5/2. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) introduced HR 5273 [11 pages in PDF], the "Network Neutrality Act of 2006", a bill to impose a network neutrality mandate on broadband network providers.

The same four offered a network neutrality amendment [4 pages in PDF] at the April 5 Subcommittee mark up of the COPE Act, and a different amendment [5 pages in PDF] at the April 26 full Committee mark up. Both failed. The language of the just introduced bill is similar to, but greatly expands upon the earlier proposed amendments.

Rep. Markey (at left) wrote in a statement that "The corrosion of historic policies of nondiscrimination by the imposition of bottlenecks by broadband network owners endanger economic growth, innovation, job creation, and First Amendment freedom of expression on such networks. Broadband network owners should not be able to determine who can and who cannot offer services over broadband networks or over the Internet. The detrimental effect to the digital economy would be quite severe if such conduct were permitted and became widespread." See, extended remarks published in the Congressional Record, May 2, 2006, at Pages E680-1.

He summarized his bill as follows: "This network neutrality bill has essentially three parts. The first part articulates overall broadband and network neutrality goals for the country, and spells out exactly what network neutrality means and puts it into the statute so that it will possess the force of law. The second part embodies reasonable exceptions to the general rules, such as to route emergency communications or offer consumer protection features, such as spam blocking technology. And the final part of the bill features an expedited complaint process to deal with grievances and violations within thirty days."

The bill contains detailed Congressional findings, a detailed collection of policy statements, and a network neutrality mandate. The mandate imposes restrictions and duties upon broadband network providers, provides exceptions, requires an FCC rulemaking proceeding to promulgate implementing regulations, and provides for FCC enforcement.

The bill provides that each broadband network provider has the eight duties. They must

  "(1) enable users to utilize their broadband service to access all lawful content, applications, and services available over broadband networks, including the Internet;
  (2) not block, impair, degrade, discriminate against, or interfere with the ability of any person to utilize their broadband service to -- (A) access, use, send, receive, or offer lawful content, applications, or services over broadband networks, including the Internet; or (B) attach any device to the provider’s network and utilize such device in connection with broadband service, provided that any such device does not physically damage, or materially degrade other subscribers’ use of, the network; (3) clearly and conspicuously disclose to users, in plain language, accurate information about the speed, nature, and limitations of their broadband service;
  (4) offer, upon reasonable request to any person, a broadband service for use by such person to offer or access unaffiliated content, applications, and services;
  (5) not discriminate in favor of itself in the allocation, use, or quality of broadband services or interconnection with other broadband networks;
  (6) offer a service such that content, applications, or service providers can offer unaffiliated content, applications, or services in a manner that is at least equal to the speed and quality of service that the operator’s content, applications, or service is accessed and offered, and without interference or surcharges on the basis of such content, applications, or services;
  (7) if the broadband network provider prioritizes or offers enhanced quality of service to data of a particular type, prioritize or offer enhanced quality of service to all data of that type (regardless of the origin of such data) without imposing a surcharge or other consideration for such prioritization or quality of service; and
  (8) not install network features, functions, or capabilities that thwart or frustrate compliance with the requirements or objectives of this section."

Gigi Sohn, head of the Public Knowledge, stated in a release that this bill "recognizes that the cable and telephone companies are threatening to take over the Internet, and that strong non-discrimination policies are needed to prevent them from limiting consumer choice and favoring their own content and services. At the same time, the bill preserves the rights of network operators to manage those networks, and maintains a range of choices for consumers."

See also,

• story titled "House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Holds Hearing on COPE Act" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,341, April 3, 2006.
• stories titled "House Subcommittee Approves COPE Act", "House Subcommittee Rejects Network Neutrality Amendment", and "Amendment by Amendment Summary of Subcommittee Mark Up of COPE Act" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,344, April 6, 2006.
• stories titled "House Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Network Neutrality" and "House Commerce Committee Begins Mark Up of COPE Bill" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,358, April 26, 2006.
• story titled "House Commerce Committee Approves COPE Act" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,359, April 27, 2006.
• story titled "Amendment by Amendment Summary of Full Committee Mark Up of COPE Act" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,360, April 28, 2006.
• story titled "More on the House Commerce Committee Mark Up of the COPE Act" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,361, May 1, 2006.

