The Federal Communications Commission moved at Wednesday's open meeting to consider implementing new rules that would require that mobile devices be able to work on multiple frequencies across the 700 megahertz band of spectrum. The goal is to prevent consumers from having to buy a new smartphone or tablet when they switch carriers. Public interest groups and small carriers hailed the move, which is opposed by some larger wireless firms.
The Commission also voted to open up satellite spectrum for DISH Network to build a terrestrial wireless network. The FCC recently revoked its earlier permission for LightSquared to build a similar network due to interference with GPS devices. Dish's plans aren't expected to create the same problems because they reportedly run on a different spectrum band.
Verizon Cracks Down On Cramming: Verizon told Senate Commerce chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., on Wednesday it will stop allowing third-parties to place unwanted charges on customers' landline phone bills, a practice known as "cramming." Rockefeller hailed Verizon's announcement, which comes after his Committee conducted a year-long investigation into cramming, but said he still plans to move forward with legislation to ban the practice completely. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., wrote to AT&T and CenturyLink asking them to join Verizon in banning deceptive billing practices. Rockefeller Focused On Broadband Adoption: Rockefeller also took time on Tuesday to send letters to 11 major broadband providers, asking what programs they've implemented to promote broadband adoption. Studies have consistently shown adoption is a greater challenge for expanding the number of broadband users than access, with cost the most frequently-cited barrier that prevents consumers from subscribing. Rockefeller also wrote to the Government Accountability Office asking for a study of the broadband adoption programs funded by the 2009 Recovery Act. Cyber Brain Drain At Pentagon: CQ's Rob Margetta reports the government is still losing the battle to recruit and retain employees with badly-needed cybersecurity skills, according to officials from the Pentagon and Sandia National Laboratory at a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. Private firms are able to offer cybersecurity staff with doctorate degrees better pay and much more room for advancement, while a government job means waiting 12 years for a promotion to another pay grade. The shortage is exacerbated by the fact the market for skilled computer scientists in the U.S. already outstrips the supply, meaning private firms are already competing fiercely for the top talent. Obama Crushing GOP Field In Web Traffic: If the websites of presidential candidates operated like traditional online businesses, President Obama would be winning the traffic war but New Gingrich would be the one with the audience that advertisers covet. During January, President Obama's site received more traffic than the four GOP candidates' sites combined. However, Gingrich's audience was the most affluent and educated, while Ron Paul attracted the youngest crowd. CRS Report On Cybersecurity: With both chambers pushing to pass cybersecurity legislation this year, the CRS recently released a timely report (PDF) outlining the potential legal concerns raised by the various regulatory and information sharing proposals in front of Congress. The report notes the Fourth Amendment concerns raised by the Department of Homeland Security system used to monitor federal networks, and discusses the degree to which federal law preempts state law. NAB President Gets Extension: National Association of Broadcasters President and former Senator Gordon Smith, R-Ore., has agreed to a five-year extension that will keep him at the broadcast trade group through 2016. Smith joined NAB in 2009 after spending 10 months at the law firm of Covington & Burling following his departure from the Senate in 2008. The NAB has made ensuring any spectrum auctions are completely voluntary its top policy priority in recent years.