E-Gov: Progress and Performance November 10th, 2009

From the campaign trail to the White House, President Obama has made clear that broadband innovations are fundamental to enhancing America’s digital democracy and to providing greater government transparency.  With CTO Aneesh Chopra and CIO Vivek Kundra leading the charge toward technology innovation and integration, this year has seen a flurry of government initiatives to increase citizen access to information.

How do Americans feel about the changes?  According to a ‘new survey,’ customer satisfaction with government websites ranks its highest in six years, with 75.2 out of 100-points on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).  Based on the evaluation of 104 federal websites and a poll of nearly 300,000 citizens, the ACSI study noted that 86 percent of the citizens satisfied with a site also say the Internet is their go-to resource to find answers.  And online satisfaction not only means happy customers, it also yields time and cost efficiencies.

How has e-gov progressed since the President’s first days in office?  Chopra cites the WhiteHouse.gov website – which, since its overhaul, has seen Internet traffic skyrocket thousands of percent.  Driving this higher level of citizen engagement is the increased use of video which has helped ignite greater interest.  And this is only one of many websites across the government landscape that have been launched or revamped.

New media tools have also played a crucial role in connecting with citizens in a more dynamic and up-to-the-minute way.  From YouTube videos to blogs and Twitter feeds, this Administration has been ratcheting up its social media portfolio to keep its conversation with constituents going.

Chopra himself says the U.S. has barely scratched the surface of the digital era, and expects far more innovation and integration at the government level.  He is also focusing on using technology to deliver results that shape transformative U.S. policies.  With such ambitious goals and a team working actively to attain this vision, we will no doubt continue to see our digital democracy grow and thrive, thanks to broadband-powered innovations.

Guess Who’s Now Saying Government Could “Screw the Internet Up”? October 23rd, 2009

Rather than backing the FCC’s march toward a government-managed Internet—Google CEO Eric Schmidt chose yesterday to sound the alarms about broader government intervention.  Maybe it’s fair to say that Google has realized the likely consequences of a greater government role in the day-to-day operations of the Internet.

“It is possible for the government to screw the Internet up, big-time.” That is what Schmidt told the Washington Post in an interview yesterday.  This comes just days after he put his name on a letter to Chairman Genachowski that stated, “America’s leadership in the technology space has been due, in large part, to the open Internet … we applaud your leadership in initiating a process to develop rules to ensure that the qualities that have made the Internet so successful are protected.”  Those of us who support an open Internet, but oppose government managing online innovation welcome Google’s new cautionary warning.

Consumers, our economy and American innovation would all be better served if players across the Internet ecosystem worked together as a dynamic and collaborative industry.  A binary world of “dumb pipes” and “smart applications,” as Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg passionately argued this week, only hinders the Internet’s future potential for all of us.

It’s an encouraging sign for a constructive, workable path forward that Google, the company with the famous mantra “don’t be evil,” is now raising concerns about the burdens we all would bear if the government overreaches with new regulations.  Is it a game-changer

USTelecom’s McCormick Makes “GTB Power 100” September 28th, 2009

Internationally, who are the most influential people in the telecommunications industry?
According to the 2009 “Global Telecoms Business Power 100,” USTelecom’s President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. ranks number 57 on the list.

McCormick was lauded for his work on behalf of U.S. telecommunications companies, as well as for his leadership of USTelecom, “the broadband association,” which was noted for staying in step with the times. McCormick joins other industry luminaries on the “Power 100” list, including USTelecom members, such as AT&T’s Chairman, CEO, and President Randall Stephenson (#2), and Verizon’s Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg (#3).

Congratulations to Walter McCormick on this well-deserved recognition for his contributions to USTelecom and the telecommunications industry as a whole.

Washington Post Joins Growing Chorus of Concern on Net Neutrality Regs September 28th, 2009

Add another influential voice to the mounting dissent surrounding Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski’s proposal to dramatically expand and codify so-called net neutrality principles into regulation.

In its editorial this morning, The Washington Post asks the fundamental question at the center of the gathering storm:  “Is this intervention necessary?”

Read the editorial here.

USTelecom Statement on Google Voice Call Blocking September 25th, 2009

Today, AT&T filed a letter with the Federal Communications Commission pointing out that Google Voice is blocking calls to certain numbers that would incur access charges to Google.  Traditional telecom and wireless companies are required by law to connect these calls, despite the exorbitant access charges often associated with them.  The AT&T letter points out the need for a level and pro-investment playing field for all competitors in today’s broadband world.

The following statement is from Walter B. McCormick Jr., President and CEO of USTelecom:

“The hubris of Google’s ‘do as I say, not as I do’ approach to public policy would be laughable if it were not so serious.  In offering voice service, and then engaging in call blocking – effectively assuming the power to decide who its customer can call and what content they can access – the nation’s number one promoter of increased broadband regulation has arrogated to itself freedom from existing telecommunications regulation, a personal exemption from the FCC’s internet principles, and a pass on the public interest in competitive parity. If the FCC’s rules, principles and precedent are to have any meaning, it is imperative that they be applied equally.”

