6/17. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced HR 4880 [LOC | WW], the "Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2014". This bill would require the FCC to write rules that prohibit BIAS providers, such as Comcast and Verizon, from selling edge providers, such as Google and Amazon, prioritization of their traffic. It would also require the FCC to prohibit BIAS providers from prioritizing traffic of content, applications, services, or devices that it provides.

Also on June 17, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) introduced S 2476 [LOC | WW], a substantially identical bill.

The sponsors' joint release, like statements from supporters, is full of rhetorical phrases, such as "fast lanes", "free and open Internet", and preserving innovation, that appeal to emotions more than they explain the underlying technologies and prevalent business practices, and what regulatory mandates would be imposed.

It is highly unlikely that the Congress would enact this or any other bill that expressly gives the FCC authority to regulate in this area. Likewise, it is highly unlikely that the Congress would enact any bill that expressly states that the FCC has no authority to regulate in this area. However, the introduction of this bill does serve many purposes, including pressuring the FCC.

These bills would require that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) promulgate regulations that "prohibit a broadband provider from entering into an agreement with an edge provider under which the broadband provider agrees, for consideration, in transmitting network traffic over the broadband Internet access service of an end user, to give preferential treatment or priority to the traffic of such edge provider over the traffic of other edge providers".

These bills would also require the FCC to promulgate regulations that "prohibit a broadband provider, in transmitting network traffic over the broadband Internet access service of an end user, from giving preferential treatment or priority to the traffic of content, applications, services, or devices that are provided or operated by such broadband provider, or an affiliate of such broadband provider, over the traffic of other content, applications, services, or devices."

That both of these mandates go to the "access service of an end user" would appear to indicate that the FCC is not directed to regulate internet protocol interconnection between networks. That is, the bills do not go to internet peering and transit agreements.

The FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on May 15, 2014, that proposes rules for the regulation network management practices of BIAS providers. However, it does not contain the traffic prioritization bans contained in HR 4880 and S 2476. See also, stories titled "FCC Adopts Net Neutrality NPRM", "Summary of the FCC's Proposed Net Neutrality Rules" and "Net Neutrality NPRM and Pay for Priority Agreements" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,659, May 19, 2014.

The bill defines "broadband provider" as a provider of "broadband internet access service", or BIAS. The bill also states that BIAS has the meaning provided in 47 C.F.R. § 8.11. The FCC promulgated this definition in its December 2010 BIAS Report and Order (R&O) [194 pages in PDF]. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) did not vacate the definitions in its January 14, 2014 opinion in Verizon v. FCC.

The definition of BIAS is this: "A mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service, but excluding dial-up Internet access service. This term also encompasses any service that the Commission finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service described in the previous sentence, or that is used to evade the protections set forth in this part."

The 2010 BIAS order did not contain definitions of either "edge provider" or "end user". However, the NPRM adopted on May 15 does contain definitions of these terms. These two bills contain similar, but not identical, definitions.

These bills would define an "edge provider" is an "entity that provides -- (A) any content, application, or service over the Internet; or (B) a device used for accessing any content, application, or service over the Internet."

The NPRM would define "edge provider" as "Any individual or entity that provides any content, application, or service over the Internet, and any individual or entity that provides a device used for accessing any content, application, or service over the Internet."

These bills provide that an "end user" is an "an individual, institution, or other entity that uses a broadband Internet access service". The NPRM provides that an "end user" is "Any individual or entity that uses a broadband Internet access service".

The National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) stated in a release that "The cable industry has consistently stated our support for sensible but clear rules which ensure that American consumers continue to enjoy an open and unfettered Internet experience. Cable companies do not engage in paid prioritization and have every incentive to ensure that all consumers enjoy fast and robust Internet services. We are confident that Chairman Wheeler can restore effective rules under the path that the Court suggested, and we will work with all parties to preserve consumer protections enforced by the FCC and Federal Trade Commission."

Ed Black, head of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), stated in a release that "Congresswoman Matsui and Senator Leahy have prudently focused their legislation on the problems arising from the power which Internet access providers have to arbitrarily charge edge providers for priority local or ``last mile´´ delivery capacity. If Internet Providers can extract unjustified tolls for interconnection where congestion and degraded service results at least partly from their own network’s lack of capacity, meaningful open Internet access will be threatened."

