U.K. ISPs would have to notify alleged file-swappers and collect anonymized data on serious repeat offenders for rights-holders under an interim government plan announced Thursday. A “Digital Britain” report by Stephen Carter, the communications, technology and broadcasting minister, offers 22 recommendations for keeping the U.K. at the forefront of the global digital economy. In addition to digital content matters, it covers next generation networks, universal broadband access, wireless spectrum, digital radio and digital delivery of public services. Proposals to require ISPs to shoulder more responsibility for policing online pirates troubled the music industry, ISPs and rights activists alike.

FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, the FCC’s lone Republican, weighed in Tuesday with additional recommendations for FCC reform, starting with a “thorough operational, financial and ethics audit” of the agency. McDowell acknowledged, as interim Chairman Michael Copps and Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein did Monday, the need for basic change now that former Chairman Kevin Martin has left the commission.

The balance point between patient privacy and the proper flow of medical information to improve care and reduce costs see-sawed during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday on health IT and privacy. Witnesses agreed on the necessity of privacy protections and a comprehensive framework for privacy and security, but didn’t necessarily agree on the exact approach. “Unfortunately, the balance is neither precise nor clear,” said John Houston, vice president of information security and privacy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Much of the discussion came back to the HITECH Act incorporated into House economic stimulus legislation last week.

During 2008, Alabama’s Public Service Commission reviewed 100 interconnection, resale and collocation agreements among competitive local exchange carriers, wireless providers and incumbent LECs, the commission said in its annual report. The agency received eight applications for toll resale and CLEC service. Commission staff worked on four mediations or arbitrations of interconnection issues and helped resolve 244 matters raised by industry, consumers and other agencies, the agency said. The commission worked with industry and the North American Numbering Plan Administrator to promote conservation in the state’s four area codes, it said. Area code 256 is in jeopardy, with relief planning under way and the regulator monitoring number assignment and use and moving to reclaim unused resources. This has caused area code 256 numbering assignments to shrink significantly, as shown by the latest Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast data, said the commission. Area code 205 is nearing relief status, it said. Besides monitoring numbering assignments and usage, the commission is promoting conservation to fend off exhaustion of numbering assets in this area, the regulator said. An update is pending to rules on phone service offered inmates of state penal facilities. Pursuant to Alabama law, the regulator developed E911 programs and Web sites during 2008 and mandated that companies quoting prices for services fully disclose the actual and estimated charges customers can expect on average monthly bills. The agency widened Lifeline/Link-Up services, and began work on a third-party billing database, said the commission. The agency helped implement Universal Service requirements of the 1996 Telecommunications Act and FCC mandates on universal service. State reviews in this area included analysis of plans by BellSouth, CenturyTel and rural ILECs to use rural and non-rural federal universal service high-cost fund allocations. The commission developed detailed monitoring plans and did on-site inspections to verify that funds were used as it directed, it said.

The FCC wants comment on an application by VCI Company to end flat rate, basic local exchange service in 12 states. VCI intends to exit the telecom industry because of the economic recession, the FCC said, and it currently serves no customers in the affected states. However, in a recent comment to the FCC, the Wyoming Public Service Commission highlighted “several discrepancies” in VCI filings, the FCC said. VCI told the PSC that it had no customers, deposits, prepayments, or outstanding service or financial obligations in Wyoming. But VCI, meanwhile, claimed local exchange revenue in a Q3 2008 report to the Wyoming Universal Service Fund, the PSC said. Also, the Universal Service Administrative Co. was “unaware” of VCI’s intent to discontinue service in Wyoming and relinquish its eligible telecommunications carrier designation, the PSC said. Comments are due Jan. 28.

Former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who left the commission Tuesday, lists the failure of the D-block auction, the FCC’s inability to drive down cable prices and the absence of agreement on USF and intercarrier compensation revamps as his biggest regrets. Martin, in one of his last interviews as chairman, said he’s not certain how he’s seen by most of those the FCC regulates, but hopes he’s regarded as fair in making decisions. “I hope that they would say that I actually looked at the underlying facts of the issues that were brought before us -- that I gave everybody an opportunity to be heard, but then made a decision based on the facts that were brought, as opposed to just what their political philosophy was.”

The FCC tackled outstanding issues about fund recovery in the E-rate universal service program for schools and libraries. In a Friday letter to the Universal Service Administrative Co., the FCC gave guidance on recovery scenarios that it didn’t address in its Schools and Libraries Fifth Report and Order. The commission agreed with most of USAC’s recommendations, but cited “certain instances” where the agency believed recovery wasn’t appropriate. For example, while USAC recommended complete recovery in all cases where an applicant violated Children’s Internet Protection Act rules, the FCC urged leniency for cases where the applicant at least complied with the “spirit” of CIPA requirements. The FCC also differed with USAC on the appropriate response for cases where: (1) the applicant delivered services to an entity not listed on its FCC Form 471, (2) a contract wasn’t signed and dated by both parties, and (3) equipment obtained through E-rate wasn’t immediately used.

The FCC tackled outstanding issues about fund recovery in the E-rate universal service program for schools and libraries. In a Friday letter to the Universal Service Administrative Co., the FCC gave guidance on recovery scenarios that it didn’t address in its Schools and Libraries Fifth Report and Order. The commission agreed with most of USAC’s recommendations, but cited “certain instances” where the agency believed recovery wasn’t appropriate. For example, while USAC recommended complete recovery in all cases where an applicant violated Children’s Internet Protection Act rules, the FCC urged leniency for cases where the applicant at least complied with the “spirit” of CIPA requirements. The FCC also differed with USAC on the appropriate response for cases where: (1) the applicant delivered services to an entity not listed on its FCC Form 471, (2) a contract wasn’t signed and dated by both parties, and (3) equipment obtained through E-rate wasn’t immediately used.

The FCC could face a court deadline to respond to a 2005 remand on its Universal Service Fund high-cost rules. In a petition for writ of mandamus filed Wednesday, Qwest and three state regulators urged the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to force the FCC to respond within 90 days of the writ’s release. Qwest, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Vermont Public Service Board, and the Wyoming Public Service Commission said the FCC unreasonably delayed issuing new rules for its non-rural, high-cost fund, ignoring mandates from Congress and the 10th Circuit.

The House economic stimulus bill unveiled Thursday calls for $6 billion in spending on broadband loan and grant programs throughout the government. The draft legislation being handled by the House Appropriations Committee would provide $350 million in funding for the broadband mapping law enacted last year, which many industry officials think is an essential first step in ensuring new spending is directed to rural, underserved areas. The stimulus bill also would give NTIA another $650 million for the DTV converter box program.