| 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.
If you have high-tech public policy news or announcements that you think other e-update subscribers would be interested in, please send them to john.earnhardt@cisco.com. There are over 1300 subscribers to Cisco Government Affairs' eUpdate. CISCO GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WEBSITE - Please visit www.cisco.com/gov to view our worldwide government affairs website. You can reach any member of the team at: http://www.cisco.com/gov/contact/index.html. |
| TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK |
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FCC GIVES VOIP PROVIDERS FOUR MONTHS FOR 911 LINK—Federal regulators voted Thursday to require that Internet phone service providers connect their customers to the same emergency 911 capabilities as callers with traditional service within four months. http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= JOB OF GUARDING WEB IS SHIFTING TO THE NETWORK'S INFRASTRUCTURE - The Internet can be a dangerous place, but one day soon it may feel quite a bit safer because of built-in protection. http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111645710879237456,00.html (Paid Subscription Required) |
| This Week@WASHINGTON, DC |
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HOUSE ELEVATES CYBER CZAR POSITION—The House has passed a $34 billion budget for the Department of Homeland Security that among its provisions, would elevate the nation's head cybersecurity official to Assistant Secretary status. http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= FCC SEEKS NEW DATA FOR CABLE OWNERSHIP RULES—The Federal Communications Commission began anew its review of ownership limits for the cable television industry, more than four years after its rules were struck down by a U.S. appeals court. http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2005-05-17T213016Z_01_N17463584_RTRIDST_0_TECH-MEDIA-CABLE-FCC-DC.XML H-1B ADMISSION ROSE 2.3% IN 2004—The number of existing and new H-1B visa holders entering the United States rose by 26,325 to 386,821, with an estimated one-third employed in IT-related jobs http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= WHITE HOUSE URGES FULL COMPETITIVE SOURCING, E-GOV FUNDING—Congress and the Bush administration are renewing their battles over competitive sourcing and e-gov funding. http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/technology-policy/35859-1.html PANEL: GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP IN I.T. SECURITY IS LACKING—A panel of government and industry representatives agreed that the government has not provided adequate leadership for the nation’s cybersecurity, but that is just about all they agreed on. http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/technology-policy/35853-1.html FCC SEEKS MORE DATA FROM MCI AND VERIZON—The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has asked MCI Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. to turn over reams of data about their customers, revenues and services as it reviews Verizon's $8.5 billion deal to acquire MCI. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/16/AR2005051601042.html FEDS FAULTED FOR WEAK WIRELESS SECURITY—Federal agencies have yet to fully apply key controls such as policies, practices, and tools to let them operate wireless networks securely, congressional auditors report. http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml; |
| This Week@EMEA |
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eHEALTH: COMMISSION CALLS FOR BETTER USE OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT EMPOWER PATIENTS, IMPROVE HEALTHCARE AND SAVE LIVES - http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference= ELEARNING FOR GROWTH, JOBS AND AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY: Commissioners Reding and Figel’ welcome a multi-stakeholder drive towards a learning society. http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference= MERGERS: COMMISSION APPROVES JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN BELGACOM AND SWISSCOM - http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do? BROADBAND TELEPHONY GETS A BOOST—Broadband telephony firm Vonage is stepping up its efforts to provide an alternative to BT in the UK. The US company is to sell its kit, which allows people to make web calls on their existing home phone, in branches of Staples. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4565719.stm IRISH TOWN TO BE WI-FI ENABLED—Drogheda Chamber of Commerce is working with British telco BT to establish Drogheda as a wi-fi town, realizing a long-term goal to improve telecoms infrastructure and attract inward investment and local development. http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=7937 COMMISSION VETOES GERMAN REGULATOR DECISION ON FIXED-LINE NETWORK CALL TERMINATION—The European Commission has vetoed a decision by the German regulator, RegTP (‘Regulierungsbehörde für Telekommunikation und Post’), not to regulate ex ante telephone call termination services provided by alternative network operators (ANOs). http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=7917 47% OF EU25 USED INTERNET IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2004 – REPORT—In the EU25, 47 per cent of individuals