| 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, VoIP, Security, Wireless and Education, but covering high-tech and telecom in general, the E-Update is a great source of information for policymakers. Click EUpdate to become a subscriber.
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| TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK |
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HIGH TECH DTV COALITION PUSHES FOR HARD DEADLINE TO FREE AIR WAVES FOR BROADBAND, PUBLIC SAFETY - http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php?channel=19&id=93825 |
| This Week@WASHINGTON, DC |
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FCC MAY FORCE VOIP EMERGENCY CALLS—At Congressional hearings, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin indicated the Commission will review a plan for requiring 911 emergency services in VoIP phones next month. Martin said although the FCC has up until now refrained from regulating Internet phone carriers, the body has an obligation to ensure emergency capability in Internet phones http://www.technewsworld.com/story/42687.html END H1-B VISA LIMITS - Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has said that the curbs on how many foreign workers US tech firms can bring into the United States should be done away with. http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/apr/28visa.htm WITH EYE ON CHINA, DOD TASK FORCE WARNS OF IC DRAIN—A Pentagon report amplifies growing concerns about the migration of semiconductor manufacturing from the U.S. to Asia, warning that the "alarming" rate of the shift to countries like China threatens U.S. national and economic security. http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= U.S. TO ALTER DESIGN OF E-PASSPORTS— Responding to fears raised by privacy advocates that new electronic passports might be vulnerable to high-tech snooping, the State Department intends to modify the design. http://news.com.com/U.S.+to+alter+design+of+e-passports/2100-7348_3-5686701.html HOUSE APPROVES SUPERCOMPUTING BILL— The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to expand a federal program created in 1991 in hopes of bolstering supercomputing and speedier networks. http://news.com.com/House+approves+supercomputing+bill/2110-1028_3-5685570.html CONGRESS MULLS NEW RULES ON PROTECTING PERSONAL DATA— Government workers probably wish it happened earlier, but support is finally growing for federal regulation of personal information held by private companies. http://www.gcn.com/24_9/e_gov/35608-1.html TAX E-FILERS REACH 60 PERCENT— The IRS has received 60 percent of its tax returns through electronic filing as of the April 15 deadline, boosted by increases in individuals e-filing from their computers. http://www.gcn.com/24_9/e_gov/35605-1.html BILL TO CREATE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CYBERSECURITY AT DHS DELIVERED TO FULL HOUSE—House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cyber Security held a hearing and markup to review and put in final form for submission to the full House of Representatives a bill that would create an Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security within the Department of Homeland Security. http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php?channel=7&id=93760 DHS LOOKS FOR RESEARCH HELP - The Homeland Security Department must improve its research and development of new technologies, its science chief said. http://www.fcw.com/article88719-04-28-05-Web TELEWORK SLOW TO TAKE HOLD IN EMERGENCY PLANNING, GAO SAYS - |
| This Week@EMEA |
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100% OF SCOTLAND TO BE BROADBAND-ENABLED BY END OF YEAR— The Scottish Executive has confirmed that 100 per cent of Scotland is to have access to broadband internet services by the end of 2005, following the finalization of an agreement with incumbent telco BT to deliver the roll-out http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=7532 SPEECH - Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Enterprise and Industry, “PROMOTING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EUROPEAN ENGINEERING” http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference= ITALIAN E-COMMERCE UP 20%-- There were 1.1m web surfers who made purchases via Italian websites in the second quarter of 2004 - a rise of 20 per cent on the previous quarter – http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=7493 BRIGHTON LAUNCHES CITY-WIDE WIMAX— Brighton has become the first city in the UK to launch a fully developed and operational wireless broadband service using the next-generation WiMAX technology. http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=7500 BT CHOOSES PARTNERS FOR 21ST CENTURY NETWORK—BT has chosen its preferred suppliers for a multi-billion pound upgrade of its UK infrastructure known as the 21st Century Network project (21CN). Cisco, Alcatel, Lucent, Fujitsu, Huawei, Siemens, Ericsson and Ciena have all been selected to supply equipment and services that will allow BT replaces today's circuit-switched networks with a single IP-based network. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/networks/0,39020345,39196618,00.htm INFOSECURITY CONFERENCE SEES RUSSIAN INVASION—Russia is already well known as a hotbed of cybercrime. Now, its security companies want to take on their Western rivals. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39196729,00.htm UK-IT DRIVING GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY PLANS—Improved use of technology can bring about the efficiency gains demanded by the government, but local authorities have been warned not to sacrifice customer service. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/management/0,39020654,39196726,00.htm JORDON- TRC LIBERALISATION DRIVE— Jordan's Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has opened up the kingdom's fixed telecommunications market for 26 existing licensees. http://www.ameinfo.com/58814.html QATAR, CYBER LAW— Qatar could have a comprehensive cyber law by June in an attempt to crack down on internet crime. http://www.ameinfo.com/58756.html CALL FOR LIBERALISED TELECOMS— The Middle East should liberalise its telecommunications industry and scrap monopolies according to MTC CEO of IT Dr Marwan Al Ahmadi at the Mena Mobile Forum in Dubai. http://www.ameinfo.com/58743.html UAE INTERNET PENETRATION BEST— The Internet penetration in UAE is one of the highest in the region with penetration rate of 9.6% at the end of 2004, according to a report by the Arab Advisers Group. Continued growth is predicted for 2004-2009, but at a lower rate, with much of the growth being dialup users upgrading to broadband services. UN COMMISSION CALLS ON AFRICA TO COMMIT TO INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY— With information and communication technologies (ICT) spinning off new industries in Africa, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) called on the continent's governments to commit themselves to policies that create information and knowledge economies. http://allafrica.com/stories/200504270003.html NIGERIA- E-GOVERNMENT PROJECT TO WIPE OUT CORRUPTION READY FOR LAUNCH— An entirely revolutionary project that would help Nigeria run its life on the platform of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) is ready and would be launched, May 29, this year. http://allafrica.com/stories/200504280050.html |
| This Week@Americas International |
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BRAZIL TO MANDATE OPEN SOURCE USE—The Brazilian federal government is drafting a decree that will force government agencies to migrate to open source software. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39196592,00.htm SENATOR: CONGRESS TO VOTE ON INNOVATION BILL THIS YEAR—Uruguay's congress should vote before year-end on a bill that would create a single system for dealing with different innovation initiatives in the science and IT sectors. http://www.bnamericas.com/story.xsql?Tx_idioma=I&id_ PARAGUAY CUSTOMS OFFICE UPGRADES IT PLATFORM - Paraguay's customs office has upgraded its "Sofía" IT system with IBM servers, which should allow the entity to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week, Sofía administrator Oscar Sandoval confirmed to BNamericas. http://www.bnamericas.com/story.xsql?Tx_idioma=I&id_ MEXICO TELEPHONE OPERATOR UNDER VOIP FIRE— Broadband customers of Mexico's dominant telephone operator say the quality of their voice over Internet Protocol calls has tanked, with some alleging that Telmex is engaging in unfair business practices to block VoIP competition. |
| This Week@Asia-Pacific/Japan |
