FCC Broadband Study Argues for Open Access Oct 17, 2009
"While Congress adopted various open access provisions in the almost unanimously approved Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC decided to abandon this mode of regulation for broadband in a series of decisions in 2001 and 2002," the researchers argued. "Open access has been largely treated as a closed issue in U.S. policy debates ever since.". (SmallBusinessComputing)
Jack Thompson Sues Facebook Over Video-Game Backlash Oct 2, 2009
Facebook is immunized from liability by a section of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that says Web sites are not liable for user-supplied content, Goldman said. "It doesn't matter if Facebook receives notice of a problem and fails to act, or if Facebook has acted in similar situations and hasn't acted here," he continued. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
* Taiwan Mobile to purchase Kbro stake Sep 17, 2009
Chen Kuo-lung (s), chief of the commissions business management department, said the NCC would investigate whether the deal violates the Cable Television Act (uqk), the Satellite Broadcasting Act (Psqk) or the Telecommunications Act (qHk). ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHELLEY SHAN AND KEVIN CHEN This story has been viewed 375 times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Free Cell Phones For The Poor Aug 29, 2009
Lifeline' is the service started by the Federal Communications Commission in 1984 but didn't really come to the forefront until '96 when the Telecommunications Act opened up competition to new wireless providers. Mary Coleman says this is a godsend because Lifeline is specifically geared towards those living below the poverty guideline. (WSJA.com, AL)
FCC Diversity Chief: GOP Hurts Civil Rights Aug 29, 2009
The worst blow, according to Lloyd, was delivered by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. While touted as a landmark bill updating the sixty-year-old Communications Act for the benefit of U.S. consumers, the T96 Act was created by and for a communications industry dominated by global conglomerates, Lloyd argued in his essay. (Newsmax)
FCC Begins Latest Probe of Broadband Access Aug 8, 2009
This is the sixth so-called "706 Inquiry" since the process was mandated by Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the first one under the Obama administration. Under a law passed last year, the inquiry will now be carried out annually. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Cell towersstir concern in West Windsor Aug 6, 2009
Monday, West Windsor township attorney Michael J. Herbert told the residents Congress limited municipalities' power over cellular towers with the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He said municipalities can't ban the towers, but can regulate their locations by zoning. (NJ.com -- Times)
Zimbabwe: Chinotimba Suing Arrested Minister for U.S.$19 Million Jul 31, 2009
They are charged with contravening a section of the Telecommunications Act for allegedly using a sim-card without the owner's permission. The two appeared in court initially on Wednesday. (allAfrica.com)
New Mexico-Based Computer Assets Inc. Agrees to Settle Jul 31, 2009
The E-Rate program, which Congress created in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, provides funding for needy schools and libraries to connect to and utilize the Internet. Under the program, which is supported by fees collected from telephone users, schools apply for funds to pay for hardware and monthly connectivity service fees. (PR Newswire)
Zimbabwe: Another MDC MP Arrested Jul 29, 2009
Bvudzijena said: "His arrest is in connection with the theft of a cell phone at a function that was held at the Harare International Conference Centre...Two of his relatives are facing charges relating to using the cell phone line. They are being charged under the Telecommunications Act.". It is reported the MDC official sat at the same table with Chinotimba during the lunch break when the latter left his mobile phone on the table while he collected some food, and on return he could not find his... (allAfrica.com)
Competition authorities can handle telecoms cases Jul 24, 2009
The uncertainty emanated from the now-repealed Telecommunications Act (Telecoms Act), number 103 of 1996, which gave the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) powers to investigate and pronounce on "uncompetitive actions", including matters of discrimination and preferential treatment. With the promulgation of the Competition Act in 1998, ideally the Telecoms Act and other sector-specific legislation needed to be amended to avoid unnecessary duplication by the Competition Act, which... (Business Report, South Africa)
Spectre of Wi-Fi returns to Sebastopol council chambers Jul 11, 2009
We want the maximum ability to make informed decisions, said Wilson of a provision of the 1996 Federal Telecommunications Act which prevents local government from regulating the placement of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of environmental or health effects of radio-frequency emissions when the proposed facilities comply with FCC regulations. There has been a definite lack of research on this, he said, adding that other local governments, including Los Angeles County, Glendale... (Sebastopol Sonoma West Publishing, CA)
* Telecom carriers cannot offer mobile adult content: NCC Jul 9, 2009
Liang cited Article 8 of the Telecommunications Act (qHk), which states that a telecom operator may terminate telecommunications service to a user, whose business involves providing telecommunications content to the detriment of public order and good morals, which essentially prohibits telecom operators from offerings free download of pornographic content via mobile phone. The NCC made the comments yesterday after a story published by the Chinese-language Economic Daily News said that... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Kansas Woman Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement to FBI in E-Rate Fraud Investigation Jul 3, 2009
The Schools and Libraries Universal Service Fund, a federally funded program known as E-Rate, was created by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. E-Rate is a program through which the Universal Services Administrative Company, a not-for-profit corporation, acting under oversight of the FCC, subsidizes the provision of Internet access and telecommunications services, as well as internal computer and communications networks to economically disadvantaged schools and libraries. (PR Newswire)
Cell tower foes argue for alternate sites Jun 20, 2009
But Town Attorney Tal Rappleyea responded, The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ruled there were no adverse side effects to electromagnetic waves. Schweigard said: Each carrier can support 12 antennas. (Catskill Daily Mail, NY)
LA County Calls for Repeal of Federal Cell Tower Health Preemption Jun 17, 2009
LOS ANGELES, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in early June to actively seek and support federal legislation to repeal portions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that limit the authority of state and local governments to regulate cell towers and related wireless facilities on the basis of their health and environmental effects ... "For almost 15 years, local planning and zoning officials, City Council members and Supervisors... (PR Newswire)
