US Submits Proposals to ITU for
WCIT |
8/3. The Department of State (DOS) submitted to the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) a
filing [6 pages in PDF]
titled "Proposals for the Work of the Conference". It contains the US proposals
for changes to the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR).
The ITU will host the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT)
on December 3-14, 2012, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. See,
WCIT web site.
The DOS wrote that the US opposes "overburdening the telecommunications sector with
unnecessary and intrusive regulation", and favors the existing "multi-stakeholder"
approach to internet government over "a formal regulatory regime".
This filing states that "the Internet has evolved to operate in a separate and
distinct environment that is beyond the scope or mandate of the ITRs or the International
Telecommunication Union. Specifically, it emerged from multi-stakeholder organizations
such as the Internet Society, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the World Wide
Web Consortium (W3C), the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), and the Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). These organizations have played a major role in
designing and operating the Internet and have succeeded by their very nature of openness
and inclusiveness."
The US "will not support proposals that would increase the exercise of control over
Internet governance or content. The United States will oppose efforts to broaden the scope
of the ITRs to empower any censorship of content or impede the free flow of information and
ideas. It believes that the existing multi-stakeholder institutions, incorporating industry
and civil society, have functioned effectively and will continue to ensure the continued
vibrancy of the Internet and its positive impact on individuals and society."
The US proposes "Minimal changes to the preamble of the ITRs" and "Alignment
of the definitions in the ITRs with those in the ITU Constitution and Convention, including
no change to the definitions of telecommunications and international telecommunications
service".
The US "opposes adding provisions to the ITRs that can be interpreted to restrict
the choices available to governments in regulating their national telecommunications regimes.
If the ITRs are to promote telecommunications development in an enduring manner, they must
remain flexible enough to allow for rapid technological change and the evolution of new
business models and consumer-oriented services."
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski stated in a
release
that he supports the DOS filing. He wrote that "The proposals by some countries to
restrict the free flow of information online would threaten one of the most powerful engines
for global economic growth and the spread of democracy in the 21st century. As today’s U.S.
contribution makes clear, the WCIT must embrace the successes of the last two decades of
liberalization in telecommunications regulation and the existing multi-stakeholder model
of Internet governance to ensure continued investment and growth of the Internet around
the globe."
On August 2, the House passed
HConRes 127
regarding this upcoming WCIT. See, stories titled "House Approves Resolution Opposing
International Internet Regulation" and "Ambassador Kramer Addresses Upcoming
WCIT" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,420, August 4, 2012.
Also on August 2, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai released a
statement in
which he praised this House resolution. He wrote that "the multi-stakeholder, non-governmental
model of Internet governance ... has served us well." He added that "all American
policymakers stand together on a bipartisan basis to oppose international regulation of the
Internet."
Google's Vint Cerf wrote a
short piece titled "Google Applauds Bipartisan Resolution Opposing Increased
International Regulation of the Internet" and dated August 2.
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Harris and Cornell to Chair FCC's
WRC-15 Advisory Committee |
8/3. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski appointed
Scott
Harris and Diane Cornell as Chair and Vice Chair of the FCC's Advisory Committee for
the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference, or WRC-15. Alex Roytblat will again direct
the FCC's WRC-15 preparatory activities and serve as the Designated Federal Official to the
advisory committee.
Harris has been SVP and General Counsel of
Neustar since March of 2011.
Before that he was General Counsel at the Department of Energy (DOE). He founded the telecom
law firm of Harris Wiltshire & Grannis (now
Wiltshire & Grannis) in 1998. Before that, he was Chief of the FCC's
International Bureau.
Cornell is VP for Government Relations at Inmarsat.
Before that, she worked for the CTIA. And before that, she held numerous positions at the FCC.
Roytblat is Assistant Chief FCC's IB's Strategic
Analysis and Negotiations Division. See, FCC
release.
The WRC-15 Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday, August 9, 2012,
at 9:00 AM in the FCC's Commission Meeting Room. See,
notice.
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FCC Adopts NPRM Regarding Cable TV
Technical Rules |
8/3. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted and released a
Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [57 pages in PDF] regarding its cable television technical
rules. See also, FCC
release.
This item states that "we propose to update our cable television technical rules
to facilitate the cable industry’s widespread transition from analog to digital transmission
systems. Specifically, we seek comment on our proposals to modernize and modify the
Commission’s proof-of-performance rules and basic signal leakage performance criteria."
(Footnotes omitted.)
It adds that "we propose modifications throughout Part 76 to remove outdated language,
correct citations, and make other minor or non-substantive updates."
