How Much U.N. Is Enough?

The leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a bipartisan resolution on Wednesday voicing strong opposition to proposals that would give the United Nations greater authority over the Internet. This morning there is a hearing on the topic, featuring Republican FCC member Robert McDowell and Google's Vinton Cerf along with representatives from the State Department and Internet Society. The hearing will consider changes to international telecommunications regulations that would give the U.N.'s International Telecommunications Union greater authority over issues such as cybersecurity, privacy and potentially allow countries like China and Russia to censor free speech in the name of national security.

The resolution is a clear sign that U.S. lawmakers are united with the Obama administration against any attempt to alter the current multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance, which relies on several non-profit institutions. Several lawmakers including House Energy and Commerce chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and telecom subcommittee chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., released statements arguing that allowing the U.N. to regulate the Web would seriously jeopardize the economic and political benefits it provides. The proposal will come up at a December conference on international telecommunications, where several emerging nations will likely push for the changes. But yesterday's statements confirm the U.S. is loath to cede control of such a vital economic engine to international regulators, making it unlikely such measures will succeed.

Quotable: "I think we can all agree that the adoption of these proposals is a very serious threat to the free, transparent and open Internet as we know it today. Today’s hearing, along with a bipartisan Congressional Internet Caucus briefing which I’m cosponsoring next week, are an opportunity to discuss these issues and send a strong message that intergovernmental control over the Internet will uproot the innovation, openness and transparency enjoyed by nearly 2.3 billion users around the world." — Anna Eshoo of California, ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology House Passes FCC Reporting Bill: The House passed a bill (HR 3310) on Wednesday by voice vote that would consolidate the FCC's reporting requirements to Congress into a single annual report on the state of the communications market. The bill would also require the agency to report annually to Congress on the fees it collects for broadband spectrum licenses. The bill is a companion to legislation (HR 3309) from Rep. Greg Walden designed to limit the FCC's ability to issue new regulations and attach conditions to mergers. That legislation was approved by the House in March, but the Senate is not expected to take up the bill. Researchers Uncover New Spyware: The Economist's Babbage blog says researchers at the Kaspersky Lab have uncovered a new piece of malicious code dubbed "Flame" that sucks data out of infected computers. The worm has been compared to Duqu, which itself was based on the Stuxnet virus, but is also represents an evolution of technology designed to harm or spy on enemy networks. The researchers have been unable to identify the creators of Flame, though there has been speculation that Israel may be to blame. Regardless, the emergence of this new cyber-weapon is another clear signal that digital warfare is a growing threat — and it will likely be used by advocates of cybersecurity regulations to push for their legislation (S 2105). On the Move: The FCC announced Wednesday that Rick Kaplan will step down as Wireless Bureau chief next month and will be succeeded by Ruth Milkman, currently special counsel to Chairman Julius Genachowski for innovation in government. Milkman previous led the Wireless Bureau from August 2009 to June 2011. FCC Chair in San Diego: Genachowski will join representatives from Connect2Compete and Cox Communications today on a visit to San Diego middle school  to announce progress on their efforts to close the broadband adoption gap. The groups are working together on a program to offer eligible families in San Diego low-cost broadband and laptop computers. Surveys have consistently shown that cost, not availability, is the primary barrier to broadband adoption. Groups Slam Verizon-Cable Deal: The Alliance for Broadband Competition filed a pleading with the FCC on Wednesday arguing the proposed sale of spectrum from a group of cable companies to Verizon would harm consumers and diminish competition. They argue Verizon's decision to stop offering stand-alone DSL would raise costs by eliminating the only wireline alternative to cable broadband in most areas, while allowing the cable companies and Verizon to tie their services together and block other wireless competitors. The coalition includes Public Knowledge, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The deal is currently being reviewed by both the FCC and Justice Department. Net Neutrality Challenge Delayed Until Next Year: Reuters reports the legal challenge to the FCC's net neutrality rules will likely last into next year, according to a proposed court schedule that sets November 21 as the deadline for final briefs. Oral arguments would likely not be scheduled until next year. The same court threw out the FCC's last attempt at enforcing net neutrality, and many observers doubt the current rules will hold up in court. Verizon has filed a suit arguing the FCC overstepped its authority, while other groups have filed challenges arguing the rules should also apply to wireless providers.