Telecommunications

Legislation to Address Digital Divide among Minority Institutions Heads Toward Senate Floor for Vote

June 27, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Senators Jim Webb and John W. Warner today announced that the “Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act” was reported out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology.    » read more »

27 June 2007 -- Hype over Apple Incorporated's newest device is reaching fever pitch as the company gears up for the official debut of the iPhone. The hybrid phone can play music, take pictures and surf the Internet. It goes on sale in the U.S. on Friday. VOA's Mil Arcega reports.

Anticipation has been building since January when Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the company's first foray into the mobile phone market. Since then, Apple shares have gained more than 40 percent. John Shinal is a technology editor at Market Watch.    » read more »

6.25.07 - Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed Senate Bill 117, a bill that gives the director of the Ohio Department of Commerce authority to issue statewide franchises for video service that is provided over cables or wires.

“I believe that the establishment of a statewide franchise for video-service providers will not only bring additional investment to our state, but also result in lower costs and more choices for consumers in Ohio,” Strickland said.

Source: Ohio Governor

Company to enact policies to prevent third-party billing without consumers’ consent

June 25, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Floridians will receive enhanced protection from third-party billing under an agreement reached between Embarq and the state of Florida, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced.    » read more »

Suit versus Federal Government on Access to Phone Calling Records Due to be Argued in U.S. District Court Thursday

June 20, 2007 -- Trenton, NJ – The state of New Jersey will pursue its arguments in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Thursday to dismiss an attempt by the federal government to block state officials from investigating potential violations of state consumer privacy laws.    » read more »

AG Designates National Do Not Call Registry As Oregon List, Restoring Authority To Enforce Oregon's No Call Law; Governor approves legislation authorizing Attorney General's designation and also approves anti-price gouging legislation and legislation outlawing "live checks"

June 18, 2007 -- Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers today designated the National Do Not Call Registry (national registry) as Oregon's No Call List, restoring the ability of the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce Oregon's No Call Law.    » read more »

Specification For the Cable Industry to Comply with The Communications Assistance Law Enforcement Act (CALEA)

June 12, 2007 -- The FBI responded to CableLabs' release of a technical specification developed to facilitate the cable industry's compliance with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The Cable Broadband Intercept Specification represents the cable industry's interface specifications for broadband data communication services.    » read more »

June 1, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Approximately 10,000 Hoosiers will have an opportunity to receive a refund from Email Discount Network (EDN), a company accused of placing unauthorized charges and fees on consumers’ phone bills without authorization announced Attorney General Steve Carter today.

“This was a classic case of ‘cramming’ that impacted people across the country,” Carter said. “We are putting the word out to Indiana consumers who may have been fraudulently charged or whose cancellation notices to the company were not honored.”    » read more »

May 31, 2007 -- Carson City – Today, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons signed Assembly Bill 518 into law. This legislation, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor, fosters greater competition among telecommunications providers across the state, ensuring that all consumers have access to affordable telephone service options.    » read more »