This NPRM is FCC 12-86 in MB Docket No. 12-217. Initial comments will be due 60 days after
publication of a notice in the Federal Register (FR). Reply comments will be due with 90 days
of such publication. The FCC has not yet published this FR notice.
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FCC Adopts Wireless Microwave Backhaul
Facilities Order and NPRM |
8/3. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted and released an
item [73
pages in PDF] regarding wireless microwave backhaul facilities. It is titled "Second
Report and Order, Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Second Notice of Inquiry,
Order on Reconsideration, and Memorandum Opinion and Order". See also, FCC
release.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski wrote in his
statement
that "wireless backhaul is often a very efficient means of transmitting data among cell
sites, or between cell sites and network backbones. Spectrum, in other words, can be an
important part of the ``middle mile´´ of broadband networks."
He said that this item "grants wireless backhaul providers the flexibility to use
smaller antennas; updates the Commission’s efficiency standards to reflect today’s data-centric
world; introduces a Microwave Rural Flexibility Policy; and permits higher capacity links,
enabling faster data rates".
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai wrote in
his statement
that "two of the FCC’s top priorities should be removing regulatory barriers to
infrastructure investment and broadening the stock of spectrum available for commercial
broadband use." And, he said, this item accomplishes both.
The FCC also seeks comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and
Notice of Inquiry (NOI) portions of this item. This item considers accommodating new types
of antennas to reflect advances in technology, and proposes to allow smaller antennas in an
additional microwave band.
FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell praised this item in his
statement and
added that "I look forward to learning about additional opportunities to pare back even
more long-standing and outdated regulations through the notice of proposed rulemaking and
notice of inquiry."
This item is FCC 12-87 in WT Docket No. 10-153 and RM-11602. Initial comments regarding
the NPRM and NOI portions of this item will be due 30 days after publication of a notice in
the Federal Register (FR). Reply comments will be due with 45 days of such publication. The
FCC has not yet published this FR notice.
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More
News |
8/3. Federal Communications Commission's (FCC)
Public Safety and Homeland
Security Bureau adopted and released an
Order [7
pages in PDF] that grants several waivers of the April 7, 2012 deadline to have the capability
to receive and transmit Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. This order is
DA 12-1267 in PS Docket No. 07-287 and PS Docket No. 08-146.
8/3. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set deadlines for comments in response
to its Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [59 pages in PDF] regarding the 4940-4990 MHz
(4.9 GHz) public safety band. The FCC adopted and released this FNPRM on June 13, 2012. It
is FCC 12-61 in WP Docket No. 07-100, PS Docket No. 06-229, WT Docket No. 06-150. The deadline
to submit initial comments is October 1. The deadline to submit reply comments is October 30.
See, notice in the
Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 148, Wednesday, August 1, 2012, Pages 45558-45571. See also,
August 3 Public
Notice (DA 12-1268).
8/3. The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) published a
notice in the
Federal Register (FR) that requests comments regarding (1) a motion of Phase I claimants for
partial distribution in connection with the 2010 satellite royalty funds, and (2) the
existence of Phase I and Phase II controversies with respect to the distribution
of 2010 satellite royalty funds. The deadline to submit comments is September 4, 2012. See,
FR, Vol. 77, No. 150, Friday, August 3, 2012, at Page 46526.
8/3. The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) published a
notice in the
Federal Register (FR) that requests comments regarding (1) a motion of Phase I claimants
for partial distribution in connection with the 2010 cable royalty funds, and (2) the
existence of Phase I and Phase II controversies with respect to the distribution
of 2010 cable royalty funds. The deadline to submit comments in September 4, 2012.
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In This
Issue |
This issue contains the following items:
• US Submits Proposals to ITU for WCIT
• Harris and Cornell to Chair FCC's WRC-15 Advisory Committee
• FCC Adopts NPRM Regarding Cable TV Technical Rules
• FCC Adopts Wireless Microwave Backhaul Facilities Order and NPRM
• More News
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Washington Tech
Calendar
New items are highlighted in
red. |
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Monday, August 6 |
The House will not meet, except for pro forma
sessions, until September 10.
The Senate will not meet, except for pro forma
sessions, until September 10.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Accenture Global Services v. Guidewire
Software, App. Ct. No. 2011-1486, an appeal from
the U.S. District Court (NDCal) in
a patent infringement case. Location: Courtroom 201.
Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) in response to its
Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [182 pages in PDF] regarding its collection of universal
service taxes. The FCC adopted this item on April 27, 2012, and released the text on
April 30. It is FCC 12-46 in WC Docket Nos. 06-122 and GN Docket No. 09-51. See,
notice in the
Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 110, Thursday, June 7, 2012, at Pages 33896-33944.
Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its
Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [22 pages in PDF] regarding creating a Do-Not-Call registry
for public safety answering points (PSAPs). The FCC adopted this item on May 21, 2012,
and released the text on May 22. It is FCC 12-56 in CG Docket No. 12-129. See,
notice in the
Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 120, Thursday, June 21, 2012, Pages 37362-37367.
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Tuesday, August 7 |
The Senate will meet at 11:00 AM in pro forma session.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals
(FedCir) will hear oral argument in Trans Video Electronics v. Sony Electronics,
App. Ct. No.2012-1110, an appeal from the U.S. District
Court (NDCal) in a patent infringement case involving video distribution technology, D.C.
No. 09-civ-3304. Location: Courtroom 201.
1:30 - 3:00 PM. The New
America Foundation (NAF) will host a panel discussion titled "Congress 2.0:
How is Congress Coping with the Information Revolution?". See,
notice. Location: Suite 400,
NAF, 1899 L St., NW.
6:00 - 8:15 PM. The DC Bar
Association will host a presentation titled "Ethics of E-Mail and Social
Media". The speaker will be
Thomas Spahn
(McGuire Woods). The price to attend ranges from $89 to $129. Reporters are barred from
attending most DC Bar events. CLE credits. See,
notice. For more information, call 202-626-3488. Location: DC Bar Conference Center,
1101 K St., NW.
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Wednesday, August 8 |
No events listed.
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Thursday, August 9 |
9:00 AM. The Federal Communications Commission's
(FCC) Advisory Committee for the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15)
will hold its first meeting. See,
notice.
Location: FCC, Commission Meeting Room, Room TW-C305, 445 12th St., SW.
10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of
Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Northrup Grumman Computing Systems
v. US, App. Ct. Nos. 2011-5124 and 2012-5044, appeals from the
U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Location:
Courtroom 402.
5:00 PM. Deadline to register to present comments at the
President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory
Committee (NSTAC) August 16 meeting. The agenda includes discussions of (1) the
Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), (2) the DHS's
National Cybersecurity
and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), and (3) the proposal to develop a separate
out of band data network supporting communications among carriers, ISPs, vendors, and
additional critical infrastructure owners and operators during a severe cyber incident
that renders the internet unusable. See,
notice in the
Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 146, Monday, July 30, 2012, at Pages 44641-44642.
Deadline to submit comments to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Computer
Security Division (CSD) regarding its draft
NIST
IR-7823 [67 pages in PDF] titled "Advanced Metering Infrastructure Smart Meter
Upgradeability Test Framework".
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Friday, August 10 |
The Senate will meet at 11:00 AM in pro forma session.
Deadline to submit written comments to the
President's National Security
Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) in advance of its August 16 meeting. The
agenda includes discussions of (1) the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN),
(2) the DHS's National
Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), and (3) the proposal to
develop a separate out of band data network supporting communications among carriers, ISPs,
vendors, and additional critical infrastructure owners and operators during a severe cyber
incident that renders the internet unusable. See,
notice in the
Federal Register, Vol. 77, No. 146, Monday, July 30, 2012, at Pages 44641-44642.
Deadline to submit comments to the
National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST)
Computer Security Division (CSD) regarding its draft
SP
800-76-2 [57 pages in PDF] titled "Biometric Data Specification for Personal
Identity Verification".
Deadline to submit comments to the
National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST)
Computer Security Division (CSD) regarding its draft
FIPS-201 -2 [89 pages in PDF] titled "Personal Identity Verification (PIV)
of Federal Employees and Contractors".
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Saturday, August 11 |
The Federal Communications Bar
Association's (FCBA) Young Lawyers Committee will host an event titled "3rd Annual
End of Summer Rooftop BBQ". The price to attend is $15. Registrations and
cancellations are due by 4:00 PM. on August 8. See,
notice. For more information
contact Justin Faulb at faulbjl at gmail dot com, Delara Derakhshani at delara dot
derakhshani at gmail dot com, or Brendan Carr at BrendanTCarr at gmail dot com. Location:
undisclosed.
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Monday, August 13 |
5:00 PM. Deadline to submit initial comments to the
Copyright Office (CO) in response to its
notice in the
Federal Register (FR) regarding its proposed rules that implement the provision of the
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) that allows copyright owners
to audit certain Statements of Account filed with the CO. See, FR, Vol. 77, No. 115, Thursday,
June 14, 2012, at Pages 35643-35652. See also, story titled "Copyright Office Issues
Proposed STELA Rules Regarding Auditing Statements of Account" in
TLJ Daily E-Mail
Alert No. 2,398, June 18, 2012.
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About Tech Law
Journal |
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