Bipartisan wireless legislation may yet be introduced in the Senate this Congress, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., confirmed Thursday in an interview at the Capitol. Rubio is, as expected (see 1412090051), working on legislation dealing with wireless siting to make it easier for carriers to build out on federal land, and partnering with Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. McCaskill spokespeople haven't confirmed that any legislation is in the works. Some people suspected an introduction as soon as Wednesday, but the legislation wasn't introduced then, and Rubio said the senators encountered a procedural snag. The lawmakers are “working through something” with the Capitol's parliamentarian, and it’s possible the bill could still be introduced this week, said Rubio. “We’re working on it,” he said. “I don’t know if it’ll be introduced in this Congress or the next. It might be [this week].” Congress was initially expected to recess Thursday but will remain in session to work through a government funding bill and certain other measures.
Sixty tech companies, including Cisco, Ericsson and IBM, wrote FCC commissioners and congressional leaders Wednesday saying a Communications Act Title II approach on net neutrality could mean a $45.4 billion drop in capital investment over the next five years, a Telecommunications Industry Association news release said. “The robust support for this letter demonstrates that Title II is a significant threat to the tech companies that build and support the Internet,” said Scott Belcher, CEO of TIA, which organized the letter, in the release. “These companies are at the heart of our economy, and are driving the innovation and investment that has made the Internet the revolutionary force it is today. This letter sends an unambiguous message that reclassifying Title II would be detrimental to today’s Internet, harming consumer, job creation and economic growth,” Belcher said. “Title II would lead to a slowdown, if not a hold, in broadband build out,” the letter said, “because if you don’t know that you can recover on your investment, you won’t make it. The investment shortfall would then flow downstream, landing first and squarely on technology companies like ours, and then working its way through the economy overall.” Groups advocating a Title II approach dismissed the letter. “The companies that hope to profit from a non-neutral net by selling hardware and software that support prioritization hate the idea of an open Internet. Shocking,” said Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld. "There are a couple of four-letter words that leap to mind," said Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood in an email. “Zero, and dumb.” The companies, “who chiefly supply hardware and spying technology to broadband providers, obviously have no problem parroting ISPs' empty claims about Title II," said Wood. "But there is zero evidence to support them.” Free Press also announced it will hold a rally before the commission’s Thursday morning meeting urging quick adoption of net neutrality rules under Title II, a release said. FCC Chairman Tom “Wheeler claims he needs more time to mull over Net Neutrality, but he should have all the info he needs right now to safeguard the open Internet,” Free Press Field Director Mary Alice Crim said in the release. “Americans can't afford any further delays. The overwhelming public support for Title II protections is all the agency needs to take immediate action."
Sixty tech companies, including Cisco, Ericsson and IBM, wrote FCC commissioners and congressional leaders Wednesday saying a Communications Act Title II approach on net neutrality could mean a $45.4 billion drop in capital investment over the next five years, a Telecommunications Industry Association news release said. “The robust support for this letter demonstrates that Title II is a significant threat to the tech companies that build and support the Internet,” said Scott Belcher, CEO of TIA, which organized the letter, in the release. “These companies are at the heart of our economy, and are driving the innovation and investment that has made the Internet the revolutionary force it is today. This letter sends an unambiguous message that reclassifying Title II would be detrimental to today’s Internet, harming consumer, job creation and economic growth,” Belcher said. “Title II would lead to a slowdown, if not a hold, in broadband build out,” the letter said, “because if you don’t know that you can recover on your investment, you won’t make it. The investment shortfall would then flow downstream, landing first and squarely on technology companies like ours, and then working its way through the economy overall.” Groups advocating a Title II approach dismissed the letter. “The companies that hope to profit from a non-neutral net by selling hardware and software that support prioritization hate the idea of an open Internet. Shocking,” said Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld. "There are a couple of four-letter words that leap to mind," said Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood in an email. “Zero, and dumb.” The companies, “who chiefly supply hardware and spying technology to broadband providers, obviously have no problem parroting ISPs' empty claims about Title II," said Wood. "But there is zero evidence to support them.” Free Press also announced it will hold a rally before the commission’s Thursday morning meeting urging quick adoption of net neutrality rules under Title II, a release said. FCC Chairman Tom “Wheeler claims he needs more time to mull over Net Neutrality, but he should have all the info he needs right now to safeguard the open Internet,” Free Press Field Director Mary Alice Crim said in the release. “Americans can't afford any further delays. The overwhelming public support for Title II protections is all the agency needs to take immediate action."
Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are expected to team up to introduce wireless spectrum legislation Wednesday, at the end of the 113th Congress. An industry official and Democratic Senate staffer confirmed the partnership and pending introduction. The legislation is expected to make it easier for carriers to build out networks on federal land. The Senate staffer referred to it as the “shot clock” bill. Rubio has introduced two spectrum bills this year, one piece without co-sponsors on spectrum reallocation and one with Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., on spectrum sharing. Rubio outlined a desire to introduce legislation dealing with wireless siting, and in September told us he doubted the prospects for any of his wireless legislation in this Congress (see 1409220044). He already was talking with incoming leadership of the Commerce Committee for the next Congress and also was seeking Democrats to back his bills, he said then. Given the busy lame-duck session, with much attention now focused on funding the government and a Senate report on U.S. CIA torture practices, it’s hard to see such legislation moving in this Congress, the Senate staffer said. The current session of Congress is expected to end as soon as Thursday. Spokespeople for McCaskill and Rubio didn’t comment. Both senators are members of the Communications Subcommittee.
Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are expected to team up to introduce wireless spectrum legislation Wednesday, at the end of the 113th Congress. An industry official and Democratic Senate staffer confirmed the partnership and pending introduction. The legislation is expected to make it easier for carriers to build out networks on federal land. The Senate staffer referred to it as the “shot clock” bill. Rubio has introduced two spectrum bills this year, one piece without co-sponsors on spectrum reallocation and one with Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., on spectrum sharing. Rubio outlined a desire to introduce legislation dealing with wireless siting, and in September told us he doubted the prospects for any of his wireless legislation in this Congress (see 1409220044). He already was talking with incoming leadership of the Commerce Committee for the next Congress and also was seeking Democrats to back his bills, he said then. Given the busy lame-duck session, with much attention now focused on funding the government and a Senate report on U.S. CIA torture practices, it’s hard to see such legislation moving in this Congress, the Senate staffer said. The current session of Congress is expected to end as soon as Thursday. Spokespeople for McCaskill and Rubio didn’t comment. Both senators are members of the Communications Subcommittee.
Wearables such as fitness trackers are ranking high on this year’s “latest and greatest” specials lists, but what’s next for the category beyond counting steps? There’s “nothing wrong with hype” to generate momentum for a new tech category, Davide Vigano, CEO of wearables startup Sensoria, told us. But “what matters” for the category to grow is advancing to “wearable 2.0,” he said.
Wearables such as fitness trackers are ranking high on this year’s “latest and greatest” specials lists, but what’s next for the category beyond counting steps? There’s “nothing wrong with hype” to generate momentum for a new tech category, Davide Vigano, CEO of wearables startup Sensoria, told us. But “what matters” for the category to grow is advancing to “wearable 2.0,” he said.
The Obama administration should ensure duties on all tariff lines are reduced in a Trans-Pacific Partnership, said three prominent dairy producers in a Dec. 4 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, while stopping short of calling for comprehensive elimination (here). The administration and a wide range of industry representatives have called for complete tariff elimination in the pact, but as the talks continue to move forward without any critical breakthrough, some analysts have said partial tariff elimination still can benefit the U.S. (see 14060404).
Wearables company Sensoria will launch in Q1 a line of $99 smart socks designed for runners. The socks, which incorporate textile sensors, pair with a Bluetooth Smart anklet that attaches to the cuff of one sock with a magnet. The sensors deliver standard fitness tracking data including number of steps, calories, altitude and distance and add information specific to the foot such as track cadence, foot landing technique and weight distribution, the company said. The socks “may help” runners identify poor running styles that could cause pain, the company said. The accompanying mobile app coaches a runner in real time with audio cues, it said.
Wearables company Sensoria will launch in Q1 a line of $99 smart socks designed for runners. The socks, which incorporate textile sensors, pair with a Bluetooth Smart anklet that attaches to the cuff of one sock with a magnet. The sensors deliver standard fitness tracking data including number of steps, calories, altitude and distance and add information specific to the foot such as track cadence, foot landing technique and weight distribution, the company said. The socks “may help” runners identify poor running styles that could cause pain, the company said. The accompanying mobile app coaches a runner in real time with audio cues, it said.