Cisco Government Affairs E-Update

Volume 2, Issue 30

2 August 2002

Brought to you by Cisco Government Affairs Online: http://www.cisco.com/gov

This Week@Cisco in Government Affairs

Cisco's E-Update keeps you up to date on the major policy news of the week. Focusing on broadband, education and e-government areas, but covering high-tech and telecom in general, the E-Update is a great source of information for state, federal and international policymakers. To subscribe, send a message with “subscribe” in the subject line to “Subscribe-eUpdate@cisco.com

BROADBAND POLL – SHARE YOUR VIEWS IN OUR BROADBAND POLL.  Do you have broadband?  Do plan to get broadband?  Is broadband too expensive?  Go to our broadband poll and give your input and see what your colleagues think: http://forums.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/HtCom?page=main

This Week@WASHINGTON, DC

SENATE APPROVES TRADE BILL VITAL TO VALLEY - In a long-sought victory for high-tech companies, the Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill giving the president broad authority to negotiate international trade agreements.  The so-called trade promotion authority legislation would for the first time in eight years grant the president broad powers to negotiate trade pacts without the threat of interference from Congress. The Congress can approve or reject those agreements, but it can't make any changes.  The measure has been a top legislative priority of Silicon Valley companies, which are selling more of their tech products in foreign countries as sales in the United States slump. While the domestic market for tech products and services is relatively flat, the market is growing at double-digit percentages in many Asian and Latin American countries.  ``The main question has always been, `Should the U.S. lead or follow in global trade in the information economy?' Clearly, the U.S. should lead,'' said Laura Ipsen, Cisco's vice president of worldwide government affairs.   http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/local/3782716.htm (Note: President Bush is expected to sign the bill on Tuesday, August 6.)

BROOKINGS INSTITUTION POLICY BRIEF – “THE U.S. BROADBAND PROBLEM” - The pace of deployment and technological progress in broadband, or high-speed, services remains seriously inadequate, a problem that results from the monopolistic structure, entrenched management, and political power of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) such as BellSouth and Verizon and the cable television industry. It is worsened by major deficiencies in the policy and regulatory systems covering these industries. Failure to improve broadband performance could reduce U.S. productivity growth by 1 percent per year or more, as well as weaken public safety, military preparedness, and energy security.  http://www.brookings.edu/dybdocroot/comm/policybriefs/pb105.pdf (Adobe file)

BUSH SUPPORTS TECH SECTOR'S STANCE ON STOCK OPTIONS - President Bush backs the high-tech community in its effort to prevent the expensing of stock options and the rollback of securities litigation in Congress, a key administration official said Wednesday.  Speaking in Silicon Valley, Bruce Mehlman, the Commerce Department's assistant secretary for technology policy, added that the administration recognizes the importance of the high-tech sector and expects administration officials to meet with Silicon Valley leaders within the next month to discuss ways to spur growth in the economy.  "As you -- our engine of future economy growth -- remain stalled, the tech sector is under assault in Washington by those who seek to force stock-option expensing, roll back securities litigation reforms and prevent freer trade," Mehlman said to the Silicon Valley chapter of the Licensing Executives Society in San Jose. "The Bush administration stands squarely with the technology community on these issues."  (National Journal’s Tech Daily - http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/techdaily/ - paid subscription required)

FCC CHIEF TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE COMMERCE - FCC Chairman Powell testified before the Senate Commerce committee on the telecom industry and its current problems.  Key points: Powell said the telecommunications market “is not collapsing and is not going to fail over time.” However, he said that it is “riding on very stormy seas,” and added, “Recovery is not going to occur overnight and is likely to require difficult - even painful – choices. Successful recovery is dependent on the collective efforts of Congress, federal and state regulators, the private sector and financial markets.”  He also said that “broadband very likely holds the key for the long-term recovery of the telecommunications industry,” and said, “The importance of the development, however, merits that Congress take a hard look at updating the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to provide the proper regulatory framework for broadband.” He said the FCC hoped this year to complete “core” broadband proceedings, but said, “The importance of residential broadband to improving revenue growth and stimulating demand to drain excess capacity, merits the attention of Congress.”  Others testifying were: John Sidgmore of Worldcom, John Legare of Global Crossing and Afshin Mohebbi of Qwest.
Written testimony of Chairman Powell: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-224797A1.pdf (Adobe file)

FCC Chart – “Critical Steps for Telecom Recovery” - http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-224797A2.pdf (Adobe file)

