NTIA Associate Administrator Karl Nebbia provided a detailed analysis of the many federal operations that use the 1755-1850 MHz band at the first meeting of the reconstituted Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CD May 25 p2). Getting part of that band, 1755-1780 MHz, for wireless broadband is a top wireless industry priority, but won’t be easy, he said.
Video for first responders won’t be available anytime soon, though it’s long been seen as a key expected use of a national public safety network, Bill Schrier, chair of the FCC’s Public Safety Advisory Committee working group on applications, told Tuesday’s PSAP meeting. The working group ranked an application allowing first responders to broadcast a message they're in trouble and need help as the top priority among all that will be developed for the network.
The FCC needs to take “extraordinary measures” to address the need for deployment and use of spectrum on tribal lands, the National Tribal Telecommunications Association (NTTA) said in comments on an NPRM on that topic, released by the FCC in March. The NTTA was the only tribal group to file comments before last week’s deadline. Only eight commenters filed last week in docket 11-40.
At a May 17, 2011 Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Bersin stated the agency is working with the Canada Border Services Agency on a new pre-clearance pilot as part of their perimeter approach to security and trade. Steps are also being taken to harmonize PIP and C-TPAT, and exchange staff at both countries targeting centers.
The FCC should undertake a “collaborative approach” aimed at finding “tailored solutions satisfying the unique needs and circumstances of those living and working on unserved and underserved Tribal lands,” CTIA said in comments on a notice of proposed rulemaking by the FCC. CTIA agreed with the FCC that the record is clear that telecom services in tribal areas lag behind much of the rest of the country. “Mobile wireless services hold tremendous potential to close that gap,” the group said. “Estimates indicate that 80 percent of the overall population on Tribal lands is covered by current generation (3G) wireless technologies, which permit mobile voice and Internet services. Yet, this level of availability trails behind the nationwide average and challenges persist.” More-flexible buildout deadlines for licensees serving tribal land, service and technical rules flexibility and enhancements to the Tribal Lands Bidding Credit rules all could help, CTIA suggested. “A one-size-fits-all approach to improving access to wireless services on Tribal lands will not be successful,” the group warned. “Indeed, given the geographic diversity, income disparity, and differences in population density across Native Nations, the obstacles to improving access to wireless services on Tribal lands are not susceptible to a single solution."
The World Trade Organization has provided a detailed summary of its May 18, 2011 Appellate Body (AB) report on the dispute brought by the U.S. against the European Union’s subsidization of Airbus planes. Both sides state they had key wins, and in light of a similar dispute brought by the EU against U.S. Boeing subsidies, a negotiated settlement, rather than sanctions, may be the more likely outcome.
AOL Canada said it gave its home page a makeover that features “original, premium content with more emphasis on relevant, Canadian news” and more video. The new AOL.ca gives advertisers “more prominent ad opportunities,” including a new brand-focused format that AOL submitted to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, known as IAB Portrait, AOL Canada said. The first advertiser to take advantage of the new home page is BMW Canada, which is running a campaign for its new X1 car using IAB Portrait. The new home page also features “You've Got … ,” a 90-second video message by celebrities and public figures to AOL visitors; “highly visible” links to AOL co-branded landing pages or partner websites; unique ad units offering sponsorship capacity, “in-line video” and other integrated content; and a “high-profile daily cause-oriented platform” that lets partners raise awareness for their causes and connect users with volunteer and donation opportunities. The company said its “premium properties” reach 9.8 million Canadians monthly, counting its recent acquisition of the Huffington Post.
OMAHA -- The FCC should take an active role in creating and enforcing broadband guidelines in its Universal Service Fund reform, T-Mobile Corporate Counsel Teri Ohta said at an FCC workshop Wednesday. “We do feel that the federal government ultimately has the responsibility to make sure those funds are distributed properly.” T-Mobile is worried that giving states authority over broadband regulations will lead to a confusing patchwork of regulations that will make it difficult to deploy broadband, Ohta said.
Staff in the office of FCC Commissioner Meredith Baker was lobbied on more than a dozen occasions by Comcast, the NCTA, cable company rivals, nonprofit groups and others as she considered a job offer at Comcast, agency records show. Since April 18, when Baker privately recused herself from voting on anything at the FCC (CD May 16 p7), the lawyers who advise her also were visited by executives of AT&T, the CTIA, News Corp., Verizon and other companies and public interest groups. Baker’s not the first FCC member to directly leave for a large company regulated by the agency, though it’s been decades since that’s believed to have last occurred, said several who have long watched the commission.
Staff in the office of FCC Commissioner Meredith Baker was lobbied on more than a dozen occasions by Comcast, the NCTA, cable company rivals, nonprofit groups and others as she considered a job offer at Comcast, agency records show. Since April 18, when Baker privately recused herself from voting on anything at the FCC (WID May 16 p9), the lawyers who advise her also were visited by executives of AT&T, the CTIA, News Corp., Verizon and other companies and public interest groups. Baker’s not the first FCC member to directly leave for a large company regulated by the agency, though it’s been decades since that’s believed to have last occurred, said several who have long watched the commission.