Cisco Government Affairs E-Update

Volume 1, Issue 7
30 March 2001
Brought to you by Cisco Government Affairs Online: www.cisco.com/gov

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This Week@Cisco in Government Affairs

CISCO@INTERNATIONAL

·        This week the U.K.’s e-envoy Andrew Pinder visited Cisco to talk about the UKOnline project he is directing to bring all of the U.K.’s government services online by 2005.  He was joined by Cisco Senior Vice President Sue Bostrom, IBSG Director Mark Boyer and Worldwide Government Affairs Director Laura Ipsen to speak about the UK’s e-government efforts and the progress they have made.  He also talked with Cisco Senior Vice President Dan Scheinman about the UK’s efforts to extend broadband’s reach. Visit the e-envoys web site to learn more –  http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/

·        Related story - The UK government and Microsoft plan to sell around the world Britain's new system for online transactions between citizens and government after its successful launch in the UK. http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3HODYLSKC&live=true&tagid=ZZZC00L1B0C&subheading=information%20technology

·        Related Statistic - The number of home Internet users in the UK reached 13.5 million at the end of February, a rise of one million from October 2000. http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356573&rel=true

·        Related story - The U.K. government has announced plans to train the long-term unemployed to fill the growing list of vacancies in the UK's information               technology sector.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1242000/1242767.stm

·        EU - The Heads of States and Governments of the EU have again recognized the importance of eEurope at the Stockholm meeting on the weekend.  Council focused on how to modernize the European model and attain the Union's strategic goal for the next decade decided at Lisbon: "to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion." - http://ue.eu.int/Newsroom/LoadDoc.cfm?MAX=1&DOC=!!!&BID=76&DID=65786&GRP=3314&LANG=1

·        Erkki Liikanen, Member of the European Commission responsible for Enterprise and the Information Society, Speech on “Entrepreneurship in the e-Economy” - http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=SPEECH/01/138%7C0%7CRAPID&lg=EN

·        UK - DELIVERY OF LIBERALIZED TELECOMS MARKET: In Parliamentary debate the Government was asked whether The Lisbon European Summit’s call for a fully integrated and liberalized telecommunications market within Europe by the end of 2001 will be delivered. The Government responded that four key elements are being accomplished to achieve this goal. Firstly, by the end of June this year the European Parliament and the Council will have undertaken the first readings of the Framework, Access, Authorization and Universal Service & Users Rights proposals for Directives arising from the 1999 review. Secondly, in the UK the first loops have been unbundled and Oftel is committed to ensure that unbundling can proceed in accordance with demand. Thirdly, the Government is participating in the negotiations on a proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European Parliament (to ensure frequency requirements for future mobile communications systems are met). Finally, ensuring the availability of low cost, high speed networks for Internet access is a success in the UK (as demonstrated in the Oftel international benchmarking program).  http://www.oftel.org

·        Austria - In a recent meeting, the Telekom-Control Commission (TKK) passed new regulations concerning access to the "last mile." The most important elements of the decision are the possibility of local loop unbundling, area limits for collocation rooms and the gradual reduction of costs.  - http://www.tkc.at/www/tkc_main.nsf/frameset?openAgent&Kat=E_AxX&Content=http://www.tkc.at/www/tkc_main.nsf/pages/Willkommen-e

·        Asia Faces Shortage of skilled IT workers - http://technology.scmp.com/ZZZ1OKOZRKC.html (free registration required)

·        China Unicom said its state-owned parent, China United Communications Corp, will invest 20 billion yuan (about US$2.42 billion) by 2002 to build a CDMA (code division multiple access wireless) network that could accommodate 13.3 million subscribers. http://special.scmp.com/NLet/NLet.asp?Sec=technology&SSec=comm&Id=ZZZWV5PZRKC

·        While only a third of India's Internet users have already purchased goods online, 69 percent are interested in shopping over the Web, a new survey suggests.

http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356581&rel=true

·        The number of active subscribers to Australian ISPs increased by 388,000 during Q3 2000 to 3.8 million by the end of September. Subscribers are customers with an ISP account and each account can have more than one user.

http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356582&rel=true

·        The number of Irish households with access to the Web increased by more than 400 percent between 1998 and 2000, but Internet penetration in the country remains low by European standards. http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356579&rel=true

·        Japan's online population is expected to reach 104 million in 2005, fuelled by rapid growth in mobile phone use.  http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356589&rel=true

·        Interactive television will be the most popular means of accessing the Internet in Europe by 2005, according to a new report from the Yankee Group.  http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356572&rel=true

·        Denmark tops in Internet - http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010326/wr/internet_survey_dc_1.html

CISCO@WASHINGTON, DC

·        President Bush this week hosted high-technology executives at the White House to discuss how his Administration can work with high-tech leaders on matters of concern to the industry.  Bush announced that Silicon Valley venture capitalist Floyd Kvamme will head up a technology advisory council. The session was also attended by Commerce Secretary Don Evans, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.  Cisco’s Worldwide Director of Government Affairs Laura Ipsen represented Cisco at the summit.