FCC Press release: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-224788A1.pdf (Adobe file)
Senate Commerce Press release: http://commerce.senate.gov/~commerce/press/02/2002726936.html

FCC STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE OF CONTINUATION OF SERVICE AFTER WORLDCOM BANKRUPTCY: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-224699A1.pdf (Adobe file)

FCC CHIEF URGED TO CHANGE VIEWS - Several Democrats on a key Senate panel yesterday urged Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell to take a more active role in steering the telecommunications industry out of the financial turmoil that has engulfed some of the sector's largest companies. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23447-2002Jul30.html

ACLU PUSHES FOR CABLE OPEN ACCESS - The Internet's status as an open forum for ideas will come under attack if cable companies aren't forced to open up their broadband networks to rivals, civil liberties and consumer advocacy groups said Monday.  "We're at a pivotal moment here," American Civil Liberties Union Associate Director Barry Steinhardt said at a town hall meeting. "I think it's inevitable that as the choice (of Internet providers) decreases, it will limit the choices of content that people can access."  Consumer groups have been battling with cable companies over open access for years, but the battle has become more urgent in recent months.  http://news.com.com/2100-1033-947274.html

SEN. MCCAIN ADDS HIS IDEA TO BROADBAND DEBATE - Sen. John McCain on Thursday joined the roster of lawmakers pushing ideas to expand high-speed Internet deployment, introducing a bill that seeks to accomplish the goal through deregulation. CongressDaily reports that McCain, R-Ariz., said his bill would take a "comprehensive, deregulatory but measured approach to providing more Americans with more broadband choices," to allow "the market, not government," to regulate the spread of the telecommunications service. McCain said his proposal would take a "hands-off approach" to the regional Bell telephone companies, while ensuring that competitors would have access to their facilities. (National Journal’s Tech Daily – http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/techdaily/ - paid subscription required)

WHITE HOUSE SOUNDS CALL FOR NEW INTERNET STANDARDS - The Bush administration's cyber security czar, Richard Clarke, said it might be time to replace the "creaky, cranky" 20-year-old protocols that drive the Internet with standards better able to accommodate a flood of new wireless devices. Wireless devices, it is feared, may introduce large security holes to the network. The White House is working with the private sector to draft a national plan to secure the country's most vital computer networks from cyber attack. The plan, expected to be released September 18, will include several policy recommendations for wireless security. Clarke stated that the administration had an obligation to take an active role in ensuring the security of the Internet, especially since nearly 81 percent of major businesses today use, or plan to use, wireless networks.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22535-2002Jul30.html

ENTERTAINMENT AND SILICON VALLEY TALK COPYRIGHT - Copyright owners clashed with consumer electronics makers and consumer advocates during a lively debate Thursday over proposed laws that would give movie and music companies more control over digital copies of their products.  On a visit to the enemy territory of the Silicon Valley, representatives from News Corp.'s Fox Entertainment Group and the Recording Industry Association of America, which has sued numerous technology companies, defended their legislative push during a panel sponsored by the Cato Institute.  Meanwhile, the leader of the Consumer Electronics Association and Silicon Valley Rep. Zoe Lofgren lamented their support of earlier Hollywood-backed bills, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act , saying the industry had abused them.  http://news.com.com/2100-1023-947729.html

ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR VOLUNTEERS - President Bush this week introduced the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network, a Web portal that will act as a clearinghouse for more than 50,000 volunteer organizations nationwide.  The new site, at www.usafreedomcorps.gov, connects users to service opportunities within organizations such as America's Promise, the National Mentoring Partnership, Points of Light Foundation, SERVEnet, United Way and VolunteerMatch.  Users enter basic search information such as how they would like to volunteer and where. They receive a detailed list of opportunities that match their criteria.  http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/19491-1.html

This Week@EMEA

COMMISSION CREATES RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY GROUP AND EUROPEAN REGULATORS GROUP - A Radio Spectrum Policy Group and a European Regulators Group were set up by the European Commission today. The two advisory Groups will play a crucial role in assisting the Commission to develop further the Internal Market for the Information Society. Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen said "With the founding of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, the European Union finally has a platform on which the Member States, the Commission and stakeholders can co-ordinate the use of radio spectrum. This is necessary to implement agreed EU policies and will support the completion of the Internal Market in this area. With the European Regulators Group, we will have a means of ensuring consistent application of the recently adopted rules for electronic communications services throughout the EU".  http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1171|0|RAPID&lg=EN

