A bill to prohibit the interception and dissemination of conversations over wireless technology has been introduced in the United States Senate. “In the Information Era, keeping our personal information private has become very difficult,” said Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), chairman of the Senate communications subcommittee. Burns and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sponsored the Wireless Eavesdropping Protection Act.
The Federal Communications Commission should not require companies with fewer than 250 customers to fill out forms designed to determine the level of broadband deployment nationwide, said Jay Kitchen, president of the Personal Communications Industry Association. “The FCC should rethink its decision to require responses from broadband carriers with as few as 250 customers. These entrepreneurial companies should be concentrating their limited resources on building their networks and serving their customers,” Kitchen said. The FCC on March 24 adopted a five-page data collection electronic form. All carriers, except very small local exchange carriers, are required to fill out and submit the form.
The Senate technology, terrorism and government information subcommittee last week heard testimony regarding ways to effectively investigate cyber crimes. “Catching and punishing those who commit cyber crimes is essential for deterring future attacks. Law enforcement must be equipped with the resources and authorities necessary to swiftly trace a cyber attack back to its source and appropriately prosecute the attackers. Our laws are not set in stone and must be periodically updated so that they reflect the current state of technology, while maintaining the same level of constitutional protections cherished by all Americans,” said subcommittee Chairman Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration last week completed the 18th Annual International Spectrum Management Seminar where 18 representatives from 17 developing countries were taught about spectrum management principles, engineering analysis and computer-aided spectrum management techniques. The seminar was taught by NTIA’s Office of Spectrum Management with assistance from Comsearch and Motorola Inc.