Chris Lewis of the Public Knowledge (PK) expressed support for these bill. He wrote in a release that "the net neutrality proposal from the FCC's Chairman, Tom Wheeler, will allow ISPs to create internet fast lanes where those who can't afford to pay extra are left behind."

He continued that "This bill sends a clear signal to the FCC that fast lanes and paid prioritization could endanger the internet ecosystem as we know it. The reason we have seen so much financial investment and innovation online is because the playing field for new entrepreneurs is level. As the FCC continues to evaluate new net neutrality rules, it's important they understand that Americans want an internet that everyone can succeed in, not just the companies with enough money to pay a toll to ISPs."

6/20. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler released a statement on June 13, 2014 in which he addressed both network neutrality regulation and proposals to regulate peering and transit agreements.

He began that "For some time now we have been talking about protecting Internet consumers. At the heart of this is whether Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that provide connectivity in the final mile to the home can advantage or disadvantage content providers, and therefore advantage or disadvantage consumers. What we call the Open Internet rule on which we are currently seeking comment is one component of this. If adopted, the new rule would prohibit bad acts such as blocking content or degrading access to content. This kind of activity within an ISP's network has traditionally been the focus of net neutrality."

He has long been making such statements. However, his June 13 statement also goes to peering and transit agreements. He wrote that "there is another area of Internet access, and that is the exchange of traffic between ISPs and other networks and services. The recent disputes between Netflix and ISPs such as Comcast and Verizon have highlighted this issue."

The FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on May 15, 2014, that proposes rules for the regulation network management practices of BIAS providers. It requests comments on peering and transit, but does not propose to regulate in this area. See, stories titled "FCC Adopts Net Neutrality NPRM", "Summary of the FCC's Proposed Net Neutrality Rules" and "Net Neutrality NPRM and Pay for Priority Agreements" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,659, May 19, 2014.

Also, Wheeler wrote in an April 29, 2014 statement that "The question of how networks exchange Internet traffic, such as through peering, was outside of the scope of our 2010 Open Internet Order and thus is outside of the proposed scope of the Open Internet NPRM." See, story titled "Wheeler Says NPRM Will Seek Comments But Not Propose Rules on Internet Peering" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,649, April 29, 2014.

Netflix, and its content delivery companies, have long been arguing that the FCC should regulate agreements between networks in its network neutrality regulatory regime. They are complaining and lobbying now, and they were complaining and lobbying in late 2010 when the FCC was considering its original network neutrality rules. See, story titled "Netflix's Hastings Complains About Lack of Interconnectivity" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,635, March 24, 2014. See also, story titled "Level 3 Complains About Comcast" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,170, December 6, 2010.

BIAS providers have all along argued against this. See, most recently Verizon's June 19 release titled "Unbalanced Peering, and the Real Story Behind the Verizon/Cogent Dispute" and June 20 release titled "Thoughts on Internet congestion and the FCC's broadband report".

Wheeler wrote that "We don't know the answers and we are not suggesting that any company is at fault."

He continued that "Consumers must get what they pay for. As the consumer's representative we need to know what is going on. I have therefore directed the Commission staff to obtain the information we need to understand precisely what is happening in order to understand whether consumers are being harmed. Recently, at my direction, Commission staff has begun requesting information from ISPs and content providers. We have received the agreements between Comcast and Netflix and Verizon and Netflix. We are currently in the process of asking for others."

He also asserted that "what we are doing right now is collecting information, not regulating. We are looking under the hood."

Reaction. Verizon wrote in its June 19 release that "the basic and long-standing requirements for most settlement-free peering arrangements" is that "traffic between the providers be roughly in balance."

"When the traffic loads are not symmetric, the provider with the heavier load typically pays the other for transit". Verizon added that "This isn't a story about Netflix, or about Verizon ``letting´´ anybody’s traffic deteriorate. This is a fairly boring story about a bandwidth provider that is unhappy that they are out of balance and will have to make alternative arrangements for capacity enhancements, just like any other interconnecting ISP."

In contrast, Cathy Sloan of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) wrote in a June 13 release that "These recent peering and interconnection disputes involve one party that has a terminating monopoly over the physical network connecting its end users. The other is an edge provider with no network monopoly. In the Internet ecosystem, the industry norm has been settlement-free, nondiscriminatory interconnection. That framework has allowed the Internet to thrive, and resisting the power of companies with a monopoly over terminating access is essential if it is to continue to do so."