“PUBLIC NETWORK EUROPE” ON EUROPE E-ECONOMY - Europe’s ‘e-economy’ has come a long way since the EC’s first proclamations on the ‘technical revolution’ nearly ten years ago. As Internet penetration registers strong increases, and the EC and EU heads of government wallow in a delirium of self-congratulation, market forces are closing in with a jar of smelling salts…Since the launch of the EC’s e-policy initiative at the Lisbon Council in March 2000, and the subsequent endorsement of the ‘eEurope 2002 Action Plan’—with the aim of making the EU “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy with improved employment and social cohesion by 2010”—the EU countries have made huge advances in terms of Internet usage in the residential, public and private sectors. Average Internet penetration in European households grew from 18% in March 2000 to 38% in December 2001.  http://www.pnewire.com/article.php?ipv_article=/article1027867965.xhtml&PHPSESSID=a1f3a530a6f458b0d4cec95b0b1e7d70

BROADBAND GROWTH IS BRIGHT SPOT FOR TELEWEST - Telewest on Thursday presented a mixed view of its operational health to creditors about to engage in talks on the restructuring of its £5.3bn ($8.3bn) net debt.  The UK's second-largest cable television operator reported a 40 per cent rise in broadband internet customers in the second quarter, adding 51,000 connections, but across all telephone, television and internet services it recorded a net fall of 13,000 connections.  At the end of June, Telewest, whose cables pass 4.9m homes in the UK, had 1.7m residential subscribers and 70,000 business accounts.  http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1028185354558&p=1012571727248

VIRTUAL PEOPLE HELP BRIDGE DIGITAL DIVIDE - Computerized avatars may soon be helping residents of London find out about government benefits how to gain access to them. The avatars, which are currently being tested, will provide a human face and voice to the Web. This is especially important to the people who either do not have the computer skills to use complicated Web forms or are uncomfortable with a "machine" interface. For the time being, users will have to ask questions and respond to the avatar's voice by typing. Eventually, it is hoped that people will be able to talk directly to the avatar. The project is being developed in three European cities with partial funding by the European Commission. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2163652.stm

GOVERNMENT 'A LONG WAY OFF' E-VOTING TARGET - The British parliament watchdogs warned that more tests are needed before the government offers electronic general elections in 2006. While the e-voting pilot tests in May's local elections worked well, there still remain a number of technical and political issues to work out. For instance, political parties in most areas have not yet adapted campaign techniques to address new voting methods. Studies of the May tests indicated that of the new techniques used -- including all-postal, internet, telephone and text message voting -- postal voting showed the most improvement in voter turnout over conventional ballots. http://society.guardian.co.uk/internet/story/0,8150,767499,00.html

ITALIAN POLICE SHUT DOWN HACKER RINGS - Tipped off by American officials, Italian police shut down two rings of hackers who attacked Web sites belonging to the U.S. Army and NASA, as well as Internet pages in Italy, authorities said Thursday.   Police said 14 people were arrested, including four teenagers and two network security managers. They were charged with computer fraud and face up to eight years in jail if convicted.   "The managers sold security systems during the day and attacked the computers of the customers at night," police said in a statement.  http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2002-08-01-italy-hackers_x.htm

INTERNET: COMMISSION SEEKS VIEWS ON CYBERSQUATTING - Some European citizens and businesses have registered an Internet domain name in good faith only to receive a threatening letter accusing them of being "cybersquatters" Others have tried to register a domain name related to their name or business only to be told that it has already been registered by someone who refuses to transfer it except for an extortionate sum of money. In an on-line consultation just launched, the European Commission's Internal Market Directorate-General is seeking views from those who have faced these and similar problems in using the internet. http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1178|0|RAPID&lg=EN

CAUTIOUS KABUL DABBLES WITH NET - The first Internet café in Afghanistan opened this week. Although the café marks a techno-cultural step for the country, the effects of having an Internet café are not likely to affect the local population for some time to come. The café, located in Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, is used mostly by hotel guests, including foreign journalists and wealthy Afghan émigrés. Few Afghanis can afford $5 an hour for Internet surfing when their average salary is about $1 a day. Additionally, the café owners, Afghan Wireless Communication Company, censor content. "We're very sensitive to both the culture and religious aspects of the environment we're working in," said director Gavin Jeffrey. "We installed the blocking program on our own initiative; there's not legal framework requiring us to do it." Afghan Wireless also provides mobile phone services in the country and is currently the only reliable telecommunication system in the Afghanistan. Afghan Wireless is a joint venture of U.S.-based Telephone Systems and the Afghan Ministry of Communications. http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,54285,00.html

