Policy Updates

Welcome back to the TIA Policy Update, a bi-weekly mailing exclusively for TIA members. This Update summarizes the recent news and developments from around the information and communications technology industry on the important issues that you have been following. We hope you all enjoyed the holidays, and we wish you a very happy new year!

For access to our weekly calendar of policy events and activities, please click here.

Also, learn more about TIA's Innovation Agenda

Broadband

  • TIA submits comments with FCC on AT&T and NTCA petitions for TDM-IP transition. TIA CommentsThe Right Path to 100G
  • Federal Trade Commission issues new report on mobile privacy, and announces enforcement action. FTC Report
  • FCC releases final progress report on 2012 Lifeline Program savings. FCC Report
  • FCC plans to hold a Broadband Adoption and Usage Summit on February 7, 2013. FCC Public Notice and Agenda
  • FCC Chairman issues Gigabit City Challenge at the U.S Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting.

Spectrum

International

  • USTR request for comments and notice of public hearing for the International Services Agreement. Notification of intent to testify and written testimonry and/or written comments are due by noon on February 26. The hearing will be held in Washington, DC on March 12.
  • Ambassador Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, has announced his departure from USTR by late February
  • Department of Commerce will hold a stakeholder meeting on February 7 at 2:00pm at the Commerce Department for the JCCT Information Industry Working Group (IIWG). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential cooperative activities that would be linked to IIWG priorities for 2013.  More information will be circulated to the International Committee.  If you have questions, please contact Eric Holloway.

Research Ecosystem

  • House Science Committee Chairman writes op-ed on need for greater R&D and STEM education in America.
  • As the debate over comprehensive immigration continues, both high-skilled immigration and entrepreneur visas are among those debated topics; Bi-partisan House group also tackling comprehensive immigration proposal. Article 1 | Article 2 | Article 3

Public Safety

  • FCC holds field hearings on Superstorm Sandy and Network Reliability on February 5-6. Feb. 5 Agenda | Feb. 6 Agenda
  • February 12 First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Meeting Announced. FirstNet Announcement
  • FCC Chairman announces forthcoming rulemaking to improve the reliability of existing 9-1-1 Networks. FCC Press Release

Cybersecurity

  • Congressman Ruppersberger announces plan to re-introduce Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act with House Intelligence Chairman Mike Rogers. 
  • Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Joint Authorization Board grants first provisional authorization. NIST Announcement
  • European Union plans to propose new cybersecurity rules; some industry leaders already have reservations. Article 1 | Article 2
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites participation in National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) secure exchange of electronic health information demonstration project. NIST Notice and Invitation 

Green ICT

  • President Obama's second Inaugural Address makes statement on climate change.
  • Secretary Chu announces his departure from the Administration..
  • Department of Energy announces members and first meeting of Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee.
  • Smart grid spending rose 7% to $14 billion last year driven by China investments.
  • Congressmen Waxman and Markey and Senator Whitehouse announce formation of bicameral Task Force on Climate Change.
  • LBNL projects utility energy efficiency spending top double by 2025.
  • ASAP and ACEEE release report claiming lost savings from Administration's delay of new mandated energy savings standards is $3.7 billion.

Accessibility

  • White House releases memo on the improvement of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • FCC reminds of CVAA reporting deadlines and CVAA reporting web portal availability. FCC Public Notice
  • TIA submits comments to the FCC on the effectiveness of hearing aid compatibility regulations for wireless handsets. FCC Public Notice | TIA Comments
  • FCC extends Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) charter until June 2013.
  • Department of Education proposes priorities for disability research projects (inclusive cloud and web computing). Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Standards & IPR

  • US Department of Justice and US Patent and Trademark Office issue policy statement on remedies for standards-essential patents subject to voluntary F/RAND commitments. Joint DOJ/USPTO Policy Statement
  • FTC Chairman Job Leibowitz will step down this month.
  • FTC extends comment period for Google-Motorola Mobility LLC proposed settlement order until February 22. FTC Announcement
  • TIA Standards & IPR Policy Committee (SIPC) will hold its next face-to-face meeting May 1-2, 2013 in Washington, DC.

Health IT

  • New FCC presentation on expanding broadband access and spectrum availability for healthcare. FCC Presenation
  • Health and Human Services Department's Health IT Policy Committee is forming a new Accountable Care Workgroup; nominations are due February 15. HHS HITPC Application
  • Food and Drug Administration releases draft approval guidance for "home use" devices; comments are due March 13. FDA Request for Comment
  • FCC will accept applications for new Healthcare Connect Fund in Summer 2013. Announcement and Factsheet

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