| U.S. STAND ON PIRACY IN CHINA - The United States trade representative will not immediately press for World Trade Organization action against China over widespread unlawful copying of patented and copyrighted products when it announces the results of an investigation on Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/29/business/worldbusiness/29property.html (Free registration required) JAPAN LEADS WORLD IN NET-BASED TELEPHONY - http://www.advancedippipeline.com/161500064 AUSTRALIA-FIXED LINES HERE TO STAY: STUDY—A majority of Australians will not abandon their fixed line telephones because mobile phones are too expensive, a survey by AMR Interactive has revealed http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/0,2000061791,39189874,00.htm ANTI-SPAM ASSAULT SPANS ASIA-PACIFIC –Australian regulators have signed an agreement with Asia-Pacific nations to step up the war against spam. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/0,2000061744,39189877,00.htm CHINA'S BROADBAND USER BASE SEEN REACHING 176 MILLION IN 2010— The number of broadband Internet users in China will reach 176 million in 2010, from the current 6.1 million subscribers, Strategy Analytics said. Although the number of the broadband Internet users in China is less than those of some other Asia countries, China will be a main force to propel the development of broadband market, because of the country’s huge population, the research firm also said. http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158530 CHINA- TOM ONLINE TO ROLL OUT VOIP SERVICE— Chinese Internet firm Tom Online has announced plans to roll out VoIP service with inland telecom carriers of China in June.The firm said it will offer the service for free in the first month and will charge subscribers from the second month after the launch. http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158695 LAWMAKERS URGE TAIWAN TO ACT VS. PHONE SCAMS— Two lawmakers have urged the Taiwan government to act against mobile phone scams estimated to cost consumers NT$5 billion ($159 million) a year. http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158347 THAILAND TO CONTROL SIM CARD TRADE WITH COMMERCIAL LAWS— Existing commercial regulations will be used to temporarily control the trade in pre-paid mobile phone cards until the telecoms regulatory body drafts clear rules, Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang said. http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158696 AFGHANISTAN, NEW MOBILE LICENCES – Afghanistan is to issue tenders for two new mobile phone licenses on May 15 for submission before July 16, officials said yesterday. http://www.ameinfo.com/58326.html |
| This Week@US States |
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AD WAR ERUPTS IN FIGHT OVER TEXAS TELECOM - The fight over telecom reform in the Legislature has erupted into an advertising war, with SBC Communications Inc., the state's dominant phone company, and the cable industry using television and print ads to promote their opposing views on pending legislation. http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/04/28telecom.html CALIFORNIA BILL WOULD BAN TRACKING CHIPS IN IDS - California lawmakers are joining the national debate on the merit of incorporating electronic identification devices in driver's licenses, student IDs and passports. http://news.com.com/California+bill+would+ban+tracking+chips+in+IDs/2100-1039_3-5689358.html STILL TETHERED, BOSTON SCHEDULES WI-FI SUMMIT—Conspicuous by its lack of a comprehensive approach to public Wi-Fi, Boston is taking a long and hard look at bringing the wireless service across the city. A Wi-Fi Summit involving cross sections of the city's residents and institutions is scheduled for May 19 http://www.techweb.com/wire/networking/161601678 MUNICIPAL WIRELESS NETWORKS GENERATING CONTROVERSY—InnerWireless spokesman Tony Katsulos said that the "wireless clouds that are being discussed for Philadelphia, Minneapolis and other cities will not only be very difficult to implement, but they won't provide in-building coverage, for the same reason that cell phone signals can't penetrate buildings http://www.technewsworld.com/story/42543.html OREGON PROPOSES LOCAL CELL PHONE TAX— Major cell phone lobbyists have launched a campaign opposing a proposed law for Oregon municipalities to collect a 5 percent cell phone tax INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CENTER OPENS IN GEORGIA— Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue recently announced the creation of the Information Technology Innovation Center (ITIC) in Columbus, Georgia. This public-private-university partnership will foster the development of innovative equipment, processes and technologies for Georgia businesses handling vast amounts of information. http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=93804 TEXAS CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION OPPOSES HB 3179— The Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association (TCTA), which represents 24 cable companies in 800 Texas cities, announced today that it opposes HB 3179, which passed out of the House Regulated Industries Committee yesterday http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php?channel=7&id=93792 |
| Other Tech News Of The Week |