SOUTH AFRICAN GOVT 'HIJACKING THE INTERNET,' SAY CRITICS - South Africa's Internet professionals have accused the government of trying to hijack the Web. The professionals -- who include Internet service providers and lawyers -- have petitioned President Thabo Mbeki not to sign a new bill that would allow the government to take control of the registration and administration of internet domains, and give it free access to information stored on the Web. "We are opposed to creating a huge bureaucracy to control an industry that has been fine as it is," said Edwin Thompson, co-chairman of South Africa's Internet Service Providers Association, "and we have said that this amounts to hijacking the cyberspace." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2164227.stm

This Week@Asia/Pac

MALAYSIA TO PRESS AHEAD WITH 3G FOR 2004 - Malaysia this week indicated it would press ahead with the introduction of third-generation mobile services by 2004 as it awarded licences to the country's two leading mobile operators, Maxis Communications and state-owned Telekom Malaysia.  Telekom and Maxis are expected to spend M$2.5bn-M$3.5bn ($660m-$921m) each on infrastructure after paying M$50m for a 3G licence, a fraction of the estimated $100bn offered by carriers for licences in Europe. In spite of doubts about consumer demand for the commercially unproven 3G technology, Malaysia appears intent on becoming the first country in south-east Asia to introduce the high-speed mobile system.  http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1027953299240&p=1012571727260

INCREASING USAGE OF IP-VPN SERVICES IN ASIA/PAC - According to a recent report from IDC, revenue generated from the Internet Protocol-virtual private network (IP-VPN) market in Asia-Pacific will grow by 46% betwen 2001 and 2006, from $451 million to $2.9 billion.  IDC explains that the push of IP-VPN services was delayed due to a reluctance among incumbent carriers in the region and global service providers to cannibalize their successful traditional data network services business. The TechEncyclopedia on TechWeb.com explains that VPNs appear to the customer as private national or international networks, but are actually sharing backbone trunks with other customers. VPNs over the internet are becoming increasingly popular because they offer greater security against hackers. http://www.emarketer.com/news/article.php?1001419&ref=ed

INTERNET SURGE LIFTS KT PROFIT IN FIRST HALF - Surging use of high-speed internet services fuelled a 36 per cent increase in first-half operating profits at KT, South Korea's largest fixed-line telecommunications carrier.  Internet revenues in the first six months were 38.9 per cent greater than the year before, reflecting continued growth in the world's most advanced broadband market.  KT has emerged as a leading example of how incumbent telephone operators, faced with stagnation in their mature voice businesses, can generate fresh growth by delivering internet services through their fixed-line networks.  http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1028185347461&p=1012571727248

SURVEY: HALF OF JAPAN'S POPULATION ONLINE - According to a Japanese government survey, nearly half of Japan's population now uses the Internet via computers, cell phones or other devices. The number of Internet users totals 56 million. The most common use of the Internet is to exchange emails (64.8 percent), followed by searches for free coupons and shopping information (45.9 percent). In 2001, Japan ranked 16^th in the world for Internet users. The United States, by comparison, ranked fourth with 166 million users. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2002-08-01-japan-net_x.htm

This Week@US STATES

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES’ MEETING –  During the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting in Denver, their Commerce and Communications Committee had working sessions on Internet Privacy, Broadband in the US, and Broadband Rights-of-Way Best Practices.  The Broadband in the US working meeting discussed the current debate on Broadband in the US and talked about some of the best Broadband practices in the states.  The Broadband Rights-of-Way working group discussed options available to states to keep the FCC or Congress from preempting state and local authority.  NCSL's Commerce and Communications Committee adopted a resolution for Broadband/Telecommunications Competition & Services which calls upon Congress and the FCC to review the current definitions of telecommunications services to ensure government regulation is based on an even playing field between competitors of similar services delivered through different mediums. To view the complete text of the committee's resolution please visit: http://www.ncsl.org/statefed/2002amres.htm#telecomcomp. (From Cisco State Government Affairs staff report)

VERIZON APPLIES TO OFFER LONG-DISTANCE SERVICE IN VIRGINIA - Verizon Communications Inc., the largest local phone company in the nation, filed forms with federal regulators seeking permission to sell long-distance service to residential and business customers in Virginia.  If approved, Virginia would be the first state in the Washington area where the primary local phone company will also be able to sell long-distance service. Verizon Virginia serves roughly three-quarters of the population of the state, including most residents of Northern Virginia, but not those in Prince William County or the Dulles International Airport area.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34070-2002Aug1.html

