period ending June 30, 2005, advanced services
lines increased 60% (or 14.2 million lines).

· Of the 37.7 million advanced services lines
reported as of June 30, 2005, 61.8% were at least 2.5
mbps in the faster direction and 38.2% were slower
than 2.5 mbps in the faster direction.

· Of the 37.7 million advanced services
lines, 34.3 million served primarily residential end
users. Cable modem service represented 64.9% of these
lines while 33.9% were asymmetric DSL (ADSL)
connections, 0.5% were symmetric DSL (SDSL) or
traditional wireline connections, 0.2% were fiber
connections to the end user premises, and 0.5% used
other types of technology including satellite,
terrestrial fixed or mobile wireless (on a licensed or
unlicensed basis), and electric power line.

2) High-Speed Lines

· High-speed lines, which encompass advanced
services lines and also lines that deliver services at
speeds exceeding 200 kbps in one, but not both,
directions, increased by 13% during the first half of
2005, from 37.9 million to 42.9 million lines in
service, compared to a 17% increase, from 32.5 million
to 37.9 million lines, during the second half of 2004.
For the full twelve month period ending June 30,
2005, high-speed lines increased by 32% (or 10.4
million lines).

· Of the 42.9 million total high-speed lines
reported as of June 30, 2005, 38.5 million served
primarily residential end users. Cable modem service
represented 61.0% of these lines while 37.2% were ADSL
connections, 0.4% were SDSL or traditional wireline
connections, 0.2% were fiber connections to the end
user premises, and 1.1% used other types of technology
including satellite, terrestrial fixed or mobile
wireless (on a licensed or unlicensed basis), and
electric power line.

3) Geographic Coverage

· As a nationwide average, we estimate that
high-speed DSL connections were available to 76% of
the households to whom ILECs could provide local
telephone service as of June 30, 2005, and that
high-speed cable modem service was available to 91% of
the households to whom cable system operators could
provide cable TV service.

· Providers list the Zip Codes in which they
have at least one high-speed connection in service to
an end user, and 98% of Zip Codes were on the list of
at least one provider. Our analysis indicates that
more than 99% of the nation’s population lives in
those Zip Codes. The most widely reported
technologies by this measure were satellite (with at
least some presence reported in 86% of Zip Codes),
ADSL (in 78% of Zip Codes), and cable modem (in 62% of
Zip Codes). ADSL and/or cable modem connections were
reported to be present in 85% of Zip Codes.

The summary statistics released today also
include state-by-state information, and population
density and household income information ranked by Zip
Codes. As additional information becomes available,
it will be posted on the Commission’s Internet site.

The report is available for reference in the FCC’s
Reference Information Center, Courtyard Level, 445
12th Street, SW, Washington, DC. Copies may be
purchased by calling Best Copy and Printing, Inc. at
(800) 378-3160. The report can also be downloaded
from the Wireline Competition Bureau Statistical
Reports Internet site at www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats.

- FCC -

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FCC Annual Telecom Industry Revenue Report

FCC RELEASES ANNUAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY
REVENUE REPORT. In
2004, the industry reported $292 billion in revenues,
a increase of
less
than 1% from 2003's $291 billion.. Action by:
Industry analysis &
Technology Division, WCB by REPORT. WCB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-264669A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-264669A1.txt>

FEC Internet Communications

http://www.fec.gov/agenda/2006/mtgdoc06-20.pdf

"The Federal Election Commission is amending its rules
to include paid advertisements on the Internet in the
definition of “public communication.” These final
rules implement the recent decision of the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia in Shays
v. 12 Federal Election Commission, which held that the
previous definition of “public communication”
impermissibly excluded all Internet communications.
The revised definition of “public communication”
includes paid Internet advertising placed on another
person’s website, but does not encompass any other
form of Internet communication. The Commission is also
repromulgating without change its definition of
“generic campaign activity” and amending the scope of
its disclaimer regulations, both..."

TW Petition that CLECs May Interconnect to Provide Wholesdale Telecom to VoIP Providers

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-534A1.doc

http://www.cybertelecom.org/voip/tw.htm

Comments Due March 27 Reply Due April 11

On March 1, 2006, Time Warner Cable (TWC) filed a
petition for declaratory ruling requesting that the
Commission affirm that competitive local exchange
carriers (LECs) are entitled to interconnect with
incumbent LECs pursuant to Section 251 of the
Communications Act of 1934 (the Act), as amended, for
the purpose of exchanging traffic on behalf of
VoIP-based providers. TWC asserts that the public
service commissions of South Carolina and Nebraska
misinterpreted the statute when issuing decisions
finding, among other things, that competitive LECs
providing wholesale telecommunications services to
other service providers are not “telecommunications
carriers” for the purposes of Section 251 of the Act,
and, therefore, are not entitled to interconnect with
incumbent LECs. Specifically, TWC argues that
competitive LECs selling telecommunications services
on a wholesale basis are telecommunications carriers
and are entitled to interconnection under Section 251.

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A Million Voices for Darfur
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RFC: Proposals for Modifying 700 MHz Public Safety Spectrum to Accommodate Broadband Communications

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-34A1.doc

http://www.cybertelecom.org/broadband/w700.htm

In this Eighth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Eighth
NPRM), we seek comment on whether certain channels
within the current twenty-four megahertz of public
safety spectrum in the 700 MHz public safety band
(764-776 MHz and 794-806 MHz), should be modified to
accommodate broadband communications. This action is
consistent with national priorities focusing on
homeland security and broadband and our commitment to
ensure that emergency first responders have access to
reliable and interoperable communications.