4/27. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and other Democrats introduced HR 5223, the "Surveillance Activities Commission Act of 2006", a bill to establish a legislative commission titled the "National Commission on Surveillance Activities and the Rights of Americans".

The bill provides that "There is established in the legislative branch the National Commission on Surveillance Activities and the Rights of Americans to conduct an investigation and to study governmental operations with respect to warrantless surveillance conducted inside the United States and intelligence activities, and the extent, if any, to which illegal, improper, or unethical activities were engaged in by any Federal, State, or local government agency or any person employed by a Federal, State, or local government."

The purpose of the Commission would primarily be to investigate and report on "warrantless surveillance conducted inside the United States that occurred after September 11, 2001, by the National Security Agency". However, its purposes would also be to investigate "any warrantless surveillance conducted inside the United States" and to "investigate and report on any violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ..., or any other applicable law".

This would not be an executive branch commission, the members of which would be appointed by the President. Rather, it would be legislative, with members appointed by various House and Senate Republicans and Democrats. There would be 14 members, with an equal number being appointed by members of each party. Moreover, no member of the Commission could be a member of the executive branch.

The Congress has already created a Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. This was created by Section 1061 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, pursuant to the recommendations contained in the report of National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. This bill was S 2845 in the 108th Congress. It is now Public Law No. 108-458. See also, story titled "Bush Names Members of Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,151, June 10, 2005.

The powers of the Commission would be to investigate and write reports. It would have the power to hold hearings, issue subpoenas for testimony and records, enforce subpoenas by judicial action, and administer oaths.

The bill was referred to the House Intelligence Committee and House Judiciary Committee.

The original cosponsors of the bill are all Democrats: Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).

5/2. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) announced several promotions on his Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) staff. Melanie Alvord was named Assistant Staff Director for Administration and Communications. She has been Communications Director since January of 2005, when Sen. Stevens became the Chairman. She is a long time staff assistant to Sen. Stevens. Aaron Saunders was named Communications Director, the Committee's primary press contact and spokesperson. He replaces Melanie Alvord in this position. He was previously Press Secretary, and before that, Deputy Communications Director. Mark Delich was promoted to Professional Staff Member for the full Committee. He will handle a technology, consumer affairs, and transportation security issues. Steve Wackowski was promoted from Staff Assistant to Research Assistant for the full Committee. He will work on issues handled by the Subcommittees on Disaster Prevention and Prediction, National Ocean Policy Study, Oceans and Fisheries, and Global Climate Change. Rebecca Hooks was named Nominations Clerk.

5/1. The Senate confirmed Michael Ryan Barrett to be a Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio by a vote of 90-0. See, Roll Call No. 102, and Congressional Record, May 1, 2006, at Page S3849.

5/2. On April 27, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WRC-07 Advisory Committee) submitted its recommendations to the FCC. On May 2, 2006, the FCC released a notice [145 pages in PDF], with the recommendations attached. The FCC requests public comments. The deadline to submit comments is May 26, 2006. This proceeding is IB Docket No. 04-286.

5/2. Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR) introduced HR 5258, a bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain plasma flat panel displays. It was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

5/2. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced HR 5264, a bill to provide consumers information about the broadcast television transition from an analog to a digital format. It was referred to the House Commerce Committee (HCC).

5/1. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and others introduced HR 5252, a bill which has already been marked up by the House Commerce Committee (HCC). It was referred to the HCC.

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The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. See, Republican Whip Notice.

The Senate will meet at 9:30 AM. It will resume consideration of HR 4939, the "Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006".

