LAS VEGAS -- FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told CTIA attendees he expects to move quickly to adopt a cap on payments to competitive eligible telecom carriers (CETCs), now that Commissioner Robert McDowell is a likely third vote in favor (CD April 1 p1). Martin said he still plans an en banc hearing of the commission to look more closely at early termination fees (ETFs) often imposed by wireless carriers and other regulated companies. Martin also said he was starting to circulate an order dismissing a Skype petition seeking Carterfone rules for wireless.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has been invited to testify April 9 before the House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee on the FY 2009 FCC budget, a subcommittee aide said. The administration wants $338.8 million for the agency, including $25.5 million for inspector general oversight of the Universal Service Fund and $20 million to publicize the 2009 digital transition. The latter would go for media tours, public service announcements, direct mail and other efforts.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has been invited to testify April 9 before the House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee on the FY 2009 FCC budget, a subcommittee aide said. The administration wants $338.8 million for the agency, including $25.5 million for inspector general oversight of the Universal Service Fund and $20 million to publicize the 2009 digital transition. The latter would go for media tours, public service announcements, direct mail and other efforts.
LAS VEGAS -- FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell sent FCC Chairman Kevin Martin a list of edits on an order that would cap Universal Service Fund payments to competitive eligible telecom carriers (CETCs) at end-of-year-2007 levels, agency sources said. McDowell backs a carve-out for tribal lands in all 50 states, including Alaska, but without language specific to Alaska carrier GCI. McDowell proposed language saying that the FCC would make an earnest effort to undertake comprehensive USF reform.
More than 60 research groups funded by the European Commission have signed the Declaration of Bled asserting an urgent need to redesign the Internet. “We cannot wait,” Joao da Silva, Director of the Directorate Converged Networks and Services, said at a conference on the future of the Internet. “We have to act a lot faster.” Since EU countries allocated 9.1 billion Euro for ICT research under the i2010 initiative and the EC and industry already have spent over 400 million Euro and will spend more than 2 billion Euro over the next two years, “we expect results from you,” he said.
Representatives of Texas’ major wireline, cable and wireless carriers told the Public Utilities Commission they're close to reaching a compromise agreement on changes to the state universal service fund that would lead to a reduction in fund size and the 4.4 percent surcharge that subsidizes phone service in high-cost areas. The PUC staff recently finished a review of the fund, mandated by the legislature, concluding that the $395 million fund could shrink 60 percent via such measures as redefining eligible lines and cost benchmarks. Several state lawmakers and major incumbents objected to the staff proposal, backed by cable and wireless interests. Rather than fight over the reduction, the carriers heeded a staff suggestion that they negotiate. No details of the negotiations were available. But a PUC staffer said the participants were discussing a “comprehensive agreement” that would address consumer, legislative and industry concerns. If the parties reach a settlement, the PUC would hold hearings on the deal and make a final decision.
The FCC would face change if Sen. John Rockefeller, D- W.Va, were to chair the Senate Commerce Committee, said Hill and industry sources. Speculation arose about Rockefeller temporarily assuming the chairmanship a few weeks ago, after Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., was hospitalized. But Byrd was back on the Senate floor immediately after his release from the hospital, and has made clear he isn’t ready to yield his duties yet.
A new Colorado bill would direct the state Office of Information Technology to work with the Public Utilities Commission and Governor’s Innovation Council to map areas unserved by broadband. The map proposed by SB-215 would be used in programs to get broadband to unserved areas. The map project would include at least four hearings around the state on broadband needs. Funding for the project would come mainly from public and private grants, supplemented by money from the state universal service fund.
HOLLYWOOD -- Dramatic policy change is needed to boost American innovation in telecommunications and digital technology, panelists said Wednesday at the Tech Policy Summit. They cited government pennypinching as the biggest drag on U.S. status as a global digital leader.
An economic slowdown means opportunity for alternative phone companies, as well as curtains for some VoIP companies, industry officials said in interviews. Meanwhile, former Bell companies and other wireline incumbents dismissed notions that their businesses are vulnerable.