·        President Bush’s remarks: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010328-2.html

·        President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology - http://www.ostp.gov/NSTC/html/pcast.html

·        Related Stories:

·        Washington Post – “Bush Reactivates High-Tech Advisory Panel” – “Afterward, Laura Ipsen, worldwide director of government affairs for Cisco Systems Inc., the largest maker of networking equipment, said the high-tech community is optimistic about relations with Bush. "He understands the role the tech sector plays," she said. "Very senior officials have spent a lot of time listening to us. We hope it is a sign that technology is not only adding to the economy but is also going to be one of the drivers for the transformation of government."” - http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8573-2001Mar28.html

·        The Industry Standard – “Bush Makes Nice With Tech Leaders” - "It was very positive," said Cisco Systems (CSCO) ' top lobbyist, Laura Ipsen. "It sends a clear signal that there is more than one person and more than one Agency that cares about technology in this administration." - http://www.thestandard.com/article/display/0,1151,23192,00.html

·        Upton Urges Quick Action On Broadband Deployment - The National Journal’s Tech Daily reported this week that the chairman of the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee said that good broadband policy would give consumers a choice of broadband providers.  Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said, "Deploying broadband is one of the most important things we can do" to provide equal opportunity for all Americans.  "The wall of burdensome regulation needs to come tumbling down."

·        FCC Chairman Michael Powells’ Testimony before the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee -  http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Powell/Statements/2001/stmkp112.txt

·        The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, April 3, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. in 2322 Rayburn House Office Building. This hearing will be entitled "An Examination of Existing Federal Statutes Addressing Information Privacy."

CISCO@US STATES

·        Massachusetts Web Site in Line for an Overhaul - http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/074/metro/Mass_state_Web_site_in_line_for_overhaul+.shtml (See also (below) High-Tech Community’s Issue of the Week – E-Government – News, Reports and Studies).

·        Voters support efforts to modernize voting technology and also believe that voting reform would bring more confidence to the electoral system, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and Unisys. The report also found that 90 percent want uniform voting systems throughout their states and like the idea of using the Internet to disseminate information. But only 39 percent believe the Internet should be used for voting, with 60 percent of Americans ages 18 to 24 backing that approach. http://www.itaa.org/news/pr/PressRelease.cfm?ReleaseID=985698158

·        Governors Looking to Improve Education -  http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=28statelead.h20

·        Governing Magazine is now accepting nominations for Public Officials of the Year. Top-level elected, appointed and career officials from any branch of state or local government are eligible for this prestigious award.  Nominate your favorite official today.  Deadline is June 15.  http://governing.com/poy/poy.htm

·        Tax Time!!!  Visit our U.S.States (http://www.cisco.com/gov/us_states/index.html) page to find your state and federal income tax forms.  Download the forms or file electronically.  eGovernment (http://www.cisco.com/gov/people/e_government.html) in action!  

SITE OF THE WEEK – ConnectNet.Org

A joint program of the Benton Foundation and the AOL Time Warner Foundation produced a directory of more than 20,000 U.S. technology centers and libraries with free connections to the Internet.  And you can find them via toll-free phone as well - 866-583-1234.  http://www.connectnet.org/english/

 

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS HIGH TECH COMMUNITY

·        Question of the Week: “President Bush this week hosted high tech executives at the White House. He also recently appointed Kleiner Perkins partner (www.kpcb.com) Floyd Kvamme as the head of his technology council. Should the high tech community be happy with the progress that the Bush Administration has made on high tech issues thus far?  (Add your comments on Cisco’s High Tech Community)

http://forums.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Community/HtCom?page=main

·        Issue of the week: E-GOVERNMENT - States such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado and California have launched major e-Government efforts through use of portals and other user-friendly technology. Recently, Massachusetts announced a e-Government portal initiative. To see states' online efforts go to: http://www.cisco.com/gov/us_states/index.html. Should all states have statewide CIO's or cabinet-level Secretaries of Technology to drive e-Government efforts? Add your thoughts at Cisco’s High Tech Community - http://forums.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Community/HtCom?page=main.

