More than 4 years after the 9/11 attacks, govt. policies to help agencies work with terror-related information still are lacking, the GAO said. Duties for pushing federal data- sharing shifted from the White House to OMB and then to the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) -- but none has completed the task, the watchdog agency said Mon.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- Since setting up its first customer in Strasburg, Colo., nearly a year ago, NRTC-backed satellite broadband provider WildBlue has been bridging the digital divide in rural communities across the U.S. without govt. aid. The firm’s main market lies beyond the reach of terrestrial broadband -- particularly in farming and ranching communities targeted by WildBlue advertising the past year in agriculture magazines and local radio spots.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- Since setting up its first customer in Strasburg, Colo. nearly a year ago, NRTC-backed satellite broadband provider WildBlue has been bridging the digital divide in rural communities across the U.S. without govt. aid. The firm’s main market lies beyond the reach of terrestrial broadband -- particularly in farming and ranching communities targeted by WildBlue advertising the past year in agriculture magazines and local radio spots.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.: Since setting up its first customer in Strasburg, Colo. nearly a year ago, National Rural Telecom Cooperative (NRTC)-backed satellite broadband provider WildBlue has been bridging the digital divide in rural communities across the U.S. without govt. aid. The firm’s main market lies beyond the reach of terrestrial broadband -- particularly in farming and ranching communities targeted by WildBlue advertising the past year in agriculture magazines and local radio spots.
Congress has a “responsibility to the nation” to examine big monopolies’ impact on consumers, Senate Commerce Committee Co-Chmn. Inouye (D-Hawaii) said Thurs. at a Quello symposium lunch. Inouye voiced worry at recent Bell mergers, and suggested others could be coming: “I remember when we created 7 Baby Bells. I don’t know how many we'll have a year from now.”
The House subcommittee on intelligence, information sharing and terrorism risk assessment is to meet today (Wed.) on a bill to reorganize the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) Information Analysis & Infrastructure Protection Directorate. The bill also would boost information sharing within DHS and among the agency and state, local, tribal and private sector partners, the subcommittee said Tues. Among other things, the bill would: Create an office of Intelligence & Analysis headed by an undersecretary, further refine DHS information sharing and ensure the Homeland Security Advisory System offers clear, useful information, rather than simply employing a change in color-coded alert status, officials said.
Cable, broadcasters and consumer electronics firms must do more to educate consumers about DTV, with less than 3 years before analog sets go dark, said FCC Comr. Adelstein. The FCC must play a role in the effort by working with the NTIA, he told consumer electronics executives at a CEA conference Wed. in D.C. The Commission has the authority to lead a campaign, Adelstein said: “We just need to do it.” The FCC has budgeted about $500,000 for such efforts; NTIA, $5 million (CD Feb 3 p6). “There’s a critical need for the Commission and NTIA to work together,” he said.
Cable, broadcasters and consumer electronics firms must do more to educate consumers about DTV, with less than 3 years before analog sets go dark, said FCC Comr. Adelstein. The FCC must play a role in the effort by working with the NTIA, he told consumer electronics executives at a CEA conference Wed. in D.C. The Commission has the authority to lead a campaign, Adelstein said: “We just need to do it.” The FCC has budgeted about $500,000 for such efforts; NTIA, $5 million (CED Feb 3 p1). “There’s a critical need for the Commission and NTIA to work together,” he said.
Two Internet-related bills came before the House Financial Services Committee Wed., sparking debate over whether Congress has a duty to obstruct online gambling and how to balance federal responsibilities and state interests. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (HR-4411), passed by voice vote, awaits action by the House. Panel review of the Financial Data Protection Act (HR-3997), delayed by multiple adjournments, took place throughout the afternoon with a flurry of amendments offered. Further debate and a committee vote were scheduled for this morning (Thurs.).
Telecom reform is possible if Senate Commerce Committee members can strike a deal on fixing the Universal Service Fund (USF), Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said Tues. at a hearing on rural telecom. “We're close to getting some consensus that USF is going to survive; it’s going to be workable; it isn’t going to be a tax… and it’s going to be managed by the industries involved,” Stevens told reporters. He made clear USF shouldn’t come under Anti-Deficiency Act requirements that funds be in hand before agencies commit to spending them. Stevens said he expects to mark up a bill before Easter.