Telecom Policy Report articles from July 2005

Telecom Policy Report archives from July 2005

Rural Groups Flex Policy-Making Muscles.
July 11, 2005... USF, With Broadband Emphasis, Tops Agenda Political leaders and telco lobbying groups representing the rural countryside - while certainly no strangers to the federal legislative and regulatory processes - currently are engaged in a...

Rural Broadband Takes To The Road.
July 11, 2005... The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is planning a "Broadband Road Trip" Aug. 23-25 around the state to "highlight the importance of high- speed Internet to rural America and bring that perspective to the ongoing federal...

FCC Vacancy Rumors Resurface.
July 11, 2005... The Bush administration has yet to nominate replacements for the open seat left by former chairman Michael Powell and for outgoing Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, who said she is staying on for the "foreseeable future" (perhaps several more...

NY PSC: Two Mergers, Different Concerns.
July 11, 2005... The latest wrinkle in the fabric of the telecom "mega mergers" currently awaiting approval before state and federal regulators is a New York Public Service Commission staff white paper that tends to raise more concerns about the competitive...

After 'Brand X': A Kinder, Gentler, Victorious FCC?
July 11, 2005... It may be wishful thinking, but there is a theory circulating around Washington. D.C., that the FCC could revamp its interpretation of telecom laws, considering an across-the-board policy on open-network interconnection in all services...

PFF Plans 'Debate' On Brand X Case.
July 11, 2005... The Progress and Freedom Foundation (PFF) says the Brand X decision will be "debated" at a public session it's sponsoring this Friday (July 15) from noon to 2 p.m. in Room 1537 of the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C. ...

Senate Committee Gets An Earful On DTV Mess.
July 18, 2005... Deadline Deal Closer Amid Spectrum Needs, Backlash Fears After three hearings this year and a draft legislation agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives, it was the U.S. Senate's turn last week to get an earful about industry...

Charlie Townsend On 700 MHz.
July 18, 2005... To say that Charlie Townsend, president & CEO of Rhode Island-based Aloha Partners LP, is bullish on the digital future of 700 MHz technology is more than just an understatement. His company plans to be on the forefront of the digital...

New PFF Telecom Draft This Week.
July 18, 2005... The Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) think tank/study organization is expected to disclose the second of five draft proposals for telecom reform legislation Thursday (July 21), positing it as a model for the U.S. Congress. The upcoming...

Wireless Mergers Spawn FCC Questions, Reseller Lawsuits.
July 18, 2005... The proposed mergers involving Alltel-Western Wireless Corp. and Sprint- Nextel Communications are one step closer to competition, now that the FCC has approved the Alltel-Western Wireless asset transfer, and shareholders of both companies...

Homeland Security Meets The Commerce Committee.
July 18, 2005... The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has scheduled a hearing for tomorrow (July 19) to hear testimony on a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Among other things, the reorg...

In A Rare Sunday Session, ILECs Win IPTV Dispensation.
July 18, 2005... The Texas State House of Representatives late yesterday followed the State Senate by resurrecting and passing a hotly contested bill that eliminates local franchise requirements for telcos to enter video markets in favor of statewide...

Will The Third Time Be The Charm For Texas Franchise Bill?
July 25, 2005... Caveat: No School Funding, No Telco Consideration The Texas legislature reconvenes this week for another special session primarily aimed at tackling school financing and related property-tax reform measures, but the controversial IPTV...

Nuke Biz Seeks Extended Wireless Headset Use.
July 25, 2005... With their special-authority licenses due to expire later this year, two Washington, D.C.-based groups representing nuclear plants and related businesses have asked the FCC for permission to deploy and use experimental wireless headsets at...

Second PFF Draft Pushes Integrated Federal-State Policy.
July 25, 2005... A preliminary legislative proposal from the Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) advocates an integrated structure of federal, state and local authority, with cooperative measures set in law in large part because conflicting responsibilities...

FCC To Vet VSNL-Teleglobe Deal.
July 25, 2005... The FCC soon will have another international asset approval application to consider as Tata Group's Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) - the incumbent carrier in India - today signed a definitive agreement to acquire Canada's global account...

The Rumor Mill: A New FCC Org Chart?
July 25, 2005... With Washington, D.C. set to take its normal August siesta beginning next week, meaning there will be few honchos and staffers around to confirm or deny, the rumor mill has begun circulating reports that Federal Communications Commission...