·        See related story: “E-Gov Lessons” http://www.civic.com/civic/articles/2001/0326/web-egov-03-30-01.asp

·        See related study: The Use of the Internet in Government Service Delivery - http://www.endowment.pwcglobal.com/pdfs/CohenReport.pdf (Adobe Acrobat required)

·        Related report on online State Legislatures – “Plugged In, Tuning Up: An Assessment of State Legislative Websites” http://www.ombwatch.org/npadv/2001/stlg/index.html

·        Related story – “Maryland’s E-Procurement System Signs 275 Vendors” - http://www.washtech.com/news/govtit/8452-1.html

·        Electronic procurement reduces purchasing costs and time by more than 70 percent, according to a study by Aberdeen Group. - http://cyberatlas.com/markets/b2b/article/0,,10091_727051,00.html

·        Related story – “Government Failing at IT Reform?” - http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2001/0326/web-reform-03-28-01.asp

FACT AND STAT OF THE WEEK: “Online Purchases Getting to be Everyday Occurence”

·        Over 60 percent of US Internet users have made at least one online purchase every quarter for the last 10 quarters running, according to Greenfield Online. http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356578&rel=true

·        For more Facts and Stats on the New Economy, visit our Facts and Stats page.  Also, see our special State of the Internet report on this page.

·        For daily, topical Facts and Stats visit our Hot In Tech page.

TECH NEWS STORIES OF THE WEEK

·        Broadband Will Profoundly Alter The Consumer Experience - High-speed internet means faster, better access to entertainment and media in general. eMarketer broadband analyst Ben Macklin examines the state of the market. http://www.emarketer.com/analysis/broadband/20010327_bband_consumer_exp.html?ref=wn

·         Business Ups and Downs at Internet Speed – (free registration required)

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/30/technology/30INFO.html?pagewanted=all

·        U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle Says Bush Tax Cut Would Hurt High-Tech Community - http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/163868.html

·        The Free Trade Area of the Americas is the top trade priority of the Bush Administration - http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3FWB73XKC&live=true&tagid=IXLT95DZ1BC

·        U.S. Commerce Secretary Evans working to make more airwaves available for advanced mobile services. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010329/tc/telecoms_spectrum_dc_3.html

·        Wiring Minnesota – Fibre Optics to the Homes of Minnesotans Stalls - http://www.civic.com/civic/articles/2001/0326/web-minn-03-30-01.asp

·        U.S. Spending on the Net Jumps in February - http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/20010330/t000027227.html

·        Cheap PCs Narrowing the Digital Divide - http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5122471.html

·        E-Commerce Projections Cut – (NYTimes – free registration required) http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/26/technology/26ECOMMERCE.html

·        Related Study - Although the economic downturn will negatively affect the growth of B2B, Gartner predicts that the global B2B market will still be worth USD8.5 trillion in 2005, up from USD433 billion last year. http://www.nua.ie/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905356584&rel=true

·        Virgin Atlantic Airlines to Offer In-flight Net Access to All - http://www.msnbc.com/news/549840.asp?0na=2101251-

·        Now that school’s are wired, what’s next - http://www.nandotimes.com/technology/story/0%2C1643%2C500467467-500714769-503940916-0%2C00.html

·        European Companies Are Reluctant To Do Business Online, Survey Finds http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB985638335377713611.htm (paid registration required)

·        3G phones under threat - http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1244000/1244153.stm

·        A Turf Fight for the Airwaves - http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/28/technology/28SPEC.html (free registration required)

·        AT&T’s CEO Armstrong: Op-Ed - “Break Up the Baby Bells” - http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB985737163663737882.htm (paid registration required)

·        Survey: Flat ISP Fees Fuel European Web Use - http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nf/20010328/tc/8539_1.html

·        China Net users spurn e-commerce - A report on mainland China Internet usage and attitudes has found that the thousand s of Web firms have few business opportunities despite the Net's rising popularity. - http://special.scmp.com/NLet/NLet.asp?Sec=technology&Id=ZZZRVBPZRKC

·        Education Web sites hot as exams loom - Education-related Web sites posted a 19 per cent jump in hits as concerned SAR students, facing their February examinations, searched for course help, audience measurement firm Nielsen//NetRatings found in a recent study. - http://special.scmp.com/NLet/NLet.asp?Sec=technology&SSec=internet&Id=ZZZE7YOZRKC

CISCO GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS@2001

Cisco’s top policy focuses for 2001 are the areas of Education, Broadband Deployment and eGovernment.  To read or listen to our thoughts on these issues, please visit our Government Affairs home page or our visit our multimedia section . http://www.cisco.com/gov/multimedia/index.html

E-UPDATE ARCHIVE

To view past issues of Cisco’s Government Affairs E-Update, visit our E-Update Archive page . http://www.cisco.com/gov/archive/eupdates/index.html

DISCLAIMER

Positions in articles and papers from outside sources are in no way endorsed by Cisco Systems' Office of Government Affairs.  We offer articles on topics of interest to our audience to further the debate on the issues that are important to high-tech.  To view our positions on the policy matters that we care about, please visit our Government Affairs homepage. – http://www.cisco.com/gov

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