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NARUC

Broadband Data/Broadband Mapping/Broadband News

New NRRI Report Probes State Broadband Initiatives in California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and New York

BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: This new 60-page report by the National Regulatory Research Institute (and which was founded by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners), delves into the important state role in broadband deployment. It discusses the role of State Broadband Initiatives, including broadband mapping efforts, and discusses in greater detail the projects in California,… Keep Reading

Broadband's Impact/FCC/NTIA

Because It is Necessary to Be Online Today, the Continuing Digital Divide Poses a Serious Challenge to Policymakers

WASHINGTON, February 11, 2013 - The increasing prevalence on job applications being online is just one of many reasons why it is vital to “close our nation’s digital divide and [improve] digital literacy,” Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., said Thursday. Having more people connected would in turn allow more people to have access to jobs and… Keep Reading

FCC/Mobile Broadband/National Broadband Plan/States/Universal Service/Wireless

States Take Aim at USF and ICC reform

WASHINGTON December 8, 2011 – Wednesday TheHill.com reported that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission filed suit against the Federal Communications Commission for it’s Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to reform the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation regime.  The suit, filed in the 3rd Circuit, alleges that the FCC order is “arbitrary and capricious”… Keep Reading

Broadband Data/Broadband Mapping/NTIA/Recovery Act/States

NTIA Previews National Broadband Map

WASHINGTON February 17, 2011 - Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, Lawrence Strickling, presented a brief preview of the national broadband map and an update on the activities of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the annual winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners on Wednesday. Keep Reading

FCC/Mobile Broadband/Universal Service

NARUC Panel Supports USF Reform

WASHINGTON February 15, 2011 - On Monday, the Telecommunications Subcommittee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners gathered a diverse group of experts to discuss the Proposed Rulemaking on Universal Service Fund Reform the Federal Communications Commission recently issued. Keep Reading

Smart Grid

NARUC Panel Explores Consumer Benefits of Smart Grid

WASHINGTON, February 14, 2011 - A panel of representatives from T-Mobile, Echeleon and state and federal governments discussed the value of smart grid for consumers on Saturday at the The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners yearly convention and explained how the smart grid will be able to bring both consumers and utilities increased efficiencies. Keep Reading

Broadband Updates

NARUC Names new Chair of Committee on Telecommunications

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has named a new Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications. John Burke from the Vermont Public Service Board will replace Ray Baum of Oregon. Baum has taken up a position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications and Technology as a Senior Policy Advisor. Burke… Keep Reading

Broadband's Impact/FCC/Mobile Broadband/Net Neutrality

Support Dims for FCC Chairman’s Open Internet Proposal

WASHINGTON, December 21, 2010 - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski on Dec. 1 announced that there would be a set of open internet rules that his agency would vote on during its open meeting on Dec. 21. While many stakeholders in the debate initially were happy to learn that the chairman would finally bring the issue to a vote, support dimmed after learning what he planned to include in the rules. Keep Reading

FCC/Mobile Broadband/Net Neutrality/Smart Grid

NARUC Proposes Fourth Way

WASHINGTON July 7, 2010- National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has just released a draft of its proposed resolutions for their summer meeting. The organization is proposing a fourth way of regulating broadband and would like the federal government to take a hands off approach to smart grid. Keep Reading

Recovery Act/States

State Telecom Regulators Score NTIA and RUS for Unclear Tax Situation; Seek IRS Ruling

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2010 - The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners on Monday urged the Treasury Department to clarify the tax implications for the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. NARUC criticized the Commerce Department and the Agriculture Department for failing to clarify whether Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program grants, Broadband Infrastructure Program grants, and broadband mapping grants are taxable. Keep Reading

Broadband's Impact/Copyright/Premium Content

Broadband People Column: Victoria Espinel Confirmed For Top Intellectual Property Post

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2009 - The Senate has confirmed Victoria Espinel to be the first U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator. Her job will be to craft the nation’s next intellectual property strategy. Though former President George Bush created the position of U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement and filled it with Chris Israel, the intellectual property czar has been elevated to a White House position under President Obama. Keep Reading

Broadband's Impact

Tech Companies and Incumbents Seek Federal Jurisdiction of Internet Services

WASHINGTON, December 2, 2009 - A number of companies have signed onto a letter to members of Congress encouraging the passage of legislation affirming that all internet protocol-based services are subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction, if the services are regulated at all. Under the approach, state regulation of such services would be barred. “Absent Congressional action to confirm exclusive federal jurisdiction, IP services will be subject to a patchwork of 50-plus different regulatory regimes, stifling innovation and the industry’s ability to take full advantage of available cost savings,” reads the letter (PDF) obtained by Broadband Census News. Keep Reading

Recovery Act/States

The Scoop on NARUC: From Washington to Main Street, Broadband Questions Remain

CHICAGO, November 18, 2009 - One striking sentiment dominated this week’s convention of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners: The federal government remains on nearly as steep a learning curve on crafting the future of broadband as many state agencies, and the best work ahead will likely get done when public and private concerns team up. “Of course more needs to be done, and they’re still learning [in Washington] how to reliably and effectively get the funds out,” said David Svanda of Svanda Consulting in Clarksville, Md., and a past president of NARUC. Keep Reading

National Broadband Plan/Recovery Act

Broadband Plan of Attack is Evolving, Say Industry and Regulators

CHICAGO, November 18, 2009 - The title of Wednesday’s panel at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners sounded militant enough: “Broadband Plan of Attack.” Yet the speakers on hand gave the distinct impression that across public, private and academic sectors, conclusive battle plans remain to be drawn. Regulators from Washington, telecom providers and researchers agree that the push forward for wider broadband access remains both a certainty and an imperative. Yet not everyone seems to be dancing the same step just yet—a fact reflected in the frank appraisal of Robert Curtis, director of deployment for the national broadband plan at the Federal Communications Commission. Keep Reading

National Broadband Plan/Universal Service

Universal Service Fund Needs Overhaul, and Most Want Broadband Included

WASHINGTON, November 18, 2009 - The Universal Service Fund is in need of an overhaul to equalize costs among stakeholders and modernize programs to include broadband services, a group of industry representatives and regulators told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet during a Tuesday hearing. The hearing examined a discussion draft of the Universal Service Reform Act of 2009, authored by subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., and Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb. The Universal Service program, which existed for decades before being codified in the 1996 Telecommunications Act, is under "tremendous pressure" and requires a comprehensive effort to reform its operations, Boucher said during opening remarks. Keep Reading

Broadband Data/Expert Opinion

Should Incumbents or Independents Participate in Broadband Mapping Treasure?

WASHINGTON, October 12, 2009 - Carl Weinschenck, writing in IT Business Edge, speaks about "Broadband Mapping: Treasure for a New Age." Carl discusses the rash of interest in broadband data and mapping since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in February 2009, and highlights the work of several data companies. Among the companies highlighted are Ridgeview Telecom, Connected Nation, and BroadbandCensus.com. Keep Reading

States

Ex-MIT Researcher is Massachusetts' New 'Broadband Czar'

BOSTON, April 29, 2009 - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced Wednesday his appointment of former MIT researcher and state regulator Sharon Gillett as director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. The institute was chartered by Patrick in 2008 with the goal of bringing universal broadband service to state residents by 2011. Keep Reading

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