Comcast stated in a release that "We welcome the Chairman's attention to these important issues in the Internet ecosystem. Internet traffic exchange on the backbone is part of ensuring that bits flow freely and efficiently and all actors across the system have a shared responsibility to preserve the smooth functioning and highly competitive backbone interconnection market. We welcome this review which will allow the Commission full transparency into the entire Internet backbone ecosystem and enable full education as to how this market works."

It added that "We have long published our peering policies for example, and are open to discussions about further disclosures that would benefit consumers. We also have voluntarily shared a vast array of information about our peering and interconnection practices with the FCC. We also agree with the Chairman that the broadband consumer should be the focus of this inquiry and not any particular business model. We look forward to continuing to work with the FCC on these issues."

Michael Weinberg of the Public Knowledge wrote in a release that "While there has been plenty of speculation surrounding what is and is not happening with peering and interconnection, the truth of the matter is that anyone not directly involved with a specific agreement has no way to know if the agreement represents a reasonable agreement between the parties or a degradation of the open internet. The first step to being able to correctly evaluate agreements connected to peering and interconnection is to understand how the market works generally. Public Knowledge hopes that this effort by the FCC will begin to shine a light on this increasingly important aspect of the internet. We look forward to participating in this process."

6/20. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler's June 13 statement is short on the nature and history of agreements for the exchange of traffic by networks.

The originators of the internet developed interconnection between networks without any statutory mandate or regulatory regime. It was accomplished by cooperation and free markets. The internet is made up of networks, with different owners, which exchange traffic using common protocols pursuant to peering and transit agreements. In a peering agreement the parties agree to exchange traffic at no charge. An FCC Wireline Competition Bureau lawyer might call this bill and keep. In a transit agreement one party sells access to its network.

When the exchange of traffic is balanced (that is, one network sends as much traffic across the other's network as the other network sends across its network) networks typically reach a settlement free peering agreement. When the exchange of traffic is asymmetric, one network typically agrees with the other to transit its traffic.

This internet protocol (IP) interconnection is market driven, unregulated, and global. And, it has accomplished much -- arguably vastly more than the FCC has accomplished through its ancient telecommunications regime of mandates and regulation.

In telecommunications, interconnection is a government mandate, enforced by the FCC. Moreover, once the government has removed interconnection from the market, and mandated interconnection, it follows that it must also regulate the terms and/or prices of each interconnection transaction. The FCC has been very effective at mandating telecommunications interconnection. Its history of regulating terms and prices has been far less impressive.

Although, it should be noted that companies like Comcast and Verizon not only operate IP networks, but are also video providers, in competition with companies like Netflix. This then raises the question of whether or not there are competition issues. Also, it might be argued, that these are issues better committed to the agencies (Antitrust Division and Federal Trade Commission) which possess both competition analysis expertise and antitrust statutory authority, and which are less subject to political and lobbying pressures than the FCC.

Companies like Netflix, Cogent and Level 3 have argued for FCC regulation of interconnection between networks. In fact, Netflix would be better off with FCC mandated settlement free peering agreements with BIAS providers, that also provide that the BIAS providers do not discriminate between their video services and those of Netflix.

Wheeler is now only seeking information and comments on the subject. He has not yet proposed expanding the FCC's regulatory reach to cover this.

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The House will meet at 12:00 NOON for morning hour, and at 2:00 PM for legislative business. It will consider numerous non-technology related items. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 PM. See, Rep. Cantor's schedule.

The Senate will meet at 2:00 PM.

Day two of a three day conference hosted by the Government Technology Research Alliance's (GRTA) Technology Council titled "Government IT Security Collaboration". See, notice. Location: The Landsdowne, 44050 Woodridge Pkwy., Leesburg, VA.

8:30 AM - 6:00 PM. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division will hold a workshop titled "Conditional Pricing Practices: Economic Analysis and Legal Policy Implications". The deadline to submit comments is August 22. Free. Open to the public. See, FTC release, DOJ release, and FTC event web site. Location: FTC Conference Center, 400 7th St., NW.