9:30 AM - 2:00 PM. The Federal Society will host an event titled "Telecommunications Federalism Conference". RSVP to 202- 822-8138 to RSVP. Attendance if free. However, CLE participation costs $25. Lunch will be served. See, notice and registration page. Location: Capitol Hill Club, 300 1st Street, SE.

9:30 AM. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold an event titled "Open Meeting". The agenda [3 pages in PDF] includes consideration of further administrative amendments to the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). Location: FCC, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-C05 (Commission Meeting Room).

10:00 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will meet to mark up two bills, including HR 4777, the "Internet Gambling Prohibition Act". The meeting will be webcast by the HJC. See, notice. Press contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn at 202-225-2492. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM. The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing titled "Protecting Investors and Fostering Efficient Markets: A Review of the S.E.C. Agenda". Location: Room 2128, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The House Science Committee (HSC) will hold a hearing titled "The Role of the National Science Foundation in K-12 Science and Math Education". The witnesses will be Dennis Bartels, Joseph Heppert, Rebecca Pringle, and Judy Snyder. The hearing will be webcast by the HSC. Location: Room 2318, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The Department of State's (DOS) International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2006 on November 6-24, 2006, in Ankara, Turkey. See, notice in the Federal Register, March 29, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 60, at Page 15798. Location: __.

10:30 AM. The House Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing titled "Building American Competitiveness: Examining the Scope and Success of Existing Federal Math and Science Programs". Location: Room 2175, Rayburn Building.

1:00 - 2:30 PM. The New America Foundation (NAF) will host a panel discussion titled "Serious Games: Strengthening America's Competitive Edge Through Investment in Advanced Technology Tools for Learning". The speakers will be Michael Calabrese (NAF), Lawrence Grossman (Digital Promise), and Kay Howell (Federation of American Scientists). See, notice. Location: Room 188, Russell Building, Capitol Hill.

TIME CHANGE. 2:00 PM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing titled "Digital Content and Enabling Technology: Satisfying the 21st Century Consumer". The witnesses will be Gary Parsons (Chairman of XM Satellite Radio), Michael Ostroff (Universal Music Group), Dan Halyburton (Susquehanna Radio, on behalf of the NAB), Robert Regan (Nashville Songwriters Association International), and Jeffery Lawrence (Intel). See, notice. Press contact: Larry Neal (Barton) at 202 225-5735 or Paul Flusche (Stearns) at 202 225-5744. The hearing will be webcast by the HCC. Location: Room 2322, Rayburn Building.

2:00 PM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing titled "Sexual Exploitation of Children Over the Internet: What Parents, Kids and Congress Need to Know About Child Predators". This hearing may address proposals to mandate data retention. See, notice. Press contact: Larry Neal (Barton) at 202 225-5735. The hearing will be webcast by the HCC. Location: Room 2123, Rayburn Building.

3:30 PM. The House Science Committee (HSC) will meet to mark up HR 5143, the "H-Prize Act of 2006". Location: Room 2318, Rayburn Building.

3:30 - 5:00 PM. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), Internews, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) will host a briefing titled "Promoting an Open Internet: Successes and Challenges in Eurasia and Central and Eastern Europe". The speakers will be Mikhail Doroshevich (e-Belarus.org), Bogdan Manolea (Romanian Association for Technology and Internet), Shaukat Valitov (Country Coordinator for Uzbekistan, Global Internet Policy Initiative), and Parvina Ibodova (GIPI Coordinator, Tajikistan). RSVP to Melody Jones at 202-457-6949. Press contact: David McGuire (CDT) at 202-637-9800 x106. Location: RFE/RL, Conference Room A, 4th Floor, 1201 Connecticut Ave., NW. Enter on Rhode Island Ave., next to St. Matthew's Cathedral.)

TIME? The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will hold a hearing on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and Malaysia. The USTR seeks comments and testimony on "electronic commerce issues", "trade-related intellectual property rights issues", "barriers to trade in services", and other topics. See, notice in the Federal Register, March 22, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 55, at Pages 14558-14559. Location: __.