USTelecom Statement on Open Internet NPRM September 21st, 2009

Today, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced his intent to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at the Commission’s October meeting that could significantly expand the role of the federal government in the day-to-day operations of the Internet.

USTelecom President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. released the following statement:

“We were encouraged to hear the Chairman’s support of case-by-case enforcement and, more generally, by his assurances that we will have an open, inclusive and data-driven proceeding and that the details haven’t been pre-determined.  We do, however, remain concerned about the law of unintended consequences and a rulemaking that potentially goes too far.  All Americans enjoy an open and free Internet today.  And, I believe we all share the goal of ensuring our nation has a robust and innovative Internet in the future.  The broadband industry is a bright spot for deployment, employment and economic growth, and we are committed to doing business in ways that are consistent with reasonable network management and transparency.  We will engage in this process, and we appreciate the Chairman’s remarks today that he welcomes this participation.  We will proceed with an open mind, but we also believe the bar needs to be set very high when it comes to additional government interventions that could potentially disrupt the tremendous innovation and investment that have defined U.S. broadband for the past several years under the FCC’s existing open Internet principles.”

Big Apple Embraces Broadband July 14th, 2009

Digital democracy is alive and well in New York City. Recently, in a speech to the Personal Democracy Forum, Mayor Bloomberg announced a competition inviting tech professionals to develop Big Apple apps that help Internet users navigate vast stores of city data – including events, property sales, recreational centers and restaurant inspections. The contest, which gives programmers access to data from 32 city agencies and commissions, is expected to generate innovative ideas for gathering and presenting information of public interest.

Bloomberg also shared plans to launch 311 Online, a new web portal on NYC.gov offering a searchable database of city services. And a 311 city-services hotline will also be linked to a Twitter account.

No stranger to technology, Bloomberg recently added Facebook Connect to his campaign website. And city agencies, such as The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which was initiated to revitalize lower Manhattan in the aftermath of September 11, have embraced Twitter. The agency uses the microblogging technology for everything from sharing emergency plans related to building deconstruction to highlighting the organization’s assistance plan for small businesses.

From good governance to improving transparency and access to information, broadband holds powerful potential for cities and towns nationwide. New York City is taking innovative steps to unleash broadband’s vast opportunities, and others are also harnessing the exciting capabilities of our information age.

Broadband Industry Marks Online Safety Month June 2nd, 2009

USTelecom put out a news release recognizing Online Safety Month:

Broadband Industry Marks Online Safety Month
Shares Tips for Parents, Praises Public-Private Efforts to Keep Kids Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June is online safety month and the nation’s broadband providers are taking the opportunity to promote tools and resources to help keep America’s kids safe online.  As online safety leaders from across the public, private and non-profit sectors prepare to convene in Washington later this week for the first meeting of the Online Safety and Technology Working Group, USTelecom is highlighting the industry’s commitment to advancing this important issue.

Read the entire release here.

USTelecom Pleased With Genachowski Nomination March 3rd, 2009

Today, President Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate respected entrepreneur and communications policy veteran Julius Genachowski as the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

USTelecom CEO Walter McCormick immediately issued a statement, saying he looked forward to working with the new Chairman:

“We are pleased that we have in our President and in his choice for FCC Chairman two individuals who share our commitment to bringing broadband’s full promise to more Americans.  During the past two years, the nation’s nearly 1,400 broadband providers invested approximately $120 billion in private capital to extend the capacity and reach of modern communications infrastructure throughout our country.  It is critical that government and the private sector work constructively together to continue this vital progress that will help fuel our nation’s economic recovery and ongoing innovation from health care to education to citizen engagement in our democracy. ”

See the complete statement here.

Significant Step in FCC Back Up Power Reporting Requirements December 2nd, 2008

This week saw another significant milestone in USTelecom’s long-running effort relating to the extremely burdensome reporting requirements imposed by the FCC concerning network back-up power capabilities.  The Office of Management and Budget has released a one page letter rejecting the FCC’s analysis of the burden that this information collection would impose on the industry, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. USTelecom filed with the OMB in October urging them to reject the PRA analysis.

Last year, the Commission issued an Order imposing back-up power requirements and standards on critical network facilities.  The original requirements were extraordinarily costly and burdensome, and USTelecom was able to work with the Commission to have those obligations reduced. These obligations are currently stayed pending resolution of an appeal to the DC Circuit.  At the same time, however, the FCC has sought to move forward with very detailed data reporting requirements concerning existing back-up power standards in the industry.  As we explained in the OMB filing, the FCC’s analysis of the burden that would be imposed on companies to comply with this data collection was extremely understated.  For these reasons, OMB has now rejected the FCC’s analysis.

We will keep you informed as we learn additional information on how the FCC intends to proceed with this matter.