Dept. of Commerce needs access to dark fiber links in Washington, D.C., area. Fiber must be capable of operating at gigabit data rates involving: (1) Various U. of Md., NASA and NOAA locations. (2) U. of Md. Mid-Atlantic Crossroads and NOAA hq in Silver Spring, Md. Although all bids will be accepted (RFQ No. NWWX200048), NOAA said it intended to negotiate sole-source contract with FiberGate, “the only known source which presently has these dark fiber circuits in place or which will have them in place in the near future” -- 301-713-0828, ext. 117.
Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Hollings (D-S.C.) urged FCC Chmn. Powell, NTIA Dir. Nancy Victory and Defense Dept. (DoD) Chief Information Officer John Stenbit to help craft U.S. position at World Radio Conference 2003 that would allow growth of high-speed wireless networks at 5 GHz while addressing DoD needs. Fate of 5 GHz spectrum has been among more closely watched of pending proposals for next WRC on allocation of certain bands in that spectrum for broadband access using wireless LANs while protecting existing services. NTIA has raised interference concerns, questioning maturity of studies on dynamic frequency allocation systems that could be used to bolster support for global harmonization of wireless LAN operations in band. Besides Hollings, Aug. 6 letter to top-ranking communications officials was signed by ranking committee Republican McCain (R-Ariz.), Sens. Boxer (D-Cal.), Edwards (D-N.C.), Kerry (D- Mass.). They said WRC 2003 would consider global allocation of entire 465 MHz at 5 GHz for use by unlicensed broadband networks. In U.S., parts of that band now are allocated for both military and unlicensed broadband commercial uses. “With respect to sharing and interference concerns, we understand that technical strategies can be employed to allow military radars and broadband wireless networks to share spectrum,” letter said. Senators said unlicensed broadband wireless networks had been deployed in schools, offices and homes as well as public areas such as airports and coffee shops “to provide Internet access to anyone who might need it… In the future, unlicensed wireless networks may well provide a next-generation broadband last-mile connection to the home and, as a result, may create a truly competitive broadband market.” Agenda item for next WRC is to address spectrum requirements for mobile, fixed, Earth exploration satellite and space research services and to review radiolocation service at 5150-5725 MHz. Draft proposal under consideration in U.S., which has been provided as input to U.S. position, would provide that wireless LAN stations at 5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz not cause harmful interference to other stations with primary allocations. Globalstar and ICO Global Communications raised concerns about proposed primary allocation for those systems. Senators told Powell, Victory and Stenbit that unlicensed wireless networks could provide “important national security benefits to homeland defense, to public safety agencies and even to the development of battlefield networks.” They said continued growth of those networks and their potential to provide last-mile broadband connections to homes, as well as mesh networks that could remain running in emergencies, “depends on the robust use of the 5 GHz band.” Letter said: “It is our hope that you will be able to resolve the sharing issues and develop a U.S. position that allows for the growth of high-speed wireless networks while addressing the needs of the Department of Defense.”
Bureau of Industry & Security (BIA) is recruiting members for Dept. of Commerce technical advisory committees (TACs). BIA seeks representatives from industries that export dual-use items, such as telecom, space vehicle, computer and information security technology that are controlled for national security or foreign policy purposes. Members are appointed by Secy. of Commerce and serve unpaid, maximum terms of 4 consecutive years. Letters of interest are due Aug. 1, 2003. -- 202-482-2583.
Proposed Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) should fund and coordinate most of its cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection R&D externally, based on model similar to that of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), White House advisory panel recommended Mon. President’s Council of Advisers on Science & Technology Policy (PCAST) approved report from its Terrorism Subcommittee that sought to create HS-ARPA entity under umbrella of DHS Undersecy. for Science & Technology (S&T). Unit would be similar to DARPA in that it would “conduct its work principally through contracts and grants to others,” draft report said.
Several satellite and defense technology issues that weren’t addressed in Senate-passed version of Dept. of Defense (DoD) fiscal year 2003 appropriations bill (HR-5010) are likely to get renewed push in House-Senate conference. Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking Republican Burns (Mont.) is urging members who were appointed to meet with House conferees to seek DoD earmark to distribute satellite radios in key locations throughout Middle East. He emphasized need for DoD program “to jump-start the dissemination of these satellite radio receivers to the local population surrounding our troops so that our messages of democracy and freedom can be brought to them in a variety of formats,” he said. Burns raised issue on floor late last week before Senate approved $355.5-billion DoD bill by 95-3 margin (CD Aug 2 p4).