8:30 AM - 6:00 PM. Day one of a two day meeting hosted by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding "increasing real-time and day-ahead market efficiency through improved software". See, FERC's web page for this conference, and notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 105, June 2, 2014, at Pages 31321-31324. Location: FERC, 888 1st St., NW.

1:00 - 4:15 PM. The Brookings Institution (BI) will host an event with two panel discussions titled "Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan: Oversight or Overreach?". See, notice. Location: BI, 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW.

6:00 - 9:15 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a panel discussion titled "Can They Fire Me For Putting That on Facebook?". The speakers will be Julienne Bramesco (Clearspire Law), Lily Garcia (Clearspire Law), and Diane Torre. The price to attend ranges from $89 to $129. CLE credits. No webcast. For more information, call 202-626-3488. The DC Bar has a history of barring reporters from its events. See, notice. Location: DC Bar Conference Center, 1101 K St., NW.

6:00 - 8:15 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) will host an event titled "Acting FCC General Counsel Jonathan Sallet and the FCC Year in Review". The speakers will be Josh Turner (Wiley Rein), Alexi Maltas (Cablevison), Richard Welch (FCC Deputy Associate General Counsel), Jake Lewis (FCC Associate General Counsel), and Jonathan Sallet (FCC acting General Counsel). CLE credits. No webcast. Prices vary. The deadline for registrations and cancellations is 5:00 PM on June 20. See, notice. Location: Wiley Rein, 1776 K St., NW.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Public Notice (PN) regarding bidding procedures for Auction 97, the AWS-3 auction of 1,614 licenses in 65 megahertz in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands. The FCC released this PN on May 19, 2014. It is DA 14-669 in AU Docket No. 14-78. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 105, June 2, 2014, at Pages 31327-31335, and the FCC's March 31, 2014 Report and Order (FCC 14-31 in GN Docket No. 13-185).

The House will meet at 10:00 AM for morning hour, and at 12:00 NOON for legislative business. The schedule for the week includes consideration of S 1681 [LOC | WW], the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014", under suspension of the rules. The Senate passed S 1681 on June 11. The House passed HR 4681 [LOC | WW], the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015", on May 30. See, Rep. Cantor's schedule.

Day three of a three day conference hosted by the Government Technology Research Alliance's (GRTA) Technology Council titled "Government IT Security Collaboration". On June 24 at 8:30 AM there will be a panel titled "Prioritizing Your Cyber Efforts: Managing Today's Threats, Preparing for Tomorrow, and Measuring Outcomes". The speakers will include Ann DiCamillo (Director of the DHS NPPD US-CERT) and Robin Williams (DHS NPPD Office of Cybersecurity and Communications). See, notice. Location: The Landsdowne, 44050 Woodridge Pkwy., Leesburg, VA.

8:00 AM. Politico will host an event titled "Financial Services Report: Preventing Third Party Cyberattacks". The speakers will include Larry Zelvin (Director of the DHS's NPPD's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center), Greg Garcia (Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council), Mischel Kwon, and James Lewis (CSIS). See, notice. Location: Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave., NW.

10:30 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law will hold a hearing on the proposed merger of AT&T and DirecTV. The witnesses will be Randall Stephenson (CEO of AT&T), Michael White (CEO of DirecTV), Ross Lieberman (American Cable Association), and John Bergmayer (Public Knowledge). See, notice. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Day one of a two day meeting of the Department of the Interior's (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The agenda includes "FirstNet Update". Free. Open to the public. The deadline to register to attend is June 20. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 104, May 30, 2014, at Pages 31128-31129. Location: South Interior Building Auditorium, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW.

9:00 AM - 12:15 PM. Day two of a two day meeting hosted by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding "increasing real-time and day-ahead market efficiency through improved software". See, FERC's web page for this conference, and notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 105, June 2, 2014, at Pages 31321-31324. Location: FERC, 888 1st St., NW.

9:30 - 10:30 AM. The Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) will meet by telephone conference call. Open to the public. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 103, May 29, 2014, at Pages 30930-30931.

POSTPONED. 10:00 AM. The House Homeland Security Committee's (HHSC) Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence will hold a hearing titled "Detecting another Snowden: Building an Effective Insider Threat Program at the Department of Homeland Security". See, notice. Location: Room 311, Cannon Buklding.