Nearly a decade ago, the Commission, at the direction
of Congress, reallocated twenty four megahertz of the
700 MHz band from television broadcast services to
public safety communications services. Congress
contemplated that this spectrum would be available for
public safety use as early as December 31, 2006, or as
soon as existing TV stations vacate the spectrum as
part of the transition to digital television (DTV). In
discharging its Congressional mandate to establish
licensing and service rules for this reallocated
spectrum, the Commission established a flexible
regulatory framework for public safety use of the 700
MHz band “ to enable public safety organizations to
effectively use this new allocation for a variety of
operational modes (voice, data, image/high speed data
(hsd), and video) .” In designing this regulatory
framework, the Commission sought to balance the need
for “standardization necessary to achieve nationwide
interoperability, the development of competitive
equipment markets, and the degree of regional
flexibility necessary to allow entities the
opportunity to fashion approaches tailored to meet the
individual needs of diverse regional communities .”
Consistent with these principles, the Commission has
made great progress towards ensuring different
governmental agencies have the ability to communicate
across jurisdictions . Although in many parts of the
nation this spectrum remains unavailable for public
safety use, Congress recognized in the Intelligence
Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004
(Intelligence Reform Act) that this spectrum is
“ideal” for providing first responders with
interoperable communications channels. As part of the
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Congress has
established February 17, 2009 as the date for the
completion of the transition from analog to digital
broadcast transmissions. Accordingly, it is imperative
that once this spectrum is cleared of incumbent
broadcasters, that the public safety community be able
to fully utilize this spectrum.

Recently Congress asked the Commission, in
consultation with the Department of Homeland Security
and the National Telecommunications Information
Administration, to undertake a study and prepare a
report assessing the short-term and long-term spectrum
needs of emergency responders, including the potential
for nationwide interoperable broadband mobile
communications networks. In the Report to Congress
submitted pursuant to Section 7502 of the Intelligence
Reform Act, it was recognized that broadband
communications applications offer the public safety
community a number of benefits, including video
surveillance, real-time text messaging and e-mail,
high resolution digital images and the ability to
obtain location and status information of personnel
and equipment in the field. The Report found that
emergency response providers would benefit from
development of an integrated, interoperable network
capable of delivering broadband services nationwide.
The Report also found that the Commission should
investigate whether some local broadband operations
could be carried out within the existing 700 MHz
public safety band.
It is our objective in this Eighth NPRM to determine
whether we should modify the public safety portion of
the 700 MHz band to accommodate broadband
communications, and if so, how. We seek to develop
policies that ensure that emergency first responders
possess the communications resources needed to
successfully carry out their mission . Broadband
technologies, which encompass high-speed digital
technologies, hold the potential to provide public
safety entities integrated access to voice and
high-speed data capabilities. A technology that can
dramatically reduce the time it takes to access
information during emergencies can mean the difference
between life and death. Accordingly, in this Eighth
NPRM, we describe the current configuration of the 700
MHz band and solicit comment on whether certain
channels within the current 700 MHz public safety band
should be modified to accommodate broadband
communications. We also discuss and seek comment on
specific band proposals offered by Lucent
Technologies, Inc. (Lucent), Motorola, Inc.
(Motorola), and the National Public Safety
Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) to rechannelize
twelve megahertz of the 700 MHz public safety band to
provide for broadband applications . In addition, we
offer parties the opportunity to update the record on
wideband interoperability issues that were raised in
the Seventh Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Seventh
NPRM) in this proceeding.

The Commission has defined “Interoperability” as “an
essential communications link within public safety and
public service wireless communications systems which
permits units from two or more different entities to
interact with one another and to exchange information
according to a prescribed method in order to achieve
predictable results.” See Development of Operational,
Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting
Federal, State and Local Public Safety Agency
Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010, WT
Docket No. 96-86, First Report and Order and Third
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 14 FCC Rcd 152, 189-90
¶ 76 (1998) (First Report and Order); 47 C.F.R. §
90.7.

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A Million Voices for Darfur
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Verizon's Petition for Forebearance

Subject: VERIZON TELEPHONE COMPANIES' PETITION FOR
FORBEARANCE FROM
TITLE II AND COMPUTER INQUIRY RULES WITH RESPECT TO
THEIR BROADBAND
SERVICES IS GRANTED BY OPERATION OF LAW
The Verizon telephone companies (Verizon) filed a
petition for forbearance from Title II of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the
Commission's Computer Inquiry rules on December 20,
2004. On December 19, 2005, the Commission extended
the forbearance deadline to March 19, 2006. Verizon
amended its petition on February 7 and February 17th,
2006. Section 10(c) provides that a forbearance
petition “shall be deemed granted if the Commission
does not deny the petition for failure to meet the
requirements for forbearance under subsection (a)
within one year after the Commission receives it,
unless the one year period is extended by the
Commission.” This is to inform the public that,
pursuant to section 10(c), the relief requested in
VerizonÂ’s petition was deemed granted by operation of
law, effective March 19, 2006.

Docket No.: 04-440.

Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: William
Kehoe 202-418-1580, william.kehoe@fcc.gov
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-264436A1.doc

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A Million Voices for Darfur
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