NCC, firms fault licence cancellation by minister May 27, 2009
The NCC cited what could be termed as an alleged encroachment on its functions as the regulator of the industry as stipulated by the Telecommunications Act of 2003 to buttress its point. Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai Speaks on Outstanding Issues in Coalition Govt [document] May 21, 2009
Specifically, The Ministry of Information Communication Technology will retain its responsibility over the Posts and Telecommunications Act, Potraz, Telone, Netone and ZimPost. The Ministry of Media Information and Publicity will oversee the Broadcasting Act and Transmedia; and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development will be responsible for the Interception of Communications Act. (allAfrica.com)
Tighter rules on cell phone towers? May 15, 2009
Queens Chronicle - Tighter rules on cell phone towers. Tighter rules on cell phone towers. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
* Lawmakers criticize NCC boss over Far EasTone deal May 8, 2009
The Telecommunications Act (qHk) states that first category businesses hold licenses allowing them to construct networks and offer services, whereas second category firms can only lease networks to offer services ... Peng said the commission was entitled to revoke Far EasTones license if it deemed the investment a serious violation of the Telecommunications Act. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Zimbabwe: Unity Govt Crisis Meeting Deadlocked Apr 18, 2009
Chamisa is also said to be prepared to stay if only the administration of the Interception of Telecommunications Act was removed from his ministry, leaving the original portfolio as it was. The fight over the telecoms department is fuelled by Mugabe and his allies' need to administer the Interception of Telecommunications Act which enables government to intercept and record individual and corporate communications. (allAfrica.com)
Tower permit will be issued Apr 17, 2009
It is clear in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that the federal government has preempted the ability of local governments to regulate the location of cellular towers based on health and environmental issues. We cant change the federal ruling. (New Iberia, LA)
Kerry: Tech Is The Future Apr 6, 2009
Back in 1996, he was on the Commerce Committee working on a Telecommunications Act rewrite that concentrated on telephone lines, Kerry pointed out. Boy did we miss the curve on that one, he said. (Multichannel News)
Said Verizon: "It enables cable companies to lock in TV customers by forbidding... Mar 30, 2009
Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House Networks had complained to the FCC that Verizon's attempts in that vein violated Telecommunications Act restrictions on a carrier's use of proprietary information for marketing purposes. The FCC agreed, eventually, and told Verizon to stop the practice. (Multichannel News)
Former Michigan School Official Sentenced to Serve 46 Months in Jail for Role in Fraud Scheme Mar 27, 2009
The program was created by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and is administered by Universal Service Administrative Company, a non-profit corporation, under the auspices of the Federal Communications Commission. As a result of the Antitrust Division's investigation into fraud and anticompetitive conduct in the E-Rate program, a total of seven companies and 18 individuals have pleaded guilty or have been convicted and found guilty or entered civil settlements. (PR Newswire)
Legal action alienates telco even further Mar 21, 2009
It says that taking its allegations of breaches of Telstra's access obligations under the Telecommunications Act and its engaging in false and misleading behaviour under the Trade Practices Act to the court is a culmination of years of battling Telstra on anti-competitive behaviour. Traditionally, the commission has used the issue of competition notices to rein in Telstra's infringements on access and pricing. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Telstra Sued by Australia Regulator for Allegedly Thwarting Competition Mar 19, 2009
The commission claims Telstra violated requirements of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Telecommunications Act 1997. An official at the regulator declined to give further details. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Victoria Police issue Mar 2, 2009
Attorney-General Robert McClelland had been urged to fast-track changes to the Telecommunications Act, to grant state emergency services access to the national database of phone numbers. He was quoted as saying there was no possibility a phone warning system could have been introduced ahead of the Black Saturday fires, but that the target was to have it operational by the "next fire season". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Cell tower decision next week Feb 26, 2009
In regard to the safety part of the criteria, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prevents health issues from being used to deny a special permit to a communications company. Only discussion of safety in terms of the installation and whether the building materials could fall and cause harm, for instance, may be used. (North Andover Citizen, MA)
Google, Amazon, others want CRTC to ban internet interference Feb 25, 2009
The CRTC, which has the power to impose conditions on the way retail internet services are offered, is looking into what types of traffic management practices are used by ISPs and whether they violate the Telecommunications Act. Monday was the last day the CRTC was accepting comments. (CBC.ca)
New fire puts historic resort town at risk Feb 24, 2009
The Federal Government also announced changes to the Telecommunications Act to allow state and territory emergency service organisations access to the database of home telephone numbers for early warnings. Mr Brumby and the federal Families Minister, Jenny Macklin, who is in charge of the bushfire relief effort, said a contractor would be announced by the end of the week to start demolition and site clearing on about 2000 homes and other buildings. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
AT&T Technical Services Corp. to Pay U.S. More than $8.2 Million to Settle False Claims Involving the E-Rate Program Feb 14, 2009
The E-Rate program, created by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, provides funding for needy schools and libraries to connect to and utilize the Internet. Under the E-Rate program, which is funded by monies collected from telephone users, schools apply for funds to pay for hardware and monthly connectivity service fees. (PR Newswire)
Early bushfire alert cover-up exposed Feb 13, 2009
West Australian Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson yesterday wrote to federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland urging him to fast-track changes to the Telecommunications Act during the next sitting of parliament to give state emergency services access to the national database of phone numbers. Otherwise, Australia-wide introduction of a phone alert system would be held up for a further six months. (The Australian)
