Data security, U.S., technology developments and telecom policy and Internet governance were key topics for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) working Washington this week. Traversing Capitol Hill and federal agencies, delegates spent 3 days gabbing with a parade of political power brokers -- sometimes seeing eye-to-eye, sometimes befuddled by the U.S. system -- but always stressing the need for more U.S.-Europe collaboration on communications issues.

Issues such as intercarrier compensation must be solved to keep old regulatory models from stunting VoIP technology, said CommPartners. In a white paper, CommPartners Regulatory Counsel Kris Twomey said “the emergence of VoIP accentuates the need for the reformation of the existing intercarrier compensation structure and… a bill-and-keep system is the most logical solution going forward.” Other areas needing attention, according to the paper: (1) Telecom Act reform to “create stability” for VoIP. (2) “Payment issues” such as what access charges apply to VoIP, overhaul of the “tax and surcharge” structure and how VoIP providers pay into the Universal Service Fund. (3) Public safety issues such as VoIP providers’ ability to offer E-911 and meet CALEA requirements. “There should be no economic regulation of VoIP on either federal or state levels, i.e. no tariffing requirements, price ceilings or revenue reporting requirements beyond that which is absolutely necessary to protect the public,” the paper said. The paper pushed for “regulation of the physical layer only.” It said national VoIP policies “would be preferable,” but states should have some role such as ensuring service quality, “ubiquity of service,” numbering resources and possibly enforcement of interconnection rules. -- www.commpartners.us.

Having struggled for retail distribution, Video Without Boundaries (VWB) has doubled the hard drive capacity of its MediaReady digital media center ($699) to 160 GB and continued to include a DVD+RW.

House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) is heading a core group of 5 committee members focused on drafting telecom update legislation that will likely address video franchising, VoIP and E911 issues. Members include Ranking Committee Member Dingell (D-Mich.), House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.), Ranking Subcommittee Member Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.). Committee sources said 2- to 3-hour meetings are taking place daily as members and staff go over a variety of draft bills already before the committee and try to determine what should go in the legislation.

The FCC released a revised draft version of its strategic plan for FY2006-2011 in which it plans to promote innovation through encouraging competition, efficient use of private-sector spectrum and a technologically neutral approach to broadband development. The FCC will also look for new ways to ease the transition from analog to digital technology in the next few years, the report said. The FCC defines broadband as any “advanced telecommunications capability,” meaning the definition includes wireline and wireless as well as licensed and unlicensed services. The broader definition will give the FCC the flexibility to include next- generation technologies under the broadband umbrella, it said. FCC regulations need to strike a balance between providing companies with incentives to create new technologies while not granting them protections that stifle entry into the market to new companies. Providing “reasonably comparable” communications services everywhere in the U.S. by promoting competition is another FCC goal. Efficient management of the Universal Service Fund by making sure funds are used appropriately is also key towards promoting more equal service, the report said. The FCC also vowed to eliminate interference on public safety radio transmissions and provide enough spectrum space for public safety usage. FCC policies also need to protect public safety and homeland security communications during an emergency, it said. Comments are due Aug. 5.

COLOGNE, Germany -- The FCC will get more respect from judges after the Supreme Court’s Brand X ruling (WID June 28 p6), Comr. Abernathy told the U.S.-German Lawyer’s Assn. here Mon. Because the decision freed the Commission to set different access regulations for DSL-providers and cable operators, regulated industry can expect a series of decisions in coming months, Abernathy said.

COLOGNE, Germany -- The FCC will get more respect from judges after the Supreme Court’s Brand X ruling (CD June 28 p1), Comr. Abernathy told the U.S.-German Lawyer’s Assn. here Mon. Because the decision freed the Commission to set different access regulations for DSL-providers and cable operators, regulated industry can expect a series of decisions in coming months, Abernathy said.

Far from scaling back regulation, the U.K. telecom regulator will have to be more vigilant, having accepted a British Telecom (BT) plan to open its network to rivals to fend off an antitrust probe, competitive telcos said Thurs. Amid a flurry of consultations, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) yesterday unveiled more details of a tentative pact with BT, saying it thinks the incumbent’s undertakings likely will address key competition problems. Competitors, still pondering the complex settlement, said they worry BT will have to be muscled into making good on its promises.

Chmn. Martin’s political instincts will mean the FCC tackles fewer controversial items in coming months as commissioner vacancies remain unfilled, analysts said Wed. at an FCBA brown bag lunch. Prospects are dim for quick appointments, as the White House focuses on potential nominees to the Supreme Court, where one or 2 seats could open up this summer, they said.

A bipartisan coalition of rural lawmakers said the House should take the first crack at addressing problems with the Universal Service Fund (USF) in telecom rewrite legislation. The proposal came Tues. at a press conference announcing 9 principles to be included in a bill. Sixty members of the Rural Caucus sent a letter to House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) and Ranking Member Dingell (D-Mich.), outlining the principles, which include extending the base of contributors to USF to include “all providers of 2-way communications regardless of technology used to ensure competitive neutrality.”