Despite ongoing speculation that the U.N. has plans to take control of Internet governance (WID Nov 17 p2), no such blueprint exists, according to industry sources. Govts. are gearing up for the next meeting of the U.N.’s Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) Feb. 14 in Geneva, but the exercise is more about addressing the grievances of developing nations than fending off a U.N. power grab, said sources familiar with the proceedings.
The VON Coalition urged the White House to stimulate VoIP development by supporting 6 policy “enablers” outlined in a letter dated Mon.: (1) Continue “hands-off” treatment of the Internet. (2) Refrain from applying “geographically constrained legacy fees and taxes.” (3) Reform access charges and the universal service regime rather than applying them to new technologies such as VoIP. (4) Use “forward-thinking industry led solutions” for dealing with issues such as how to provide 911 service over the Internet. (5) Make sure consumers can use “any device, application or service over the Internet.” (6) Focus on how the Internet can be used to make “talking more affordable, businesses more productive, jobs more plentiful and the Internet more valuable.” Copies of the letter were sent to Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska), House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.), Commerce Dept. Secy.-Designate Carlos Gutierrez.
The VON Coalition urged the White House to stimulate VoIP development by supporting 6 policy “enablers” outlined in a letter dated Mon.: (1) Continue “hands-off” treatment of the Internet. (2) Refrain from applying “geographically constrained legacy fees and taxes.” (3) Reform access charges and the universal service regime rather than applying them to new technologies such as VoIP. (4) Use “forward-thinking industry led solutions” for dealing with issues such as how to provide 911 service over the Internet. (5) Make sure consumers can use “any device, application or service over the Internet.” (6) Focus on how the Internet can be used to make “talking more affordable, businesses more productive, jobs more plentiful and the Internet more valuable.” Copies of the letter were sent to Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska), House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.), Commerce Dept. Secy.-Designate Carlos Gutierrez.
The US Chamber of Commerce will advance its “unprecedented” global initiative to fight intellectual property theft, CEO Thomas Donohue told a press gathering Wed. Under National Chamber Foundation leadership, the Chamber will build on efforts that began in 2004 to abate the rising tide of IP theft, Donohue said. “These crimes not only cost American business an estimated $250 billion a year, they threaten the health and safety of our people,” he said.
Telecom veteran Dave McGlade will lead Intelsat when the Zeus Holdings’ buyout is finalized in the first quarter of this year, officials said Mon. When the transaction is complete, McGlade will join Intelsat, and Conny Kullman, Intelsat’s chief since 1998, will become chmn.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that in a draft report to be released next month, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin, who left his job in early December 2004, criticizes DHS for allowing federal grants for improving security at U.S. ports to be spent on low-priority problems rather than the most serous vulnerabilities. (JoC Online, dated 12/29/04, www.joc.com)
Govt. agencies are increasingly interested in migrating to VoIP, govt. and industry officials told Communications Daily. The migration has started with some agencies adopting VoIP for individual buildings and conducting pilots. But wide deployment isn’t expected at least until 2006, when the Networx contract, a successor of FTS 2001, is expected to be awarded.
The State Department has issued a public notice announcing various upcoming meetings of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) to prepare for the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) Meeting and ITU-T Study Groups 3, 4, and 17 meetings. According to the notice, ITAC will meet with an agenda for preparations for an upcoming ITU-T TSAG meeting on: January 19, February 2, February 16 (teleconference) and March 2, 2005.
President Bush announced a new policy Wed. to shut down the country’s global positioning system (GPS) satellites temporarily during national crises to thwart terrorists’ efforts to use the navigational technology. Sources said Thurs. any shutdown of GPS would cripple systems in virtually every aspect of American life, including telecom, cable and broadcasting.
Wendy Wysong, ex-Justice Dept., named Deputy Asst. Secy. of Commerce-Export Enforcement… Stephen Gray resigns as McLeodUSA pres. and board member, effective Dec. 31; no successor named… Tribune promoted Darko Dejanovic to chief technology officer… Consultant Jon Shaver becomes dir.-content development, Comcast Media Center… Society of Cable Telecom Engineers Pres. Stephen Oksala re-elected vice chmn., American National Standards Institute… Sinclair promoted Harold Cooper to gen. mgr., WCHS-TV Charleston-Huntington, W. Va.