ARIZONA: INTERNET-IN-SCHOOLS DEAL NEAR - The wiring of Arizona's schools for the Internet could resume as early as next week under a proposed financial settlement between the state and Qwest Communications.  More than 800 public schools were left hanging when Qwest stopped work in May and demanded the state nearly double its $100 million contract to finish the job.  Today, the state School Facilities Board will consider a proposal under which the state would pay an additional $40.7 million to the embattled communications giant to complete wiring all schools for Internet access by June 30, 2003.  http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0801facilities01.html

OTHER TECH STORIES OF THE WEEK

A SHIFT REGISTERS IN WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR INTERNET CONTENT - More Internet users are showing a willingness to pay for content online — subscribing to news sites, for example, or paying fees to send e-greeting cards — suggesting a shift in consumers' expectations that online services should be free, according to a survey of cyberspending patterns released yesterday. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/01/technology/01ONLI.html (Free registration required)

TECHNOLOGY CLIMATE IS GLOOMY, BUT ITS FUTURE STILL SEEMS BRIGHT - Given the free fall of technology stocks and the waves of layoffs and bankruptcies lately, now might seem an odd time to say this, but it's true: the digital revolution rolls on, and it may have only just begun.  Yes, the technology industry appears to be a place of unrelieved gloom these days. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/29/technology/29POKE.html (Free registration required)

CAN AOL KEEP ITS SUBSCRIBERS IN A NEW WORLD OF BROADBAND? - Is America Online's subscriber base about to peak?  For its owner, AOL Time Warner, most of the concern last week that drove its stock below $9 a share for a day revolved around the precipitous decline in the company's online advertising, and a government inquiry into the accounting for some of those ads.  But the company also said that America Online's subscriber count in the United States grew by only 477,000 in the second quarter, a 7 percent annual rate. A year ago, subscriptions grew by 12 percent; two years ago, the rate was 16 percent.  http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/29/technology/29AOL.html (Free registration required)

FACTS AND STATS:

GLOBAL ONLINE TRAFFIC - According to a recent study from WebSideStory, the US claimed the highest level of internet traffic in July 2002 with 42.65% and China followed after the US with 6.63% of total web surfing activity. Japan, a notoriously very wired (and mobile) country trailed China with 5.24% of net traffic in July.  http://www.emarketer.com/news/article.php?1001452&ref=ed

NET USERS NOT INTERESTED IN WIRELESS INTERNET - The number of people interested in wireless Internet has fallen by 17 percent over the last year, reports PC World.  http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358194&rel=true

AMERICANS WANT TO WORK FROM HOME - ElectricNews.Net reports that a third of Americans would forego a pay raise in order to work from home.  http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358193&rel=true

CHINA'S NET POPULATION ON THE INCREASE - The number of Internet users in China has risen by 72.8 percent since June 2001, according to a report from the China Internet Network Information Center.  http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358195&rel=true

KOREA REACHING INTERNET SATURATION POINT - Korea Times reports that 25.65 million South Koreans regularly access the Internet, up by 1.27 million on December 2001. http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358198&rel=true

CANADIAN MPS MISSING THE NET REVOLUTION - A new survey released by the Centre for Collaborative Government indicates that just 58 percent of Canadian MPs have official websites.  http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358209&rel=true

US INTERNET TRAFFIC SET TO GROW - North American Internet traffic is on track to grow 85 percent in 2002, according to a new report from RHK.  http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358201&rel=true

BROADBAND TO BE BIG IN LATIN AMERICA - eMarketer reports that the number of broadband households in Latin America is expected to increase tenfold from 2002 to 2007.  http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358214&rel=true

MORE BROADBAND CONNECTIONS IN THE US - The number of broadband connections in the US increased by 33 percent during the second half of 2001, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

http://www.nua.com/surveys/index.cgi?f=VS&art_id=905358204&rel=true

BROADBAND DISCUSSION – “QUESTION OF THE MONTH” – JOIN THE COVERSATION – This month’s poll asks the questions about when, and if, you are going to subscribe to broadband.  Is it the price that is keeping you from getting it?  Is it the lack of applications?  Or, do you already have it?  Share your thoughts in this months “Question of the month,” to paraphrase the song, “Broadband, what is it good for?”  What is good?  What is bad?  Do you have it?  Why don’t you have it?  http://forums.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/HtCom?page=main

CISCO GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS@2002

Cisco’s top policy focuses for 2002 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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