aged from 16 to 74 used the internet during the first quarter of 2004. More men used the internet than women, and more young people than old. http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=7894 M.E. SOFTWARE PIRACY DOWN—Business Software Alliance reports that software piracy levels in the Mena region dropped only slightly in 2004, with the UAE having the lowest rate of 34%. http://www.ameinfo.com/60417.html BOTH UAE TELCOS TO PAY ROYALTIES—Etisalat and its upcoming new state-controlled rival will both have to pay royalties to the government, officials told Gulf News. But Etisalat CEO Mohammad Omran said that in normal circumstances there should be some compensation for the loss of monopoly status. Etisalat presently pays 50% of net profit to the state. http://www.ameinfo.com/60031.html ICT: NIGERIA'S ANNUAL REVENUE HITS N11.6BN—The annual revenue that may have accrued to Nigeria from internet users in the country for the year 2005 is estimated at N11.6 billion. http://allafrica.com/stories/200505200175.html KENYAN GOVERNMENT TO SPLIT TELKOM INTO THREE UNITS—The Government might divide Telkom Kenya into three entities and outsource some of its services, Information and Communication minister Raphael Tuju said. http://allafrica.com/stories/200505180363.html NETCOM AFRICA BRINGS 3G MOBILE BROADBAND TO NIGERIA—Nigerians will be able to enjoy high speed broadband access while on the move and at a very affordable cost as a leading communication infrastructure provider of satellite and wireless broadband solutions in western Africa, Netcom Africa, has introduced a new product, MyNetcom, to Nigeria. http://allafrica.com/stories/200505170706.html WIRELESS GROWTH—While countries in the Middle Eastern region do not figure highly in the Ipsos-Insight report, the burgeoning support for increasingly mobile working practices and the abundance of wireless networks springing up across the region suggests that GCC countries will soon boast some of the largest wireless-enabled populations. http://www.itp.net/news/details.php?id=15415&srh=&tbl=itp_news NIGERIA: 'TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE CRITICAL TO INDUSTRIAL GROWTH'—President Olusegun Obasanjo said that for the country's manufacturing sector to experience big lift into the future, it must invest seriously in science, engineering and technology. http://allafrica.com/stories/200505190065.html GHANAN PARLIAMENT MARKS WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAY—The Chairman of the Communications Committee, Hon. Akwasi Afrifa, has disclosed that there is the need to pass a telecommunications act and review the National Communications Authority (NCA) Act to bring it in line with contemporary developments in technology and industry best practice. http://allafrica.com/stories/200505180401.html |
| This Week@Americas International |
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ARGENTINA, BRAZIL AND MEXICO RECORDED IMPRESSIVE BROADBAND GROWTH OVER PAST YEAR, BUT IS THIS SET TO CONTINUE? –A relatively stable economic environment has helped get the Latin American broadband marketplace on track. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico recorded impressive broadband growth over the past year, while Chile leads the region in broadband penetration-all good news for broadband equipment and service providers. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-19-2005/0003639353&EDATE= |
| This Week@Asia-Pacific/Japan |
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SOFTWARE PIRACY IN ASIA COST MANUFACTURERS $8 BILLION IN 2004—Software piracy in the Asia-Pacific region cost manufacturers an estimated $8 billion in 2004, with China, Vietnam and Indonesia among the top five nations flouting intellectual property laws, a global antipiracy watchdog said. http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=UV4HY3B AUSTRALIA STILL UNDECIDED ON TELSTRA SALE—The Australian government said it remains undecided on selling its 51.8% stake in Telstra before the next election, stoking concerns that the A$30 billion-plus ($23 billion) privatization could be delayed http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=162574 I.T. GIANTS FIGHT WIRELESS PATENT—Some of the world's largest IT firms are on a collision course with the Australian government's scientific research arm over a patent for wireless local area networks. Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was awarded the patent in 1996, which it claims relates to technologies used in several of IEEE wireless standards. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,39198936,00.htm KOREA'S FIXED-LINE MARKET TO SHRINK IN '05—South Korea's fixed-line telephone market is poised to fall 0.5% this year to 6.7 trillion won ($6.6 billion) as more consumers cancel landline services in preference for mobile phones. http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=162573 HACKER SHUTS DOWN JAPANESE SITE FOR OVER A WEEK—A hacker attack that hit a Japanese price comparison site forced it to temporarily shut down operations, Kakaku.com said this week. The closure will cost it approximately 40 million yen ($372,000) in lost revenues, the company said in a news conference http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/163105728 INDIA CONSIDERS FREE 3G LICENSES—Bangalor, India — Pricey 3G wireless licenses auctioned for millions elsewhere could be given away to Indian mobile carriers if a recommendation by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is approved by the government. http://www.outsourcingpipeline.com/163103826;jsessionid= ASIAN TELECOMS WILL SPEND $54 BILLION THIS YEAR: REPORT—Capital spending increased by 11% last year, and will grow 3% this year, led by China. http://www.networkingpipeline.com/163105569 |