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VOIP GATEWAY MARKET TO REACH $1B IN 2009— The global VoIP gateway market will grow from $165.3 million in 2003 to $985.7 million in 2009, according to a new report by Research and Markets. The growth will be fueled by the replacement of digital proprietary voice switching systems with systems that can deliver VoIP reliably and clearly, according to the report http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158350 COMCAST DIALS IN MORE PHONE MARKETS - Raising the stakes in the highly competitive telephony market, cable operator Comcast announced on Wednesday that it will significantly expand its telephone service in the next few weeks. http://www.nytimes.com/cnet/CNET_2100-1037_3-5688618.htmlINTERNET GROWING AS MAIN SOURCE OF NEWS AMONG ONLINE ADULTS—The number of online adults who prefer the Internet as their main source of news has grown by over 35 percent in the last four years, at the expense of television and newspapers, a market research firm said. http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/161600643 METRO WI-FI VENDOR INCREASES CAPACITY—Tropos Networks, which develops hardware for metro-scale Wi-Fi networks, announced a new line of routers that it claimed supports significantly more on-line users. The new line, based on the 802.11g standard, includes the model 5210 outdoor router and the 3210 indoor router and is based on the company's recent upgrade of its MetroMesh OS http://www.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=161600857 RFID CAN HELP RELIEVE THE FEAR OF SURGERY—New radio-frequency identification technology approved by the Food and Drug Administration last November is starting to help some patients relax and doctors and surgical staff to be more secure that the correct operation is about to be performed on the right person and on the correct place on the body http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= QWEST ASKS FCC TO HALT SBC-AT&T MERGER— Qwest said it will file comments at the FCC, opposing the $16 billion acquisition of AT&T by SBC Communications. Qwest, which is locked in a bidding war with Verizon for MCI, said the SBC-AT&T merger “would constitute a significant setback to federal and state policymakers' efforts to bring about competition in the telecommunications industry.” http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158343 INTERNET-ILLITERATE PARENTS HOLD BACK KIDS— Parents who lack Internet skills could be damaging their children's education and job prospects, leaving them on the wrong side of the growing digital divide, researchers said Thursday. http://news.com.com/Internet-illiterate+parents+hold+back+kids/2100-1038_3-5688826.html?tag=nefd.top COMCAST DIALS IN MORE PHONE MARKETS— Raising the stakes in the highly competitive telephony market, cable operator Comcast announced that it will significantly expand its telephone service. http://news.com.com/Comcast+dials+in+more+phone+markets/2100-1037_3-5688618.html?tag=cd.top BIGGEST BELL TO HAND 911 ACCESS TO VOIP OPERATORS— In another sign of detente between traditional phone companies and upstart VoIP businesses, Verizon Communications, the largest of the Baby Bells, said it plans to open its 911 emergency calling infrastructure to providers of Net-based phoning. http://news.com.com/Biggest+Bell+to+hand+911+access+to+VoIP VONAGE, SBC IN TALKS OVER 911 HELP— SBC Communications said steps are being taken to open its 911 emergency services to competitor Vonage, a potentially important breakthrough for Internet phone providers TECHNOLOGY:DEVELOPING COUNTRIES NOT IMMUNE FROM CYBER CRIME - U.N.— When mobile phones in the Philippines, Vietnam and China were attacked by a computer virus in the second half of last year, the world's cyber sleuths realized they were up against a new form of cyber crime. http://allafrica.com/stories/200504250154.html GATES, POWELL: IT’S BENEFITS SHOULD BE VISIBLE— One is the richest man in the world; the other a former secretary of State. Both had a similar message this week: Governments implementing IT to improve service and efficiency is just a beginning. The gains from new IT must be appreciable, if only anecdotally. http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/e_gov/35681-1.html FINALLY, SOME HEADWAY IN THE BATTLE FOR INTERNET SECURITY?— The latest report on Internet security from Symantec Corp. identified a couple of positive trends in the last half of 2004. The number of known compromised computers in remotely controlled—or “bot”—networks dropped sharply from more than 30,000 a day in late July to fewer than 5,000 a day by the end of the year http://www.gcn.com/24_9/e_gov/35597-1.html |
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