Telecom Policy Report articles from November 2006

Telecom Policy Report archives from November 2006

AT&T/BellSouth Impasse: The FCC's Excedrin Headache No. 1.
November 6, 2006... As befits its colossal size, the proposed AT&T/BellSouth combination now has become a much bigger headache for all those partaking in the controversial merger/consolidation debate as a split Federal Communications Commission (FCC) once again...

With Election Time Around The Corner, Telecom Lobby Frets.
November 6, 2006... With mid-term elections slated for Tuesday (Nov. 7) and Capitol Hill work at a virtual standstill, the telecom business now awaits voting results that once again could determine political-party control in the U.S. Congress, producing an...

U.N. Internet Confab Takes On ICANN, Or Does It Really?
November 6, 2006... The United Nations this past week held a conference in Athens, Greece, with a lofty mission of addressing global Internet governance. But the fundamental backslide of the international body is whether it can take away any power or functions...

Fasten Your Seatbeats: FCC Issues Landlord/Tenant Wi-Fi Ruling.
November 6, 2006... According to industry participants and analysts, last week's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to favor Continental Airlines' unlicensed Wi-Fi access against the protests of a U.S. airport could have a wide impact on the...

How Will The Mid-Term Election Results Impact The FCC?
November 13, 2006... Amid potential legislative fallout due to Democrats wrestling control of the U. S Senate and House of Representatives from Republicans in last week's mid-term elections, the telecom community now ponders what, if any, impact the political...

Canada's Regulator Seeks Updated Definition For 'Essential Services'.
November 13, 2006... Canada's telecom regulator this past week started a new proceeding to consider the country's structure of wholesale rates, terms and services that smaller service-provider rivals need from incumbent and larger competitive local exchange...

'Missoula Plan' ICC Debate Shifts To Phantom Traffic Issue.
November 13, 2006... The so-called "Missoula Plan' for intercarrier compensation (ICC) reform that has divided the industry has taken a side track into the bothersome "phantom traffic" issue that involves telephone calls transiting networks without the proper...

2007's Legislative Add-On: Cyren Call's Public-Safety Bid.
November 13, 2006... During a post-election press conference regarding his new role as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (TelecomWeb news break, Oct. 8), Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) said he didn't know enough about the Cyren Call...

IRS Offers Arithmetic On Telecom's Federal Excise Tax Refund.
November 20, 2006... The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this past week offered up a standard formula that businesses and tax-exempt organizations can use to estimate their refunds when it comes to the controversial and now-discontinued 3-percent federal excise...

Washington Democrats Hit NTIA On Converter-Box Plans.
November 20, 2006... In what could be one of the first communications-oriented samples of Capitol Hill Democrats flexing new-found, post-election muscle, party members expected to take over the House of Representatives and key committees in the next...

Industry Urges Lame-Duck Congress To Pass R&D Tax Credit.
November 20, 2006... The business community's annual angst over renewing the research-and- development (R&D) tax credit has resurfaced as multiple industry organizations urged federal lawmakers in the lame-duck session of the U.S. Congress to pass R&D incentive...

Supremes Prepare For Private Antitrust Test Case.
November 20, 2006... In fewer than two weeks, the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a telecom carrier court case that has been kicking around for several years and that may result in a test judgment surrounding the viability of...

D.C. Regulator Seeks Bids For Universal Service Administrator.
November 20, 2006... Washington, D.C.'s telecom regulator is awaiting responses to its solicitation for a Universal Service Fund (USF) administrator in the nation's capital to handle at least a one-year base contract and perhaps two one-year extensions. The...

In Iowa, Solving 'Phantom Traffic' Flap Takes Lots Of Patience.
November 20, 2006... A complex set of regulatory and court cases in Iowa involving "phantom traffic," access charges and intercarrier compensation (ICC) payments, including a dispute surrounding Qwest Communications International, is requiring a patient "want...