Day two of a four day conference hosted by the Association for Computing Machinery titled "16th Annual Conference on Computer, Freedom and Privacy". See, conference web site. Location: L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.

The House will meet at 10:00 AM for legislative business. See, Republican Whip Notice.

9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee's (SJC) may hold an executive business meeting. See, notice. The SJC frequently cancels or postpones hearings without notice. Press contact: 202-224-5225. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

1:00 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee's (SJC) Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights & Property Rights will hold an executive business meeting. See, notice. Press contact: 202-224-5225. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

2:00 PM. The House International Relations Committee's (HIRC) Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing titled "Technology and Counterproliferation". See, notice. Location: Room 2172, Rayburn Building.

2:00 - 4:00 PM. The Department of State's International Telecommunication Advisory Committee will meet to prepare for meetings of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) WPIE and CISP committee meetings of May 29-31, 2006. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 19, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 75, at Pages 20153-20154. Location: Room 2533, Harry Truman Building, 2201 C Street, NW.

2:30 PM. The Senate Commerce Committee's (SCC) Subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development Hearing will hold a hearing titled "Promoting Economic Development Opportunities Through Nano Commercialization". Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) will preside. The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. See, notice. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202-224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202-224-3991 or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202-224-4546. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

Extended deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in response to its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding changes to certain rules affecting practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. See, notice in the Federal Register, March 27, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 58, at Pages 15097-15098.

Day three of a four day conference hosted by the Association for Computing Machinery titled "16th Annual Conference on Computer, Freedom and Privacy". See, conference web site. Location: L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.

The Republican Whip Notice states that "no votes are expected in the House".

9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in ACE v. FCC. This is a challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) order that provides that facilities based broadband service providers and interconnected VOIP providers are subject to requirements under the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The FCC adopted this item at its August 5, 2005, meeting. See, story titled "FCC Amends CALEA Statute" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,191, August 9, 2005. The FCC released the text [59 pages in PDF] of this item on September 23, 2005. It is FCC 05-153 in ET Docket No. 04-295 and RM-10865. See also, story titled "FCC CALEA Order Challenged" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,240, Wednesday, October 26, 2005. See also, ACE brief [71 pages in PDF] and FCC brief [52 pages in PDF]. This case is American Council on Education, et al. v. FCC and USA, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, App. Ct. Nos. 05-1404, 1408, 1438, 1451 and 1453, Judges Sentelle, Brown and Edwards presiding. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.

12:00 NOON. The Cato Institute will host a program titled "Cato Scholars Square Off: Resolved: The Bush NSA Surveillance Program Is Illegal". The speakers will be the Cato Institute's Robert Levy and Roger Pilon. Lunch will follow the program. See, notice and registration page. Location: Cato, 1000 Massachusetts Ave., NW.

Day four of a four day conference hosted by the Association for Computing Machinery titled "16th Annual Conference on Computer, Freedom and Privacy". See, conference web site. Location: L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.

? May 5 may be the deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to ENUM LLC's petition for limited waiver to allow it to obtain North American Numbering Plan (NANP) numbering resources. The FCC's notice [PDF] states that this deadline both May 5 and May 9.

9:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The Antitrust Modernization Commission (AMC) will hold another in a series of hearings. This one will address criminal remedies and civil remedies. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 21, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 77, at Page 20643. Location: Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Conference Center, 601 New Jersey Ave., NW.

Day one of a two day conference hosted by the American Cable Association (ACA) titled "Washington Summit". See, event brochure [PDF]. Location: __.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its second further notice of proposed rulemaking (2ndFNPRM) regarding the obligation of television licensees to provide educational programming for children and the requirement that television licensees protect children from excessive and inappropriate commercial messages. See, text [14 pages in PDF] of this 2ndFNPRM. The FCC adopted this item at its meeting of March 17, 2006. See, notice in the Federal Register, March 27, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 58, at Pages 15145-15147; and story titled "FCC Adopts Further NPRM Re Children's Programming Obligations" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,332, March 20, 2006. This item is FCC 06-33 in MM Docket No. 00-167.