10:00 - 11:30 AM. The Brookings Institution (BI) will host a speech by Brad Smith (Microsoft General Counsel) titled "The Future of Global Technology, Privacy, and Regulation". Webcast. Free. Open to the public. See, notice. Location: BI, 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW.

1:00 - 5:00 PM. The Department of Commerce's (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host one of its series of meetings regarding privacy and facial recognition technology. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 235, December 6, 2013, at Pages 73502-73503. Location: American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Ave., NW.

1:30 PM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet will hold a hearing titled "Trade Secrets: Promoting and Protecting American Innovation, Competitiveness and Market Access in Foreign Markets". The witnesses will be Richard Hertling (Covington & Burling, and the Protect Trade Secrets Coalition), David Simon (Salesforce.com), Thaddeus Burns (Intellectual Property Owners Association), Chris Moore (National Association of Manufacturers). See, notice. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

2:30 PM. The Senate Judiciary Committee's (SJC) Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing titled "The AT&T/DIRECTV Merger: The Impact on Competition and Consumers in the Video Market and Beyond". Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will preside. Webcast. See, notice. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

2:30 PM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will meet to mark up numerous bills. However, none relate to information or communications technologies. Location: Room 253, Russell Building.

6:00 - 8:00 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Young Lawyers Committee will host an event titled "Happy Hour". Location: Penn Social, 801 E St., NW.

The House will meet at 10:00 AM for morning hour, and at 12:00 NOON for legislative business. The schedule for the week includes consideration of S 1681 [LOC | WW], the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014", under suspension of the rules. See, Rep. Cantor's schedule.

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Day two of a two day meeting of the Department of the Interior's (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The agenda includes "FirstNet Update". Free. Open to the public. The deadline to register to attend is June 20. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 104, May 30, 2014, at Pages 31128-31129. Location: South Interior Building Auditorium, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW.

9:00 - 11:00 AM. The Free State Foundation (FSF) will host an event titled "Reforming Communications Policy in the Digital Age: The Path Forward". Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai will give keynote speeches. Free. Open to the public. Registration required. No CLE credits. No webcast. A continental breakfast will be served. See, notice. Location: Room SVC 209-08, Capitol Building.

10:00 AM. The House Judiciary Committee's (HJC) Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet will hold a hearing titled "Music Licensing Under Title 17". The witnesses will be Rosanne Cash (Americana Music Association), Delida Costin (Pandora), David Frear (SiriusXM Radio), Mike Huppe (SoundExchange), Cary Sherman (Recording Industry Association of America), Darius Van Arman (American Association of Independent Music), Charles Warfield (National Association of Broadcasters), and Paul Williams (ASCAP). See, notice. Location: Room 2141, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will meet to mark up numerous bills, including S __, a yet to be introduced bill titled the "Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014", S __, a yet to be introduced bill titled the "National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center Act of 2014", and HR 1232 [LOC | WW], the "Federal Information Technology and Acquisition Reform Act". See, notice. Location: Room 342, Dirksen Building.

11:00 AM. The House Homeland Security Committee's (HHSC) Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies will hold a hearing titled "How Data Mining Threatens Student Privacy". The witnesses will be __. See, notice. Location: Room 311, Cannon Building.

2:00 PM. The Senate Finance Committee (SFC) will hold a hearing titled "Trade Enforcement: Using Trade Rules to Level the Playing Field for U.S. Companies and Workers". The witnesses will be __. See, notice. Location: Room 215, Dirksen Building.

2:00 - 3:30 PM. The Brookings Institution (BI) will host a panel discussion titled "China and its Neighbors: Changing Dynamics and Growing Uncertainty". The speakers will be Richard Bush (BI), Jaewoo Choo (BI), JoAnn Fan (BI), and Feng Zhu (BI). See, notice. Location: BI, 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW.

3:00 PM. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) will hold a hearing titled "The Future of U.S. China Relations". The witnesses will be Daniel Russel (Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs), Stapleton Roy (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars), and Aaron Friedberg (Princeton University). See, notice. Location: Room 419, Dirksen Building.