| This Week@US States |
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WASHINGTON STATE ENACTS ANTI-SPYWARE AND ANTI-PHISHING LEGISLATION—Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed two bills aimed at protecting computer users from spyware and phishing. http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= BOSTON'S PUBLIC WI-FI TO CONTINUE GROWING ORGANICALLY—Boston has so much of a good thing--a bunch of public free Wi-Fi hotspots for starters--that it's unlikely to implement a citywide, municipally sponsored free Wi-Fi network. http://www.techweb.com/wire/networking/163106088 CALIF. THROWS UP RFID ROADBLOCK—The California Senate has approved the first legislation in the country to block state and local government agencies from issuing identification cards containing radio frequency identification tags. http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/technology-policy/35857-1.html RURAL MINNESOTA MUNICIPALITY LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM ECONOMIC VITALITY—a market leader for fiber-to-the-x (FTTX) solutions, today announced that Windom, Minnesota has recently unveiled its $8.6 million city-owned broadband network supported by ADC's OmniReach(TM) FTTX infrastructure solutions. http://www.stockhouse.com/news/news.asp?tick=ADCT&newsid=2775937 TELECOM BILL STALLED IN TEXAS LEGISLATURE—A bill that would make it easier for companies such as SBC and Verizon to sell TV service over their lines into their customers' homes was stalled in the Texas legislature. STATES LINE UP FOR VOLUNTARY INTERNET SALES TAX PROGRAM—In June, the Streamlined Sales Tax Project will certify the first states as full members of a voluntary program to collect taxes on Internet purchases. http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid |
| Other Tech News Of The Week |
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UN CALLS FOR CREATION OF TRULY GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY—Bridging the "digital divide" -- among peoples and between nations alike -- is the surest way to create a truly global information society for all, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message marking World Telecommunications Day. http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php?channel=17&id=94021 U.S. E-COMMERCE SALES UP 6.4 PCT IN FIRST QUARTER—U.S. retail sales over the Internet rose 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2005, the largest quarterly gain in a year, as increasing numbers of Americans used their computers to shop, the Commerce Department said. Purchases over the Internet, by e-mail or through other electronic networks increased to a seasonally adjusted $19.80 billion from January to March, capturing a record 2.2 percent of overall retail sales in the first quarter. http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2005-05-20T154447Z_01_N2063127_RTRIDST_0_NET-ECONOMY-ECOMMERCE-DC.XML GLOBAL SPENDING ON INTERNET DEVICES TO REACH $2.7 TRILLION IN 2012—Worldwide spending on so-called "ubiquitous Internet” devices and services is expected to total $2.7 trillion by 2012, as the Internet increasingly extends beyond computers to connect physical devices, a study shows. http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=162578 BACKBONE ROUTERS GROW AT A HEALTHY PACE: REPORT—A steady growth trend that began in 2003 has continued with revenues from backbone router sales reaching $420 million last quarter, representing a quarterly growth rate of 9%. http://www.networkingpipeline.com/news/163106009; NEW WI-FI STANDARD TAKES THE SLOW ROAD—The process to establish the next-generation Wi-Fi standard, which promises to quadruple transmission speeds, has stalled as members of the working group developing the standard failed to pass the main proposal onto the next stage. http://news.com.com/New+Wi-Fi+standard+takes+the+slow+road/2100-7351_3-5714368.html?tag=nefd.top WIRELESS CONTINUES RECORD WORLDWIDE GROWTH RATE—Record growth coming from emerging markets even as more mature markets are seeing flat or declining growth, according to a new study. http://informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid= BUSINESSES UNPREPARED FOR I.T. DISASTERS—Most businesses are very concerned about business continuity, but two-thirds lack a reliable plan to ensure their business can survive the worst. SURVEY: SLOW ADOPTION OF I.T. A THREAT TO HEALTH INDUSTRY—Slow adoption of IT, followed closely by rising medical costs and the cost of technology itself, are among the most serious threats to the health-care industry, according to a new survey of senior executives released Wednesday. http://www.outsourcingpipeline.com/58800054 INTERNET TV AND IPTV SEEN AS THE NEXT BIG THING—New technologies, including Windows Media Center, IPTV, seen leading to an explosion in TV narrowcasting, higher revenues. http://www.networkingpipeline.com/163103684 |
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