Network neutrality requirements for NTIA and RUS broadband grants could douse interest in the programs, the Telecommunications Manufacturer Coalition said. It said the “overwhelming majority” of telecom manufacturers oppose network neutrality. The group said in comments filed in the NTIA’s proceeding on grant rules that “a vast body of research” shows investors would be frightened away by the requirement.
The FCC is seeking additional contractors to help vulnerable TV viewers make the digital transition by providing installation help in homes. A public notice from the commission said it was to release Thursday a statement of work with a request for quotation for each of six U.S. regions (CED March 26 p4). The documents weren’t immediately available. The FCC is seeking proposals to help people who are poor, minorities, elderly, disabled or rural, live on tribal lands or don’t speak English. The commission plans to provide help nationwide, but it’s seeking special assistance in 49 markets that the FCC and the NTIA identified as “most at risk” for bumpy transitions. Among the markets are Albuquerque -- which Nielsen has said is the least prepared - - Boston, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The commission also confirmed that it will release “in the coming days” solicitations for nonprofits and companies to run walk-in help centers and provide “expert” help in viewers’ homes.
The FCC is seeking additional contractors to help vulnerable TV viewers make the digital transition by providing installation help in homes. A public notice from the commission said it was to release Thursday a statement of work with a request for quotation for each of six U.S. regions (CD March 26 p4). The documents weren’t immediately available. The FCC is seeking proposals to help people who are poor, minorities, elderly, disabled or rural, live on tribal lands or don’t speak English. The commission plans to provide help nationwide, but it’s seeking special assistance in 49 markets that the FCC and the NTIA identified as “most at risk” for bumpy transitions. Among the markets are Albuquerque -- which Nielsen has said is the least prepared - - Boston, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The commission also confirmed that it will release “in the coming days” solicitations for nonprofits and companies to run walk-in help centers and provide “expert” help in viewers’ homes.
Public-interest advocates urged the NTIA and the RUS to write rules ensuring that only projects that offer open access to the Internet will get money from the agencies’ broadband stimulus programs. The calls came in Washington Monday at the next to last public meeting that the agencies are holding. The activists squared off against NCTA, CTIA and USTelecom officials, who warned that a big fight now over network neutrality could derail the programs before money starts to flow.
New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission seeks comments on proposed changes in low-income and tribal assistance telecom programs. The regulator is inviting, among other things, suggestions for alternatives for recovering costs. Comments are due April 8, replies April 22 -- 505-827-4446. The commission will meet at 9 a.m. April 29 on the 4th floor in Santa Fe to review the proposed rule amendments.
NTIA and RUS, holding the fourth of six public meetings on their respective broadband stimulus programs, sought comment on three of the most critical questions officials will have to decide in awarding funds - what constitutes broadband and what is an underserved versus an unserved area. After two days on the road, NTIA and RUS officials were back in Washington for a session at Commerce Department headquarters.
The NTIA and the Rural Utilities Service sought comment on the crucial definitions of broadband, unserved and underserved at the second of their public meetings, in Las Vegas. Throughout the session Tuesday night, the agencies heard arguments about the critical importance of broadband to every community.
The FCC handed down two orders last week intended to make Lifeline service available to more Americans. The commission agreed to allow prepaid wireless provider TracFone to “self certify” it’s providing 911 service to Lifeline customers in various states, in the aftermath of state inaction. It also approved Virgin Mobile’s petitions to offer Lifeline service as an eligible telecommunications carrier in New York, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, but dismissed a petition to serve Pennsylvania. Commissioners also approved a clean-up order on universal service provided by competitive eligible telecommunications carriers serving tribal and Alaska native areas.
CBP has posted an updated quick reference to monitor TRQs and TPLs that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low) rate. The list is divided into two sections - quotas that are at least 85% filled and quotas that are closed. (List, updated 03/03/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)
The FCC gave Ronan Telephone one more year to meet a tribal land bidding credit construction requirement for the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. In an order Wednesday, the FCC waived the requirement, which was bundled with one of the C-Block licenses won by the company in the 700 MHz auction. Ronan now has until Jan. 29, 2010, to complete build-out.