6:00 - 7:30 PM. The DC Bar Association will host an event titled "Trademark Office Speaks". The speakers will be Deborah Cohn (Commissioner for Trademarks, USPTO), Gerard Rogers (Chief Administrative Trademark Judge, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board), Danny Awdeh (Finnegan Henderson), and John Nading (DLA Piper). The price to attend ranges from $20 to $35. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 5:30 PM. For more information, call 202-626-3463. No reporters. No webcast. No CLE credits. See, notice. Location: DLA Piper, 500 8th St., NW.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to Part VI(B-H) of its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) regarding closed captioning of video programming. The FCC adopted this FNPRM on February 20, 2014, and released it on February 24, 2014. It is FCC 14-12 in CG Docket No. 05-231. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 59, March 27, 2014, at Pages 17093-17106.

The House will meet at 9:00 AM for legislative business. The schedule for the week includes consideration of S 1681 [LOC | WW], the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014", under suspension of the rules. See, Rep. Cantor's schedule.

Supreme Court conference day. See, October Term 2013 calendar.

8:00 AM. Politico will host an event titled "The Future of Mobile: Policy, Regulation, and the Way Forward". The scheduled speakers include Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Mignon Clyburn (FCC Commissioner). See, notice. Location: Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave.,  NW.

9:30 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC) will hold an executive business meeting. Webcast. See, notice. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.

5:30 - 7:00 PM. The New America Foundation (NAF) will host a panel discussion titled "Digital Diplomacy and Proactive Monitoring: Challenges to Solutions". The speakers will be Julie Weckerlein (Department of Health and Human Services), Pablo Garcia Molina (Georgetown University), Christopher Harvin (Barbaricum and Sanitas International), and Josh Keating (Slate). Free. Open to the public. Webcast. See, notice. Location: NAF, Suite 400, 1899 L St., NW.

6:00 - 8:15 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) will host an event titled "Emerging Trends and Laws in Emergency 911". The speakers will be __. CLE credits. No webcast. Prices vary. The deadline for registrations and cancellations is 5:00 PM on June 25. See, notice. Location: __.

EXTENDED FROM MAY 12. Extended deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding whether to eliminate or modify the network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules. The FCC adopted and released this FNPRM on March 31, 2014. It is FCC 14-29 in MB Docket No. 10-71. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 69, April 10, 2014, at Pages 19849-19860, and Public Notice (DA 14-525) extending deadlines.

Rep. Cantor's schedule states that "no votes are expected in the House".

The House will not meet the week of June 30 through July 4, except for pro forma sessions. See, House calendar.

2:00 PM. The Department of State (DOS) will hold a meeting to discuss the rechartering of the International Telecommunications Advisory Committee (ITAC). The ITAC's current charter expires on August 9. The deadline to submit written comments is July 7. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 119, June 20, 2014, at Pages 35404-35405. Location: Room 4835, Truman Building, 2201 C St., NW.

Deadline for companies that use the Department of Commerce's (DOC) Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) eFile system to submit Form BE-15, titled "Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States". The deadline for companies that not use the BEA's eFile system is May 31, 2014. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 40, February 28, 2014, at Pages 11394-11395.

Deadline to submit reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding regulation of maritime radio equipment and radar, and allowing on shore use of portable marine Very High Frequency (VHF) transmitters. The FCC adopted this NPRM on February 27, 2014, and released it on February 28. It is FCC 14-20 in WT Docket No. 14-36. See, notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 62, April 1, 2014, at Pages 18249-18256.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Public Notice (PN) that requests comments on a proposal of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to relax FCC rules that require the filtering of Travelers' Information Stations (TIS) audio frequencies between 3 and 20 kHz. The FCC released this PN on April 16, 2014. It is DA 14-508 in PS Docket No. 09-19. See, NAB's November 22, 2013, filing and notice in the Federal Register, Vol. 79, No. 103, May 29, 2014, at Pages 30788-30790.

EXTENDED FROM JUNE 2. Extended deadline to submit initial comments to the Copyright Royalty Judges (CRJ) in response to their notice in the Federal Register (FR) that requests comments on proposed rules regarding "filing notice of use and the delivery of records of use of sound recordings under two statutory licenses of the Copyright Act". This pertains to "reports of use of sound recordings for the statutory licenses set forth in sections 112 and 114 of the Copyright Act". See, FR, Vol. 79, No. 85, May 2, 2014, at Pages 25038-25049. See, story titled "CRJs Propose Record Keeping Requirements for Webcasters" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 2,655, May 7, 2014. See, notice of extension.