Deadline to submit nominations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for three members of the Patent Public Advisory Committee and for three members of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee. See, notice in the Federal Register, March 15, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 50, at Pages 13358-13359.

Deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in response to its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to eliminate the Disclosure Document Program. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 6, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 66, at Pages 17399-17401.

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Advanced Technology Program Advisory Committee will hold a partially closed meeting. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 26, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 80, at Pages 24645-24646. Location: NIST, Administration Building, Employees' Lounge, Gaithersburg, MD.

9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in Earthlink v. FCC, App. Ct. No. 05-1087. This is a petition for review of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) orders granting petitions for forbearance from the obligations of 47 U.S.C. § 271 to provide unbundled access to certain broadband elements. See, FCC brief [50 pages in PDF]. Judges Sentelle, Brown and Edwards will preside. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.

10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The Department of State's (DOS) International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for the CITEL PCC.II (Radiocommunication including Broadcasting) meetings on June 20-23, 2006, in Lima, Peru, and on October 17-20, 2006, in San Salvador, El Salvador. See, notice in the Federal Register, March 29, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 60, at Page 15798. Location: __.

Day two of a two day conference hosted by the American Cable Association (ACA) titled "Washington Summit". See, event brochure [PDF]. Location: __.

? May 9 may be the deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to ENUM LLC's petition for limited waiver to allow it to obtain North American Numbering Plan (NANP) numbering resources. The FCC's notice [PDF] states that this deadline is both May 5 and May 9.

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) will host a roundtable meeting regarding the reporting and auditing requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including Section 404 requirements. See, SEC notice. Location: SEC.

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The Progress and Freedom Foundation (PFF) will host a conference titled "Internet Security Summit". The speakers will include Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Deborah Majoras. See, notice. Press contact: Amy Smorodin at 202-289-8928 or asmorodin at pff dot org. Location: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW.

9:15 AM - 1:30 PM. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) will host a conference titled "Key Issues in Telecommunications Policy". See, notice. Press contact: Veronique Rodman at 202-862-4871 or vrodman at aei dot org. Location: 12th floor, 1150 17th St., NW.

9:15 AM - 3:30 PM. The President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory
Committee (NSTAC) will meet. Most of this meeting will be closed to the public. From 9:15 through 10:15 AM the NSTAC will discuss in open session the work of the Emergency Communications & Interoperability Task Force, Telecommunications and Electric Power Interdependency Task Force, Legislative and Regulatory Task Force, and Research and Development Task Force. From 10:15 AM through 3:30 PM the NSTAC will meet in closed session to discuss emergency communications & interoperability, international implications of the NGN, and regional coordination, planning, and exercises. See, notice in the Federal Register, April 27, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 81, at Page 24859. Location: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

12:00 NOON. The Cato Institute will host a panel discussion titled "Parental Power: TV Indecency, the FCC, and the Media's Response". The speakers will include Jack Valenti (former head of the Motion Picture Association of America) and Penny Nance (Special Advisor in the FCC's Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis). Lunch will follow the program. See, notice and registration page. Location: Cato, 1000 Massachusetts Ave., NW.

12:00 NOON - 1:15 PM. The DC Bar Association will host an event titled "Software and Business Method Patentability: A Changing Landscape?". The speakers will include Scott Alter (Wilmer Hale). The price to attend ranges from $10 to $30. For more information, call 202-626-3463. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.

2:00 PM. The House Commerce Committee's (HCC) Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing titled "Social Security Numbers in Commerce: Reconciling Beneficial Uses with Threats to Privacy". See, notice. The hearing will be webcast by the HCC. Location: Room 2123, Rayburn Building.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Auction 65 is scheduled to begin. This is an auction of 800 MHz Air-Ground Radiotelephone Service Licenses.