ATSC estimates more than 50 of its “member organizations” will showcase “key elements” of the next-gen ATSC 3.0 broadcast system within the ATSC Technology Pavilion of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall on the main floor of the NAB Show, ATSC said in a Thursday announcement. If ATSC remains on schedule, this NAB Show, which opens April 13 for a four-day run, will be the last before ATSC 3.0 becomes a “candidate standard” by the end of 2015.
The Texas House’s State Affairs Committee is considering legislation that would buck a recent national trend of states pre-empting regulation of VoIP services by requiring partial Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) oversight of those services. A revised version of the bill, HB-2650, would give PUCT oversight of consumer complaints against VoIP providers and require those providers to either cap the length of subscribers’ contracts at 180 days or allow them to opt out of their contract without penalties after the 180-day mark. The bill has encountered opposition from industry, which lobbied for recent bills in other states to pre-empt regulation of VoIP. State Rep. Ed Thompson, HB-2650’s Republican sponsor, told us he believes it’s unlikely the bill will make it out of the State Affairs Committee but he wants to draw attention to the issue and find ways to improve VoIP providers’ self-regulation of consumer issues.
The Texas House’s State Affairs Committee is considering legislation that would buck a recent national trend of states pre-empting regulation of VoIP services by requiring partial Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) oversight of those services. A revised version of the bill, HB-2650, would give PUCT oversight of consumer complaints against VoIP providers and require those providers to either cap the length of subscribers’ contracts at 180 days or allow them to opt out of their contract without penalties after the 180-day mark. The bill has encountered opposition from industry, which lobbied for recent bills in other states to pre-empt regulation of VoIP. State Rep. Ed Thompson, HB-2650’s Republican sponsor, told us he believes it’s unlikely the bill will make it out of the State Affairs Committee but he wants to draw attention to the issue and find ways to improve VoIP providers’ self-regulation of consumer issues.
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) for CBP will next meet April 24 at 9 a.m. in Washington, CBP said in a notice (here).
ATSC estimates more than 50 of its “member organizations” will showcase “key elements” of the next-gen ATSC 3.0 broadcast system within the ATSC Technology Pavilion of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall on the main floor of the NAB Show, ATSC said in a Thursday announcement. If ATSC remains on schedule, this NAB Show, which opens April 13 for a four-day run, will be the last before ATSC 3.0 becomes a “candidate standard” by the end of 2015.
A draft legislative text proposed by the Department of Transportation included several provisions designed to accelerate broadband deployment. Department officials sent a copy of the Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America Act -- a six-year funding proposal known as the Grow America Act -- to Congress Monday. “It is in the national interest for the Department of Transportation and State departments of transportation to expand the use of rights-of-way on Federal-aid highways to accommodate broadband infrastructure; to ensure the safe and efficient accommodation of broadband infrastructure in the public right-of-way; to identify areas where additional broadband infrastructure is most needed; to include broadband stakeholders in the transportation planning process; to coordinate highway construction plans with other statewide telecommunications and broadband plans; and to improve broadband connectivity to rural communities and improve broadband services in urban areas,” said the bill text in a section on broadband infrastructure deployment. The bill text calls for broadband coordination and best practices that would compel state departments of transportation to include a broadband utility coordinator and to “provide for online registration of broadband infrastructure entities that seek to be included in such broadband infrastructure coordination efforts within the State.” It also would call for coordination involving the FirstNet public safety network. The department also would offer grants, and applicants would be assessed in part on best practices involving “integration of transportation planning and investment decisions with other land-use and economic development decisions, including water infrastructure and broadband deployment,” it said. Another section of the draft proposal on rail policy would dictate that no later than 120 days after enactment, the Department of Transportation and the FCC would have to “coordinate to assess spectrum needs and availability for implementing positive train control systems,” which “may include conversations with external stakeholders,” the text said. “During these next two months, though, all of us who work in Washington need to be relentless in trying to get to ‘yes’ on a bill that is truly transformative and that brings the country together,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.
A draft legislative text proposed by the Department of Transportation included several provisions designed to accelerate broadband deployment. Department officials sent a copy of the Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America Act -- a six-year funding proposal known as the Grow America Act -- to Congress Monday. “It is in the national interest for the Department of Transportation and State departments of transportation to expand the use of rights-of-way on Federal-aid highways to accommodate broadband infrastructure; to ensure the safe and efficient accommodation of broadband infrastructure in the public right-of-way; to identify areas where additional broadband infrastructure is most needed; to include broadband stakeholders in the transportation planning process; to coordinate highway construction plans with other statewide telecommunications and broadband plans; and to improve broadband connectivity to rural communities and improve broadband services in urban areas,” said the bill text in a section on broadband infrastructure deployment. The bill text calls for broadband coordination and best practices that would compel state departments of transportation to include a broadband utility coordinator and to “provide for online registration of broadband infrastructure entities that seek to be included in such broadband infrastructure coordination efforts within the State.” It also would call for coordination involving the FirstNet public safety network. The department also would offer grants, and applicants would be assessed in part on best practices involving “integration of transportation planning and investment decisions with other land-use and economic development decisions, including water infrastructure and broadband deployment,” it said. Another section of the draft proposal on rail policy would dictate that no later than 120 days after enactment, the Department of Transportation and the FCC would have to “coordinate to assess spectrum needs and availability for implementing positive train control systems,” which “may include conversations with external stakeholders,” the text said. “During these next two months, though, all of us who work in Washington need to be relentless in trying to get to ‘yes’ on a bill that is truly transformative and that brings the country together,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.
Comments are due May 11, replies May 26, on a Feb. 9 NPRM on how the FCC can promote efficiency and flexibility in 800 MHz mid-band spectrum. The deadlines came after the NPRM was published in Wednesday's Federal Register. “The Commission seeks comment on whether to create new, full-power 12.5 kilohertz interstitial channels in the 800 MHz Mid-Band,” the notice said. “The Commission also seeks comment on appropriate interference protection criteria for interstitial channels, including a proposal from the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) to amend the rules to adopt new ‘Interstitial 800 MHz Coordination Procedures.’”
Smart home startup Oomi is planning a late April launch, Colin Marshall, vice president-business development for parent company Fantem, told Consumer Electronics Daily Wednesday. The company, which announced its crowdfunded home automation system in January (see 1501220054), will make its three kits available via presale on Indiegogo. Oomi accessories will be available via the company's e-commerce site after the presale, and it hopes to have third-party distribution in place, including brick-and-mortar retailers, in late summer.
Smart home startup Oomi is planning a late April launch, Colin Marshall, vice president-business development for parent company Fantem, told Consumer Electronics Daily Wednesday. The company, which announced its crowdfunded home automation system in January (see 1501220054), will make its three kits available via presale on Indiegogo. Oomi accessories will be available via the company's e-commerce site after the presale, and it hopes to have third-party distribution in place, including brick-and-mortar retailers, in late summer.