United Telecom Council (UTC) voiced concern about FCC report released last week on critical infrastructure spectrum, saying it didn’t recognize extent to which industries such as energy and power didn’t have dedicated spectrum. FCC staff report was congressionally mandated companion to NTIA study released earlier this year that outlined need for more spectrum for critical infrastructure providers in energy, water and railroad sectors, pointing out that urgency of those needs might have changed after Sept. 11. Reports to Congress were required by fiscal 2001 appropriations act that covered Commerce Dept. NTIA report described congestion in many bands that critical infrastructure providers faced and urged FCC to revisit those “critical” spectrum issues. Commission said most comments received on NTIA report said spectrum allocations were needed beyond current ones to meet needs of utilities and other infrastructure providers. “However, only a few commenters specifically quantified their needs,” FCC said. Only few proposed areas where available spectrum could be found. “In fulfilling the statutory obligation to ‘address any needs identified’ by the NTIA report, a difficulty arises for the Commission in that the NTIA report does not independently validate or investigate any specific needs or requirements of the designated industries,” FCC said. Instead, it said, report used information provided by industry commenters as basis for review. FCC cited current spectrum proceedings that it said should have positive impact on spectrum needs of energy, water and railroad industries. Commission cited examples such as 27 MHz reallocated from govt. to nongovt. users, including 216-220 MHz and 1427-1432 MHz. FCC concluded that although NTIA report didn’t validate “specific spectrum requirements” for energy, railroad and water sectors, “the Commission is always sensitive to the communications needs of these and other industries.” Of concerns raised by those sectors on access to spectrum due to congestion and interference, report said: “The designated industries are encouraged to continue to migrate to more efficient technologies and to make use of available commercial spectrum services when practicable, including terrestrial wireless and satellite services, as well as civil satellite services.” It encouraged water, industry and railroad industries to use new ways of sharing and licensing to meet their needs to ensure that efficient use of spectrum was met. “The Commission must satisfy the spectrum needs of many users, and it is especially sensitive to needs involving domestic security concerns,” report said. UTC said Fri. it was concerned FCC didn’t cite “concrete plans” to meet emergency response requirements or help protect energy, water or transportation structure. NTIA study included estimates by critical infrastructure providers that they would need 6- 10 MHz of dedicated spectrum in next few years. “The Commission’s response to Congress mentions the importance of critical infrastructure and public safety’s spectrum requirements since Sept. 11,” UTC Pres. William Moroney said. “However, in spite of a very small spectrum request, the FCC report concludes that the agency ‘must satisfy the spectrum needs of many users.'” Moroney asked: “How can yet another commercial wireless service, even if one could operate in such a small piece of spectrum, be more important than a single allocation to help protect the nation’s critical infrastructure?”
Attacks on communications networks and other critical infrastructure can be equated with attacks on individual communities, in light of reliance on such systems by consumers and businesses, Homeland Security Dir. Tom Ridge told U.S. Chamber of Commerce Wed. That connection between national and economic security should serve as an incentive for private sector to continue pursuing critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity partnerships with federal govt., he said: “When the hometown is secure, the homeland is secure.”
FCC Chmn. Powell told Senate Commerce Committee that it needed to expand scope of Sec. 214 of Communications Act for Commission to ensure continuity of variety of telecom services. Powell made comments in committee hearing Tues. on financial turmoil in telecom industry that also featured high-level officers of Global Crossing, Qwest and WorldCom. Committee Chmn. Hollings (D-S.C.) agreed Congress should broaden scope of Act’s section that gave FCC power to prevent communications networks from cutting service as result of bankruptcy and said he would try to make legislative changes before Congress’s adjournment scheduled for first week of Oct. Hollings asked Powell to send recommendations to Committee. Powell wouldn’t elaborate on how broad Sec. 214 scope should be, although he did mention cable companies and Internet service providers. He said there often was conflict between bankruptcy law and Commission’s powers under Sec. 214. Although he said he could envision scenario where scope of Sec. 214 could hamper FCC efforts to prevent loss of service, there were no current bankruptcies where agency didn’t have power to act.
Wireless LANs or Wi-Fi networks require greater security maintenance and have more vulnerabilities than traditional networks, making them currently ill-suited to widespread govt. use, federal study tentatively concluded. National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) released draft report Mon., Wireless Network Security: 802.11, Bluetooth and Handheld Devices, that warns federal agencies to use caution when launching wireless networks. NIST invited comments on report, which are due Sept. 1.
Bill to thwart digital piracy online was introduced July 25 by Rep. Berman (Cal.), ranking Democrat on House Judiciary Courts, Internet & Intellectual Property Committee. Bill would amend U.S. statutes to make it legal for content owners to use technology to travel on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and interdict copyrighted material. “I am a big fan of P2P networks and the technology behind them,” Berman said, adding “it should remain the creator’s choice to distribute their works through a P2P network, not the pirate’s. P2P piracy must be cleaned up, and cleaned up now.”